Lesson Plan
Solving Problems, Friends!
Students will be able to identify a conflict and use a simple strategy to resolve it with a peer.
Learning to resolve conflicts helps children build positive relationships, develop empathy, and feel more confident in social situations. This lesson lays the foundation for peaceful interactions.
Audience
Kindergarten Students
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Interactive discussion, role-play, and visual aids.
Materials
Smartboard or Projector, Feelings Faces Slide Deck, Conflict Solver Script, Role-Play Scenario Cards, Super Solvers Cool Down, and Crayons/Markers
Prep
Gather Materials & Review
10 minutes
- Review the Feelings Faces Slide Deck and ensure all visuals are ready.
- Print or prepare to display the Role-Play Scenario Cards.
- Print copies of the Super Solvers Cool Down for each student.
- Gather crayons or markers.
- Familiarize yourself with the Conflict Solver Script to guide discussions and activities effectively.
- Ensure the classroom space allows for a brief role-playing activity (e.g., small group circle or open carpet area).
Step 1
Warm-Up: How Do You Feel?
5 minutes
- Begin with a quick check-in about feelings using the Warm Up: Feelings Check-in.
- Display various feelings (happy, sad, angry) and ask students to show with their faces or thumbs how they are feeling.
- Briefly discuss why we might feel different ways.
Step 2
Introducing Conflict
5 minutes
- Use the Feelings Faces Slide Deck to introduce the concept of a "problem" or "conflict" using simple examples relevant to kindergarteners (e.g., sharing toys, accidental bumps).
- Explain that conflicts are normal but need Super Solvers to help fix them.
Step 3
Super Solver Steps
10 minutes
- Introduce the three Super Solver steps using the Feelings Faces Slide Deck and the Conflict Solver Script:
- STOP and THINK: Emphasize pausing and taking a deep breath.
- USE YOUR WORDS: Practice simple phrases like "I don't like that" or "Please stop."
- FIND A SOLUTION: Brainstorm ideas like sharing, taking turns, saying sorry, or asking for grown-up help.
- STOP and THINK: Emphasize pausing and taking a deep breath.
- Engage students with questions and examples for each step.
Step 4
Role-Play Activity
7 minutes
- Use the Role-Play Scenario Cards to select a simple conflict scenario.
- Ask for two student volunteers to act out the scenario, guiding them through the Super Solver steps.
- Provide positive feedback and reinforce the use of the steps.
Step 5
Cool-Down: Super Solvers Activity
3 minutes
- Distribute the Super Solvers Cool Down worksheet.
- Have students draw a picture of themselves being a Super Solver or demonstrating one of the steps.
- Collect the worksheets as an exit ticket to assess understanding.
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Slide Deck
Welcome, Super Solvers!
Hello everyone! Today we're going to become 'Super Solvers' and learn how to help our friends and ourselves when there's a problem!
Welcome students and introduce the idea of talking about feelings. Ask them to think about how they feel right now.
What's That Feeling?
Sometimes we feel happy! 😊
Sometimes we feel sad. 😢
Sometimes we feel... angry! 😠
It's okay to feel all kinds of feelings!
Show different feeling faces (happy, sad, angry, frustrated). Ask students to identify the feeling and share when they might feel that way. Emphasize that all feelings are okay.
Uh Oh! A Problem!
Have you ever wanted the same toy as a friend? Or maybe someone bumped into you by accident?
Sometimes, even good friends have problems. 🤔
Introduce the idea that sometimes big feelings can lead to problems with friends. Use a simple example like two kids wanting the same toy.
Super Solver Step 1: Stop and Think!
When a problem starts, what's the first thing a Super Solver does?
STOP! 🛑 Take a deep breath. 🌬️
THINK! 🤔 What happened? How do I feel? How does my friend feel?
Introduce the first step: 'Stop and Think.' Ask students what they should do before reacting.
Super Solver Step 2: Use Your Words!
Instead of pushing or yelling, Super Solvers use their words!
**
Introduce the second step: 'Use Your Words.' Emphasize calm communication.
Super Solver Step 3: Find a Solution!
What can we do to make it better?
- Share! (Like taking turns with a toy.)
- Say Sorry! (If you made a mistake.)
- Ask for Help! (If you need a grown-up.)
- Compromise! (Find something everyone can agree on.)
Introduce the third step: 'Find a Solution.' Brainstorm simple solutions.
You Are a Super Solver!
Great job, Super Solvers! Practicing these steps helps us be good friends and solve problems peacefully.
Reinforce that practicing these steps makes them great Super Solvers.
Script
Conflict Solver Script
Warm-Up: How Do You Feel? (5 minutes)
Teacher: Good morning, Super Solvers! Let's start by checking in with our feelings today. Look at my 'feelings face' cards. (Show happy face.) How does this person feel?
Students: Happy!
Teacher: (Show sad face.) How about this one?
Students: Sad.
Teacher: (Show angry face.) And this one?
