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Big Deal, Little Deal

Lesson Plan

Big Deal Little Deal Plan

Students will define and differentiate big deals and little deals in daily situations by sorting scenarios and reflecting on personal experiences, building perspective-taking and emotional regulation skills.

Understanding the difference between big and little deals helps students regulate emotions appropriately, reducing overreactions to minor events and allocating attention to significant issues, fostering healthy emotional development and social perspective-taking.

Audience

1st Grade

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Hands-on sorting with discussion

Materials

Chart Paper, Markers, Colored Sticky Notes, Big Deal Little Deal Anchor Chart, Scenario Cards, and Sorting Worksheet

Prep

Prepare Materials

10 minutes

Step 1

Introduction to Deals

5 minutes

  • Display the Big Deal Little Deal Anchor Chart.
  • Define “big deal” and “little deal” with student-friendly language.
  • Ask students to share examples of big and little deals from their own lives.
  • Record student examples on the anchor chart under appropriate columns.

Step 2

Guided Sorting

7 minutes

  • Show one Scenario Card at a time.
  • Read the scenario aloud and discuss as a class whether it’s a big deal or little deal.
  • Students place a colored sticky note under the corresponding heading on the anchor chart.
  • Continue until 4–5 cards have been sorted together.

Step 3

Independent Sorting Activity

10 minutes

  • Distribute the Sorting Worksheet to each student.
  • Instruct students to cut and paste (or circle) each scenario under “Big Deal” or “Little Deal.”
  • Circulate to support students and prompt them to justify their choices using anchor chart language.

Step 4

Group Discussion

5 minutes

  • Invite 3–4 volunteers to share one scenario they sorted and explain their reasoning.
  • Highlight correct reasoning and gently correct misconceptions by referring back to the anchor chart criteria.
  • Reinforce the idea that perspectives can vary but criteria guide us.

Step 5

Closure and Reflection

3 minutes

  • Ask students to turn to a partner and share one personal big deal and one personal little deal they experienced recently.
  • Invite a few students to share with the whole class.
  • Remind students of a simple coping strategy for big deals (e.g., deep breaths) and encourage its use.
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Slide Deck

Big Deal, Little Deal

A 30-minute lesson to help us decide which events deserve more attention and which are small hiccups.

Welcome students to the lesson. Introduce yourself and the topic: “Today we’re going to learn how to tell the difference between big deals and little deals!”

Lesson Objectives

By the end of today, you will:
• Define a big deal and a little deal
• Sort everyday situations into big or little deals
• Reflect on your own experiences

Read each objective aloud and check for understanding. Emphasize how these skills help us in real life.

What Are Big Deals and Little Deals?

Big Deal: Something that is very important or could have big consequences.

Little Deal: A small event that usually doesn’t last long or isn’t very serious.

Ask students: “What do you think makes something a big deal? A little deal?” Jot quick ideas on chart paper.

Anchor Chart

Let’s look at our anchor chart!
• We’ll list examples under “Big Deal” or “Little Deal.”
• We’ll use this chart to help us sort.

Reveal the Big Deal Little Deal Anchor Chart. Explain each column. Invite a couple of student suggestions to fill spots.

Guided Sorting

Scenario 1: You lose your favorite crayon.

Scenario 2: You sprain your ankle and can’t run at recess.

Scenario 3: You spill a few drops of juice on the table.

Scenario 4: Your pet is very sick.

Show each scenario card one at a time (project or hold up in class). Read aloud and lead discussion. Use colored sticky notes on the chart.

Independent Sorting

• Cut and paste (or circle) each scenario under “Big Deal” or “Little Deal.”
• Use words from the anchor chart to explain your choice.

Hand out the Sorting Worksheet. Model one example. Circulate to support students as they work.

Group Discussion

• Who would like to share one of their sorts?
• Tell us: Why is it a big deal or a little deal?

Invite a few volunteers to share one scenario from their worksheet and explain why they sorted it that way. Praise good reasoning and gently correct any misunderstandings.

Closure & Reflection

• Turn to your partner: Share one recent big deal and one recent little deal.
• Let’s practice a simple coping strategy for big deals: Deep Breaths!

Pair students and prompt them: “Share one personal big deal and one personal little deal you’ve had recently.” End by teaching deep breathing for big deals.

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Activity

Scenario Cards

Use these cards during the Guided Sorting and Independent Sorting Activity to help students decide whether each situation is a big deal or a little deal. You can print, cut, and mix these cards for classroom use.

Scenario Cards (Scenario Cards):

  1. You lose your favorite crayon.



  2. You sprain your ankle and can’t run at recess.



  3. You spill a few drops of juice on the table.



  4. Your pet is very sick.



  5. You forget to bring your homework to school.



  6. A friend waves and says hello to you.



  7. It starts raining and you can’t play outside.



  8. You find a dollar on the ground.



  9. You are invited to a birthday party next week.



  10. Your ice cream falls off the cone onto the ground.



  11. You get a brand-new toy to play with.



  12. You break your pencil and can’t draw.






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Activity

Big Deal vs. Little Deal Anchor Chart

Big Deal

Definition: Something very important or that can have big consequences.

Examples:







Little Deal

Definition: A small event that usually doesn’t last long or isn’t very serious.

Examples:







How to Decide?

  • Does this affect someone’s health or safety?
  • Will it matter tomorrow or next week?
  • How would you feel if it happened again?






How to React

Little Deal:

  • Take a quick deep breath and move on.
  • Say, “It’s okay, no big deal.”
  • Find something fun to do next.




    Big Deal:
  • Pause and take three slow, deep breaths.
  • Talk to a friend, teacher, or grown-up about how you feel.
  • Use simple problem-solving: What can I do next?
  • Try a calming strategy (count to 5, squeeze your hands).






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Worksheet

Sorting Worksheet

Name: _______________________ Date: _______________________



Directions: Read each scenario. Circle Big Deal if you think it is important or could have big consequences. Circle Little Deal if you think it is a small event that usually doesn’t last long or isn’t very serious.


  1. You lose your favorite crayon.
    Big Deal ___ Little Deal ___



  2. You sprain your ankle and can’t run at recess.
    Big Deal ___ Little Deal ___



  3. You spill a few drops of juice on the table.
    Big Deal ___ Little Deal ___



  4. Your pet is very sick.
    Big Deal ___ Little Deal ___



  5. You forget to bring your homework to school.
    Big Deal ___ Little Deal ___



  6. A friend waves and says hello to you.
    Big Deal ___ Little Deal ___



  7. It starts raining and you can’t play outside.
    Big Deal ___ Little Deal ___



  8. You find a dollar on the ground.
    Big Deal ___ Little Deal ___



  9. You are invited to a birthday party next week.
    Big Deal ___ Little Deal ___



  10. Your ice cream falls off the cone onto the ground.
    Big Deal ___ Little Deal ___



  11. You get a brand-new toy to play with.
    Big Deal ___ Little Deal ___



  12. You break your pencil and can’t draw.
    Big Deal ___ Little Deal ___



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