Problem Solving
Your game controller will not connect, and you are getting frustrated. What is a helpful first step before asking someone else to fix it?
Pause, take a breath, and check that the controller is connected
A classmate is quiet after missing a shot during gym. What is one feeling they might have?
disappointed or embarrassed
You are bored in class and you start yelling out random things. Is that behavior expected or unexpected?
Unexpected
You and a friend both want the same ball at recess. What is one fair way to take turns?
Agree on who goes first and switch after a set time or number of turns
You do not understand the directions for a group assignment. What can you ask the teacher?
Could you explain the directions again?”
Your group project is due tomorrow, but your team has not chosen who will do each part. What can the group do to move forward?
List the tasks, choose jobs together, and agree on when to finish them
Your friend leaves the lunch table early and does not join your game. What is one respectful way to learn what is going on?
ask kindly if they are okay or want to talk
Your Science teacher is talking to the class about something really exciting and you really want to share your ideas. What would be the expected way to talk?
Raise your hand and wait to be called on
During a group project, you and a teammate disagree about which picture to use. What can you do before deciding?
Listen to each other’s reasons and look for a choice you both can accept
The lunchroom is noisy, and you are having trouble hearing your friend. What can you say to explain what you need?
“I’m having trouble hearing. Can we talk somewhere else?"
You want to play basketball, but the court is crowded and another group is using it. Name a plan that respects everyone and gives you a chance to play.
Ask when the court will be free, then wait or choose another activity until then
Your group chooses a loud activity, but one member asks to work somewhere quieter. What could be true from that person’s point of view, and how can the group respond?
the noise may make it hard for them to focus; the group can ask what would help and consider a quieter place if available
During a video game club, another student is taking a turn. You feel excited and want to grab the controller. What behavior would fit the group better?
wait for your turn and ask when you can play
You and your friend are hanging out after school. You can't agree on whose house to go to. What can you do?
Make a plan to go to one house this time and the other house the next time.
You are stuck on one step of a class project, but you have already tried on your own. What should you do?
“I tried this step, but I’m stuck. Could you show me how to start?”
Your team keeps arguing about which video game strategy to use, and the match is getting harder. What steps can help the team choose a plan and learn whether it worked?
Let each person share an idea, choose one strategy to try, agree to work together, and talk afterward about what worked
Your friend has their head down and won't respond to you when you try to talk to them. How might they be feeling?
Sad, tired, frustrated
You notice that your joking is making a classmate uncomfortable, even though you meant to be funny. What should you do next?
stop, check in, and choose a kinder way to interact
Your friend keeps choosing the game mode for your team without asking. What specific I-statement could you use to explain the problem calmly?
I feel left out when I don’t get a say. Can we choose the mode together?”
You focus better when directions are given one step at a time. How could you respectfully ask your teacher for that support?
“I do better with one step at a time. Could you give me the first step, then check in?”
You and your friends are having a sleepover. You want to play Roblox, but your friend really wants to play outside. What should you do?
Make a compromise...do a little bit of both ideas.
You and your friends are all talking about the movie you saw together over the weekend. One of your classmates overheards the conversation and starts crying. Why might they be crying?
They feel left out or sad they weren't invited
At lunch, you want to tell your friend about last night’s game while other students are talking. What is an expected way to join the conversation?
wait for a pause and ask if you can share something
You and two of your classmates have to work on a project together. All 3 of you want to make the slides, and nobody wants to do the writing part. What can you do to make sure the group gets all the parts done?
Divide up each part of the project so that everybody gets to do some of what they want and some of the part nobody wants to do.
A student keeps making comments that bother you during recess, even after you ask them to stop. What can you do to speak up and get support?
calmly tell the student the comments need to stop, move to a safe place, and tell a trusted adult what happened