Mini-Lesson

Short-Term and Long-Term Solutions

Mini-Lesson: Grades 4-6

Objective: Students will distinguish between short-term and long-term solutions.

1. Tell students that a gas shortage is affecting many Americans at this time. Ask: What challenges might result from a gas shortage? What are some ways that people can cope with these challenges?

2. Pass out the timeforkids.com story, The Gas Shortage Goes On. As students read, have them identify and underline strategies for dealing with the gas shortage. Then, ask them to share their findings. Point out that these strategies are short-term solutions. They help people cope for now, but they do not solve the problem or prevent it from happening again in the future.

3. Challenge students to think of long-term solutions to the gas-shortage problem. Ask: What can kids and adults do to limit the amount of fuel that they use? How might technology play a role in solving this problem?