Indiana Social Studies P.4.7

Social StudiesGrades 9–12Cognition

The Standard

Discuss the obstacles and strategies involved in problem solving and explain the concept of learned helplessness.

2026 Indiana Academic Standards: K-12 Social Studies

Teacher's field guide

What Students Need to Do: Students identify what can block a solution, such as a fixed assumption or a method that no longer works. They try a new approach and explain how repeated setbacks outside a person's control can make that person stop trying.
What Mastery Looks Like: Given a puzzle, students can name what blocked them and show a different way to solve it. They can explain why someone might give up on a solvable task after repeated failures they could not control.
Common Misconceptions: Students may call learned helplessness laziness or think one failed attempt causes it. They may keep using a familiar method even when the problem calls for a different one.
How to Assess It: After several unsolvable puzzles, Eli stops trying on a solvable puzzle. Ask students to name the pattern, explain what led to it, and suggest one step Eli could try.

Lesson moves

Give pairs a nine dot puzzle and colored pencils; after they try it, let them draw beyond the dots and name the assumption that blocked them.
Ask why a student might stop trying after several unfair grades, even when the next assignment is graded fairly.
Play strategy switch with three matchstick puzzles; teams try one approach, change tactics, and name what blocked their first attempt.
Hand out a mock job rejection email; students sort what the applicant can and cannot control, then write one next step.

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