Problem Detective Slides Kindergarten Counseling Mission
Leader in Me Super Sleuths
Investigate • Measure • Match
Problem Size Detectives!
Put on your detective hat! Learn how to match the size of your reaction to the size of your problem.
Small Problem
I can solve it!
Medium Problem
Let’s talk & share
Big Problem
Get a grown-up fast!
Our 3 Detective Superpowers
Leader in Me Habits guide our choices!
Case Briefing
1
Habit 1
Be Proactive
“I am in charge of my body and my feelings!”
I choose my reaction
2
Habit 2
Begin With End in Mind
“I want a happy, safe, and peaceful classroom!”
I have a peaceful plan
3
Habit 3
First Things First
“First I take a deep breath to calm down. Then I solve it!”
Calm body first
Detective Rule: A small problem gets a small reaction! A big reaction belongs to big emergencies!
Case Clue #1
Small Problems (The Glitch)
Size: Little Glitch
What Does It Look Like?
🖍️ Your crayon tip snaps in half
🚶 Someone cuts in front of you in line
👟 Your shoelace comes untied
Matching Reaction
Small Reaction!
Nobody is hurt, and you have the power to fix it yourself in 1 minute!
Detective Action Plan:
Take 1 small calming breath
Say: “No big deal, I can handle this!”
Habit 1 in action: Do we need screaming or tears for a broken crayon? Nope! We are proactive!
Case Clue #2
Medium Problems (The Bump)
Size: Needs Teamwork
What Does It Look Like?
🎨 Two friends want the very same paint brush
😢 Someone said an unkind word that hurt feelings
🥛 A puddle of water spilled across the table
Matching Reaction
Medium Reaction!
Take a moment to pause. You may need to use words or ask a friend or teacher calmly.
Detective Action Plan:
Habit 3: Stop & take 3 slow belly breaths
Use an “I-Message” or ask teacher for advice
Habit 2 in action: Begin with the end in mind! We want to stay friends and keep working happily!
Case Clue #3
Big Problems (The Danger)
Size: Emergency / Safety
What Does It Look Like?
🩹 Someone falls off the slide and gets hurt
🚨 The fire drill alarm sounds or someone feels unsafe
⚡ Physical fighting or someone is sick
Matching Reaction
Big Reaction!
Kids CANNOT fix this alone. You need an adult helper right away!
Detective Action Plan:
Call or walk quickly to a teacher or counselor
Stay safe and listen closely to adult instructions
Detective Golden Rule: Big reactions are ONLY for Big Problems!
The Reaction Scale
Does the reaction match the problem?
Detective Match Tool
Small Problem
=
Small Reaction
Shrug, take 1 breath, fix it, move on!
Medium Problem
=
Medium Reaction
3 calm breaths, use your words or ask for help!
Big Problem
=
Big Reaction
Big danger or hurt = Get a grown-up right now!
What happens if we give a BIG reaction to a SMALL problem? It makes the problem get bigger!
Interactive Investigation
Solve The Case!
Show With Your Fingers: 1, 2, or 3
Case File 1
🧃
The Leaky Juice
Your juice box leaks two drops onto your paper towel during snack time.
Hold up 1 finger: Small!
Case File 2
🧩
The Puzzle Piece
You and a classmate both reach for the final corner piece at the exact same second.
Hold up 2 fingers: Medium!
Case File 3
🤕
The Recess Fall
A classmate trips on the playground curb and their knee is scraped and bleeding.
Hold up 3 fingers: Big!
Great job, Detectives! You investigated the clues and matched the size!
Official Leader in Me Badge
The Detective Promise
Raise your right hand and repeat together!
“I am a Leader in Me Detective!”
“I am in charge of me (Habit 1).”
“I choose a calm, happy day (Habit 2).”
“I calm my body first (Habit 3).”
“I match my reaction to the problem!”
🎨 Next Mission: Grab your crayons for the Detective Coloring Sheet!
Problem Size Facilitation Guide School Counseling Lesson Plan
Problem Size Detectives
Leader in Me: Habits 1, 2 & 3
Grade: K • 30 Minutes
ASCA Alignment:
M 1, B-SMS 2, B-SS 2
Core Concept:
Matching reaction size to problem size
Materials Needed:
Slides, Coloring Sheets, Crayons
Learning Objectives (Students Will Be Able To)
1. Identify Sizes: Distinguish between small, medium, and big everyday school challenges.
2. Apply Habit 1 & 3: Understand they can control body reactions and calm down before reacting.
3. Match Reactions: Select self-fixes for small, calm talking for medium, and adults for big.
30-Minute Pacing at a Glance
Pacing
Lesson Section
Primary Instructional Focus
00 - 05 min
Hook & Detective Hats
Movement warm-up, put on magnifying glasses
05 - 14 min
Slide Mini-Lesson & Habits
Teach Small, Medium, Big problems + Habits 1, 2, 3
14 - 20 min
Case Clue Finger Vote
Interactive group scenarios (1, 2, or 3 fingers)
20 - 27 min
Student Coloring Sheet
Color problem categories & draw matching reaction
27 - 30 min
Pledge & Detective Badges
Choral affirmation & counselor closing
1 Phase 1: Hook & Detective Warm-Up (5 Min) Circle Time Setup
Counselor Script: “Detectives, put your hands to your eyes like binoculars! Today, we are on a secret investigation. In kindergarten, we run into problems every single day. Some are tiny like an ant, some are medium like a puppy, and some are huge like a dinosaur! As Leader in Me detectives, we never bring a dinosaur-sized roar to an ant-sized glitch!”
Action: Have students pretend to pull on their detective trench coats, snap their detective badges, and do 1 quick stealthy deep breath.
2 Phase 2: Teaching The Three Problem Sizes (Slides 2-6 • 9 Min) Visual Instruction
Small (Green): Broken crayon, dropped pencil, second in line. Leader Habit 1: “I am proactive! I fix it myself or let it go.” Body Reaction: Shrug shoulders, gentle sigh.
Medium (Yellow): Wanting the same ball, hurt feelings, spilled glue. Leader Habit 3: “Put first things first—calm down before solving.” Body Reaction: 3 belly breaths, use "I-message".
Big (Red): Blood, bleeding, feeling unsafe, dangerous fire alarm.
Problem Size Coloring Sheet Leader in Me • Detective Mission
Problem Size Detective Sheet
Name:
Date:
1 Mission 1: Color The 3 Detective Badges!
Color with Green, Yellow, and Red crayons
Small Problem
Broken crayon • Dropped paper
Color Me GREEN 🟢
Medium Problem
Sharing a toy • Unkind words
Color Me YELLOW 🟡
Big Problem
Hurt body • Feeling unsafe
Color Me RED 🔴
2 Mission 2: Detective Match!
Color the circle to match: 🟢 Green, 🟡 Yellow, or 🔴 Red
✏️
Color
Pencil Tip Snaps
You can sharpen it or grab another one!
Size: Small (Green)
🧱
Color
Both Want Same Block
Take turns or build a big tower together!
Size: Medium (Yellow)
🩸
Color
Scraped Bleeding Knee
Needs a band-aid and a kind teacher helper!
Size: Big (Red)
3 Mission 3: Draw Yourself Being Proactive! (Habit 1)
“I can handle small problems with a calm breath!”
Draw you with a happy, calm face!
★
Official Detective Pledge
I match my reaction to the problem! • Habit 1, 2 & 3 Leader!
Color your 3 stars:
★
★
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