Ask the Advice Column

Grade level

Grades 3–5

Time

About 25 minutes

Topic

Problem solving and decisions

Answer key

Not needed: answers vary

Kids practice

Problem solving, Decision making, Thinking about consequences, Safety

What kids do

Printed on the sheet:

1. You are the advice writer! Read each letter and write your best advice.
2. 1. “My best friend wants to stay inside and play video games every recess, but I like playing outside. What should I do?” — Torn in Two
3. The problem is:
4. Two things they could do:
5. 2. “I forgot to study for my test tomorrow, and I’m starting to panic. Help!” — Last
6. 3. “My little sister keeps going into my room and taking my stuff. I’m so mad!” —

Teacher tip

Let kids write their own (made-up) letters for classmates to answer.

How to use it

• Talk through the first scenario as a class before kids work alone.
• Ask kids to think of at least two choices before picking one.
• Keep finished sheets in an SEL folder so kids can look back on their growth.

Watch for

Some scenarios involve safety. Make sure every child knows which grown-ups to tell.

Talk about it

• Is there another choice no one thought of?
• Have you ever been in a moment like this? What happened?

Take it further

Write a class problem-solving chart and use it during real problems.

US Letter, prints well in black and white. Free for home and classroom use: print as many copies as you need.