Problem Solving Worksheet

One way to overcome a problem is to step back and break it down into chunks that are more manageable. Use the
following worksheet to help you solve a problem.

Step 1: The problem is:

Identify the problem. Jadon has received an early acceptance to his college of choice but needs Grade 12
English (ENG4C) to qualify for the program. He just got his mid-term report card and,
while he knows he has slacked off a bit, he now realizes he is currently failing the course!
It is already March – what can he do to solve this problem?

Step 2: Step 3: Step 4:

Brainstorm Possible Solutions
(Aim for a minimum of three).
take more time and focus on
english work
What are the pros (positives) and cons Rate the pros and cons
(negatives) of the solutions? Try to find three 1 = Not feasible
of each. 2 = Somewhat feasible
3 = Debatable
4 = Likely successful
5 = Best chance for success
Pros 3
-can raise marks
-can help him work harder in class
-will help him get into college

Cons
-may lower grades in other classes
- his may not improve
-limits time for other classes
-time consuming therefore he may lose focus

Pros 5
get an english tutor -there will be someone who can encourage
and support him
-get extra help
-will help him stay committed due to support
-pretty much guaranteed to raise marks

Cons
-might be expensive
-might stress him out

Based on the document, “Problem Solving Worksheet” fromraisingchildren.net.au, 2012.

 Pros 3
ask for extra credit assignments -can boost his average if he’s successful
-gives an opportunity to review important
material

Cons
-may stress him out even more due to heavy
workload
-may bring down his grade if he isn’t successful
-limits time for other assignments

Problem Solving Worksheet…page 2

Step 5: Given the choices, the best solution is to get an english tutor because then he
Given the choices, the best can be more focused on raising his grade with a smaller risk to harm his
solution is ___ because____: grades in other classes. Having a tutor can help him stay on track better and
have someone to support him in the process of improving.

Step 6:
The plan to implement the
solution is:
(It may help to break this down
into steps using the SMART
system: Specific, Measurable,
Achievable, Relevant, and Time
Bounded).
The general plan is to find a tutor and to work with them until the end of the
semester so he can get a passing mark in english to maintain his college
acceptance.
Specific
States a plan and how he should plan to achieve it
Measurable
He needs a passing mark

Achievable
If he focuses and doesn’t give up, it is within his abilities

Relevant
Needs to pass course in order to go to chosen college

Time Bounded
Must have a passing grade by the end of the semester.

Step 7: He will know the problem has been solved when he passes the english course
Follow-up: and it more confident in english and also able to attend his desired college.
(Indicate how you will know the
problem has been solved).

Step 1: The problem is:

Identify the problem. Fatima really wants to pursue a postsecondary pathway that includes an apprenticeship
in a trade. While she has support from her Guidance Department and her Tech teacher,
her parents are very traditional and do not think that a trade is a viable career option for
their daughter. How can Fatima convince her parents to let her pursue this career goal?
Based on the document, “Problem Solving Worksheet” fromraisingchildren.net.au, 2012.
Step 2:
Brainstorm Possible Solutions
(Aim for a minimum of three).
try to have a conversation with
guidance, her parents and her
teacher
have a talk with her parents
about other successful people on
the same career path
remain patient and willing to
compromise on certain aspects
while reassuring her parents of
her dedication to her chosen
career path
Based on the document, “Problem Solving Worksheet” fromraisingchildren.net.au, 2012.
Step 3: Step 4:
What are the pros (positives) and cons Rate the pros and cons
(negatives) of the solutions? Try to find three 1 = Not feasible
of each. 2 = Somewhat feasible
3 = Debatable
4 = Likely successful
5 = Best chance for success
Pros 5
-shows her parents that other knowledgeable
adults believe in her choice
-could result in parents being persuaded by
guidance counselor and teachers
-parents might be more comfortable after
hearing other adults confirm her decision is
right
Cons
-parents may still believe in their decision
-parents might not care about what they have
to say
Pros 3
-influence their biased opinion to change by
using successful people
-show how much success can happen
Cons
-could make them disagree with her
-can make them feel even stronger about her
going to university
Pros 2
-builds trust
-reduced tension
-opportunity to prove dedication
Cons
-delayed decision making
-might have an outcome fatima is unsatisfied
with if her parents are not willing to
 compromise
-might be emotionally straining for her and her
parents

Problem Solving Worksheet…page 2

Step 5: Given the choices, the best solution is to have a conversation between her
Given the choices, the best parents, guidance counselor, teacher, and herself to show her parents how
solution is ____because____: valuable a trade could be

Step 6:
The plan to implement the
solution is:
(It may help to break this down
into steps using the SMART
system: Specific, Measurable,
Achievable, Relevant, and Time
Bounded).
She has to see if her teachers and guidance counselor can have a meeting
with her parents concerning the benefits of her career plans. This must be
done by the end of the year so she can make any other preparations.
Specific
Gives detail about what needs to be done and by when.
Measurable
Needs to be allowed to participate in her trade by her parents.

Achievable
Is within reach because she is probably able to change her parents view as
they would most likely value opinions of important people in their child’s life.

Relevant
In order for Fatima to pursue her dream career, this trade is important

Time Bounded
Must be done by the end of the year to make further plans for her career plan

Step 7: Once Fatima’s parents make the decision if they want to allow Fatima to
Follow-up: attend her trade after the discussion between them, her guidance counselor,
(Indicate how you will know the and teachers
problem has been solved).

Based on the document, “Problem Solving Worksheet” fromraisingchildren.net.au, 2012.

