Problem Solving Role Play Scenarios
Two kids reach for the same toy car, and the first scene is off.
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About this resource
Two kids reach for the same toy car, and the first scene is off. These problem solving role play scenarios give Grades 2–5 twenty scripted scenes in which the Problem Solver names the problem, tests an idea and checks how it went, at school, at home and around the neighborhood. It’s Responsible Decision-Making your class acts out, not just talks about.
What students practice
- Naming the problem in one clear sentence
- Thinking of different solutions
- Testing whether an idea will work
- Agreeing on a plan together
- Trying a plan and checking how it went
What’s inside
- 20 scripted scenes, each with a cast list, a setting and full dialogue
- 100 discussion cards, five per scene, with titles such as “Naming the Problem” and “Testing the Idea”
- A detailed teacher script and a more flexible outline you can teach in your own words
- Objectives, a materials list and tips for running the role play; 50 pages
A look inside
- Sharing a Toy: during free playtime, Alex and Jordan both want one toy car. They try the class timer for one round, ten minutes each, and check that it worked.
- The Five-Dollar Snack Plan: in a grocery snack aisle, Ben reads price tags and tests ideas until cookies and apples fit a five-dollar budget.
- Handling a Disagreement with a Neighbor: Nadia’s basketball keeps waking the baby next door, so she works out a practice plan that suits her and Mr. Dawson.
- Saving Water at Home, Lost and Found on the school bus and Family Road Trip Planning are among the others.
How to use these problem solving role play scenarios
- Start with the 5–7 minute introduction, which asks, “Have you ever had a problem you needed to solve?”
- Spend 10–15 minutes acting out a scene, then ask what the problem was and how the characters solved it
- Have students redo the scene with a different solution and compare the results
- Close with 5–10 minutes of sharing and discussion, and pull questions from the scene’s five cards
- Bring simple props, like a toy for Sharing a Toy or books for Library Book Mix-up, plus a timer for the timed scenes
Grade fit
The problems are everyday ones for elementary students, from a recess game nobody can agree on to a littered park, and two of the Problem Solvers are named as a 4th and a 5th grader. Students can follow the role play scripts line by line or improvise, so the scenes fit an SEL block anywhere in Grades 2–5.
Pairs well with
For more problem solving activities, pair the scenes with Problem Solving Scenario Cards or Problem Solving What Would You Do? Cards.
Questions teachers ask
How long does one session take?
The detailed script plans a 5–7 minute introduction, 10–15 minutes of role play and 5–10 minutes of sharing and discussion.
Do students have to read the lines exactly as written?
No. They can follow the script or make up their own words, and the materials list suggests blank paper for students who want to create their own scripts.
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