Problem-Solving
Daron just found out that he didn't do well on his science test. He is afraid the test score might have dropped his grade so low that he won't be eligible to play basketball. What is a probable solution for Daron?
Daron should speak with his teacher and get help. He could ask if he could re-take the test.
Pam is supposed to meet her friend at noon so they can hang out. Pam checks her watch. Her friend is already 15 minutes late and still isn't here. How do you think Pam is feeling? Name 2 feelings
- Pam is probably feeling worried, concerned, impatient, or stressed
Mike: Half of our players didn't show up for the game tonight.
Carolyn: I don't think they knew about it.
Mike: Who was in charge of telling them about the game?
Carolyn: I don't know.
Mike: Well, somebody dropped the ball.
What does "dropped the ball" mean? Why didn't the players show up for the game?
- It means to make a mistake.
- The players didn't know. The person in charge didn't tell them by mistake.
Hannah: I have to hang up the phone now. I have a lot of schoolwork to do.
William: Let's talk a little longer. Please?
Hannah: No, I can't.
William: Just five more minutes?
Hannah: No, I'm sorry. I really have to hit the books now.
What does "hit the books" mean? What does Hannah need to do?
- It means to study in a serious or determined way.
-Hannah needs to study. She said she has a lot of schoolwork to do.
Jim was looking for his friends in the hallway at school. As he walked up to his friends, they started laughing. Jim asked what they were laughing about, and they replied, "Oh, nothing". How do you think Jim is feeling? Name 2 feelings
- Jim is probably feeling neglected, awkward, humiliated, embarrassed, lonely, confused
Sally and her friend had an argument this morning. Sally is now taking a math test and is having a difficult time concentrating because her mind keeps thinking about the argument. What are 2 probable solutions for Sally?
- Sally could talk with her friend and try to resolve the issue
- Sally could speak with her teacher and ask to take the test another day
Ivan is taking guitar lessons. His teacher is showing him how to play a new song. He keeps messing up and says, "I can't do this anymore!". How do you think Ivan is feeling? Name 2 feelings.
- Ivan is probably feeling frustrated, hopeless, annoyed, defeated
Janet: I don't think the coach likes Adrian.
Patti: It's no wonder. He is always goofing around at practice.
Janet: He doesn't seem to take the game seriously.
Patti: I'll bet Adrian doesn't last through the season.
Janet: He's skating on thin ice already.
What does "skating on thin ice" mean? Does Janet think Adrian will last through the season?
- It means to be doing something that is dangerous or involves risks.
- Janet doesn't think Adrian will last. She says he doesn't take the game seriously and that he's risking his position on the team.
Anna: I'm way behind in my schoolwork. I fell behind when I was sick.
Jessica: I'm sorry you were sick.
Anna: It's going to take a lot of extra effort for me to catch up
Jessica: You can do it if you set your mind to it!
Anna: I don't want a bad report card, so I'm going to buckle down.
What does "buckle down" mean? Since Anna fell behind on schoolwork, what must she do now?
- It means to tackle a task with determination or to quit messing around.
- Anna must be determined and focus on her schoolwork in order to catch up.
Andy: Somebody has been stealing my stuff out of my locker.
Abigail: Do you know who it is?
Andy: Yes, I know the culprit.
Abigail: How did you figure it out?
Andy: I put two and two together. He left a lot of clues.
What does "put two and two together" mean? How did Andrew figure out who the thief was?
- It means to figure it out or to draw an obvious conclusion from what is known or evident.
- Andrew figured out who the culprit was based on the clues the thief left.
-Bonus question for 100 points: What kind of clues do you think the thief left that helped Andrew figure out who the thief was?
Oscar, Tracy, Mark, and Paige are friends hanging out. Oscar told a joke. Mark and Paige thought it was funny and started laughing. Tracy thought the joke was offensive and inappropriate. What are 2 probable solutions for Tracy?
- Tracy could tell Oscar how she felt and ask him nicely to not tell jokes like that when she's around
- Tracy could ignore the joke
- Tracy could leave the hang out
Leah's grandmother lives in Florida. She is flying by herself to see her over the summer. She has never flown by herself in an airplane before. How do you think she is feeling? Name 2 feelings
- Leah is probably feeling anxious, nervous, worried, concerned, stressed
Sam: Is there a seat left on the bus for Friday's game?
Teacher: Why? Do you want to sign up?
Sam: Yes. I have my money and my permission slip.
Teacher: Ok, touch base with me this afternoon. I'll let you know then if there is room on the bus.
What does "touch base" mean? What does the teacher want Sam to do?
- It means to contact.
- The teacher wants Sam to talk to her later after she figures out whether or not there's room on the bus.
