TITLE:     . . .AND THE ANSWER IS

AUTHOR:    Joann Ball; Comanche Schools, Comanche, OK

OVERVIEW:  Students need to be stimulated to think
           creatively.

GRADE LEVEL:  any

PURPOSE:  To stimulate thinking.

OBJECTIVES:
1.   To help students be aware that some situations have
     more than one answer.
2.   To increase others' appreciation of creative
     thinkers.
3.   To encourage students to come up with their own
     "problems."
4.   To stimulate creative thinking.

ACTIVITIES AND PROCEDURES:
     Before students come into the room, write this on the
chalkboard:  "The answer is 12.  What is the question?"
Students are to find as many questions as possible.  You can
set a time limit or have the activity last all day.

RESOURCES/MATERIALS:   none.

TYING IT ALL TOGETHER:
     In addition to using this activity with my own
students, I have used it when I oversee a class for another
teacher for just a few minutes.  It's great for a short
activity to fill in an extra time.  Students can make their
own problems with any number, i.e. "The answer is 3.  What
is the question?"  I sometimes have students running up to
me days or weeks later with "questions."