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Problem Scale Patrol

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mpremo

Tier 2
For Schools

Lesson Plan

Problem Scale Patrol

Students will be able to identify and categorize problems using a 'Glitch to Disaster' scale.

Understanding the size of a problem helps students develop appropriate coping mechanisms, manage emotional responses, and seek help effectively. It's a foundational skill for emotional regulation and resilience.

Audience

4th and 5th Grade Students

Time

20 minutes

Approach

Interactive discussion and guided practice using a problem scale.

Materials

Whiteboard or chart paper, Markers, Problem Scale Slide Deck, Problem Scale Discussion Guide, and Problem Scale Worksheet

Prep

Gather Materials & Review

5 minutes

  • Review the Problem Scale Slide Deck, Problem Scale Discussion Guide, and Problem Scale Worksheet.
    - Ensure you have a whiteboard or chart paper and markers ready for brainstorming examples during the discussion.

Step 1

Warm-Up: What's the Problem?

3 minutes

  • Ask students to quickly share one small thing that went wrong for them recently. (e.g., 'I couldn't find my favorite pencil.')
    - Introduce the idea that problems come in different sizes, just like shoes or clothes.

Step 2

Introduce the Problem Scale

5 minutes

  • Present the 'Glitch to Disaster' scale using the Problem Scale Slide Deck.
    - Explain each level: Glitch, Little Problem, Problem, Big Problem, Disaster.
    - Give a brief, relatable example for each level and ask students for their initial thoughts on what might fit each category.

Step 3

Guided Discussion & Examples

7 minutes

  • Facilitate a discussion using the Problem Scale Discussion Guide.
    - Encourage students to share examples for each scale level and discuss why certain situations fit particular categories.
    - Emphasize that what might be a 'little problem' for one person could be a 'problem' for another, and that's okay.

Step 4

Worksheet Practice

5 minutes

  • Distribute the Problem Scale Worksheet.
    - Have students work individually or in pairs to categorize the scenarios on the worksheet.
    - Circulate to provide support and answer questions.
    - Briefly review answers as a group if time permits, or collect for informal assessment.

Step 5

Cool-Down: One Takeaway

Open

  • Ask each student to share one thing they learned about problem-sizing or one way they might use the scale in the future.
lenny

Slide Deck

Welcome to Problem Scale Patrol!

Today, we're becoming problem-solving experts by learning to size up our challenges!

Welcome students and briefly introduce the idea that problems aren't all the same size.

Meet the Glitch!

A Glitch is a super tiny problem, like a little hiccup.

  • Easy to fix, or it fixes itself!
  • Doesn't really bother you.

Example: Your pencil breaks, but you have another one.

Introduce the 'Glitch' category. Emphasize it's super small, easily fixed, or just a tiny inconvenience. Ask for an example.

A Little Problem

A Little Problem is a bit bigger, but still not a huge deal.

  • Might be a little annoying.
  • Usually, you can solve it yourself or with a little help.

Example: You can't find your favorite book.

Introduce 'Little Problem'. It's a bit more annoying than a glitch, but still manageable. Ask for an example.

Just a Problem

A Problem is something that needs your attention and a plan.

  • It might make you feel a little frustrated.
  • You might need to think about solutions or ask for help.

Example: You have a disagreement with a friend.

Introduce 'Problem'. This starts to feel more significant, might require some thought or a bit more effort to solve. Ask for an example.

Uh Oh... Big Problem!

A Big Problem is something that feels really hard and might make you feel upset, sad, or worried.

  • You definitely need to ask a trusted adult for help.
  • It's too much to handle alone.

Example: You are being excluded by a group of friends, and it happens often.

Introduce 'Big Problem'. This is more serious, might cause stronger emotions, and definitely requires help from an adult. Ask for an example.

Crisis! It's a Disaster!

A Disaster is a very serious and dangerous situation.

  • It might involve someone's safety or health.
  • You MUST tell a trusted adult immediately.

Example: There's a fire alarm, and you need to evacuate.

Introduce 'Disaster'. This is the most serious, rare, and often involves safety or significant harm. Emphasize immediate adult help. Ask for an example (carefully!).

The Problem Scale: Quick Review

Glitch -> Little Problem -> Problem -> Big Problem -> Disaster

Remember, knowing the size helps us know what to do!

Review the scale quickly, then transition to the discussion where they'll apply it.

lenny

Discussion

Problem Scale Discussion Guide

Introduction (2 minutes)

Teacher: "Alright, Problem Patrol! We've just learned about our 'Glitch to Disaster' scale. Now, let's really dig into what kinds of situations fit each level."

Applying the Scale (10 minutes)

Teacher: "Let's start with a Glitch. Can anyone think of a time when something super small happened, and it was easy to fix or didn't really bother you?"

  • Student responses and teacher prompts:
    • "What made that a glitch and not a little problem?"
    • "How did you feel when that happened?"




Teacher: "Great examples! Now, how about a Little Problem? Something a bit annoying, but you could still handle it."

  • Student responses and teacher prompts:
    • "Who solved this problem? You, or someone else?"
    • "Did it take a lot of effort to fix?"




Teacher: "Fantastic. Moving up the scale, what about a regular Problem? This is where you might feel a bit frustrated and need a plan or a little help."

  • Student responses and teacher prompts:
    • "What kind of plan did you make?"
    • "Who did you ask for help, if anyone?"
    • "How did you feel before and after you tried to solve it?"




