Problem Solvers Lesson Plan
Kindergarten SEL Leader in Me Integration
Duration: 40–45 Mins
Problem Solvers Lead Lesson Plan
Matching the Size of My Problem to the Size of My Reaction with Habits 1, 2, and 3
1
Be Proactive
I am in charge of me. When a problem happens, I hit my imaginary pause button and breathe before reacting.
2
Begin with End
I picture a peaceful classroom and keeping my friendships before I choose how to solve the problem.
3
1st Things 1st
Calm my body first! I cannot fix a problem while yelling or crying; first get calm, then take action.
Learning Objectives
- Identify problem sizes: Small (Glitch), Medium, and Big (Emergency).
- Connect Habit 1 (Pause), Habit 2 (End Goal), and Habit 3 (Calm Body First) to daily challenges.
- Sort real kindergarten scenarios using color coding (Green, Yellow, Red).
Kid-Friendly Vocabulary
- Small Problem: A tiny glitch I can fix myself in under 1 minute.
- Medium Problem: Needs a little help from a friend or teacher.
- Big Problem: An emergency where someone is hurt or unsafe.
Phase 1: Hook & Habit 1 Carpet Launch (8 Mins)
Habit 1: Be Proactive
Hook: Dramatize a tiny accident: hold up a crayon and snap it in half. Model a dramatic gasp, then stop: "Wait! Let me press my Habit 1 Pause Button (tap chest). I am in charge of me!"
Teacher Script: "Kindergarten leaders, did the school fall down? Is anyone bleeding? No! It is just a broken crayon. Broken crayons still color! When small things happen, proactive leaders take a belly breath instead of a giant scream."
Phase 2: The Problem Thermometer & Habit 2 (12 Mins)
Habit 2: Begin with End
Introduce the 3 color levels using the visual slides and anchor gestures:
🟢 Small (Glitch) Dropped paper, shoe untied, lost pencil. Hand gesture: pinch fingers.
🟡 Medium Problem Disagreement over blocks, hurt feelings. Hand gesture: two hands shoulder-width.
🔴 Big Emergency Fire alarm, bad fall, physical danger. Hand gesture: arms open wide above head.
Habit 2 Connection: Ask students: "What is the end goal we want? A happy, safe classroom where everyone gets to learn and play! When our reaction matches the problem size, our ending is happy."
Problem Solvers Lead • Kindergarten Teacher Guide Page 1 of 2
Lesson Sequence & Classroom Practice Part 2 of 2
Phase 3: Put 1st Things 1st Guided Practice (10 Mins)
Habit 3: Put 1st Things 1st
Teach the Kindergarten 1st Things 1st Formula for handling problems:
1st Step Calm My Body 3 balloon breaths
2nd Step Check the Size Small, Medium, Big?
3rd Step Choose Action Fix, talk, or get adult
Practice Call & Response: Teacher calls: "When big feelings burst?" Students answer: "Put calm things first!"
Phase 4: Student Activity – Problem Size Coloring Sheet (10 Mins)
Hands-On Application
Transition students to desks. Distribute the companion Problem Size Coloring Activity and crayons (Green, Yellow, Red).
- Guided Walkthrough: Model the first scenario together (broken pencil tip = Green / Small Glitch). Have students color the badge border green and color the picture.
- Partner Check: Students whisper to their table buddy: "Is this small, medium, or big?" before coloring the remaining 5 badges.
- Habit Check-In: Prompt students to point to Habit 1, 2, or 3 on their sheet as they describe their choices.
Phase 5: Debrief & Kindergarten Leader Pledge (5 Mins)
Reflection & Close
Gather back on the carpet with colored sheets. Recite the classroom pledge together:
"I am proactive, calm, and smart. (Habit 1)
With the happy end in my heart! (Habit 2)
I take a breath and put first things first! (Habit 3)
I solve my glitches without a burst!"
Differentiation Strategies
- Support: Provide pre-highlighted color cues on worksheet borders; use 1-on-1 hand gestures for sizing.
