Introduction
As educators, one of our primary goals is to help students develop their problem-solving skills. This includes teaching them to identify the size of a problem and determining whether they need assistance to solve it. In this blog post, we will explore an activity that teaches students how to differentiate between big and small problems and how to seek help when necessary. This skill is an essential part of Social-Emotional Learning, as it helps students to navigate challenges and understand the impact of their actions on others.
No-Prep Activity: The Problem-Solving Spectrum
This no-prep activity is designed to help students visualize the spectrum of problem sizes and understand when to ask for help. Start by explaining that problems can be categorized as big or small based on the amount of time, people, and resources needed to solve them, as well as the potential impact on others.
Ask students to form a line in the middle of the room, representing the “Problem-Solving Spectrum.” On one end of the spectrum is “small problems,” and on the other end is “big problems.” Read aloud various scenarios, and instruct students to move along the spectrum to the position that they think represents the size of the problem.
After each scenario, discuss the students’ choices, and explain why the problem is considered big or small. This activity allows students to practice their problem-solving skills while also understanding the importance of seeking help when needed.
Discussion Questions
- What are some examples of small problems that you can solve on your own? How do you approach solving these problems?
- What are some examples of big problems that require help from others? How do you decide who to ask for help?
- How can understanding the difference between big and small problems help you in your daily life?
- Why is it important to ask for help when dealing with big problems? How does this affect the people around you?
- How do you feel when someone helps you solve a big problem? How can you show appreciation for their assistance?
Related Skills
In addition to differentiating between big and small problems, it is crucial for students to develop other related skills. These include:
- Effective communication: Expressing their needs and feelings clearly to others when seeking help.
- Empathy: Understanding the feelings and perspectives of others when solving problems.
- Collaboration: Working together with others to find solutions to problems.
- Resilience: Learning from challenges and setbacks and continuing to move forward.
Next Steps
Teaching students to identify and solve big and small problems is an essential component of Social-Emotional Learning. By incorporating these skills into your curriculum, you can help students develop the tools they need to navigate challenges and understand the impact of their actions on others. To access free sample materials for teaching this skill and others, visit Everyday Speech’s sample materials page.
