Solve It: A Step-by-Step Problem-Solving Game for Special Education Students
Introduction
Problem-solving is a critical skill for students in special education settings. The Solve It game is designed to help these students navigate social situations by breaking down problems into manageable steps. This game not only encourages students to think critically about the issues they face but also promotes communication and empathy. In this blog post, we’ll discuss the Solve It game, a no-prep activity, discussion questions, related skills, and how to access free sample materials.
No-Prep Activity
The Solve It game requires no preparation or materials from the educator. To play, present a social situation to the students, such as the one provided in the prompt, and guide them through 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 then reassess it
- How did it work? If our solution works, our problem is solved! If our solution doesn’t work, we can try again.
Encourage students to discuss their feelings at each step. This will help them develop their social-emotional skills while working through the problem-solving process.
Discussion Questions
- Why is it essential to identify the problem before attempting to solve it?
- How can understanding the size of a problem help us find appropriate solutions?
- What are some strategies for staying calm and focused when facing a challenging situation?
- How can we learn from situations where our initial solution didn’t work?
- Why is it crucial to communicate our feelings during the problem-solving process?
Related Skills
In addition to problem-solving, students can develop several related skills through the Solve It game, such as:
- Empathy: Understanding the feelings and perspectives of others involved in the situation.
- Communication: Expressing thoughts, feelings, and ideas effectively.
- Adaptability: Adjusting to new situations and being open to alternative solutions.
- Resilience: Bouncing back from setbacks and learning from experiences.
- Collaboration: Working together with others to achieve a common goal.
Next Steps
Integrating the Solve It game into your special education classroom can provide students with the tools they need to navigate social situations and develop essential social-emotional skills. To help you get started, we encourage you to sign up for free sample materials at Everyday Speech. Here, you’ll find resources to support the Solve It game and other valuable activities designed to enhance your students’ social-emotional learning journey.
