Lesson Plan
Unleash Your Inner Problem-Solver Plan
Students will be able to identify the core steps of responsible problem-solving and recognize their individual strengths in applying these steps to daily dilemmas.
This lesson helps students develop a foundational growth mindset and equips them with a structured approach to tackle challenges, fostering resilience and independence.
Audience
6th Grade Class
Time
50 minutes
Approach
Interactive discussion, guided practice, and self-reflection.
Materials
Smartboard or projector, Markers or whiteboard, The Problem-Solving Superpowers Guide, Superpower Scenario Cards, and My Problem-Solving Profile
Prep
Review Materials and Set Up
15 minutes
- Review the entire Unleash Your Inner Problem-Solver Plan to familiarize yourself with the lesson flow.
- Read through The Problem-Solving Superpowers Guide slide deck and accompanying teacher notes.
- Print and cut out the Superpower Scenario Cards (one set per small group).
- Make copies of the My Problem-Solving Profile worksheet (one per student).
- Ensure projector/Smartboard is set up and working to display the slide deck.
- Arrange desks for small group work if possible, or prepare students to move into groups during the activity portion.
Step 1
Introduction: What's Your Superpower?
5 minutes
- Begin with a quick Warm Up activity.
- Ask students: "If you could have any superpower to solve problems, what would it be?" Allow a few students to share.
- Introduce the idea that everyone already has problem-solving superpowers within them.
- Transition to The Problem-Solving Superpowers Guide slide deck, specifically Slide 1: "What's Your Problem-Solving Superpower?"
Step 2
Exploring the Problem-Solving Process (I Do)
15 minutes
- Present Slides 2-6 of The Problem-Solving Superpowers Guide, introducing each step of the problem-solving process (Identify, Brainstorm, Evaluate, Act, Reflect).
- For each step, use the teacher notes in the slide deck script to explain and provide examples.
- Encourage questions and brief class discussion on each step.
- Emphasize that these steps aren't always linear and people might naturally be stronger in certain areas.
Step 3
Superpower Scenario Practice (We Do)
15 minutes
- Divide students into small groups (3-4 students per group).
- Distribute one set of Superpower Scenario Cards to each group.
- Instruct groups to choose one scenario card and, as a team, work through the problem-solving steps outlined in the slide deck.
- Encourage them to discuss how each step would apply to their chosen scenario.
- Circulate around the room, providing support and prompting discussion where needed.
Step 4
Identifying Your Superpower (You Do)
10 minutes
- Bring the class back together.
- Distribute the My Problem-Solving Profile worksheet to each student.
- Instruct students to individually reflect on the problem-solving steps and the group activity.
- Guide them to identify which steps they feel are their strongest "superpowers" and why.
- Allow time for students to complete the worksheet.
Step 5
Wrap-Up: Sharing & Reflection
5 minutes
- Ask a few students to share one of their identified problem-solving superpowers from their My Problem-Solving Profile worksheet.
- Reiterate that recognizing and using these
Slide Deck
What's Your Problem-Solving Superpower?
Every challenge is an opportunity to shine!
Welcome students and introduce the exciting topic of problem-solving. Ask students to brainstorm what a 'superpower' for solving problems might be. Explain that everyone has these powers, and we'll learn to identify and use them.
Problems Aren't Pitfalls... They're Puzzles!
Challenges are a part of life. Learning to solve them makes us stronger and smarter!
We're going to learn a 5-step process to tackle any problem.
Introduce the core idea: problems aren't bad, they're chances to grow! Explain that we all face problems, big and small, every day. This lesson will give them a secret weapon to handle them.
Step 1: Identify the Problem
What is really going on?
- Clearly state the problem.
- Gather facts and details.
- Ask: Who, What, When, Where, Why, and How?
Explain the first step: Identify. Emphasize that you can't solve a problem until you truly understand what it is. Ask students for examples of problems that might be misunderstood if not clearly identified (e.g., 'I'm bored' vs. 'I need a new activity to engage me').
Step 2: Brainstorm Solutions
What are ALL the possible ways to fix this?
- Think creatively.
- Don't judge ideas yet.
- List as many solutions as you can!
