Here are six problem solving ideas for your class – you can use these together to form one or two lessons or use them across a series of classes as an introduction to working successfully as a group. Interested in challenging and amazing your class even further? Why not bring your pupils for a day trip or residential experience at one of our Scout Activity Centres! With five locations across the UK to choose from and a range of equipment – archery to zip wires, climbing to canoeing - our experienced team will work with you to deliver a fun and educational visit! Group size: ~30 participants (or one class) These challenges can be operated on a small, classroom based, scale or on a larger scale outside. Each challenge can be operated as a ‘base’ with a set amount of time at each base and points awarded to each team for their performance in the challenge or each task can be operated individually. All will fulfil the Outdoor and Adventurous Activities section of the National Curriculum for Key Stage 2 and are also suitable for Key Stages 3 and 4 – they require teamwork and effective communication in order for the team to succeed. “Children should be able to solve simple challenges and problems successfully and work as part of a group.” National Curriculum KS2 “Pupils should, using imaginative ways to express and communicate ideas, solve problems and overcome challenges” National Curriculum, PE, KS3

 Keep the rules simple – they can be easily adjusted to make the task easier or more challenging depending on the group ability.  Encourage them to talk about ways to solve the problem before starting.  Help them to describe a plan and allocate roles in the group or pair – provide them with pen and paper to write their plan down if appropriate.  Stop the group as they work and ask them to think about what they are doing and how well they are succeeding in the challenge.  Remind them of the rules for the activity if necessary.  Review each challenge after completion: what did they do well? What would they do differently next time/how could they improve performance?

COIN CHALLENGE Group size: 1+ participants. Duration: 20+ minutes. Equipment4 coins of different size (or discs/ tyres/ plates) 4 markers (or posts) ObjectiveTo move the coins in the correct order, onto a different pole without placing a larger coin on top of a smaller one. RulesOnly one coin can be moved at a time. All coins must remain on a pole at all times. Larger coins cannot be put on smaller ones. Increased difficulty Use a larger number of coins. Use less markers for the coins to be placed on. Cannot ‘skip’ poles in order to pass a smaller coin. Set-up SolutionOnce the group have worked out the basic process, the challenge will become very simple and achievable with any number of coins! Solution if using 4 coins and 3 markers: Birds ’ eye view

BLINDFOLD SHAPES Group size: 6+ participants. Duration: 10 minutes. EquipmentLength of rope (long enough for the whole group to hold onto). Blindfolds for the entire group. ObjectiveAs a team, the group must attempt to create as many of the given shapes in the allotted time. Those who are not blindfolded must give clear and concise directions to the rest of the group. Increased difficulty Use more challenging shapes. More people should be blindfolded. Change the individuals giving the directions. CIRCLE CHALLENGE Group size: 6+ participants. Duration: 10 minutes. EquipmentHula hoop or loop of rope ObjectiveThe whole group should stand in a circle and hold hands. The hula hoop should be placed between 2 individuals in the circle. The hoop must now be passed all the way around the group without letting go of one another’s hands. See how many times the group can perform this challenge in the allotted time – points awarded accordingly. Increased difficulty Everyone must perform the task standing on one leg.

knives cups X CUPS AND KNIVES Group size: 1+ participants. Duration: 10 minutes. Equipment3 identical cups 3 identical knives Tennis ball/ similar. ObjectiveTo balance the tennis ball above the centre of the laid out cups, using only the knives. RulesThe tennis ball cannot touch the cups. The cups cannot be moved. The tennis ball must balance above the centre of the cups for at least 10 seconds. Increased difficulty Can be done on a larger scale with large planks of wood and barrels/ tree stumps. Set-up SolutionOne knife should be balanced on each cup and all three should meet in the centre of the cups (x). Knives should be woven together so that each one is taking the weight of another. knives cups X

HUMAN KNOT Group size: 6+ participants. Duration: 10 minutes. EquipmentNone ObjectiveEveryone in the group should hold hands with two DIFFERENT people. The aim is then to ‘undo’ the knot that everyone is in without letting go of one another. NUMBER/ LETTER JUMBLE Group size: 1+ participants. Duration: 10 minutes. EquipmentCards with numbers 1  8 or letter A  H printed on. Pre-marked grid on the ground/drawn onto paper/white board. ObjectiveTo place all cards onto the grid so that no consecutive number or letter is next to one another (including diagonals). Solution Increased difficulty If using a large grid laid out on the ground get one member of the group to stand in each position and they must move about appropriately. D F G A H B C E