Elementary school counselors, social workers, and psychologists play a critical role in teaching students essential life skills, and problem-solving is at the heart of these. This blog post provides a detailed lesson plan centered around the “Elementary Problem-Solving Poster,” a tool designed to guide students through the steps of effective problem-solving.
Lesson Plan Overview
Duration: 30 minutes
Materials: “Elementary Problem-Solving Poster” printable, writing materials
Objective: To teach students a structured approach to solving problems, enhancing their critical thinking and decision-making skills.
Preparation Steps
- Download and print the “Elementary Problem-Solving Poster” for each student.
- Prepare a classroom setting conducive to discussion and individual reflection.
Lesson Execution
- Introduction to Problem-Solving (5 minutes): Begin with a discussion about problem-solving and why it’s an important skill.
- Exploring the Problem-Solving Steps (10 minutes): Distribute the posters and walk students through each step: Identify the problem, Decide if you need help, Brainstorm solutions, Choose the best solution, and Review the outcome.
- Interactive Activity (10-15 minutes): Have students think of a problem they’ve encountered and use their posters to explore the steps. Encourage them to write/draw their thoughts.
- Group Discussion and Reflection (5 minutes): Facilitate a group discussion about the process. Encourage students to share their experiences and reflect on each of the steps.
Conclusion
The “Elementary Problem-Solving Poster” provides a simple yet effective framework for teaching problem-solving skills. By equipping students with this step-by-step approach, educators can foster independent thinking and resilience, crucial for their academic and personal growth.
Sample Video
Students learn best from watching real students their own age model skills. Try out this sample video-modeling lesson below. We offer our entire Social-Emotional Learning platform free for 30 days here!
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Teaching Direct and Indirect Language Skills to Elementary Students
Teaching Elementary Students to Understand and Manage Their Feelings
