Solve It: A Game to Teach Problem-Solving Skills to Middle School Students
Introduction
Teaching problem-solving skills to middle school students can be a challenging yet rewarding experience. With Solve It, educators can guide students through a step-by-step process that helps them address everyday issues in a structured and effective manner. This game incorporates principles of Social-Emotional Learning to facilitate better communication, decision-making, and self-awareness among students.
No-Prep Activity
To begin, divide the class into small groups of 3-4 students. Present a common problem middle school students might face, such as forgetting their homework or dealing with a disagreement among friends. Ask the groups to apply the Solve It steps to address the issue:
- Identify the problem
- Figure out how big the problem is
- Think of possible solutions to the problem
- Pick a solution
- Try that solution and then reassess it
Encourage students to discuss their feelings and thoughts throughout the activity and remind them that problem-solving is a process that may require multiple attempts to find a successful solution.
Discussion Questions
- How did your group decide which solution to try first, and why?
- What challenges did you face during the problem-solving process, and how did you overcome them?
- How did working as a team help you come up with more effective solutions?
- How can you apply the skills you learned in this activity to real-life situations you might face?
- What other types of problems could you solve using the Solve It steps?
Related Skills
In addition to problem-solving, Solve It helps students develop other essential skills such as:
- Effective communication
- Empathy and understanding
- Conflict resolution
- Decision-making
- Self-awareness
Next Steps
If you’re interested in incorporating Solve It and other Social-Emotional Learning activities into your curriculum, we invite you to explore free samples of these materials at Everyday Speech. These resources can help educators create a more supportive and engaging learning environment for their students.