Students: Angry!
Teacher: Great job! We all have different feelings, and that's totally okay. Sometimes we feel happy, sometimes we feel a little grumpy, and sometimes we feel excited! Can you show me with your faces how you're feeling right now? (Pause for students to show faces). Awesome! It's important to know how we feel, because our feelings can tell us a lot.
Introducing Conflict (5 minutes)
Teacher: (Transition to Feelings Faces Slide Deck - Slide 3: Uh Oh! A Problem!)
Teacher: Super Solvers, raise your hand if you've ever had a problem with a friend. Maybe you both wanted the same toy, or someone accidentally bumped into you, or you had a disagreement about what game to play. (Wait for hands). Yes! It happens to everyone, even grown-ups!
Teacher: When two people want different things, or someone feels hurt or upset, we call that a conflict or a problem. It's when our feelings might get a little big, like feeling angry or frustrated. But guess what? Super Solvers know how to solve problems!
Super Solver Steps (10 minutes)
Teacher: (Transition to Feelings Faces Slide Deck - Slide 4: Super Solver Step 1: Stop and Think!)
Teacher: Here's our first Super Solver step: STOP and THINK! When a problem starts, our bodies might want to react really fast, like pushing or yelling. But a Super Solver knows to stop first. Can everyone show me their 'stop' hand? (Demonstrate a stop hand gesture). Perfect!
Teacher: After we stop, we take a deep breath. (Demonstrate taking a deep breath). And then we THINK. We think: 'What happened? How do I feel right now? How might my friend feel?' It helps us calm down and understand the situation better.
Teacher: (Transition to Feelings Faces Slide Deck - Slide 5: Super Solver Step 2: Use Your Words!)
Teacher: Our second Super Solver step is to USE YOUR WORDS! Instead of pushing or grabbing, we use our voices. We can say things like:
- "I don't like that."
- "Please stop."
- "I feel sad when you take my toy."
Who can give me an example of using their words when they have a problem? (Call on 1-2 students for examples).
Teacher: (Transition to Feelings Faces Slide Deck - Slide 6: Super Solver Step 3: Find a Solution!)
Teacher: The last Super Solver step is to FIND A SOLUTION! This means we try to make things better. What are some ways we can make things better if we both want the same toy?
Students: Share! Take turns!
Teacher: Exactly! We can share or take turns. What if someone accidentally bumps into you? What can they say to help?
Students: Sorry!
Teacher: Yes! Saying sorry is a great solution. Sometimes, if we can't find a solution ourselves, we can Ask for Help from a grown-up. That's being a Super Solver too! We can also try to Compromise which means finding something everyone can agree on. Like, maybe we can't play with the blue block tower right now, but we can build a red one together!
Role-Play Activity (7 minutes)
Teacher: Now let's practice! I have some Role-Play Scenario Cards. I'm going to read a short problem, and I need two volunteers to act out how Super Solvers would solve it using our steps: STOP and THINK, USE YOUR WORDS, and FIND A SOLUTION.
(Choose a simple scenario, e.g., two friends want the same crayon. Guide students through the steps as they act it out. Provide positive reinforcement and gentle redirection.)
Cool-Down: Super Solvers Activity (3 minutes)
Teacher: You all did such an amazing job being Super Solvers today! To finish up, we're going to do a quick Super Solvers Cool Down. You can draw a picture of a time you were a Super Solver, or draw yourself using one of our steps. This helps us remember how to solve problems.
(Distribute Super Solvers Cool Down and crayons/markers. Briefly explain the task again. Collect the worksheets at the end.)
Teacher: Fantastic work, everyone! Remember, we are all Super Solvers, and we can use our steps to help solve problems with our friends. Give yourselves a big Super Solver clap!
Warm Up
Feelings Check-in: How Do You Feel Today, Super Solver?
Instructions for Students:
Look at the pictures of different feelings below. Point to the face that shows how you feel right now, or draw your own feeling face!
(Teacher will display images of happy, sad, angry, and calm faces or use their own feeling face cards.)
Why is it important to know how we feel?
Activity
Role-Play Scenario Cards
Instructions for Teacher: Cut out these cards. Choose one or two simple scenarios for students to role-play during the lesson. Encourage them to use the STOP and THINK, USE YOUR WORDS, and FIND A SOLUTION steps.
Scenario 1: The Red Crayon Crisis
Problem: Two friends, Leo and Mia, both want to use the last red crayon at the same time. Neither wants to give it up.
How to be Super Solvers?
- What should they do first? (Stop and Think)
- What words can they use? ("I want the red crayon!" "Can we share?")
- What solutions can they find? (Take turns, one uses red, the other uses pink, then switch)
Scenario 2: Block Tower Trouble
Problem: Lily built a tall block tower. Noah accidentally bumps into it and knocks it down. Lily is very upset.
How to be Super Solvers?
