Five Steps to Solve a Problem

Grade level

Grades 2–5

Time

About 20 minutes

Topic

Problem solving and decisions

Answer key

Yes, page 2 of the PDF

Kids practice

Problem solving, Decision making, Thinking about consequences, Safety

What kids do

Printed on the sheet:

1. Pick the best solution.
2. Name the problem.
3. Try it, then check: did it work?
4. Think about what could happen with each one.
5. Think of different solutions.
6. The problem: It is 8:00 at night and Eli just remembered his math homework is at school. It is due tomorrow.
7. 1. The problem is:
8. 3. What could happen:

Teacher tip

Post the steps and use them for real class problems.

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.
• Use it during morning meeting or right after recess, when the topic is fresh.

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.