As educators, we strive to help our students develop the necessary skills to navigate life’s challenges. One essential skill is problem-solving, which can be particularly important for students in special education settings. In this blog post, we’ll introduce you to Solve It, a game designed to teach problem-solving skills to students through a step-by-step approach. We’ll also provide a no-prep activity for educators, discussion questions, related skills, and next steps for those interested in implementing Solve It in their classrooms.

Introduction

Solve It is a game that teaches students how to solve problems by going through them step by step. The process includes:

1. Identify the problem – what’s wrong?
2. Figure out how big the problem is.
3. Think of possible solutions to the problem.
4. Pick a solution.
5. Try that solution and then reassess it.

By following these steps, students learn to approach problem-solving as a process and develop the skills necessary to address challenges they may face in their day-to-day lives.

No-Prep Activity

Here’s an activity that requires no preparation or materials from the educator:

Story-Based Problem-Solving

1. Share a real-life problem or create a fictional scenario with the students. For example: “A student wants to join an after-school club but doesn’t have a ride home.”
2. Guide the students through the Solve It steps, asking them to identify the problem, determine its size, brainstorm solutions, choose one, and reassess the chosen solution.
3. Encourage students to share their thoughts and feelings throughout the process, helping them develop empathy and understanding for others.

This activity can be adapted to any age group or skill level, making it a versatile tool for teaching problem-solving skills in a special education setting.

Discussion Questions

Use these questions to stimulate further discussion among your students:

1. Why is it important to identify the problem before trying to solve it?
2. How does figuring out the size of a problem help in the problem-solving process?
3. Why is it important to consider multiple solutions before choosing one?
4. How can we learn from a solution that didn’t work?
5. How can problem-solving skills help us in our daily lives?

Related Skills

Beyond problem-solving, there are other relevant skills that can help students navigate life’s challenges. These include:

• Communication: The ability to express thoughts and feelings effectively.
• Empathy: Understanding and sharing the feelings of others.
• Resilience: The ability to bounce back from setbacks and adapt to change.
• Decision-making: The process of making choices based on available information and personal values.
• Self-awareness: Recognizing one’s emotions, strengths, and weaknesses.

Next Steps

If you’re interested in incorporating Solve It and other social-emotional learning activities into your special education curriculum, we encourage you to sign up for a free sample of our materials. By doing so, you’ll gain access to valuable resources designed to help your students develop essential life skills.