Lesson Plan
Solve-It Steps Plan
Students will learn a simple four-step problem-solving model and practice applying it to real peer-conflict scenarios, building skills to resolve disputes peacefully.
Teaching explicit problem-solving steps helps first graders manage conflicts independently, fosters emotional regulation, and reduces classroom disruptions.
Audience
1st Grade Group
Time
20 minutes
Approach
Interactive teaching, role-play, and guided practice.
Materials
Prep
Teacher Preparation
10 minutes
- Review the Solve-It Steps Plan and familiarize yourself with each step of the four-step model
- Preview the Steps to Solve Slides and plan your talking points
- Print and make copies of the My Plan Sheet for each student
- Gather scenario cards and stickers for the Sticker Scenario Role-Play activity
Step 1
Introduction
3 minutes
- Welcome students to the group and explain today’s goal: learning four steps to solve problems
- Activate prior knowledge: ask, “What do you do when you and a friend both want the same toy?”
- Show the first slide of the Steps to Solve Slides and introduce Step 1
Step 2
Teach the Steps
7 minutes
- Walk through all four steps using the slide deck:
- Stop & Take a Breath
- Use Your Words to Say the Problem
- Think of Two Fair Solutions
- Agree & Try One Solution
- Model each step with a simple classroom example
- Ask students to repeat each step aloud
Step 3
Guided Role-Play
6 minutes
- Divide students into pairs and give each a scenario card from Sticker Scenario Role-Play
- Provide each pair with stickers to represent choices
- Guide pairs to act out the conflict and apply all four steps
- Circulate, prompt use of steps, and offer praise
Step 4
Independent Planning
3 minutes
- Distribute My Plan Sheet
- Read a final scenario aloud and have students draw/write how they’d solve it using the four steps
- Encourage neat work and correct step order
Step 5
Conclusion
1 minute
- Reinforce the four steps and praise students for participating
- Remind them to use the steps next time a problem comes up
- Collect sheets and stickers before transitioning back to class
Slide Deck
4 Steps to Solve a Problem
Today we will learn four easy steps to help us solve conflicts and be kind friends!
Welcome the students and set a friendly tone. Explain that today they will learn four simple steps to solve problems with friends.
Step 1: Stop & Take a Breath
• Pause for a moment
• Breathe in slowly
• Breathe out slowly
Introduce Step 1. Model taking a slow, big breath when upset. Encourage students to inhale through nose and exhale through mouth.
Step 2: Use Your Words to Say the Problem
• Tell what happened
• Say how you feel
• Speak calmly
Explain that words help others understand how we feel. Demonstrate a simple statement like “I feel sad when…”
Step 3: Think of Two Fair Solutions
• Idea 1: __________
• Idea 2: __________
• Both sides agree
Discuss how thinking of two fair solutions gives everyone a choice. Offer an example: “We can take turns or share.”
Step 4: Agree & Try One Solution
• Choose one idea
• Say “Let’s try this!”
• Check if it worked
Show how to pick one solution together and try it. Emphasize cooperation and checking in: “Did it work?”
Remember the 4 Steps
- Stop & Take a Breath
- Use Your Words
- Think of Two Solutions
- Agree & Try It
Reinforce all steps and praise students for learning. Prompt students to say the steps aloud together.
Activity
Sticker Scenario Role-Play Instructions
Overview:
In this activity, students work in pairs to act out simple conflict scenarios using the four Solve-It Steps. They’ll place a colored sticker each time they use one of the steps to remind themselves which part of the process they’re practicing.
Materials:
- Scenario cards (print and cut into individual cards)
- Sticker sheets (each pair gets 4 stickers: one red, one yellow, one green, one blue)
Sticker Colors & Steps:
- Red → Step 1: Stop & Take a Breath
- Yellow → Step 2: Use Your Words to Say the Problem
- Green → Step 3: Think of Two Fair Solutions
- Blue → Step 4: Agree & Try One Solution
Instructions:
- Pair students and give each pair one scenario card and one set of stickers.
- Have students read the scenario aloud together.
- Prompt them to act out the conflict, pausing at each Solve-It Step:
- When they “Stop & Take a Breath,” place the red sticker on the card.
- When they use words to say the problem, place the yellow sticker.
- When they brainstorm solutions, place the green sticker.
- When they agree and try a solution, place the blue sticker.
- After they finish acting, pairs share which solution they tried and whether it worked.
- Rotate cards so each pair can practice at least two different scenarios.
Scenario Cards:
- scenario-truck: Two friends both want the same toy truck at playtime.
- scenario-book: You and a friend reach for the same library book at the shelf.
- scenario-line: A friend cuts in front of you in line for snack.
- scenario-blocks: Your friend accidentally knocks over your block tower.
Worksheet
My Plan Sheet
Name: _____________________ Date: ____________
Write the scenario your teacher reads here:
Step 1: Stop & Take a Breath
What do you do to help yourself calm down?
Step 2: Use Your Words to Say the Problem
Write a sentence that tells what happened and how you feel.
Step 3: Think of Two Fair Solutions
Solution 1: __________________________________________________
Solution 2: __________________________________________________
Step 4: Agree & Try One Solution
Which solution did you pick? Draw or write how you and your friend will try it.
Rubric
Sticker Role-Play Rubric
| Criteria | 4 – Exemplary | 3 – Proficient | 2 – Developing | 1 – Beginning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Step Sequence | Accurately identifies and applies all four steps in correct order. | Applies three steps correctly in order. | Applies two steps correctly or applies steps out of order. | Applies fewer than two steps or sequence is incorrect. |
| Communication | Uses clear, calm words to describe the problem and feelings. | Describes the problem but word choice or calmness could improve. | Attempts to use words but explanation is unclear or not calm. | Does not use words to describe the problem. |
| Solution Ideas | Suggests two fair solutions and agrees on one. | Suggests one fair solution or two but agreement isn’t clear. | Suggests one solution only with teacher prompting. | Does not suggest any fair solutions. |
| Collaboration | Actively collaborates, listens, and cooperates with partner throughout. | Cooperates but may need reminders to listen or share. | Shows limited cooperation or sharing. | Does not cooperate or work with partner. |
Scoring: 4 = Excellent understanding and use of steps, 3 = Good with minor support needed, 2 = Some understanding with prompts, 1 = Beginning or no evidence of steps.