Problem-Solving Pros Script

Introduction: What's the Problem? (3 minutes)

(Display Problem-Solving Pros Slide Deck Slide 1: 'Problem-Solving Pros: Cracking the Code!')

Teacher: "Good morning, everyone! Today, we're going to talk about something super important for school, for home, and for everything in between: problem-solving! We all face problems, big and small, every single day."

Teacher: "Before we dive in, I want you to think for a moment. What's a problem you've faced recently? It could be something simple, like trying to figure out what to wear, or something more complex, like struggling with a homework assignment, or even disagreeing with a friend. Don't share yet, just think."

(Pause for 15-20 seconds to allow students to think.)

Teacher: "Now, turn to a partner or someone next to you. Briefly share one problem you thought of. You have about one minute each to share and listen. Go ahead!"

(Allow 2 minutes for partner sharing. Circulate and listen to discussions.)

Teacher: "Alright, bring it back together, everyone. It sounds like you all have experienced problems! And that's totally normal. Problems are just a part of life. The good news is, we can learn ways to deal with them better."

Defining Problem-Solving (3 minutes)

(Transition to Problem-Solving Pros Slide Deck Slide 2: 'What is Problem-Solving?')

Teacher: "So, what is problem-solving? Take a look at our slide. It's really about finding solutions to challenges. It involves a few key steps: first, understanding what the problem actually is, then thinking of different ways to fix it, choosing the best way, trying it out, and finally, seeing if it worked and what you learned."

Teacher: "Think about it: if you're stuck on a tricky English assignment, that's a problem. If you and your friends can't agree on what movie to watch, that's a problem. Learning how to solve these problems helps you feel more in control and less stressed. It makes you a 'Problem-Solving Pro!'"

Strategy 1: AIBCE (Ask-Identify-Brainstorm-Choose-Evaluate) (6 minutes)

(Transition to Problem-Solving Pros Slide Deck Slide 3: 'Strategy 1: AIBCE')

Teacher: "Our first strategy is called A.I.B.C.E. – and it's an acronym, which means each letter stands for a step. Let's break it down."

(Transition to Problem-Solving Pros Slide Deck Slide 4: 'AIBCE Step 1 & 2: Ask & Identify')

Teacher: "The first step is A for Ask About the Problem. This means gathering information. Who is involved? What is actually happening? When and where did it occur? It's like being a detective! You can't solve a mystery without facts, right?"

Teacher: "Next is I for Identify the Problem Clearly. After asking questions, you should be able to state exactly what the problem is. Is it a misunderstanding? A lack of resources? Not enough time? Being specific helps a lot."

Teacher: "Let's imagine you're constantly forgetting to bring your book to English class. How would you 'Ask About the Problem'? What questions would you ask yourself? Who's involved? What's happening? When does it happen? Where?"

(Solicit a few responses. Guide students to think about the situation broadly.)

Teacher: "Good! Now, after asking those questions, how would you 'Identify the Problem Clearly'? What's the main issue here?"

(Guide students to pinpoint the core problem, e.g., 'I'm not remembering to pack my bag the night before' or 'My backpack isn't organized.')

(Transition to Problem-Solving Pros Slide Deck Slide 5: 'AIBCE Step 3-5: Brainstorm, Choose, Evaluate')

Teacher: "Once you've identified the problem, the next step is B for Brainstorm Solutions. This is where you think of all possible ideas to solve the problem, no matter how wild or simple they seem. The goal is to come up with as many as you can, without judging them yet."

Teacher: "Using our example: 'I keep forgetting my English book.' What are some solutions we could brainstorm? Think outside the box!"

(Encourage students to shout out ideas: set an alarm, put a sticky note on the door, ask a family member to remind you, pack your bag right after homework, keep it in your locker, etc. Write a few on the board if time allows.)

Teacher: "Fantastic ideas! See? No bad ideas here. Just a list of possibilities. After brainstorming, you C for Choose the Best Solution. You look at your list and pick the one that seems most realistic, effective, and something you can actually do."

Teacher: "Finally, you E for Evaluate the Outcome. After you try your chosen solution, you check to see if it worked. Did you remember your book today? If yes, great! If not, what did you learn, and what will you try next? Problem-solving is often a cycle of trying and learning!"

