TK - First Grade

Developmental Characteristics

Physical

  • Enjoy long periods of free play

  • Developing eye-hand coordination

  • Enjoy small group cooperative play

  • May require rest after high-energy play

  • Improved body coordination; yet still can fall easily

Social Emotional

  • Eager to receive adult praise

  • Enjoy dramatic play

  • Eager to engage in new activities/adventures led by involved adult

  • Eager to identify with older children

  • Enjoy exploring new materials and equipment

  • Can be easily frightened by novel or strange events

  • Prefer play in small groups

  • Like responsibilities they can handle

  • Learning to cooperate with others, but may at times display selfish behavior

Cognitive

  • Understand language better than they speak

  • Are interested in present; vague concepts of past/future

  • Eager to learn

  • Ask many questions

  • Define things by their use

  • Developing a sense of humor

  • Communicate best within a small group of peers

  • May need guidance of adult when starting a new task

Lessons

Filter
Problem solving Gina Patterson Problem solving Gina Patterson

Week 6: Reflection and celebration (TK-2)

Students play SEL-Style Musical Chairs — walking around chairs to music, but instead of eliminating anyone, everyone works together to find a spot when the music stops — then rotate through the SEL Scenario Celebration, where the teacher reads real-life scenarios (a friend crying, wanting to yell, fighting over a toy) and students respond or act out the best SEL solution.

Read More
Problem solving Gina Patterson Problem solving Gina Patterson

Week 5: Conflict Resolution (TK-2)

Students watch a movement brain break video about solving problems, then play the Scenario Challenge — the teacher dramatically acts out wrong choices (grabbing, interrupting, yelling) while students call out "NOT A GOOD CHOICE!" and shout Fix-It responses like using words, taking a breath, or walking away.

Read More
Problem solving Gina Patterson Problem solving Gina Patterson

Week 4: Decision making steps (TK-2)

Students play Zoo — competing to pick a different animal body pose than the leader on the count of three — then practice the Stop, Think, Choose strategy through a movement game (TK–K) where they freeze, point to their head, and move on cue between different locomotor actions, or act out scenarios applying the three steps (1st–2nd).

Read More
Problem solving Gina Patterson Problem solving Gina Patterson

Week 3: Team Problem-Solving Games (TK-2)

Students play Team Freeze Challenge — moving around the room and stopping like statues on "Freeze!" to solve a quick group challenge together — then play the Human Shape Challenge, using only their bodies to form shapes or objects called out by the teacher, working in partners, small groups, or as a whole class.

Read More
Problem solving Gina Patterson Problem solving Gina Patterson

Week 2: Tattling vs Reporting (TK-2)

Students watch and discuss a live skit where a student immediately tattles on the teacher for accidentally taking the wrong backpack, then play the Tattling vs. Reporting Scenario Game — moving to a red (tattling) or green (reporting) side of the room for each scenario and brainstorming how to solve the tattling situations independently.

Read More
Problem solving Gina Patterson Problem solving Gina Patterson

Week 1: What is a problem? (TK-2)

Students take turns playing an online memory matching game as a class (practicing patience and silent helping), then color Bluey character puppets while watching a Bluey clip paused at key moments to discuss the problem and feelings, before a group of students reenacts the scene using their finished puppets.

Read More
Problem solving Gina Patterson Problem solving Gina Patterson

Creative Coloring

Students each receive one color and must collaborate to create a single picture together, using only their assigned color with no trading allowed, then reflect on what they learned about teamwork.

Read More