The authors hypothesize that the concreteness of the mode of item presentation would influence the subjects' performance on the Purdue Elementary Problem Solving Inventory. Results suggest that the variables of degree of disadvantage and ethnic background are sometimes more relevant than the mode in which the content is presented. (HMV)

The authors propose a three-stage model for gifted education which proposes a hierarchy of instructional activities to enhance creative thinking, problem-solving skills, project abilities, exploratory reading, and independent learning capacity. Activities which extend the three-stage model to career education for the gifted are described. (SBH)

Instructional exercises were applied in an attempt to increase children's problem solving skills; performance in two training groups was greater than in that of a control group. (KS)

Describes the use of chess instruction to develop abstract thinking skills and problem solving among gifted students. Offers suggestions for starting school chess programs, teaching and evaluating chess skills, and measuring the success of both student-players and the program in general. (PB)

This publication was designed to help teachers learn about promising materials, methods, and techniques for teaching creative thinking and problem solving to disadvantaged elementary school children. Two kinds of reviews of published teaching materials for specific grade levels and subject areas are included: (1) reviews of commercially published…

The Program for Academic and Creative Enrichment (PACE) is a pull-out program for gifted elementary students. It is implemented by resource teachers working on a three stage model to develop basic thinking, critical thinking and problem solving, independent study, and research skills. (CL)

The model involves the following five steps: (1) brainstorm the problems; (2) evaluate the brainstorm list and select the most important one; (3) brainstorm solutions to the problem; (4) create a synthesis of 3; and (5) develop a plan to implement 4. (PHR)

An enrichment program based on the Purdue Three-Stage Model (creative thinking abilities, creative problem solving, and independent study and research skills) resulted in no significant differences in self-concept scores for 199 gifted elementary participants compared to control Ss. Participants did, however, show significant differences in…

This review of the literature examines three aspects of creative thinking and production: (1) metacognitive processing; (2) the knowledge base; and (3) personality variables. It is concluded that all three are essential elements, they operate interactively, and the results of creative thinking and problem solving are best assessed through…

The purpose of this book is to help teachers learn about promising materials, methods and techniques for teaching creative thinking and problem solving in their classrooms. Information about teaching methods or techniques which can be readily adapted by the teacher to fit any grade level and subject area are presented. Specific directions on how…

Methods, techniques, and materials for teaching creativity and problem-solving were discussed in a workshop for elementary school teachers. (RK)

The COMET summer residential program at Purdue University (Indiana) offers gifted and talented youth in grades 4-6 a week of intensive study in a single content area. Courses stress specific problem-solving skills and development of a rich knowledge base. Extensive program evaluation by students, teachers, counselors, and parents was highly…

The reprinted 1978 article with a 1988 update advocates a combination of enrichment and acceleration to meet the needs of gifted youth. It presents a three-stage enrichment model to develop: (1) divergent and convergent thinking abilities; (2) creative thinking and problem solving strategies; and (3) independent learning abilities. (VW)

This paper reviews current models of problem solving to identify results relevant to teachers or instructional developers. Four areas are covered: information processing models, approaches stressing human abilities and factors, creative problem solving models, and other aspects of problem solving. Part of a theme issue on intelligence. (Author/SJL)