Strategy 2: The 5 W's (Who, What, When, Where, Why) (4 minutes)

(Transition to Problem-Solving Pros Slide Deck Slide 6: 'Strategy 2: The 5 W's')

Teacher: "Our second strategy is even simpler, but just as powerful: The 5 W's. This strategy helps you get all the important facts about a problem by asking five specific questions: Who, What, When, Where, and Why."

Teacher: "Let's use a different example: Imagine you have a misunderstanding with a group member during a project, and it's making it hard to get your work done. How would you use the 5 W's here?"

Teacher: "Who is involved? (Me, the group member, maybe others.)"
Teacher: "What exactly happened? (We disagreed on an idea, someone said something hurtful.)"
Teacher: "When did it happen? (During yesterday's group work, after school.)"
Teacher: "Where did it happen? (In the library, in the hallway.)"
Teacher: "Why did it happen? (Maybe a misunderstanding, different ideas, someone felt disrespected.)"

Teacher: "By asking these questions, you gather all the details, which helps you understand the situation clearly. When you understand the problem better, finding a solution becomes much easier. It's a great way to start solving any problem."

Guided Practice & Worksheet (4 minutes)

(Transition to Problem-Solving Pros Slide Deck Slide 7: 'Putting It Into Practice!')

Teacher: "Okay, it's your turn to be the problem-solving experts! I'm going to hand out a Problem-Solving Practice Worksheet. On it, you'll find a scenario. Your job is to pick one of the strategies we just learned—either AIBCE or the 5 W's—and use it to break down the problem and think about solutions."

*(Distribute the Problem-Solving Practice Worksheet.)

Teacher: "Work on this individually for the next three minutes. Don't worry about getting the 'perfect' answer; just focus on practicing the steps of the strategy you chose. If you finish early, try thinking about how the other strategy might apply to the same problem."

(Circulate, offer assistance, and clarify instructions. For students with IEPs or former English learners, rephrase questions, provide sentence starters, or work through an example if needed.)

Wrap-Up & Reflection (2 minutes)

(Transition to Problem-Solving Pros Slide Deck Slide 8: 'Wrap-Up & Reflection')

Teacher: "Alright, time is up! Great job working through those problems. Let's quickly wrap up. Can one or two people share something new they learned about problem-solving today, or perhaps one strategy they think they'll try using?"

(Call on 1-2 students for quick responses.)

Teacher: "Excellent! Remember, problems aren't roadblocks; they're opportunities to learn and grow. By using strategies like AIBCE and the 5 W's, you're building really important skills that will help you succeed in school and in life. Keep practicing these strategies, and you'll become true Problem-Solving Pros!"

Teacher: "You can keep your worksheets as a reminder of these strategies, or if you prefer, you can hand them in."

*(Collect worksheets if desired, or dismiss class.)

Problem-Solving Practice: Be a Pro!

Name: ________________________

Directions: Read the scenario below. Choose one of the problem-solving strategies we learned today (AIBCE or The 5 W's) and use it to help you think through the problem. Write your answers in the spaces provided.

Scenario:

It's Sunday night, and you suddenly remember that you have a big English essay due tomorrow morning. You haven't started writing it, and you also have a soccer practice tonight. You feel stressed and aren't sure where to begin.

My Chosen Strategy:

(Circle one: AIBCE / The 5 W's)

Using My Strategy:

Use the steps of your chosen strategy to break down the problem and think about solutions. Write down your thoughts for each step.

If you chose AIBCE:

A - Ask About the Problem: What is happening? Who is involved? When/where did it occur?

I - Identify the Problem Clearly: What is the main, specific problem?

B - Brainstorm Solutions: List at least 3-4 possible ways to solve this problem (even silly ones!).

C - Choose the Best Solution: Which solution seems most realistic and helpful right now?

E - Evaluate the Outcome: (Think: If you tried your solution, what would you learn? What might happen next?)

If you chose The 5 W's:

Who is involved in this problem? (e.g., you, your teacher, your family)

What exactly is the problem? What needs to be done?

When did this problem become clear? When is the deadline? When is soccer practice?

Where does this problem take place? (e.g., at home, at school)

Why did this problem happen? (e.g., procrastination, forgot about it, too busy)