Explain the second step: Brainstorm. Encourage wild, creative ideas. Stress that at this stage, there are no 'bad' ideas. Quantity over quality for now. Give a quick example: if the problem is 'I'm bored,' brainstorm ideas like 'read a book,' 'play outside,' 'learn a new skill,' 'call a friend.'
Step 3: Evaluate & Choose
Which solution is the best fit?
- Consider the pros and cons of each idea.
- Think about the consequences.
- Pick the most responsible and effective solution.
Explain the third step: Evaluate. This is where students think critically about the brainstormed ideas. What are the pros and cons? What's realistic? Connect this to the idea of 'responsible decision-making' from CASEL.
Step 4: Act It Out!
Make your plan happen!
- Put your chosen solution into action.
- Don't be afraid to start.
- Stay focused and follow through.
Explain the fourth step: Act. It's not enough to just think about solutions; you have to put them into action. Discuss the importance of a plan and taking the first step, even if it's small.
Step 5: Reflect & Learn
What did you learn from this experience?
- Did your solution work?
- What would you do differently next time?
- How can you use this superpower again?
Explain the final step: Reflect. This is crucial for learning and growth. What worked? What didn't? How can they apply this learning to future problems? This reinforces the growth mindset.
Your 5 Problem-Solving Superpowers!
- Identify the Problem
- Brainstorm Solutions
- Evaluate & Choose
- Act It Out!
- Reflect & Learn
You've got this! Now, let's practice!
Summarize the 5 steps and reiterate that everyone has these superpowers. Transition to the group activity where they'll apply these steps.
Activity
Superpower Scenario Cards
Instructions:
- In your small group, pick one scenario card to work on.
- As a team, discuss and apply each of the 5 Problem-Solving Superpowers to your chosen scenario:
- Identify the Problem: What exactly is the challenge here?
- Brainstorm Solutions: Come up with as many ways to solve it as you can!
- Evaluate & Choose: Discuss the pros and cons of your ideas and pick the best one.
- Act It Out!: How would you put your chosen solution into action?
- Reflect & Learn: What do you think would happen? What would you learn?
- Be ready to share your scenario and how your group decided to solve it with the class!
Scenario Card 1: Group Project Predicament
- Problem: You are working on a group project, and one team member isn't doing their share of the work. The deadline is approaching fast, and you're worried about getting a bad grade.
Scenario Card 2: Lunchtime Mix-Up
- Problem: You packed your favorite lunch, but when you opened your lunchbox, you realized you accidentally grabbed your sibling's lunch, which you really dislike. You're hungry, and there's no way to get your own lunch.
Scenario Card 3: Playground Problem
- Problem: During recess, you accidentally bumped into a classmate, causing them to drop and break their art project they were very proud of. They are upset, and you feel bad.
Scenario Card 4: Homework Headache
- Problem: You have a big test tomorrow, and you completely forgot about a significant homework assignment that is due at the end of the day. You don't have enough time to finish both.
Scenario Card 5: Friendship Fiasco
- Problem: Your two best friends are having a disagreement and have asked you to choose sides. You don't want to hurt either of them, but the tension is making you uncomfortable.
Scenario Card 6: Online Dilemma
- Problem: You see a group chat where some classmates are making fun of another student. You know it's wrong, but you're not sure what to do, and you don't want to get involved or become a target yourself.
Worksheet
My Problem-Solving Profile: What's YOUR Superpower?
Now that you've learned about the 5 Problem-Solving Superpowers and practiced with scenarios, it's time to reflect on your own strengths!
Instructions: Read through each step below. Think about the group activity and your own experiences. Then, write down which steps you feel are your natural "superpowers" and why. You can have more than one!
My Superpower 1: Identify the Problem
- Why I'm strong at this:
My Superpower 2: Brainstorm Solutions
- Why I'm strong at this:
My Superpower 3: Evaluate & Choose
- Why I'm strong at this:
My Superpower 4: Act It Out!
- Why I'm strong at this:
My Superpower 5: Reflect & Learn
- Why I'm strong at this:
Overall Reflection: How can knowing your problem-solving superpowers help you face challenges in the future?
Warm Up
Problem-Solving Superpower Warm-Up
Quick Draw/Write!
Think about a small problem you've faced recently (e.g., couldn't find your shoes, forgot your homework at home, a friend was upset).
In the space below, quickly draw or write:
- What was the problem?
- What did you do to solve it?