In this blog post, we will explore the Solve It game, a fun and engaging way to teach students problem-solving skills by breaking down problems into manageable steps. This approach can help students navigate their day-to-day lives more effectively and develop essential social-emotional skills.
Introduction
The Solve It game is designed to teach students how to tackle problems by going through them step by step. Each step encourages students to discuss the problem and brainstorm possible solutions. The game is built around the following steps:
- Identify the problem – what’s wrong?
- Figure out how big the problem is.
- Think of possible solutions to the problem.
- Pick a solution.
- Try that solution and reassess it.
By following these steps, students can learn to address everyday challenges in a systematic and thoughtful manner. Now, let’s dive into a no-prep activity that educators can use to practice this problem-solving process with their students.
No-Prep Activity: The Bus Dilemma
In this activity, students will work together to solve a common problem: missing the bus. The scenario is as follows:
Sarah: “Oh no! I just realized I missed the bus. I don’t have a ride to school!”
The educator will lead the students through the steps of the Solve It game to address Sarah’s problem. Begin by identifying the problem and discussing its size. Next, encourage students to brainstorm possible solutions and pick one to try. Finally, have students reassess the chosen solution to determine if it worked or if they need to try another approach.
Discussion Questions
- Why is it important to identify the problem before trying to solve it?
- How can considering the size of the problem help in finding an appropriate solution?
- Why is it essential to reassess the chosen solution after trying it?
- What other everyday problems could you use the Solve It game to address?
- How can developing problem-solving skills benefit students in their daily lives?
Related Skills
In addition to problem-solving, the Solve It game can help students develop other valuable social-emotional skills, such as:
- Effective communication
- Active listening
- Collaboration and teamwork
- Adaptability and flexibility
- Empathy and understanding
Next Steps
Are you interested in exploring more activities and resources to help your students develop problem-solving skills and other social-emotional abilities? Sign up for free samples of the discussed skill and others at Everyday Speech. These materials can help you create engaging and effective lessons to support your students’ growth and success.
