Teacher Script: Problem Size and Reaction

Warm-Up: How Big Is It? (5 minutes)

"Good morning, everyone! Let's start with a quick thought experiment. Imagine you're playing your favorite game, and suddenly... (pause for effect)..

• ...you accidentally drop your pencil. Is that a big problem or a small problem? How would you react?

• ...your friend says something that hurt your feelings. Is that big or small? What would you do?

• ...you get lost at a crowded park. How big is that problem? What's the first thing you should do?

"Today, we're going to talk about something really important: understanding the size of a problem and choosing a smart response that matches it!"

Introduction to Problem Size (10 minutes) - Using Smart Response Slide Deck

(Display Slide 1: Problem Size, Smart Response)

"Look at our first slide. It says 'Problem Size, Smart Response.' We just thought about some different problems. Now, let's learn how to sort them into different sizes."

(Display Slide 2: Small Problems: Little Bumps)

"First up, Small Problems, we're calling them 'Little Bumps.' These are problems that are usually easy to fix, or they don't bother us for a very long time. They're like a tiny pebble in your shoe – annoying for a second, but you can shake it right out.

"Can anyone read some of the examples on the slide?"

(Call on students to read examples: Lost a pencil, Someone bumps you by accident, Can't find your favorite snack.)

"Exactly! Now, what's a Smart Response for these? The slide says to stay calm, fix it yourself or ask politely, and take a deep breath. Why do you think it's important to keep our reaction small for a small problem?"

(Listen for answers like: "So you don't make a big deal," "It saves your energy," "You can solve it yourself.")

"Great thinking! Let's move on."

(Display Slide 3: Medium Problems: A Bit Bumpy)

"Next, we have Medium Problems, or 'A Bit Bumpy' ones. These are a bit bigger. They might take a little more time or effort to fix, and they might make us feel a bit frustrated or sad. Think of these as a small rock in your shoe – you need to stop and take your shoe off to get it out.

"Who can read the examples for medium problems?"

(Call on students to read examples: A friend says something unkind, Struggling with a math problem, Your turn on the swing set is over.)

"These definitely feel different, don't they? What are some Smart Responses for medium problems?"

(Discuss: Talk it out calmly, Ask for an adult's help, Take a short break to think. Ask: "Why might we need an adult for a medium problem, but not a small one?")

"Excellent points! Sometimes we need a little help to navigate those bumps."

(Display Slide 4: Large Problems: Big Mountains)

"Finally, we have Large Problems, or 'Big Mountains.' These are serious. They might make us feel scared, very sad, or really angry. These are problems where we definitely need a trusted adult to help us right away. These are like your whole shoe falling off – you can't just keep walking.

"Let's look at the examples."

(Call on students to read examples: Someone is hurting you or someone else, You get lost or are in danger, A big fight happens.)

"These sound serious, right? What's the most important Smart Response for a large problem?"

(Emphasize: Tell a trusted adult immediately, Get to a safe place. "Why is it so important to tell an adult right away for a large problem?")

"You're absolutely right. Adults are there to keep you safe and help with big, scary things."

Problem Sort Activity (10 minutes)

"Now it's your turn to be problem-size experts! I'm going to give each of you, or your partners, some Problem Sort Activity Cards. On these cards are different problems. Your job is to sort them into three groups: Small Problems, Medium Problems, and Large Problems. Then, for each problem, think about what a smart response would be.

"Work together, talk about why you think a problem belongs in a certain group, and discuss your smart responses."

(Circulate, listen to discussions, ask guiding questions: "Why did you put this one in 'Medium'? What makes it different from a 'Small' problem? What's the best way to react to this one?")

Wrap-Up & Worksheet (5 minutes)

"Alright, gather 'round! Let's quickly share a few of your sorted problems. Who has a problem they sorted as 'Medium'? What was your smart response?"

(Call on a few students to share.)

"Fantastic job, everyone! You're really thinking like problem solvers. To practice this even more, I have a Problem Solvers Worksheet for you to complete on your own. It will help you think about different problems and how to choose a smart response.