Teacher: "Excellent thinking, everyone. Now, let's talk about Big Problems. These are situations where you likely felt really upset, sad, or worried, and you definitely needed an adult's help."

  • Student responses and teacher prompts:
    • "Why was it important to tell an adult about this?"
    • "What did the adult do to help?"
    • (Gently remind students that if they don't feel comfortable sharing a personal big problem, a general example is fine.)




Teacher: "And finally, a Disaster. These are very serious and dangerous. What are some situations where you must tell a trusted adult immediately because someone's safety or health could be at risk?"

  • Student responses and teacher prompts:
    • "Why is immediate action so important for a disaster?"
    • "Who are your trusted adults you would go to in a disaster?"




Important Reminders (3 minutes)

Teacher: "Remember, sometimes what feels like a 'glitch' to one person might feel like a 'little problem' to another, and that's totally okay! Our feelings about problems can be different, and that's why this scale helps us communicate."

Teacher: "The most important thing is that for Big Problems and Disasters, your first step should always be to tell a trusted adult. You don't have to carry those big problems alone."

Teacher: "Any final questions about our problem scale?"

lenny
lenny

Worksheet

Problem Scale Patrol: Sizing Up Challenges!

Name: _____________________________

Date: _____________________________

Instructions: Read each scenario below. Decide if it's a Glitch, Little Problem, Problem, Big Problem, or Disaster. Write your answer in the blank space next to each scenario. Then, for a few of them, explain why you chose that category.

  1. You are drawing, and your pencil lead breaks. You have another sharpened pencil in your pencil case.
    Category: _____________________________


  2. You can't find your favorite pair of socks, and you wanted to wear them today.
    Category: _____________________________
    Why?





  3. You accidentally spill a little water on your desk during class. You quickly wipe it up with a tissue.
    Category: _____________________________


  4. You have a disagreement with a friend about what game to play at recess. You both feel a little frustrated.
    Category: _____________________________
    Why?





  5. You forgot your lunch at home today, and you don't have any money to buy food.
    Category: _____________________________


  6. Someone in your class keeps bothering you every day, calling you names and pushing you when the teacher isn't looking.
    Category: _____________________________
    Why?










  7. You are playing outside, and you trip and scrape your knee a little bit. It stings, but you can still play.
    Category: _____________________________


  8. You see a stranger trying to open the locked door of your school during school hours.
    Category: _____________________________
    Why?











  9. You realize you left your homework at home, and it's due today. You know your teacher will be disappointed.
    Category: _____________________________


  10. Your dog accidentally gets out of the house when the door is left open, and you can't find him anywhere.
    Category: _____________________________
    Why?










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lenny

Answer Key

Problem Scale Patrol: Sizing Up Challenges! - Answer Key

This answer key provides suggested categorizations and reasoning for the scenarios in the Problem Scale Worksheet. Remember that some problems can be perceived differently by individuals, and the discussion should encourage understanding of varying perspectives.

  1. You are drawing, and your pencil lead breaks. You have another sharpened pencil in your pencil case.
    Category: Glitch
    Reasoning: This is a very minor inconvenience that is easily and quickly resolved with a readily available solution. It doesn't cause any real disruption or strong negative emotion.

  2. You can't find your favorite pair of socks, and you wanted to wear them today.
    Category: Little Problem
    Reasoning: This is annoying and might cause slight frustration, but it's not a big deal in the grand scheme of things. You can still find other socks or wear different ones without significant consequences.

  3. You accidentally spill a little water on your desk during class. You quickly wipe it up with a tissue.
    Category: Glitch
    Reasoning: A very small, easily managed mishap with an immediate and simple solution. It causes no lasting impact.

  4. You have a disagreement with a friend about what game to play at recess. You both feel a little frustrated.
    Category: Problem
    Reasoning: This involves a social interaction that causes frustration for both parties and requires communication, compromise, or a plan to resolve. It's more significant than a little problem because it impacts relationships and emotional well-being.

  5. You forgot your lunch at home today, and you don't have any money to buy food.
    Category: Big Problem
    Reasoning: This is a significant problem as it directly affects a basic need (food) and can cause considerable distress (hunger, worry about not eating). It requires adult intervention to solve.

  6. Someone in your class keeps bothering you every day, calling you names and pushing you when the teacher isn't looking.
    Category: Big Problem
    Reasoning: This is a serious issue that impacts a student's safety, emotional well-being, and ability to feel secure at school. It's too much to handle alone and requires immediate adult help.

  7. You are playing outside, and you trip and scrape your knee a little bit. It stings, but you can still play.
    Category: Little Problem
    Reasoning: A minor injury that causes brief discomfort but doesn't prevent participation in activities. It can usually be handled with minimal self-care (e.g., a bandage) or minor adult assistance.

  8. You see a stranger trying to open the locked door of your school during school hours.
    Category: Disaster
    Reasoning: This is an extremely serious and potentially dangerous situation that threatens the safety of students and staff. It requires immediate reporting to a trusted adult (teacher, principal, security) or emergency services.

  9. You realize you left your homework at home, and it's due today. You know your teacher will be disappointed.
    Category: Problem
    Reasoning: This causes stress, potential academic consequences, and disappointment. While not an emergency, it requires taking responsibility, communicating with the teacher, and making a plan to rectify the situation.

  10. Your dog accidentally gets out of the house when the door is left open, and you can't find him anywhere.
    Category: Big Problem
    Reasoning: This is a deeply distressing situation involving the safety of a beloved pet and potential danger. It causes significant worry and requires immediate action and adult help to locate the dog.

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