When something goes wrong — sorting cards

Sorting out a small thing that happened · 5–9 · Roo Bloom

How to use these pages

Print all the pages. A4, single sided, at 100% — not “fit to page”.
Cut along the dashed lines to make the cards.
Put the two mats on the table, a bit apart.
Read a card out, or let your child read it, and put it on the mat they choose.
The answer key on the last page is for you. It is not for marking — it is so you have the explanation ready when your child asks why.

Put the two mats a little apart. Each card is one thing somebody did straight after something went over.

SORTS IT OUT

Helps sort it out

PROBLEM STAYS

Keeps the problem going

The cards

Cut along the dashed lines

Ava's juice spills on the floor near the stairs.
Ava: “Nan, there's juice on the floor!”
When something goes wrong · Roo Bloom
Leo knocks his drink over at the table.
Leo: “Nobody saw that.”
Leo puts his jumper over the puddle.
When something goes wrong · Roo Bloom
Zara's block tower falls down on the lounge floor.
Zara: “I need a minute before I fix it.”
Zara sits on the beanbag for a bit.
When something goes wrong · Roo Bloom
Kai's pencil lead snaps in the middle of maths.
Kai: “I'll go and sharpen it.”
Kai walks over and sharpens his pencil.
When something goes wrong · Roo Bloom
Mia's drawing tears as she pulls it off the table.
Mia: “Omar tore my drawing.”
Omar: “I was over at the sink.”
When something goes wrong · Roo Bloom
Noah's elbow bumps Suri's lego build. Some bits fall off.
Suri: “My roof fell off!”
Noah starts putting the pieces back on himself.
When something goes wrong · Roo Bloom
Lily's cup falls and breaks on the kitchen floor.
Lily: “I'll clean it up fast.”
Lily picks up the sharp bits with her hands.
When something goes wrong · Roo Bloom
Eli spots a mistake in his maths book.
Eli: “I added that one twice.”
Eli rubs it out and writes the new number.
When something goes wrong · Roo Bloom
Hana gets red paint on her jumper sleeve.
Hana: “I'll just hide it.”
Hana stuffs the jumper down inside her bag.
When something goes wrong · Roo Bloom
Beau's toy car snaps into two pieces on the floor.
Beau: “Can I fix this myself?”
Beau reaches for the sticky tape.
When something goes wrong · Roo Bloom
Ruby's library book page gets bent in her bag.
Ruby: “This page got bent in my bag.”
When something goes wrong · Roo Bloom
Omar's sandwich falls on the canteen floor.
Omar: “I don't want it now.”
Omar leaves it there and walks off.
When something goes wrong · Roo Bloom

For grown-ups: what each card is about

Cards marked “either” are the interesting ones. Both answers are defensible and the conversation is the point.

1. SORTS IT OUT
Nan knew about the water, so nobody slipped on it.
Tell a grown-up straight away.
2. PROBLEM STAYS
The drink is still there, and now the jumper is wet.
Say what spilled out loud. — Get a cloth and tell Dad.
3. SORTS IT OUT
Zara rested first, then she had energy to build again.
Take a minute, then start fixing.
4. SORTS IT OUT
A sharp pencil writes, so Kai got back to his sums.
Fix the small thing yourself.
5. PROBLEM STAYS
The tear is still there, and now Omar is upset too.
Say what really happened. — Say the paper tore, then ask for sticky tape.
6. Either
If Suri says yes please, help her. If she wants to do it herself, let her.
Ask before you fix their thing.
7. PROBLEM STAYS
Sharp glass cuts hands. Lily needs a grown-up and a broom.
Get a grown-up for broken glass. — Stand still and call out for Mum.
8. SORTS IT OUT
The page now shows the number Eli meant to write.
Rub it out and write it again.
9. PROBLEM STAYS
Wet paint dries hard. Then nobody can wash it out.
Show the paint while it's wet. — Show the teacher the sleeve straight away.
10. Either
If tape can hold it, try yourself. If it has sharp bits or batteries, ask a grown-up.
Check if you need a grown-up.
11. SORTS IT OUT
The librarian can flatten it before the page tears more.
Tell the person who looks after it.
12. PROBLEM STAYS
Someone walking past could step on it and slip over.
Put dropped food in the bin. — Pick it up and drop it in the bin.