"Before you start on that, let's do a quick Cool-Down: My Smart Response to make sure we've got this down!"

Warm-Up: How Big Is It?

Think about these situations. How big is the problem? What would be your first reaction?

1. You accidentally spill a tiny bit of water on your desk.

   • Problem Size:
     
     
     
   • Your Reaction:
     
     
     

2. You and your friend want to play with the same toy, but there's only one.

   • Problem Size:
     
     
     
   • Your Reaction:
     
     
     

3. You can't find your parent or guardian in a big, crowded store.

   • Problem Size:
     
     
     
   • Your Reaction:
     
     
     

Remember, there are no wrong answers right now! Just think about it.

Cool-Down: My Smart Response

1. Today, I learned that problems can be:

   • Small (like...
     
     
     )
   • Medium (like...
     
     
     )
   • Large (like...
     
     
     )

2. What is one smart way you can react to a small problem?
   
   
   
   

3. What is the most important thing to do when you have a large problem?
   
   
   
   

4. How will thinking about problem size help you tomorrow?
   
   
   
   

Problem Sort Activity Cards

Instructions for Teachers: Print this page and cut out each problem card. Students will sort these cards into three categories: Small Problems, Medium Problems, and Large Problems. They should also discuss a smart response for each.

Cut Out Cards Below:

Card 1

Your pencil breaks during writing time.

Card 2

Someone accidentally bumps into you in the hallway.

---\n

Card 3

You can't find your favorite book in the classroom library.

Card 4

Your friend doesn't want to play the game you wanted to play at recess.

Card 5

You are having a hard time understanding a new math concept.

Card 6

Your best friend accidentally spilled juice on your artwork.

Card 7

Two classmates are having a loud argument that is making you feel uncomfortable.

Card 8

You see someone being mean to another student in the playground.

Card 9

Someone is threatening you or making you feel unsafe.

Card 10

You get separated from your class during a field trip.

Card 11

A pet at home is sick and needs to go to the vet.

Card 12

You accidentally forgot your lunch at home.

Problem Solvers Worksheet

Read each problem and decide if it's a Small, Medium, or Large problem. Then, write down a smart way to react.

1. Problem: You can't find your favorite colored marker for your drawing.

   • Problem Size:
     
     
     
   • Smart Response:
     
     
     
     
     
     

2. Problem: A classmate keeps bothering you during quiet work time.

   • Problem Size:
     
     
     
   • Smart Response:
     
     
     
     
     
     

3. Problem: You accidentally trip and scrape your knee, and it really hurts.

   • Problem Size:
     
     
     
   • Smart Response:
     
     
     
     
     
     

4. Problem: You lost your homework on the way to school.

   • Problem Size:
     
     
     
   • Smart Response:
     
     
     
     
     
     

5. Problem: You overhear someone saying unkind things about another student.

   • Problem Size:
     
     
     
   • Smart Response:
     
     
     
     
     
     

Answer Key: Problem Solvers

Warm-Up: How Big Is It? (Suggested Answers)

1. You accidentally spill a tiny bit of water on your desk.

   • Problem Size: Small
   • Your Reaction: Get a paper towel, wipe it up, continue working. (Small reaction: quickly solve it yourself)

2. You and your friend want to play with the same toy, but there's only one.

   • Problem Size: Medium
   • Your Reaction: Talk it out, take turns, find another toy to share. (Medium reaction: discuss, compromise, or seek mild assistance)

3. You can't find your parent or guardian in a big, crowded store.

   • Problem Size: Large
   • Your Reaction: Find a store employee or security guard, stay in one safe place, ask for help. (Large reaction: seek immediate adult help for safety)

Problem Sort Activity Cards (Suggested Answers)

Here are suggested categories and smart responses. Discussions may vary.

