Solving Problems: Social Studies Lesson
Lesson Plan
1 hour 15 minutesGrades6, 7, 8Social Studies, Career Skills
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Written by Ben Charles
About this lesson
This lesson supports students in identifying problems and creating a guide to solve problems on individual, local, and global levels.
Step 1 - Inquire: Students play the Knot Game and reflect on their collective ability to solve the problem at hand.
Step 2 - Investigate: Students learn about the ozone layer, identify the solutions, and brainstorm general strategies that are effective for solving problems.
Step 3 - Inspire: Students create a problem-solving guide to address a climate change-related problem.
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Everything you need to teach it
How to edit these materials (video)Teaching tips
Positives
- Students can use this lesson to guide and support them in addressing personal, local, and global problems.
- The lesson can support students in understanding the ripple effect and how their individual actions can make a difference.
- This lesson can be used in Social Studies or Language Arts classrooms.
Additional Prerequisites
- Teachers should consider their students’ needs before participating in the Knot Game:
- Students who struggle socially or with physical space may benefit from breaking into smaller groups. Teacher can also assign students to groups.
- Students with sensory impairment or students who are uncomfortable with holding hands may benefit from using handkerchiefs or scarves for students to hold instead of hands.
- Students should understand there is no one guide that will help solve every problem, but that having a problem-solving guide can be helpful when addressing personal, local, and global issues.
- Students should understand that just because a solution is being implemented, it does not necessarily mean the problem has been solved.
- Before teaching this lesson, teachers are encouraged to be aware of their student demographics and reflect on different problem-solving that may come up during instruction.
Differentiation
- The Inspire section of the Student Document is intended to support students as they brainstorm for their problem-solving guide. Teachers can delete or add questions to best support their class.
- Teacher can share example answers from the Teacher Answer Key to support students.
- This climate action Venn Diagram framework can support students who are struggling to determine a solution or action during the Inspire section problem-solving guide activity.
- Teacher can assign the class one problem to solve together.
- Students can update their problem-solving guides periodically if they learn more or want to try different strategies.
- Teachers with limited access to videos can explain the rules of the Knot Game or write the rules on the board.
From the scientist review
This lesson engages students to learn basic strategic thinking skills and create a guide to effectively solve individual, local, and global issues confronting them. All the videos and accompanying materials were reviewed, and this lesson has passed our science review examination.
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About the teacher writer
Ben Charles
Chief of Partnerships and Communication
Ben Charles holds a Master's Degree in Teaching from Relay Graduate School of Education. He has nine years of experience teaching grades 3–7 across multiple subject areas. His expertise includes interdisciplinary instruction designed to support diverse learners and foster meaningful student engagement
