Skip to the content
Peabody TeachFor teachers and grown-ups

Problem solving steps poster (free printable)

Five steps for two students who have a problem with each other: stop and breathe, say it, listen, think of solutions and choose one. Edit the words and post it by the calm corner.

Printed on the sheet. Leave it empty to write by hand.
Step | detail | icon
Colour
Solve It Together, page 1Solve It Together1Stop and breatheCalm your body first2Say the problemI feel… when… because…3Listen to the otherpersonTake turns, no interrupting4Think of solutionsCome up with two or three ideas5Choose one and try itAgree on a fair one

To save a PDF, choose Print, then “Save as PDF” as the printer. Only the sheet prints.

About this sheet

Most conflicts between children are solvable and most children are never taught how. This poster gives them a sequence they can follow without an adult: calm the body, name the problem, listen to the other person, generate a few ideas and pick one. The icons help the youngest children keep their place. It works as a reminder for the students and as a script for you, because walking two children through the five steps is faster and more lasting than deciding who is right. Hang it near the calm-down area or the door, and role play it in a calm moment long before you need it.

Grades: K to 6. Best in: August, September.

How to use it

  1. Edit the five steps if your school uses a different set of words, and keep the first one about calming down.
  2. Print and post it near the calm corner, and teach the steps with a role play where you act out both sides of a disagreement.
  3. When two students come to you, ask them to walk through the poster together, and be present while they do it the first few times.

Five ideas for class

  1. Practice with made-up conflicts first: two students want the same book. Walk the class through each step out loud.
  2. Teach the sentence stems that go with step two: I feel… when… and I need… They work better than accusations.
  3. Make step one visible by teaching a calm-down breath, and pair it with the square breathing poster.
  4. Agree on the next move if a pair cannot decide: ask a third student, or come to you. A route out prevents a stalemate.
  5. Keep a copy at the front of your plan book as a prompt for your own conflicts with students, which the same steps solve.

Related

Questions

Is this for bullying?

No. It is for ordinary disagreements between students of similar standing. Bullying needs an adult and your school's procedure, not a peer conversation.

Should students solve every problem alone?

No. Teach them when to get an adult: when someone is hurt, when someone is unsafe, or when the steps have been tried and have not worked.

Can I use it for adults?

The steps are general. Staff teams have used the same five to talk through a disagreement. Edit the words to fit.

How do I save it as a PDF?

Choose Print, then pick “Save as PDF” as the printer. Only the sheet prints: the page around it is hidden. You can also save a sheet as a PNG image under the preview.

Can I print it in black and white?

Yes. Switch to Black and white beside the sheet: fills turn white and lines turn black, so it saves ink and photocopies cleanly.

Is what I type saved or sent anywhere?

Your edits are kept in this browser so they are there next time, and are never sent to us. No sign-in, no ads.

More from classroom posters

Nothing you do here is sent to us. Names and wording stay in this browser. Free for classroom use. No sign-in, no ads.