Collaboration is an essential skill for high school students. Whether they’re working on a group project, participating in team sports, or solving real-world challenges, they need to know how to work together, communicate effectively, and resolve conflicts productively.

Yet, many students struggle with group problem-solving because they lack a clear process for working through challenges as a team. Some students dominate discussions, while others hold back their ideas. Without structure, groups may get stuck in disagreements, indecision, or inefficient decision-making.

That’s why teaching structured group problem-solving strategies is so important. When students learn how to define a problem, listen to different perspectives, compromise, and evaluate solutions together, they become stronger collaborators and more effective problem-solvers.

This article will cover:

• Why group problem-solving is essential for high schoolers
• A step-by-step approach to solving problems as a team
• A free downloadable problem-solving worksheet and lesson plan to teach these skills in the classroom

By the end, you’ll have practical teaching strategies and resources to help students work together successfully when faced with challenges.

Why Group Problem-Solving Matters in High School

Most real-world problems aren’t solved alone—they require collaboration, communication, and compromise. In school, students frequently encounter situations where they need to work with others to find solutions, whether in group projects, student organizations, or even social situations.

Strong group problem-solving skills help students:

• Work better in teams – Encourages collaboration and prevents one person from taking over or disengaging.
• Listen to diverse perspectives – Promotes critical thinking by considering different viewpoints.
• Resolve conflicts constructively – Teaches students how to disagree respectfully and reach a compromise.
• Make group decisions efficiently – Provides a structured approach to brainstorming and selecting solutions.

Teaching students how to work through challenges as a group gives them the tools they need for future workplaces, relationships, and everyday interactions.

The Group Problem-Solving Process

To help students collaborate effectively, introduce them to a step-by-step problem-solving process they can use whenever they’re working with others.

Step 1: Define the Problem Clearly

Before jumping into solutions, the group must agree on what the problem actually is. This prevents misunderstandings or wasting time on unrelated issues.

• What is the specific challenge we are trying to solve?
• What information do we need to fully understand the problem?

Encourage students to write down the problem in one clear sentence before moving forward.

Step 2: Listen to Every Perspective

Every team member may have a different viewpoint or approach to solving the problem. Encourage students to:

• Take turns sharing their thoughts without interruptions.
• Ask clarifying questions instead of making assumptions.
• Acknowledge the value of different perspectives, even if they don’t agree.

Step 3: Brainstorm Multiple Solutions

The best solutions don’t always come from the first idea that pops up. Encourage students to:

• Generate at least three possible solutions before choosing one.
• Avoid shutting down ideas too quickly—some may be worth refining.
• Think about the short- and long-term effects of each option.

Step 4: Compromise and Choose the Best Solution

Groups may not always agree, so compromise is key. Encourage students to:

• Find common ground—which ideas have overlapping strengths?
• Consider combining multiple ideas into a stronger solution.
• Weigh the pros and cons of each option before making a decision.

Step 5: Evaluate the Outcome

After implementing a solution, students should reflect on what worked and what didn’t. Ask:

• Did this solution effectively solve the problem?
• Would we do anything differently next time?

By practicing reflection, students strengthen their ability to adjust and improve their problem-solving skills over time.

Lesson Plan & Worksheet for High School: Teaching Group Problem-Solving

By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:

• Use structured problem-solving strategies in a group setting
• Work collaboratively to generate and evaluate solutions
• Apply listening, compromise, and decision-making skills

Materials

• Group Problem-Solving Worksheet
• Whiteboard or chart paper for brainstorming
• Class discussion prompts

Step 1: Discuss the Benefits & Challenges of Group Work (10 minutes)

Start with a class discussion:

• What are some benefits of working in a group?
• What challenges come up when solving problems with others?
• How can we make teamwork more productive and fair?

Encourage students to share their past experiences working in groups—both positive and frustrating.

Step 2: Introduce the Problem-Solving Process (10 minutes)

Go over the five-step group problem-solving process and discuss why each step is important.

Use a real-world example to walk through the process together:

• Your school wants to reduce food waste in the cafeteria. How could a student team approach solving this problem?

Step 3: Apply the Process Using the Worksheet (15 minutes)

Divide students into small groups and distribute the Group Problem-Solving Worksheet, which provides a structured way for them to:

• Define the problem
• Consider different perspectives
• Brainstorm multiple solutions
• Decide on the best solution together

Example scenarios from the worksheet:

• The school library is overcrowded, and students are struggling to find places to study.
• A new school rule is causing frustration among students.
• A fundraiser for a school event isn’t going as planned.

Each group will fill out the worksheet together, then present their problem, possible solutions, and final decision to the class.

Step 4: Reflect on the Experience (5 minutes)

Wrap up with a reflection discussion:

• What made working together easier?
• What challenges did your group face?
• How did the problem-solving process help?

Encourage students to think about how they can apply these same collaboration skills in future group projects, clubs, and real-world settings.

Want More? Access Additional Free Resources!

Everyday Speech is a no-prep digital curriculum that combines evidence-based video modeling, interactive web games, and digital and printable worksheets to make teaching social skills easy.

We offer a free 30-day trial where you can use our thousands of video lessons, worksheets, and games to teach social skills like problem-solving. 

Here’s an example video modeling lesson for teaching problem-solving from our curriculum: