Last updated: July 27, 2026
Students can usually recognize problems and solutions in everyday life, but identifying this text structure in informational reading requires more practice. This lesson bridges that gap through modeled examples, graphic organizers, and guided practice. You’ll find strategies, organizers, and practical examples to help students master this critical reading skill.
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Workshop 3: Informational Text
Problem and solution is a common informational text structure that helps students understand how authors present issues and propose ways to address them. Recognizing this structure strengthens comprehension, supports critical thinking, and prepares students to evaluate whether a solution effectively addresses the problem.
This lesson builds on earlier Workshop 3 skills—sequencing, compare and contrast, and cause and effect—and helps students analyze how authors organize ideas to communicate clearly.
In This Lesson You’ll Learn
By the end of this lesson, you’ll be able to help students:
✔ recognize problem‑and‑solution text structure
✔ identify problems and proposed solutions in nonfiction
✔ organize information using three different graphic organizers
✔ evaluate whether a proposed solution effectively solves the problem
✔ write informational problem‑and‑solution paragraphs
What is a Problem and Solution Text Structure?
Problem and Solution Anchor Chart
A problem is defined as something that needs to be solved. The solution is the means of solving a problem or dealing with a difficult situation.
Problems may be:
Between individuals
- Examples:
- a robber holding up a person
- a disagreement or fight
- bullying
- Examples:
Within one person
- Examples:
- a struggle between good and evil
- using logic or emotion to rule decision-making
- Examples:
In the world
- Examples:
- global economic collapse
- pollution
- global warming
- war
- terrorism
- weapons of mass destruction
- overpopulation
- Examples:
Between groups
- Examples:
- prejudice
- rivalry
- disagreement over pay
- cultural differences
- Examples:
Get the Lesson Handout
Download the organizers, modeled examples, and practice activities used throughout this lesson.
Activities for Teaching Problems and Solutions
✨ Activity #1 – Video Lesson: Identifying Problems and Solutions
Students complete the printable organizer while watching the lesson, pausing the video to identify problems, solutions, and supporting details before checking their answers.
Be sure to download the video lesson handout for students to complete while watching the video.
✨ Activity #2 – Organize Simple Problems and Solutions
Definition and Use:
A problem-solution chart is a simple and effective way to help students identify the problem, the solution, and the steps taken to resolve the problem in a narrative.
Example:
- Problem: The classroom is too noisy during work time.
- Solution: Implement a noise level chart and reward system to maintain a quiet environment.
- Steps:
- Introduce the noise level chart to the class.
- Explain the reward system.
- Monitor noise levels and reward quiet behavior.
Activity:
Provide students with a short story or scenario. Ask them to identify the problem, the solution, and the steps taken to solve the problem. Have them fill out the problem-solution chart based on the given scenario.
✨ Activity #3 – Follow the Sequence of a Solution
Definition and Use:
A sequence chain helps students map out the sequence of events that lead to a problem’s solution. This organizer is useful for visualizing the cause-and-effect relationship in a narrative.
Example:
Problem: The school cafeteria is too crowded.
Solution: The school decides to stagger lunch periods.
Sequence of Events:
- Problem: The cafeteria is too crowded during a single lunch period.
- Solution: The school implements staggered lunch periods to reduce crowding.
- Problem: Staggered lunch periods cause scheduling conflicts for afternoon classes.
- Solution: The school adjusts the bell schedule to accommodate staggered lunches.
- Problem: The new bell schedule reduces recess time.
- Solution: The school introduces short breaks between classes to compensate for reduced recess.
- End Result: The cafeteria is less crowded, students have a more balanced schedule, and teachers adapt to shorter class periods.
Activity: Give students a short story or scenario. Ask them to break down the sequence of events that leads to the resolution of the problem. Then, have them complete the sequence chain based on the given scenario.
✨ Activity #4 – Brainstorm Multiple Solutions
Definition and Use:
A problem-solution map is a detailed organizer that breaks down the problem into smaller parts and explores multiple solutions. It helps students think critically about various ways to address a problem.
Example:
- Problem: The local park is littered with trash.
- Possible Solutions:
- Organize a community clean-up day.
- Install more trash bins around the park.
- Launch a public awareness campaign about littering.
Activity:
Provide students with a short story or scenario. Ask them to identify the problem and brainstorm multiple solutions. Have them fill out the problem-solution map based on the given scenario.
✨ Activity #5 – Apply the Strategy to Informational Text
After students have practiced with simple examples, provide a short informational article.