Max: Well, you tried. The oboe is a very difficult instrument to play.
Josh: The only sound I could ever make was a very awful squeak.
Max: Did Mrs. Jones understand when you quit?
Josh: Yes, she told me I got an A for effort.
What does "A for effort" mean? What does Mrs. Jones think of Josh's ability to play the oboe?
- It means giving recognition for doing one's best. An expression indicating that an attempted action or undertaking failed, but the effort in the attempt was admirable.
- Mrs. Jones must not think he's very good at playing the oboe but she acknowledges that he tried his best.
Create a scenario based on a character feeling "irritated".
Maya was doing her homework. Her little brother kept playing his guitar really loud in his room after she asked him nicely to wait until after she's finished her homework to play. She feels irritated, annoyed, and bothered that her little brother isn't being considerate to her focusing on completing her homework.
John has a lot of homework to do. He is feeling overwhelmed with the amount of work he needs to do. Paul calls John and invites him over to play video games. What is a probable solution for John?
- John could tell Paul that he's busy today and reschedule
Maria made some cookies today. They were delicious. She put several cookies on a plate and took them over to her neighbor. How do you think Maria is feeling? How do you think the neighbor will feel? Name 2 feelings for each
- Maria is probably feeling proud, excited, anxious
- The neighbor is probably feeling surprised, excited, appreciated
CJ: How are you going to make sure you don't oversleep again tomorrow?
Ricky: I'll set my alarm for 7:00 a.m.
CJ: Are you sure you'll wake up to your alarm?
Ricky: If I don't, my mom said she would call and check on me.
CJ: Okay. It sounds like you have covered all the bases. I'll see you at practice in the morning.
What does "covered all the bases" mean? What does CJ think about Ricky's plan to not oversleep?
- It means to be thoroughly prepared.
- CJ thinks it's a good plan and is confident he will see Ricky at practice in the morning
Kenny: I can't believe it. I totally froze when Mrs. Smith called on me in class today.
Scarlett: What did she ask you?
Kenny: She asked me to name three characters from our book.
Scarlett: Don't you know the characters?
Kenny: Of course I know! I just drew a blank. Hasn't that ever happened to you?
What does "drew a blank" mean? What happened to Kenny when Mrs. Smith asked him a question?
- It means failed to give/remember an answer or result.
- Although Kenny knew the characters, he couldn't remember them in that moment when Mrs. Smith asked him.
Create a scenario based on a character feeling "betrayed".
- Thomas was so excited to go to the concert this weekend with his friend Peter. He overheard Peter in the hallway talking to Caleb saying, "You and I are going to have a blast at the concert this weekend!".
- Thomas feels betrayed because he was supposed to go with Peter and now, he's going with Caleb. He probably thinks Peter doesn't want to be friends anymore.
Miguel is having a difficult time in math class. He tells his teacher, "I just want to give up. I don't know how to do these math problems". What are 2 probable solutions for Miguel?
- Miguel could meet with his math teacher and ask for additional help
- Miguel could get a math tutor
Jack got in trouble at school today. His teacher called his parents. Now Jack's parents are discussing his punishment. How is Jack feeling? How are the parents feeling?
- Jack is probably feeling embarrassed, ashamed, frightened
-His parents are probably feeling disappointed, frustrated, concerned
David: I'm glad to see you back on the team, Jake!
Jake: I owe it all to you. Thanks for believing in me.
David: I know you didn't do what they said you did.
Jake: Without your support, I'd be kicked off the team.
David: I'd go to bat for you anytime.
What does "go to bat" mean? What is David willing to do for Jake?
- It means to show your support for someone or something.
- David is willing to defend/stick up for Jake.
Nathan: I don't think Carmen want to go to the party.
Renee: Really? She said that she wants to go with you.
Nathan: That's only because she knows that I really want to go.
Renee: She talked about how you love parties and that it should be fun.
Nathan: Read between the lines, Renee. I think she's saying she doesn't want to go.
What does "read between the lines" mean? How does Nathan know that Carmen doesn't want to go to the party?
- It means that there's a hidden meaning in something said or written. To look for or discover a meaning that is hidden or implied rather than explicitly stated.
- Nathan knows that Carmen doesn't want to go even though she didn't directly say it because she talked about how he loves parties. She was going to go only because Nathan enjoyed parties.
- Bonus question for 200 points: Why do you think Carmen didn't directly tell Nathan and Renee that she didn't want to go?
Create a scenario based on a character feeling "motivated".
Joey wasn't able to play baseball last year due to his broken arm. He's been working hard this off season by doing arm exercises every day and running to make sure he's in the best shape for the new season. He's motivated to fully heal his arm and be the best he can be next season.