Dealing with Change
Size of the Problem
Size of the Reaction
Flexible Thinking + Problem Solving
Flexible Thinking
Out and About
Out and About
100
Gina and Katie are in class together. They are always partners. On Tuesday Katie was sick and did not come to class. The teacher told the class to find a partner.
What is the size of the problem?
What should Gina do?
Small problem
Find another partner.
100
Cody always orders a blueberry bagel at the cafe on Friday mornings. It is his favorite part about Fridays. Today when he went to buy one, the cashier told him they were out of blueberry.
Size of the problem?
What should Cody do?
Small problem
Cody can stay flexible and order something else this time.
100
Your teacher is giving directions. Jenny and Jeremy won’t stop talking so you can’t hear the teacher.
You kick Jeremy in the leg.
Size of the Problem? Size of the Reaction?
Did they match?
Size of the problem: small
Size of the reaction: big
No match!!!
100
Randy was making a grilled cheese sandwich. He always uses the metal spatula to flip the sandwich. When it was ready to be flipped, he couldn't find the spatula anywhere. The sandwich would burn if he waited too long to flip it.
What is the size of the problem?
What should Randy do?
Small problem.
Find another utensil to flip the sandwich.
100
You are waiting in a line and someone cuts in front of you.
Size of the Problem?
What is an appropriate response?
Small problem
You can politely let then know you were standing in line, or you can just let it go.
200
Mila always went to the same salon and had her fair cut by her favorite stylist, Johnny. Johnny was the only person she knew who cut hair. One day she called the salon to make an appointment and they told her that Johnny moved to a different state and no longer worked there.
What is the size of the problem?
What should Mila do?
Small problem
She can ask the salon for a recommendation for a new stylist.
200
Size of the Problem?
What is an appropriate response?
Medium Problem
Stay calm and find a safe person to ask for help. (Who would be a safe person to ask?)
200
I stay calm and ask them to stop. If they don't stop, I ask a teacher for help.
Size of the Problem? Size of the Reaction?
Did they match?
Size of the problem: small
Size of the reaction:small
Match!
200
You notice your roommate or family member ate your favorite snacks you were keeping in the refrigerator without asking you.
Size of the Problem?
What is an appropriate response?
200
Your classmate borrows your favorite coloring pens and accidentally loses them.
Size of the Problem?
What is an appropriate response?
Size of the problem: small
You can stay calm and talk to your friend about it. Hopefully they will offer to replace your pens.
300
Dan loves to take a hot shower every morning before school or work, but today the hot water wasn't working and only cold water was coming out.
Size of the problem?
What can Dan do?
Small problem
He can either take a cold shower or wait until he gets home.
300
Size of the problem?
What is an appropriate response?
Big problem
Get someone to help: nurse, teacher, possibly call for help
300
I just ignore them and go back to class without telling anyone.
Size of the Problem? Size of the Reaction?
Did they match?
Size of the problem: medium
Size of the reaction: small
Not a match!
300
You see someone fall down in the hallway.
Size of the Problem?
What is an appropriate response?
medium
You can tell the nearest teacher or get the nurse right away.
300
A big storm comes and causes flooding in the classroom.
Size of the Problem?
What is an appropriate response?
BIG problem.
Probably an emergency.
Stay calm and listen to teachers and emergency helpers.
400
Jason always went to his favorite taco restaurant on Fridays. This week he found out his favorite restaurant is permanently closed.
What is the size of the problem?
What should Jason do?
Small problem
He can research other Mexican restaurants, or he can ask friends what restaurants they like and get recommendations.
400
You smell something funny coming from your neighbor's house. It smells like something is burning and you see smoke coming from the windows.
Size of the problem?
What is an appropriate response?
BIG problem.
Probably an emergency.
Tell another adult and/or call 911.
400
On the bus, someone is making annoying sounds the whole way to school. You kick the back of the person's seat and loudly yell at them to stop.
Size of the Problem? Size of the Reaction?
Did they match?
Size of the problem: small
Size of the reaction: big
No match!!!
400
I lost my house key and now I don't know how I will get in the house when I get home.
Size of the Problem?
What is an appropriate response?
Size of the problem: medium
Call your parents, a family member, or a roommate to see if someone can meet you at home to let you in.
400
Someone you care about has to go to the hospital.
Size of the Problem?
What is an appropriate response?
Medium Problem
You can keep updated on how they are doing and send them a get-well card.
(Medium problems last longer than a small problem. Even after solving it, it may still affect you or upset you.)
500
Corey always sits by his best friend, Anthony, at lunch. Today when Corey got to the lunchroom, Anthony was sitting at a table with other people, and there was no room for Corey.
Size of the problem?
What should Corey do?
Small problem
Corey could say hi to his friend, and then find another place to sit for today.
500
Size of the problem?
What is an appropriate response?
Medium Problem
You can move away from the person and get help from a teacher.
500
You are eating lunch and spill your drink all over yourself and the table and floor. You stay calm and tell yourself it's okay as you get some towels to start cleaning up.
Size of the Problem? Size of the Reaction?
Did they match?
Size of the problem: small
Size of the reaction:small
Match!
500
Mark shows up to work, and he discovers he is not scheduled to work today after all.
Size of the Problem?
What is an appropriate response?
Size of the problem: small
500
It's raining outside and a little slippery. You slip and fall as you walk inside, but you're not hurt.
Size of the Problem?
What is an appropriate response?
Small problem
Check yourself to double-check you're not hurt.