Solving a Problem Step by Step
Students learn to name a problem clearly (not just complain about it), brainstorm at least two possible solutions, pick one to try and say why, follow through on the chosen solution, and describe what happened as a result.
Lesson Overview
What students will be able to do after this lesson: Students will be able to name a problem clearly, think of more than one solution, weigh each option, and decide what to try — then check whether it worked.
Skill segments at a glance:
| Segment | Segment name | Primary standards |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Naming the Problem | RDM-PRB-2-1 |
| 2 | Finding and Weighing Solutions | RDM-PRB-2-2 · RDM-PRB-2-3 · RDM-PRB-2-4 |
| 3 | Trying It and Looking Back | RDM-PRB-2-5 |
Supporting standards reinforced:
| Code | Why it connects |
|---|---|
| RS-CFR-2-1 | Students weigh how their chosen solution affects others, which requires perspective-taking |
| RDM-CHO-2-1 | The weighing step in Segment 2 draws on responsible choice-making skills from this standard |
| SM-REG-2-4 | Staying focused during the problem-solving process (rather than escalating) draws on self-management skills |
Key Vocabulary
- Problem — A situation where something isn’t working and you need to figure out what to do
- Solution — One idea for fixing or improving the problem
- Weigh — To think about what might go right and what might go wrong with each option before deciding
- Outcome — What actually happens after you try something
Materials
- Whiteboard space or chart paper + marker for I Do modeling
- Before the week begins: Post your unit anchor chart and I Can Statement where students can see them — you’ll reference both throughout the week.
- Sticky notes (optional for Segment 2 weighing activity)
How this lesson is structured: Each skill segment below has an I Do (teacher models the skill with a realistic scenario) and a We Do (class practices together with your guidance). Independent practice — the You Do — lives in the practice resources that go alongside this lesson.
What Students Need Before This Lesson
- What’s inside
- What students should already be able to do
- Helpful to have in place
- 3 quick set-ups before the I DoProblems vs. Feelings — they’re not the same thing · A problem isn’t always a fight — the skill works for ordinary situations too · “Solving” doesn’t always mean making the feeling go away
- Rescue planIf students are significantly behind
This section opens when Grade 2 launches.
Introducing the Skill
- What’s inside
- Opening hook
- What we’re learning
- Why it matters
- Core sentence frameThe frame students use all week
This section opens when Grade 2 launches.
Naming the Problem
- What’s inside
- I do: 4 teacher modelsClean example: what a clear problem statement looks like · Wrong version → fix: naming the feeling instead of the problem · Varied scenario: a problem that belongs to more than one person · Non-conflict scenario: an ordinary decision
- We do: 4 guided scenariosWith sentence frames, pacing notes and what to watch for
- Coaching in the momentWhat to say when students get stuck
This section opens when Grade 2 launches.
Finding and Weighing Solutions
- What’s inside
- I do: 4 teacher modelsClean example: generating two or more real options · Wrong version → fix: jumping straight to the first idea without weighing · Varied scenario: weighing includes thinking about other people · Non-conflict scenario: weighing an ordinary decision
- We do: 3 guided scenariosWith sentence frames, pacing notes and what to watch for
- Coaching in the momentWhat to say when students get stuck
This section opens when Grade 2 launches.
Trying It and Looking Back
- What’s inside
- I do: 4 teacher modelsClean example: trying the solution and noticing the outcome honestly · Wrong version → fix: refusing to admit a solution did not fully work · Varied scenario: what I would do differently · Non-conflict scenario: complete walk-through of all 5 steps
- We do: 3 guided scenariosWith sentence frames, pacing notes and what to watch for
- Coaching in the momentWhat to say when students get stuck
This section opens when Grade 2 launches.
Closing the Week
- What’s inside
- 3 partner-share roundsOne for each segment, with the frame students say together
- Closing prompt
- What we practiced
- Connect to daily life
- 🔽 Optional: connect to daily life
This section opens when Grade 2 launches.
Practice for every skill segment
Each lesson comes with independent practice — the “you do” — for each of its 3 skill segments, in print and digital.
Printable practice
Ready-to-copy practice pages for each segment.
- View and print in your browser
- Answer keys for quick checking
Digital activities
Share one link — students open it on any device, and you see their answers.
- Works on Chromebooks, tablets and phones
- Students just type their name to start
While you wait: from the SEL Resource Library
Responsible Decision-Making resources for Grade 2, ready to use today.