Step 1: The problem is:
Identify the problem. Alex has been working hard to achieve the best grades that he can in all his courses and
is looking forward to graduation. Recently, he has received an urgent message from his
Guidance Counsellor. It seems Alex has been so focused on his classes that he still has 23
hours of Community Involvement Activities to complete or he won't graduate! It is
already May and final exams begin in less than a month. How might Alex find ways to
complete his hours in time?

Step 2: Step 3: Step 4:

Brainstorm Possible Solutions
(Aim for a minimum of three).
ask the guidance counselor if
there are any opportunities to
help out within the school
What are the pros (positives) and cons Rate the pros and cons
(negatives) of the solutions? Try to find three 1 = Not feasible
of each. 2 = Somewhat feasible
3 = Debatable
4 = Likely successful
5 = Best chance for success
Pros 4
-guidance counselors have many connections
-may result in a recurring job that will easily
get his community hours
-helps his school at the same time
Cons
-there might not be any opportunities to help
around the school
-may be one time events

volunteer at different events Pros 3

around his city (runs, charity, -gain more hours
etc.) -meet new people

Cons
-likely a one time event
-less amount of hours

online volunteer opportunities Pros 3

-time efficient
-global impact
-flexible schedule

Based on the document, “Problem Solving Worksheet” fromraisingchildren.net.au, 2012.

 Cons
-tech requirements
-might be hard to access
-might provoke feelings of isolation

Problem Solving Worksheet…page 2

Step 5:
Given the choices, the best
solution is ____because____:
Given the choices, the best solution is to ask the guidance counselor if there
are any opportunities to help out within the school because it shows an
initiative to complete his hours while helping his school. The guidance
counselor is likely to be able to help find a good and frequent volunteer
position until he gets all of his community involvement hours required to
graduate.

Step 6: General Plan

The plan to implement the
solution is:
(It may help to break this down
into steps using the SMART
system: Specific, Measurable,
Achievable, Relevant, and Time
Bounded).
His general plan would be to ask the guidance counselor for assistance in
finding a recurring volunteer job at school in order to complete 23 more hours
before graduation.
Specific
Gives an exact way to find hours and by when
Measurable
Measurable because he needs to complete 23 hours by graduation

Achievable
He has a plan to follow that is within his limits

Relevant
He needs these hours in order to graduate from high school

Time Bounded
He needs to complete them prior to graduation (less than a month)

Step 7: You will know based on when Alex finishes all the remainder of his hours by
Follow-up: graduation.
(Indicate how you will know the
problem has been solved).

Step 1: The problem is:

Identify the problem. Sarah has had her heart set on going to university ever since she was a little girl. She
comes from a single-parent family and, with two younger siblings and no other income,
money has always been tight. To help pay for her postsecondary education, Sarah has
been working at a part-time job since Grade 9 and saving her money so she can pursue
Based on the document, “Problem Solving Worksheet” fromraisingchildren.net.au, 2012.
 her goal. Last night after work, Sarah came home to find out that her mom had been laid
off. Sarah feels guilty – she has enough money saved to help her family financially, but if
she does so, this means she won't have enough for tuition. Sarah feels torn between
family duty and her dream; she thinks she has no other options. What can she do?

Step 2: Step 3: Step 4:

Brainstorm Possible Solutions
(Aim for a minimum of three).
apply for OSAP
What are the pros (positives) and cons Rate the pros and cons
(negatives) of the solutions? Try to find three 1 = Not feasible
of each. 2 = Somewhat feasible
3 = Debatable
4 = Likely successful
5 = Best chance for success
Pros 5
-helps to pay for university without her having
to do much initially
-can be paid back after program completion
-would give her more time to save money

Cons
-may end up spending more in the end
-longer process than paying for it by herself
from the beginning

Pros 3
-free money based on grades
apply for scholarships -many available each year

Cons
-she might not qualify for a scholarship and
might not get it
-long time consuming process to apply

Pros 3
-affordable
consider other paths (college, -flexible
online courses, etc.) -still gives an opportunity to build skills

Based on the document, “Problem Solving Worksheet” fromraisingchildren.net.au, 2012.

 Cons
-she might be unhappy because she isn’t really
pursuing her dream
-there may be limited programs for degrees
-transferability challenges

Problem Solving Worksheet…page 2

Step 5: Given the choices, the best solution is to get OSAP because this way she can
Given the choices, the best give her money to help her family, and get tuition money which she can pay
solution is ____because____: back after she completes the program giving her time to save up.

Step 6:
The plan to implement the
solution is:
(It may help to break this down
into steps using the SMART
system: Specific, Measurable,
Achievable, Relevant, and Time
Bounded).
The plan is to apply for OSAP and use that money for school, after she gets
approved for OSAP she can give her money to her mother to support her
family financially before the OSAP deadline.
Specific
Its specific because it outlines how she can get the money and when. It also
says what she can do with her current money for her family.

Measurable
It can be measured by the amount she gets from OSAP

Achievable
It is achievable because she would likely be qualified for OSAP and she would
be able to help out her mother

Relevant
It is relevant because she has wanted to go to post-secondary school since she
was little and it is important to follow her dreams and help her family

Time Bounded
It is time-bounded because her application for OSAP needs to be submitted by
the due date.

Step 7: You will know the problem has been solved when she gets accepted by OSAP
Follow-up: and is able to help her family with financial problems.
(Indicate how you will know the
problem has been solved).

Based on the document, “Problem Solving Worksheet” fromraisingchildren.net.au, 2012.