Introduction

In our daily lives, we encounter various problems, some arising from our mistakes and others due to circumstances beyond our control. While we cannot avoid facing these problems, we can learn to manage our emotions and reactions to them. This is particularly important for students in Special Education, as they may need additional support in developing problem-solving skills and emotion management. In this blog post, we will explore an easy-to-implement activity for educators to teach these valuable skills, followed by discussion questions, related skills, and next steps to further enhance your students’ abilities.

No-Prep Activity: The Problem-Solving Wheel

This activity requires no preparation or materials, making it an excellent choice for busy educators. Here’s how it works:

1. Ask students to think of a recent problem they faced, either at home or at school.
2. Encourage them to share their problem with the class, if they feel comfortable doing so.
3. Introduce the concept of the Problem-Solving Wheel, which consists of six steps to help manage emotions and solve problems effectively:
1. Identify the problem
2. Take a deep breath and calm down
3. Think of possible solutions
4. Consider the consequences of each solution
5. Choose the best solution
6. Try the solution and see if it works
4. Guide the students through each step of the Problem-Solving Wheel, discussing how it can be applied to their chosen problem.
5. After completing the activity, ask students to reflect on how the Problem-Solving Wheel helped them manage their emotions and make better decisions.

Discussion Questions

• Why is it important to manage our emotions when faced with a problem? How does it help us become better problem-solvers?
• Can you think of a time when you didn’t manage your emotions well during a problem? How did it affect the outcome?
• How can the Problem-Solving Wheel help us in different situations, such as at home, at school, or with friends?
• How can we support each other in managing our emotions and solving problems effectively?
• What other strategies can we use to improve our problem-solving skills and emotion management?

Related Skills

In addition to problem-solving and emotion management, there are other relevant skills that can benefit students in Special Education. These include:

• Empathy: Understanding and sharing the feelings of others, which helps us connect with and support those around us.
• Resilience: The ability to bounce back from challenges and setbacks, learning from them and growing stronger as a result.
• Self-awareness: Recognizing and understanding our own emotions, thoughts, and behaviors, allowing us to make better choices and improve our relationships.
• Communication: Effectively expressing our thoughts and feelings, and actively listening to others, which is essential for successful problem-solving and collaboration.

Next Steps

Developing problem-solving skills and emotion management is an ongoing process, and it’s essential to continually support and encourage your students as they grow. To access free samples of materials and activities to help your students further develop these skills and others, sign up at Everyday Speech sample materials. These resources can be an invaluable addition to your teaching toolkit, providing engaging and effective ways to help your students thrive.