- What should Lily do first? (Stop and Think - take a deep breath)
- What words can Noah use? ("I'm sorry, Lily. I didn't mean to.")
- What solutions can they find? (Noah helps Lily rebuild, they build a new tower together)
Scenario 3: Swing Set Squabble
Problem: Jay has been on the swing for a long time. Emily wants a turn, but Jay won't get off.
How to be Super Solvers?
- What should Emily do first? (Stop and Think)
- What words can Emily use? ("Jay, I want a turn on the swing.")
- What solutions can they find? (Jay agrees to get off in one minute, they set a timer for turns)
Cool Down
Super Solvers Cool Down: Show What You Know!
Instructions for Students:
Draw a picture or write (with help from your teacher) one thing you learned about being a Super Solver today! How can you solve a problem with a friend using our steps?
Bonus Challenge: What words did you use to solve the problem? (Teacher can scribe for students if needed)
Script
Conflict Solver Script
Warm-Up: How Do You Feel? (5 minutes)
Teacher: Good morning, Super Solvers! Let's start by checking in with our feelings today. Look at my 'feelings face' cards. (Show happy face.) How does this person feel?
Students: Happy!
Teacher: (Show sad face.) How about this one?
Students: Sad.
Teacher: (Show angry face.) And this one?
Students: Angry!
Teacher: Great job! We all have different feelings, and that's totally okay. Sometimes we feel happy, sometimes we feel a little grumpy, and sometimes we feel excited! Can you show me with your faces how you're feeling right now? (Pause for students to show faces). Awesome! It's important to know how we feel, because our feelings can tell us a lot.
Introducing Conflict (5 minutes)
Teacher: (Transition to Feelings Faces Slide Deck - Slide 3: Uh Oh! A Problem!)
Teacher: Super Solvers, raise your hand if you've ever had a problem with a friend. Maybe you both wanted the same toy, or someone accidentally bumped into you, or you had a disagreement about what game to play. (Wait for hands). Yes! It happens to everyone, even grown-ups!
Teacher: When two people want different things, or someone feels hurt or upset, we call that a conflict or a problem. It's when our feelings might get a little big, like feeling angry or frustrated. But guess what? Super Solvers know how to solve problems!
Super Solver Steps (10 minutes)
Teacher: (Transition to Feelings Faces Slide Deck - Slide 4: Super Solver Step 1: Stop and Think!)
Teacher: Here's our first Super Solver step: STOP and THINK! When a problem starts, our bodies might want to react really fast, like pushing or yelling. But a Super Solver knows to stop first. Can everyone show me their 'stop' hand? (Demonstrate a stop hand gesture). Perfect!
Teacher: After we stop, we take a deep breath. (Demonstrate taking a deep breath). And then we THINK. We think: 'What happened? How do I feel right now? How might my friend feel?' It helps us calm down and understand the situation better.
Teacher: (Transition to Feelings Faces Slide Deck - Slide 5: Super Solver Step 2: Use Your Words!)
Teacher: Our second Super Solver step is to USE YOUR WORDS! Instead of pushing or grabbing, we use our voices. We can say things like:
- "I don't like that."
- "Please stop."
- "I feel sad when you take my toy."
Who can give me an example of using their words when they have a problem? (Call on 1-2 students for examples).
Teacher: (Transition to Feelings Faces Slide Deck - Slide 6: Super Solver Step 3: Find a Solution!)
Teacher: The last Super Solver step is to FIND A SOLUTION! This means we try to make things better. What are some ways we can make things better if we both want the same toy?
Students: Share! Take turns!
Teacher: Exactly! We can share or take turns. What if someone accidentally bumps into you? What can they say to help?
Students: Sorry!
Teacher: Yes! Saying sorry is a great solution. Sometimes, if we can't find a solution ourselves, we can Ask for Help from a grown-up. That's being a Super Solver too! We can also try to Compromise which means finding something everyone can agree on. Like, maybe we can't play with the blue block tower right now, but we can build a red one together!
Role-Play Activity (7 minutes)
Teacher: Now let's practice! I have some Role-Play Scenario Cards. I'm going to read a short problem, and I need two volunteers to act out how Super Solvers would solve it using our steps: STOP and THINK, USE YOUR WORDS, and FIND A SOLUTION.
(Choose a simple scenario, e.g., two friends want the same crayon. Guide students through the steps as they act it out. Provide positive reinforcement and gentle redirection.)
Cool-Down: Super Solvers Activity (3 minutes)
Teacher: You all did such an amazing job being Super Solvers today! To finish up, we're going to do a quick Super Solvers Cool Down. You can draw a picture of a time you were a Super Solver, or draw yourself using one of our steps. This helps us remember how to solve problems.
(Distribute Super Solvers Cool Down and crayons/markers. Briefly explain the task again. Collect the worksheets at the end.)
Teacher: Fantastic work, everyone! Remember, we are all Super Solvers, and we can use our steps to help solve problems with our friends. Give yourselves a big Super Solver clap!