Size of the Problem
Your phone battery is at 10% but you’ll be home in 20 minutes.
Small, medium, or big problem?
small
Someone borrows a pencil. Expected or unexpected?
Expected — common in school.
Someone cuts in line by accident. What’s a small reaction?
“Hey, I think I was next.” or just letting it slide.
First step in solving a problem?
A: Identify/define the problem.
Teacher calls on you when you weren’t paying attention — what do you do?
A: Admit you missed it / ask to repeat / stay calm.
A teacher emails you saying you forgot to turn in an assignment, but you can still submit it tonight.
What size is the problem?
Medium problem — needs action but easily fixable.
Friend yells your name in a silent room.
Unexpected — not appropriate for the setting.
Sibling eats your snack. Give one too-big and one expected reaction.
Too big: Yelling, slamming doors.
Expected: “Hey, can you replace it next time?”
One way to calm yourself before solving a problem?
A: Deep breathing, counting to 10, taking a break, grounding, etc.
You lose your locker combination. What should you do first?
Ask the office or teacher for help / request a reset.
A friend bumps into you and apologizes.
Small problem — mistake + apology = no harm done.
Classmate laughs loudly during a serious presentation.
Unexpected — disruptive + disrespectful
Friend cancels plans last minute. Give one appropriate reaction and one overreaction.
Calm: “No worries, let’s reschedule.”
Overreaction: “We’re not friends anymore!”
Benefit of having multiple solutions?
A: More options → better chances of success and flexibility.
Paired with someone you don’t get along with.
A: Be respectful, focus on the work, set clear tasks, communicate.
Your car won’t start and you have work in 30 minutes.
Medium → big depending on options. Big if you have no other way to get there; medium if you can get a ride or call work.
Teacher arrives 10 minutes late with no explanation.
Unexpected — teachers are expected to be on time; may cause confusion.
Group partner didn’t do their part. Give 1 productive and 1 unproductive response.
A: Productive: Talk to them, divide tasks differently, email teacher if needed.
Unhelpful: Ignoring them or blowing up.
What does “consider the consequences” mean?
A: Think about what will happen (good or bad) before choosing a solution.
Overwhelmed with homework, job, and sports — list 3 strategies.
Make a schedule, prioritize tasks, ask for help, talk to teacher/coach, take breaks, use planner.
Explain a situation that seems big but is actually small.
Example: Thinking you lost your wallet but it’s in your backpack. Big at first, small once found.
Describe a time something unexpected happened but you handled it well.
Anything
Why can big reactions to small problems create bigger problems?
They can escalate the situation, cause conflict, damage relationships, or get you in trouble.
Explain the 4-step problem-solving process.
A: 1) Identify problem
2) Think of solutions
3) Consider consequences
4) Choose a solution and try it
(Accept any correct variation.)
Think of a scenario in your real life of a time you had a big reaction and identify ways you would change your response now.
Anything