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The 'What If?' Game

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Lesson Plan

The 'What If?' Game

Students will be able to apply a simple problem-solving model to a common middle school challenge, enhancing their critical thinking and decision-making skills.

This lesson is important because it provides students with a practical framework for approaching and overcoming challenges, both in academic and personal life, fostering independence and resilience.

Audience

8th Grade Students

Time

15 minutes

Approach

Through guided discussion, direct instruction, and a hands-on activity.

Materials

Problem-Solving Detective Slide Deck, and Solve a Real-Life Problem Worksheet

Prep

Review Materials

5 minutes

Step 1

Connect to Prior Knowledge: 'Problem Solvers Assemble!'

3 minutes

  • Begin by asking students: "Think about a time you faced a problem, big or small. What did you do?" (1 minute, brief share).
  • Transition by saying: "Today, we're going to learn a 'What If?' game to become even better problem-solvers!"

Step 2

Introduce New Concept: The 'What If?' Game

5 minutes

  • Present the Problem-Solving Detective Slide Deck.
  • Go through the slides, explaining the Problem Solving Steps (Identify, Brainstorm, Evaluate, Act, Reflect).
  • Emphasize the 'What If?' questions at each step: "What if I try this?", "What if this doesn't work?", "What if I need help?"

Step 3

Guided Practice: Class Problem Walkthrough

4 minutes

  • As a class, choose a common middle school challenge (e.g., "Too much homework" or "Disagreement with a friend").
  • Guide students through the problem-solving steps using the 'What If?' questions. Encourage suggestions from the class for each step.
  • Use a blank Solve a Real-Life Problem Worksheet projected on the board to fill in answers collaboratively.

Step 4

Independent Application: Solve Your Own Problem

2 minutes

  • Distribute the Solve a Real-Life Problem Worksheet.
  • Instruct students to choose a personal (school-appropriate) problem and begin to apply the 'What If?' game steps on their worksheet. They will complete this for homework or in a follow-up session.

Step 5

Reflect and Share: Quick Check-in

1 minute

  • Ask students to quickly share one 'What If?' question they found helpful today.
  • Conclude by reiterating the value of this approach in everyday life.
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Slide Deck

Become a Problem-Solving Detective!

Using the 'What If?' Game to crack any case!

Welcome students to the 'What If?' game! Explain that just like detectives solve mysteries, they'll learn to solve problems. This game isn't just for big problems, but everyday middle school challenges too.

Problems, Problems Everywhere!

What's a problem you've faced recently?

  • Big or small, at school or at home.
  • How did you try to solve it?
  • Sometimes problems feel like a maze, right?

Ask students to think about a challenge they've faced. This slide sets the stage for why learning problem-solving is relevant to their lives.

The Detective's Tool-Kit: Our 5 Steps

Every good detective has a plan!

  1. Identify the Suspect (the real problem)
  2. Brainstorm Clues (solutions!)
  3. Evaluate the Evidence (weigh options)
  4. Act on Your Plan (try it out)
  5. Reflect on the Outcome (what worked?)

Introduce the idea of a clear, step-by-step approach. Emphasize that having a plan makes problems less daunting.

Step 1: Identify the Problem

What's really going on?

  • Don't just see the surface!
  • Ask: "What exactly is the challenge?"
  • The 'What If?' Question: "What if I'm not seeing the whole picture?"

Explain that identifying the core problem is crucial. Sometimes what seems like the problem is just a symptom. Encourage them to ask 'Why?' multiple times.

Step 2: Brainstorm Solutions

Time for some wild ideas!

  • Think outside the box.
  • Don't judge ideas yet!
  • The 'What If?' Question: "What if I tried something completely different?"

Encourage creative thinking here. No idea is too silly at this stage. Quantity over quality initially.

Step 3: Evaluate Options

Weigh the evidence!

  • What are the pros and cons of each solution?
  • Which one seems most likely to work?
  • The 'What If?' Question: "What if this solution creates a new problem?"

Now they narrow down the best ideas. What are the pros and cons? What's realistic? Connect this to the idea of 'evidence'.

Step 4: Act on Your Plan

Time to put on your action cap!

  • Choose your best solution.
  • Take the first step.
  • The 'What If?' Question: "What if I need help from someone else?"

Emphasize taking action. A plan is just a plan until you do something. Even small steps count.

Step 5: Reflect on the Outcome

Case closed? Or back to the drawing board?

  • Did your solution work?
  • What did you learn?
  • The 'What If?' Question: "What if there's a better way next time?"

Reflection is key for growth. Did it work? Why or why not? What did they learn for next time?

You're a Problem-Solving Pro!

The 'What If?' Game helps you:

  • Think clearly
  • Find creative solutions
  • Feel confident facing challenges!

Keep playing the 'What If?' Game!

Reiterate that problem-solving is a skill that improves with practice. Empower them to use this framework.

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Worksheet

Solve a Real-Life Problem: The 'What If?' Game

Name: ____________________________

Date: ____________________________

Your Mission: Choose one real-life problem you are currently facing (or have faced) and apply the Problem-Solving Detective steps using the 'What If?' Game!

Step 1: Identify the Problem

  • What is the problem you want to solve? Describe it clearly.







  • The 'What If?' Question: "What if I'm not seeing the whole picture?" What might be the deeper issue or other factors involved?







Step 2: Brainstorm Solutions

  • List at least three different ways you could try to solve this problem. Don't worry if they seem silly at first!









  • The 'What If?' Question: "What if I tried something completely different?" Can you add another creative or unusual solution?







Step 3: Evaluate Options

  • Look at your solutions from Step 2. For each, list one
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