• Small Problems:

  • Card 1: Your pencil breaks during writing time.
    • Smart Response: Get another pencil, sharpen it, or borrow one. (Self-correct/quick fix)
  • Card 2: Someone accidentally bumps into you in the hallway.
    • Smart Response: Say "excuse me" and keep walking. (Minimal reaction, move on)
  • Card 3: You can't find your favorite book in the classroom library.
    • Smart Response: Choose another book for now, or ask the librarian later. (Flexibility, minor adjustment)
  • Card 12: You accidentally forgot your lunch at home.
    • Smart Response: Tell a teacher, they can help you figure out a solution. (Needs adult help, but usually easily resolved)

• Medium Problems:

  • Card 4: Your friend doesn't want to play the game you wanted to play at recess.
    • Smart Response: Talk to your friend about it, suggest a compromise, or find another activity. (Requires communication/problem-solving)
  • Card 5: You are having a hard time understanding a new math concept.
    • Smart Response: Ask the teacher for help, look at your notes, or ask a classmate. (Requires seeking assistance/effort)
  • Card 6: Your best friend accidentally spilled juice on your artwork.
    • Smart Response: Talk to your friend about how you feel, ask the teacher for new paper, and try to fix it. (Requires emotional processing, seeking help, potential redo)
  • Card 11: A pet at home is sick and needs to go to the vet.
    • Smart Response: Talk to your parents about how you feel, offer comfort to your pet, understand it's an adult responsibility. (Causes worry, requires adult action, child provides emotional support)

• Large Problems:

  • Card 7: Two classmates are having a loud argument that is making you feel uncomfortable.
    • Smart Response: Tell a trusted adult (teacher, recess monitor) immediately. (Involves others' conflict, may escalate, requires adult intervention)
  • Card 8: You see someone being mean to another student in the playground.
    • Smart Response: Get a trusted adult to help the student who is being hurt. (Involves bullying/harm to others, requires adult intervention)
  • Card 9: Someone is threatening you or making you feel unsafe.
    • Smart Response: Tell a trusted adult immediately and get to a safe place. (Direct threat to safety, requires immediate adult intervention)
  • Card 10: You get separated from your class during a field trip.
    • Smart Response: Stay calm, find a safe adult (chaperone, staff member), or go to a designated meeting spot. (Safety concern, requires immediate adult help)

Cool-Down: My Smart Response (Suggested Answers)

1. Today, I learned that problems can be:

   • Small (like... losing a pencil)
   • Medium (like... a friend being unkind)
   • Large (like... feeling unsafe)

2. What is one smart way you can react to a small problem?

   • Take a deep breath and fix it yourself.

3. What is the most important thing to do when you have a large problem?

   • Tell a trusted adult right away.

4. How will thinking about problem size help you tomorrow?

   • It will help me stay calm and know who to ask for help. OR I won't overreact to little things.

Problem Solvers Worksheet (Suggested Answers)

1. Problem: You can't find your favorite colored marker for your drawing.

   • Problem Size: Small
   • Smart Response: Choose a different color, look a little harder, or borrow one.

2. Problem: A classmate keeps bothering you during quiet work time.

   • Problem Size: Medium
   • Smart Response: Politely ask them to stop, move to a different spot, or quietly tell the teacher.

3. Problem: You accidentally trip and scrape your knee, and it really hurts.

   • Problem Size: Large
   • Smart Response: Tell an adult (teacher, nurse) immediately so they can help you.

4. Problem: You lost your homework on the way to school.

   • Problem Size: Medium
   • Smart Response: Tell your teacher what happened, apologize, and ask if you can do it during recess or at home tonight.

5. Problem: You overhear someone saying unkind things about another student.

   • Problem Size: Large
   • Smart Response: Tell a trusted adult right away so they can help the student being talked about and stop the unkindness.

Answer Key: Problem Solvers

Warm-Up: How Big Is It? (Suggested Answers)

1. You accidentally spill a tiny bit of water on your desk.

   • Problem Size: Small
   • Your Reaction: Get a paper towel, wipe it up, continue working. (Small reaction: quickly solve it yourself)

2. You and your friend want to play with the same toy, but there's only one.

   • Problem Size: Medium
   • Your Reaction: Talk it out, take turns, find another toy to share. (Medium reaction: discuss, compromise, or seek mild assistance)

3. You can't find your parent or guardian in a big, crowded store.

   • Problem Size: Large
   • Your Reaction: Find a store employee or security guard, stay in one safe place, ask for help. (Large reaction: seek immediate adult help for safety)

Problem Sort Activity Cards (Suggested Answers)

Here are suggested categories and smart responses. Discussions may vary.

