In an ever-evolving collaborative world, high school students need more than just individual problem-solving skills. They must also be adept at problem-solving in groups. Check out this lesson plan and free high school problem-solving activity from Everyday Speech!
The Essence of Group Problem-Solving
Working as a team to tackle challenges offers multiple benefits:
- Diverse Perspectives: Different viewpoints lead to unique solutions.
- Skill Enhancement: Team members refine their communication and interpersonal skills.
- Building Consensus: Students learn the value of mutual agreement and compromise.
Lesson Plan: Navigating Group Problem-Solving
Objective:
Equip high school students with the strategies and understanding to effectively problem-solve within a group setting.
Duration:
25 minutes
Materials:
- Projector for displaying content (optional)
- Everyday Speech’s “Group Problem-Solving” PDF worksheet
Step-by-Step Activities:
- Introduction to Group Dynamics (10 minutes)
- Kick-start a discussion on the advantages and challenges of working in a group.
- Emphasize the importance of listening and valuing each member’s perspective.
- Use the “Group Problem-Solving” Worksheet (15 minutes)
- Project or print and discuss the free PDF worksheet from Everyday Speech.
- Highlight key strategies like defining the problem, compromising, and evaluating solutions.
Conclusion
Group problem-solving is a cornerstone skill in our interconnected world. Special educators have a unique opportunity to mold high school students into collaborative thinkers, ensuring they’re prepared for both academic challenges and real-world situations.
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!