- Extension: Have early finishers draw their own "Glitch" in the empty journal space and explain their fix to a peer.
- ELL / Multilingual: Pair visual color cards (Green/Yellow/Red) with physical mime movements for each scenario.
Formative Checkpoints
- Observation: Can the student tell the difference between losing a turn (medium) vs. an injury (big)?
- Worksheet Check: Verify student correctly identified at least 4 of 6 scenario color borders.
- Verbal Articulation: Child can name one calm-down tool (belly breath, count to 5) before asking for help.
Materials Prepared: Print 1 Coloring Sheet per child • Red, Yellow, Green crayons • 1 Broken Crayon prop • Slides presentation
Problem Solvers Lead • Kindergarten Teacher Guide Page 2 of 2
Problem Size Coloring Activity
★
Problem Size Coloring Activity
Leader in Me • Problem Solver Champions
Name:
Date:
Habit 1: Be Proactive I hit pause & breathe!
Habit 2: End in Mind I choose a happy ending!
Habit 3: 1st Things 1st Calm body 1st, solve 2nd!
Coloring Code:
GREEN: Small Glitch (I can fix it!)
YELLOW: Medium (Ask friend or teacher)
RED: Big Problem (Emergency! Get adult)
Directions: Look at each picture. Color the circle tag Green, Yellow, or Red to show the size. Then color in the picture!
1. Snapped Crayon
Size:
"My crayon snapped, but it still colors!"
2. Sharing Blocks
Size:
"We both want to use the blue building block."
3. Fire Bell Rings
Size:
"The loud bell rings! Stop, freeze, line up!"
4. Untied Shoe
Size:
"My lace is undone. I can tie it or ask kindly."
5. Spilled Water
Size:
"Oops! A little spill. I can get a paper towel."
6. Friend Got Hurt
Size:
"Friend fell down on the blacktop. Get the teacher!"
My Leader Problem-Solver Pledge
"I hit pause (Habit 1), aim for peace (Habit 2), and calm down first (Habit 3)!"
Color 3 Stars:
Problem Size Carpet Slides
Leader in Me • Kindergarten
Habits 1 • 2 • 3
Problem Solvers Lead!
Match the size of your reaction to the size of your problem!
1
Be Proactive I pause & breathe
2
End in Mind I choose peace
3
1st Things 1st Calm body first
1
Habit 1: Be Proactive
I am in charge of myself!
Step 1
Press the Pause Button!
Tap your chest and stop before you yell, stomp, or cry.
Proactive Leaders Say:
"I can take a slow belly breath."
"I choose how I react."
"I stay in control of my words."
Carpet Gesture: Everyone tap your chest and take one deep balloon breath!
The 3 Problem Sizes
What size is your problem?
🟢 Small Glitch 🤏
I Can Fix It!
Takes under 1 minute.
- • Dropped a pencil
- • Broken crayon
- • Untied shoe
Reaction: Calm Smile
🟡 Medium 🤝
Work Together
Needs a little teamwork.
- • Want the same toy
- • Can't reach book
- • Hurt feelings
Reaction: Talk it Out
🔴 Big 🚨
Emergency!
Someone is hurt or unsafe.
- • Fire drill bell
- • Bad playground fall
- • True emergency
Reaction: Get an Adult
Remember: A small glitch does not need a big scream!
2
Habit 2: Begin with the End in Mind
Picture the happy ending first!
Step 2
What is our End Goal?
💛 Keep our friendships safe
🎨 Get back to learning and playing
🌈 Keep our classroom peaceful
Ask Yourself:
"If I scream over a broken crayon, does that help my friendship?"
No! Big screaming makes glitches worse.
Leaders choose actions that create a happy ending!
3
Habit 3: Put First Things First
Calm body first! Solve the problem second!
Step 3
1st
Calm First
Breathe in, breathe out. Relax your shoulders.
2nd
Check Size