• Small Problems:

  • Card 1: Your pencil breaks during writing time.
    • Smart Response: Get another pencil, sharpen it, or borrow one. (Self-correct/quick fix)
  • Card 2: Someone accidentally bumps into you in the hallway.
    • Smart Response: Say "excuse me" and keep walking. (Minimal reaction, move on)
  • Card 3: You can't find your favorite book in the classroom library.
    • Smart Response: Choose another book for now, or ask the librarian later. (Flexibility, minor adjustment)
  • Card 12: You accidentally forgot your lunch at home.
    • Smart Response: Tell a teacher, they can help you figure out a solution. (Needs adult help, but usually easily resolved)

• Medium Problems:

  • Card 4: Your friend doesn't want to play the game you wanted to play at recess.
    • Smart Response: Talk to your friend about it, suggest a compromise, or find another activity. (Requires communication/problem-solving)
  • Card 5: You are having a hard time understanding a new math concept.
    • Smart Response: Ask the teacher for help, look at your notes, or ask a classmate. (Requires seeking assistance/effort)
  • Card 6: Your best friend accidentally spilled juice on your artwork.
    • Smart Response: Talk to your friend about how you feel, ask the teacher for new paper, and try to fix it. (Requires emotional processing, seeking help, potential redo)
  • Card 11: A pet at home is sick and needs to go to the vet.
    • Smart Response: Talk to your parents about how you feel, offer comfort to your pet, understand it's an adult responsibility. (Causes worry, requires adult action, child provides emotional support)

• Large Problems:

  • Card 7: Two classmates are having a loud argument that is making you feel uncomfortable.
    • Smart Response: Tell a trusted adult (teacher, recess monitor) immediately. (Involves others' conflict, may escalate, requires adult intervention)
  • Card 8: You see someone being mean to another student in the playground.
    • Smart Response: Get a trusted adult to help the student who is being hurt. (Involves bullying/harm to others, requires adult intervention)
  • Card 9: Someone is threatening you or making you feel unsafe.
    • Smart Response: Tell a trusted adult immediately and get to a safe place. (Direct threat to safety, requires immediate adult intervention)
  • Card 10: You get separated from your class during a field trip.
    • Smart Response: Stay calm, find a safe adult (chaperone, staff member), or go to a designated meeting spot. (Safety concern, requires immediate adult help)

Cool-Down: My Smart Response (Suggested Answers)

1. Today, I learned that problems can be:

   • Small (like... losing a pencil)
   • Medium (like... a friend being unkind)
   • Large (like... feeling unsafe)

2. What is one smart way you can react to a small problem?

   • Take a deep breath and fix it yourself.

3. What is the most important thing to do when you have a large problem?

   • Tell a trusted adult right away.

4. How will thinking about problem size help you tomorrow?

   • It will help me stay calm and know who to ask for help. OR I won't overreact to little things.

Problem Solvers Worksheet (Suggested Answers)

1. Problem: You can't find your favorite colored marker for your drawing.

   • Problem Size: Small
   • Smart Response: Choose a different color, look a little harder, or borrow one.

2. Problem: A classmate keeps bothering you during quiet work time.

   • Problem Size: Medium
   • Smart Response: Politely ask them to stop, move to a different spot, or quietly tell the teacher.

3. Problem: You accidentally trip and scrape your knee, and it really hurts.

   • Problem Size: Large
   • Smart Response: Tell an adult (teacher, nurse) immediately so they can help you.

4. Problem: You lost your homework on the way to school.

   • Problem Size: Medium
   • Smart Response: Tell your teacher what happened, apologize, and ask if you can do it during recess or at home tonight.

5. Problem: You overhear someone saying unkind things about another student.

   • Problem Size: Large
   • Smart Response: Tell a trusted adult right away so they can help the student being talked about and stop the unkindness.