Story Elements: Problem and SolutionActivities & Teaching Strategies
Active learning works well for problem and solution because young students grasp story structure through movement and role-play. Acting out conflicts and fixes lets them feel the tension of a problem and the relief of a solution, which cements understanding in a way quiet discussion cannot.
Learning Objectives
- 1Identify the central problem presented in a simple dramatic narrative.
- 2Explain the actions a character takes to resolve a problem.
- 3Demonstrate a simple problem and its solution through dramatic play.
- 4Compare different solutions to the same problem within a story context.
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Pair Role-Play: Fix the Problem
Pairs select a simple story problem, like a spilled juice. One acts it out, the other suggests and performs a solution. Switch roles and share one favorite fix with the class.
Prepare & details
What is the problem in this story? What makes it go away?
Facilitation Tip: During Pair Role-Play, assign clear roles and a simple prop to keep the focus on the problem and solution.
Setup: Open space or rearranged desks for scenario staging
Materials: Character cards with backstory and goals, Scenario briefing sheet
Small Group Story Circle: Problem Chain
In groups of four, students pass a ball to add to a shared story problem, then pass again to chain solutions. Record the final story on chart paper for display.
Prepare & details
Can you act out a little scene where something goes wrong and then gets fixed?
Facilitation Tip: In Small Group Story Circle, pause after each story segment to ask, ‘What is the problem now? What could happen next?’
Setup: Open space or rearranged desks for scenario staging
Materials: Character cards with backstory and goals, Scenario briefing sheet
Whole Class Tableau: Before and After
Class freezes in a tableau showing the story problem. Teacher signals 'solve,' and they shift to a new tableau with the solution. Discuss visibility and clarity.
Prepare & details
What did the character do to fix the problem?
Facilitation Tip: For Whole Class Tableau, model a frozen pose for the ‘before’ moment and a different one for the ‘after’ moment so students see the contrast.
Setup: Open space or rearranged desks for scenario staging
Materials: Character cards with backstory and goals, Scenario briefing sheet
Individual Draw and Act: My Solution
Students draw a personal problem and its solution, then act it solo for a partner who guesses the elements.
Prepare & details
What is the problem in this story? What makes it go away?
Facilitation Tip: With Individual Draw and Act, provide sentence starters like ‘I see the problem… I can fix it by…’ to guide their work.
Setup: Open space or rearranged desks for scenario staging
Materials: Character cards with backstory and goals, Scenario briefing sheet
Teaching This Topic
Teach problem and solution by starting with concrete scenarios students know, like sharing toys or cleaning up. Avoid over-explaining; let the story and their actions reveal the structure. Use repeated, low-stakes rehearsals so students feel comfortable trying different solutions without fear of being wrong. Research shows that when children physically act out narratives, their comprehension of story elements improves significantly.
What to Expect
By the end of these activities, students will identify the main problem in a story, describe how characters attempt to solve it, and act out both elements with confidence. They will also begin to see that solutions often come from teamwork or clever ideas, not just adults.
These activities are a starting point. A full mission is the experience.
- Complete facilitation script with teacher dialogue
- Printable student materials, ready for class
- Differentiation strategies for every learner
Watch Out for These Misconceptions
Common MisconceptionDuring Pair Role-Play, watch for students who wait for the teacher or an adult to solve the problem. Redirect by asking, ‘What could your character try first? Let’s act that out.’
What to Teach Instead
During Small Group Story Circle, if students assume the problem is too big for them, pause the story and ask, ‘Have you ever solved something tricky with a friend? How did you start?’ Model sharing a personal story to normalize child-led solutions.
Common MisconceptionDuring Whole Class Tableau, watch for students who focus only on the problem’s size rather than the solution. Gently remind them, ‘Show us the moment right after the problem is fixed. What does that look like?’
What to Teach Instead
During Individual Draw and Act, if students draw a solution that is unrealistic or impossible, ask, ‘How could we make this work in real life? What small step could the character take first?’ to guide them toward feasible solutions.
Assessment Ideas
After Pair Role-Play, read a short story aloud and ask students to raise one finger when they hear the problem and two fingers when they hear the solution. Ask one student to name the problem and another to name the solution, confirming understanding through their own words.
After Individual Draw and Act, collect each student’s drawing and ask them to whisper their solution to you before leaving. Listen for whether they identify a clear, character-driven action to solve the problem.
During Small Group Story Circle, present a scenario like ‘a character’s kite is stuck in a tree.’ Ask each group to share one idea for solving the problem and explain why it might work. Circulate to listen for logical, child-centered solutions.
Extensions & Scaffolding
- Challenge: Ask students to create a second solution after their first one fails, then act out both versions for the class.
- Scaffolding: Provide picture cards of possible solutions for students to sequence before acting out the scene.
- Deeper exploration: Have students write or dictate a short sequel where their solution creates a new problem, linking cause and effect across stories.
Key Vocabulary
| Problem | A situation in a story that causes difficulty or trouble for a character. |
| Solution | An action or series of actions that fix the problem and make things better for the character. |
| Character | A person or animal who takes part in the action of a story. |
| Dramatic Play | Acting out a story or situation, often taking on the role of a character. |
Suggested Methodologies
More in Characters and Creative Play
Becoming Someone Else: Characterization
Using voice, costume pieces, and gestures to portray characters from stories or imagination.
2 methodologies
Building a World: Setting the Scene
Creating the setting and atmosphere for a play using simple props and imagination.
3 methodologies
The Magic of Performance: Ensemble Work
Working as an ensemble to share a short dramatic sequence with a small audience.
2 methodologies
Using Our Voices: Volume and Tone
Experimenting with different vocal volumes and tones to convey character emotions and intentions.
2 methodologies
Movement on Stage: Blocking Basics
Understanding how to move purposefully on a stage to create clear pictures for the audience.
2 methodologies
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