Possible topics include:
- ocean pollution
- endangered species
- invasive plants
- recycling
- water conservation
Ask students to identify:
- the central problem
- evidence describing the problem
- proposed solutions
- whether the solution seems effective
Students can organize their thinking using one of the three graphic organizers before discussing the article with a partner or small group.
Making the Connection to Literature
Understanding real-life problems can provide a valuable framework for recognizing similar conflicts in literature. For instance:
- Conflicts between individuals, such as a robber holding up a person or a fight between friends, are mirrored in literary conflicts like Person vs. Person, where characters struggle against one another.
- Issues within groups, like prejudice or cultural differences, can be seen in Person vs. Society conflicts, where a character battles societal norms or rules.
- Environmental challenges like pollution and global warming relate to Person vs. Nature conflicts, while internal struggles such as deciding between logic and emotion reflect Person vs. Self conflicts.
Exploring these real-world problems helps students grasp the various literary conflicts and enhances their ability to analyze narrative structures. Dive deeper into each type of conflict by exploring the posts linked below:
Explore more about each type of conflict by clicking on the buttons
✨ Activity #6 – Read Mentor Texts
Read one of these mentor texts together. Have students identify the central problem, describe the solution, and evaluate whether the solution completely resolves the problem.
- Dog Breath by Dav Pilkey
- The Little Engine that Could by Watty Piper
- A Bad Case of Stripes by David Shannon
- Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak
- Iggy Peck Architect by Andrea Beaty
- The Boy who Harnessed the Wind by William Kamkwamba
Select one of these mentor texts for students to write a problem and solution paragraph.
✨ Activity #7 – Write a Problem-and-Solution Paragraph
After analyzing several examples, students apply what they’ve learned by writing their own informational paragraph.
Encourage students to:
- introduce the problem
- explain why it matters
- present one or more possible solutions
- support the solution with facts or examples
- conclude by encouraging action
This activity reinforces both informational reading and informational writing.
- State the Problem: Write a sentence that states the problem. This sentence should be an attention grabber. You may start it with a statement such as . . .
- Imagine what would happen if . . .
- Imagine what would happen if . . .
- Describe the Solution: Include researched facts. You may use a question such as . . .
- Did you know that . . .
- Convince Your Reader: Write sentences that convince your reader why your solution is reasonable. You might begin with . . .
- If we . . . then . . .
- The answer to this is . . .
- Encourage Action: Convince your reader to take action. Add signal words to these sentences such as . . .
- One thing we can do is . . .
- To meet this need, we can . . .
Teacher Information
Differentiation for Problem and Solution
For students needing support:
- Provide completed examples to model the structure.
- Highlight key signal words together (problem, issue, solution, resolve).
- Work with familiar school or classroom problems before moving to nonfiction texts.
For advanced students:
- Evaluate multiple solutions and determine which is most effective.
- Compare two articles addressing the same problem and analyze how each author proposes solutions.
- Debate which solution would work best and justify their reasoning with evidence.
Common Misconceptions Students Have
Students often:
- confuse problems with causes
- think every problem has only one solution
- assume the first solution mentioned is the “correct” one
- overlook alternative solutions implied but not stated
- believe problem‑and‑solution texts always follow a strict order
Addressing these misconceptions early helps students analyze informational texts more accurately.
Teacher Tip
Students understand problem and solution best when they can connect it to real‑world issues. Use short articles, classroom scenarios, or science/social studies topics and ask:
- “What is the problem?”
- “What solutions does the author suggest?”
- “Which solution seems most effective and why?”
This approach builds critical thinking and prepares students for evaluating arguments later in the workshop.
Cross‑Curricular Connections
Problem‑and‑solution thinking appears throughout the curriculum. Students can identify problems and possible solutions in:
Science
- pollution
- endangered animals
- invasive species
Social Studies
- historical conflicts
- government policies
- economic challenges
Health
- nutrition
- exercise
- mental wellness
Engineering
- design challenges
- inventions
- environmental solutions
Students begin to recognize that informational texts are often written to explain problems and propose solutions.
Final Thoughts for Teachers
Teaching problem and solution helps students understand how authors present issues and propose ways to address them. When students learn to evaluate solutions—not just identify them—they become more thoughtful, analytical readers.
Encourage students to look for signal words, consider alternative solutions, and think critically about which solution makes the most sense. These habits strengthen comprehension across science, social studies, and real‑world reading.
Ready to bring these lessons to life in your classroom?
Grab the free handout below. It includes everything you need to teach this skill with confidence, from organizers and practice pages to digital links for easy student access.
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Text Structure – Problem/Solution Text Structure Lessons and Activities include lessons and activities teaching different problem/solution activities to help students fully understand this skill.
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