Free Printable Problem and Solution Graphic Organizers

About these problem and solution handouts

Problem and solution is a common structure in stories, news articles and science. Students need to see not just that a problem exists, but what was tried and whether it worked. These organizers lay that structure out in order.

The flow version has four stacked boxes joined by arrows: the problem, what was tried, the solution and the result. It follows a story or article from start to finish. The chart version is a landscape table with five rows and four columns for the problem, who is affected, the solution tried and what happened, so students can compare several problems from one text or unit. The weigh-the-solutions version puts the problem at the top and gives three solution cards, each with an idea, why it helps and what could go wrong, followed by a box for the best solution. It is useful for decision-making tasks in class, such as a community issue or a science design challenge.

Type the title of the text or the problem area in the Text or topic box to print it at the top.

How to use them

1. Choose the version that matches the task.
2. Type the text title or topic in the form and print.
3. Write the problem in one clear sentence.
4. List what was tried, in order, or three possible solutions with their pros and cons.
5. Decide which solution is best and explain why in the final box.

Classroom tips

• Ask who is affected by the problem; this builds empathy and strengthens the writing.
• In science, use the weigh version for engineering design challenges.
• Check that solutions actually solve the problem as written.
• Link to the cause and effect page when the problem needs causes explained first.

Last reviewed 2026-10-03. Handout Hero designs are original and made for this site. They are general reference material; check your own school, district or tradition where it matters.