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What Would You Do?

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Lesson Plan

What Would You Do?

Students will be able to identify different social scenarios and propose positive solutions, fostering problem-solving skills and empathy for a harmonious school climate.

Learning to navigate social situations and resolve conflicts positively is a crucial life skill. This lesson helps Pre-K students develop empathy, critical thinking, and communication skills, preparing them for positive interactions in school and beyond.

Audience

Pre-K Class

Time

25 minutes

Approach

Interactive scenario discussions and role-playing activities.

Materials

Whiteboard or chart paper, Markers, Scenario Cards, Our Best Choices Discussion Guide, and Act It Out Solutions Activity Guide

Prep

Gather Materials & Review

10 minutes

Step 1

Warm-Up: Feelings Check-in

3 minutes

  • Begin by asking students how they are feeling today. Use simple emotion cards if available or have students make a face that shows their feeling.
  • Briefly discuss why we might feel certain ways and that all feelings are okay. Connect this to how our feelings can impact our actions and how others feel.

Step 2

Introduce Problem Solvers

2 minutes

  • Explain to students that today they will be 'Problem Solvers'.
  • Ask: "What does a problem solver do?" (Guide them to understand problem solvers think of good ways to fix problems or help friends).
  • Show the first slide of Scenario Cards with the title slide.

Step 3

Scenario Time: What Would You Do?

10 minutes

  • Display each scenario from the Scenario Cards one by one.
  • For each scenario, read it aloud and ask: "What would you do?" or "What could the friends do to solve this problem?"
  • Facilitate the Our Best Choices Discussion Guide, encouraging students to share their ideas. Write down keywords or draw simple pictures of their solutions on the whiteboard/chart paper.
  • Emphasize empathy by asking: "How do you think [character's name] feels?"

Step 4

Act It Out Solutions

8 minutes

  • Choose 1-2 scenarios that sparked the most discussion or offer clear actions.
  • Use the Act It Out Solutions Activity Guide to lead students in acting out the problem and their proposed positive solutions.
  • Guide students through simple role-playing, encouraging them to use kind words and helpful actions.
  • Praise their creativity and positive problem-solving efforts.

Step 5

Cool-Down: My Best Choice

2 minutes

  • Conclude by asking each student to share one

Step 6

Cool-Down: My Best Choice

2 minutes

  • Conclude by asking each student to share one "best choice" they heard or thought of today.
  • Reinforce that making good choices helps everyone feel happy and safe at school. This serves as the Cool Down activity for the lesson.
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Slide Deck

What Would YOU Do?

Let's be Problem Solvers!

Welcome students and introduce the idea of being 'Problem Solvers'. Explain that they will help friends in tricky situations.

Scenario 1: Sharing Toys

Lily and Tom both want to play with the same red truck. What would YOU do?

Read the scenario clearly. Encourage students to think about how the friends feel and what they could do.

Scenario 2: Accidental Bump

Maya accidentally bumps into Sam, and Sam's tower falls down. What would YOU do?

Read the scenario. Ask students to consider kind words and actions. Remind them that accidents happen.

Scenario 3: Playing Alone

Ben is playing with blocks all by himself. He looks a little sad. What would YOU do?

Read the scenario. Focus on inviting others to play and understanding feelings.

Scenario 4: Making a Mess

Someone spilled juice on the floor! What would YOU do?

Read the scenario. Discuss ways to ask for help and communicate needs.

Scenario 5: Feeling Frustrated

Sarah is getting frustrated because she can't build her tower. What would YOU do?

Read the scenario. Emphasize using words to express feelings and asking for space.

Great Problem Solvers!

You are all amazing at thinking of kind and helpful solutions! Let's talk more about our best choices.

Reinforce that working together helps everyone. Transition to discussion.

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Discussion

Our Best Choices Discussion Guide

Teacher: "Problem solvers, you did an amazing job thinking about what to do in those situations! Now, let's talk about some of the best choices we heard."

Scenario 1: Sharing Toys

Teacher: "Remember Lily and Tom both wanting the red truck? What were some of the kindest and most helpful things they could do?"

  • Possible student answers: Share, take turns, find another toy, ask nicely.
    Teacher: "Why is sharing or taking turns a good choice? How does it make everyone feel?"



Scenario 2: Accidental Bump

Teacher: "When Maya accidentally bumped Sam and his tower fell, what could Maya do? What could Sam do?"

  • Possible student answers: Say "I'm sorry," help rebuild, say "It's okay."
    Teacher: "It's important to say sorry even if it was an accident, right? And it's kind to help!"



Scenario 3: Playing Alone

Teacher: "Poor Ben looked a little sad playing by himself. What were some ways we could help him feel better?"

  • Possible student answers: Ask him to play, invite him to your game, smile at him.
    Teacher: "Being a good friend means noticing when someone might need a friend!"



Scenario 4: Making a Mess

Teacher: "Oh no, spilled juice! What's the best choice to make when you see a mess?"

  • Possible student answers: Tell a grown-up, help clean it up (if safe), get a towel.
    Teacher: "That's right, grown-ups can help us clean up big messes, and we can help too!"



Scenario 5: Feeling Frustrated

Teacher: "Sarah was getting frustrated with her tower. What can we do when we feel frustrated or see a friend feeling frustrated?"

  • Possible student answers: Take a deep breath, ask for help, say "I need a break," offer to help.
    Teacher: "It's okay to feel frustrated, but it's important to use our words or take a break to calm down."



Teacher: "You all have such wonderful ideas for being kind and helpful problem solvers! These are all our BEST CHOICES!"

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Activity

Act It Out Solutions Activity Guide

Teacher: "Now that we've talked about our best choices, let's act them out! This will help us remember what to do when we see these situations in real life."

Instructions:

  1. Choose a Scenario: Select 1-2 scenarios from the Scenario Cards that had the most engaging discussion or that you want to reinforce.
  2. Assign Roles: Ask for volunteers or gently assign roles to 2-3 students for each scenario. Keep it simple – e.g., "You are Lily, you are Tom, and you are the red truck!"
  3. Act Out the Problem: Have students briefly act out the problem as described in the scenario. Emphasize that it's okay to show the problem, but we are looking for solutions!
    • Example for Sharing Toys: Lily grabs the truck, Tom grabs the truck, they both pull and look upset.
  4. Act Out the Solution: After acting out the problem, guide the students to act out one of the
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Cool Down

What Would You Do? Cool Down: My Best Choice

Teacher: "Wow, you were all amazing problem solvers today! You thought of so many kind and helpful ways to make our classroom a happy place."

Time to Reflect:

  1. Teacher: "Before we finish, I want each of you to think about one best choice you heard today, or one idea you had, that helps friends or solves a problem. What was it?"
    • Go around the circle and let each student share their
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