Problem Sorting Activity One Page Evidence Sort
Case File: Problem Scale Investigation
Investigator
Date
Level 5
Emergency
Level 4
Big Problem
Level 3
Medium
Level 2
Small
Level 1
Tiny Glitch
Evidence Log: Cut Cards Below
You smell smoke coming from the hallway.
Your pencil lead breaks while writing.
A friend calls you a mean name at recess.
You fall and scrape your knee. It's bleeding.
Someone is choking on a piece of fruit.
You lose your favorite toy at the park.
Waiting 2 minutes for a turn on the swing.
The classroom tablet screen is cracked.
You forgot your lunch at home today.
Paste Your
Investigator Field Kit • Problem Scaling Activity Document ID: PI-SRT-LAND-V4
Problem Sorting Activity One Page Evidence Sort
Problem Investigator Activity
Investigator
Date
Level 5
Emergency
Level 4
Big Problem
Level 3
Medium
Level 2
Small
Level 1
Tiny Glitch
Cut Cards Below & Sort Above
You smell smoke coming from the hallway.
Your pencil lead breaks while writing.
A friend calls you a mean name at recess.
You fall and scrape your knee. It is bleeding.
Someone is choking on a piece of fruit.
You lose your favorite toy at the park.
Waiting 2 minutes for a turn on the swing.
The classroom tablet screen is cracked.
You forgot your lunch at home today.
Evidence Log
Investigator Training Resource Problem Scale Analysis Activity
Mini Scale Cards Reference Reference Mini Problem Scale Cards
Investigator Resource • Cut & Tape to Desks
8 Cards Per Page
Problem Scale
5
Emergency
Get help right away!
4
Big Problem
Need adult help now.
3
Medium
Might need help.
2
Small
Solve with words.
1
Tiny Glitch
Stay calm & shrug it off.
Match your reaction!
Problem Scale
5
Emergency
Get help right away!
4
Big Problem
Need adult help now.
3
Medium
Might need help.
2
Small
Solve with words.
1
Tiny Glitch
Stay calm & shrug it off.
Match your reaction!
Problem Scale
5
Emergency
Get help right away!
4
Big Problem
Need adult help now.
3
Medium
Might need help.
2
Small
Solve with words.
1
Tiny Glitch
Stay calm & shrug it off.
Match your reaction!
Problem Scale
5
Emergency
Get help right away!
4
Big Problem
Need adult help now.
3
Medium
Might need help.
2
Small
Solve with words.
1
Tiny Glitch
Stay calm & shrug it off.
Match your reaction!
Problem Scale
5
Emergency
Get help right away!
4
Big Problem
Need adult help now.
3
Medium
Might need help.
2
Small
Solve with words.
1
Tiny Glitch
Stay calm & shrug it off.
Match your reaction!
Problem Scale
5
Emergency
Get help right away!
4
Big Problem
Need adult help now.
3
Medium
Might need help.
2
Small
Solve with words.
1
Tiny Glitch
Stay calm & shrug it off.
Match your reaction!
Problem Scale
5
Emergency
Get help right away!
4
Big Problem
Need adult help now.
3
Medium
Might need help.
2
Small
Solve with words.
1
Tiny Glitch
Stay calm & shrug it off.
Match your reaction!
Problem Scale
5
Emergency
Get help right away!
4
Big Problem
Need adult help now.
3
Medium
Might need help.
2
Small
Solve with words.
1
Tiny Glitch
Stay calm & shrug it off.
Match your reaction!
Problem Investigators Teacher Guide Problem Investigators
Social-Emotional Learning • Grades K-3
Duration: 45 Mins
Learning Objective
Students will be able to categorize situational challenges into five "problem sizes" (Tiny Glitch to Emergency) and explain why a matched emotional reaction is important for social harmony and self-regulation.
Materials Needed
Problem Scale Poster
Sorting Activity Sheets
Scissors & Glue
Case File Presentation
Key Vocabulary
Reaction What you do or say in response to a problem.
Glitch A tiny, temporary problem that is easy to fix.
Emergency A very big problem involving safety or health.
Instructional Plan
1
The Investigation Hook (5 Mins)
Act as a "Problem Detective." Tell the class you have a mystery to solve: "Why was there a giant scream for a tiny pencil break?"
"Detectives, sometimes our feelings get REALLY big for problems that are actually REALLY small. Today, we're going to learn how to measure problems so our reactions match the size!"
2
Introducing the Scale (15 Mins)
Display the Problem Scale Poster . Walk through each level, starting from 1 up to 5.
Focus Point: For each level, ask: "Can you fix this yourself, or do you need a grown-up?"
Focus Point: Contrast a "Level 1" (Oops!) with a "Level 5" (HELP!).
3
The Evidence Sort (15 Mins)
Distribute the Sorting Activity . Students work independently or in pairs to read "Evidence Cards" and glue them into the correct intensity category.
