SOCIAL EMOTIONAL LESSON PLAN

Subject/ Course: Social Emotional Thinking

Topic: Problem Solving

Lesson Title: Problem Solving Steps

Grade Level: 1st-2nd Lesson Duration: 60 minutes

Lesson Objectives:

- Students will be able to identify a problem and engage in problem-solving steps to come up with a solution to
strengthen their responsible decision-making competency

Summary of Tasks/ Actions (step by step directions):

Introduction (10 minutes):

- Bring students together in a circle, either seated or standing.
- Bring blocks with you to the circle. Show the student the blocks and ask them to watch you build a tall castle.
- After you build it, bring out two figurines that you would like to play with in the castle.
- Say out loud, "Hmm....there seems to be a problem. This castle is too small for my toys. How can I make this
bigger?"
- Take a few big breaths into your belly and ask the class to breathe with you.
- Explain that deep breathing can help you stay calm and focused when solving a problem.
- Ask the class, "How can I make this castle bigger?"
- Ask, "Would someone like to come up and think of a new way to solve this problem?"
- Invite one student to come up to solve the problem (i.e., make a larger castle).
- Ask your student volunteer, "What would you do here? How would you test a solution?"
- Give the student time to come up with a solution to make a larger castle.
- Explain that we can use these same problem-solving steps any time we come across a problem:
1. Identify the problem.
2. Look at what solutions have already been tried.
3. Think of new ways to solve the problem.
4. Try it out!
- Thank your student volunteer for showing you how to solve the problem and send them back to their seats.
- Say, "All of us sometimes come across problems we have to solve, and sometimes friends can help us, too!"
Explicit Instruction/Teacher modeling (15 minutes):
- Show the class the book Mr. Rabbit and the Lovely Present by Charlotte Zolotow.
- Explain that in this book a little girl has a problem and she has a special friend who helps her.
- Show the cover of the book and read the title and author to the class.
- Ask, "What do you think the problem may be? How do you think they may solve the problem?"
- Read the book and pause periodically to ask comprehension questions.
- After reading, discuss with questions such as, "What was the little girl’s problem? What did she do to solve it? How
did Mr. Rabbit help? How did they solve the problem?"
- Share an example from your life where you had a problem and used the problem-solving steps to reach a solution.
- Have students share in pairs a problem they may face and the steps they can take to solve it.
- Invite 2–3 partners to share what they discussed. Build on student answers and emphasize the importance of using
problem-solving steps and review the steps.
Guided Practice (10 minutes):
- Review and model how to complete the Pattern Blocks Problem Solving worksheet with the class.
Independent working time (15 minutes):
- Pass out eight pattern blocks for each child. Dismiss students back to their seats to work on their Pattern Blocks
Problem Solving worksheet.
Assessment (5 minutes):
- Walk around the room and check student comprehension of problem-solving steps during independent work.
Review and closing (5 minutes):
- Bring students back together in a circle.
- Ask, "Did anyone come across a problem when working with your pattern blocks? If so, what happened? Were you
able to solve the problem? If so, how?
- Ask the class to share what they drew for pattern shapes on their handout with a partner sitting next to them.
- Give students 1-2 minutes to share with their partner.
- Ask the class to share what they learned today and how they plan to practice the problem-solving steps again.
- Remind students that problems are not troubles, but rather chances to grow and learn!
- Express how well they did and that it takes courage to face problems

Materials/ Equipment (link all materials):

- Class set of the Pattern Blocks Problem Solving worksheet

- Mr. Rabbit and the Lovely Present by Charlotte Zolotow
- Pattern blocks (eight per student) Blocks
- Two toy figurines

References:

- https://www.education.com/download/lesson-plan/problem-solving-steps/problem-solving-steps.pdf

Take Home Tasks (link all materials):

- Fill out this mindfulness sheet:

Social Emotional Lesson