This problem-and-solution lesson plan uses the animated short On the Same Page to help students explore how characters navigate a series of challenges and resolutions. In this problem-and-solution lesson plan, the newspaper becomes a whimsical city where each section, including Weather, Entertainment, Finance, and even Obituaries, becomes a setting filled with visual metaphors. Students analyze narrative structure, track conflicts, and discover how collaboration drives the story forward, making this problem-and-solution lesson plan both engaging and easy to teach.
This post includes a free printable pack with everything you need to teach a problem-and-solution writing lesson using this short film. Students analyze narrative structure, solve visual puzzles, and even play with movie title wordplay.
Be sure to get the handout. It includes the printables you need to complete the activities mentioned in the post.
Why This Animated Short Works for a Problem and Solution Lesson Plan
This short (3:50) is bursting with rich visual metaphors and clever nods to journalism, making it ideal for teaching:
- problem and solution text structure
- creative use of setting and symbolism
- figurative language and puns
- storytelling through imagery rather than dialogue
Its visual wordplay and unique structure also make it a great companion for figurative language or media literacy mini-lessons.
📘 Two‑Day Problem and Solution Lesson Plan Overview
This two-day lesson works well for upper elementary students (grades 4–6) during writing or reading workshop.
Students will:
- track a series of problems and their eventual solutions using a structured chart
- analyze how newspaper sections become settings in a story
- decode a list of parody movie titles and explore techniques for wordplay
- create their own “newspaper-inspired” movie title using puns, alliteration, or synonyms
Standards-aligned with RL.4–6.3, RL.4–6.5, and W.4–6.3
🗂️ What’s Included in the Free Handout Pack
✅ Problem & Solution Chain Organizer
Students record each major problem the characters face (like a crashing economy or a stormy forecast) and how each is eventually resolved.
✅ Newspaper Movie Titles Puzzle
Students match parody movie titles from the film to their real-world counterparts—like “Rebel Without a Clause” instead of “Rebel Without a Cause.” Then, they analyze the techniques used to transform the original titles.
✅ Bonus Creative Writing Prompt
After studying the parody titles, students create their own made-up movie title based on a newspaper pun or visual metaphor.
✅ Google Slides Version
All materials are included in a digital format for easy classroom display or student sharing.
Free Problem and Solution Printables Included
1. Problem & Solution Story Chain
Using a chart, students track each challenge the characters encounter while walking through different “sections” of the newspaper city—and what solution follows.
Examples:
Problem: The weather turns stormy.- Solution: Sunny skies return.
Problem: Movie posters depict fear.- Solution: Only 5-star feel-good films remain.
Problem: The girl falls in the Obituaries section.- Solution: The boy removes the “A” and flies to save her.
This organizer reinforces how one central theme (bringing optimism back to the city) is carried through multiple mini-conflicts.
2. Movie Title Puzzle
Students match newspaper-themed parody movie posters from the short to their real-life inspirations.
Example pairs:
Rebel Without a Clause → Rebel Without a Cause
Newsopolis → Metropolis
The Seven Year Search → The Seven Year Itch
Psych → Psycho
Then, they identify the techniques used:
similar sounding words (Vertigo → Verticals)
letter swaps (Cause → Clause)
synonyms (Rain → Storm)
alliteration (Christmas Carol → Chaos Carol)
As a final step, they create their own pun-based title. (Examples: The Deadline Chronicles or Headlines & Heartstrings)
Why It’s Great for Writing Instruction
This short helps students go beyond a surface-level summary.
They’ll
- track plot using problem/solution logic
- think critically about word choice and pun creation
- explore tone, symbolism, and creative structure—all without a single line of spoken dialogue
Use it to reinforce
- narrative structure
- media literacy
- figurative language
- wordplay and creative writing
Download the Free Problem and Solution Lesson Pack
This engaging, standards-aligned lesson includes everything you need for an upper elementary writing activity that students won’t forget.
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If you are looking to add some high interest activities to your lessons, try using animated shorts to teach reading and writing skills. This packet contains graphic organizers covering many Common Core skills. $Save$ when you purchase this mega bundle which includes all 12 units.