Teacher Tip: Circulate and ask students: "If you lose your shoe, is it an emergency? No? Why not? Right, because we can find it and nobody is in danger!"
4
The Case Review (10 Mins)
Regroup as a class. Present 2-3 "Trick Scenarios" and have students hold up fingers (1-5) to show the size.
"You didn't get to be first in line."
"You see smoke in the kitchen."
"You can't find your eraser."
Differentiation
For younger students, focus on "Big vs. Small" only. For older students, discuss how some problems can grow if we don't handle them at Level 1 or 2.
Home Connection
Send a copy of the poster home. Encourage parents to use the language: "Is this a Level 1 glitch or a Level 3 medium problem?"
Problem Investigation Slides Problem Investigators
Matching Reactions to the Size of the Problem
The Mystery
Detective Rule #1: Every problem has a SIZE.
Detective Rule #2: Your REACTION should match the size!
"Why was there a giant scream for a tiny pencil break?"
Tiny & Small Problems
1
Tiny Glitch
Lasts only a minute. You can fix it easily!
Dropping a paper
Waiting a short turn
Making a tiny mistake
2
Small Problem
A little annoying. Use your words or ask for a little help.
Losing a pencil
A small bump
Being told "no"
Medium & Big Problems
3
Medium Problem
You probably need an adult's help to solve this.
A minor injury (scrape)
Getting sick
A big argument with a friend
4
Big Problem
Serious stuff. Takes a long time to fix.
Something important is broken
A very big fight
A painful injury
Level 5: Emergency
5
STOP EVERYTHING!
Someone is in danger, someone is hurt badly, or there is a fire.
Get help from an adult immediately.
Case Review
What size is this problem? (Show your fingers 1-5!)
Your ice cream scoop falls off the cone.
The toaster is making smoke and won't stop.
Someone else is playing with the toy you wanted.
A friend fell down and their leg is hurt very badly.
Case Closed!
Great job, Investigators! Remember:
Choice Exit Ticket Exit Ticket: Level B
Final Investigation #001
Investigator:
1. Circle the problem size:
"During recess, you trip and skin your knee. It is bleeding a little and hurts."
1
Tiny
2
Small
3
Med
4
Big
5
EMERG.
2. Circle the matched reaction:
Yell as loud as you can for help.
Tell a teacher you need a band-aid.
Do nothing and don't tell anyone.
Exit Ticket: Level B
Final Investigation #002
Investigator:
1. Circle the problem size:
"The person sitting next to you accidentally bumps your chair."
1
Tiny
2
Small
3
Med
4
Big
5
EMERG.
2. Circle the matched reaction:
Shrug it off and keep working.
Yell "Hey! Watch where you are going!"
Start crying and put your head down.
Problem Scale Poster One Page Problem Scale
Detective Rule: Does your reaction match the problem?
5 Level
Emergency
Someone is hurt, in danger, or there is a fire. You need help immediately from an adult.
Reaction: Stop everything and get help!
4 Level
Big Problem
A serious injury, a big fight, or something very important is broken. Takes a long time to fix.
Reaction: Big upset, definitely need an adult.
3 Level
Medium Problem
Something goes wrong that you can't fix alone. A minor injury or a disagreement with a friend.
Reaction: Frustration or worry, might need an adult.
2 Level
Small Problem
An annoying situation you can fix yourself. Losing a pencil, a small bump, or being told "no".
Reaction: A little annoyed, use your words.
1 Level
Tiny Glitch
A tiny problem that lasts only a minute. Dropping a paper, a minor mistake, or waiting for a short turn.
Reaction: Keep calm, shrug it off, move on.
Keep your cool, Investigator!
Visual Exit Ticket Exit Ticket: Level A
Final Investigation #001
Investigator:
1. Circle the problem size:
"You spilled water"
1
Tiny
2
Small
3
Med
4
Big
5
EMERG.
2. Circle the matched reaction:
Keep Calm
Use Words
Get Help
EMERG.
Exit Ticket: Level A
Final Investigation #002
Investigator:
1. Circle the problem size:
"There is fire in the trash"
1
Tiny
2
Small
3
Med
4
Big
5
EMERG.
2. Circle the matched reaction:
Keep Calm
Use Words
Get Help
EMERG.
Writing Exit Ticket Exit Ticket: Level C
Final Investigation #001
Investigator:
Date:
1. Circle the problem size:
"During recess, you trip and skin your knee. It is bleeding a little and hurts."
1
Tiny
2
Small
3
Med
4
Big
5
EMERG.
2. What is a "matched" reaction for this problem?
Exit Ticket: Level C
Final Investigation #002
Investigator:
Date:
1. Circle the problem size:
"The person sitting next to you accidentally bumps your chair."
1
Tiny
2
Small
3
Med
4
Big
5
EMERG.
2. What is a "matched" reaction for this problem?
