← Years 5–6 Creating Digital Solutions

Writing a problem statement

A problem statement is one sentence that names the user, says the task they need to do, and gives the reason why it matters. It turns a vague idea into a clear problem.

Part of: 5-6 Digital Technologies Vic Curric - Creating Digital Solutions — Module 3, 7-8 Digital Technologies: Defining and decomposing problems — Module 4, 9-10 Digital Technologies: Defining and decomposing problems — Module 4

Understanding Writing a problem statement in Years 5–6 Creating Digital Solutions

What it does: The word 'because' leads to the reason (30 books to mark), which is the third part of the statement. The vague idea has no user, task or reason. The rewrite names Sam, states the task (see class times) and gives a reason (he forgets). The user comes first in the sentence. It says who has the problem, like Mr Lee. 'Someone' is vague. Name the exact user, like the school canteen staff. This is the sentence pattern. It has three parts: who needs it, what they need to do, and why. Starting with a real person such as Mia shows who the problem is for, instead of saying 'someone' or 'everyone'.

Common mistakes: The reason must say why the task matters, not suggest a solution. It should be something like 'she has little lunch time.'. The reason only repeats the task. It should say why the task matters, such as 'because he must not be late.'.

Class: _____________________  ·  Name: _____________________  ·  Date: _________

Free printable worksheet with full answer key — or add this module to a class and your students practise it interactively.

🖨 Print worksheet + answer key Add Writing a problem statement to a class →

This module's key terms are also in a printable crossword (Modules 1–10) and word search (Modules 1–20).

Take this worksheet further — free with Cloodit

Each concept is reinforced from every angle — learned, then applied, then tested.

Learning
Duo
Which one is written in the problem statement pattern?
Mia needs a way to find her library books because she keeps forgetting due dates.Make a cool library app with lots of games.
Matches
Someone needs a way to read books.
↓
The user is not named and there is no reason. It should say who the user is and add 'because ...'.
Applying
Meanings
Term
[User] needs a way to [do something] because [reason]
Meaning
A problem statement is one sentence that names the user, says the task they need to do, and gives the reason why it matters. It turns a vague idea into a clear problem.
Practice
Mia needs a way to remember her homework because she often forgets what is due.
Testing
Gaps
the library is huge.
Check Answer
Spots
3quickly because
4she should get a book app.

Cloodit turns curriculum-aligned coding content into journeys students work through one biome at a time.

The 'Parrotfish' badge — Function Builder, one of Cloodit's 106 collectible badges
Students earn collectable badges

Over 100 of them, across seven natural biomes.

Study Buddy
Students build a real study resource

Turns their work into revision material ready for Flash Cards and Exam study.

Diamond Dash — one of Cloodit's live, competitive Sprint games
Students lock in with Sprints

Live, competitive practice for the start of the lesson or a teacher-led lesson finisher.

A Cloodit certificate of achievement, ready to personalise and print
Custom printable certificates

Honour your top performers, or encourage a student who's trying hard — ready to print in seconds.

Add to class →

Quick Questions

1. Which one is written in the problem statement pattern?
A. Mia needs a way to find her library books because she keeps forgetting due dates. ✓
B. Make a cool library app with lots of games.
A problem statement names the user, the task and the reason: [User] needs a way to [do something] because [reason].
2. Which part of the problem statement names the user?
A. Mr Lee needs a way to ... ✓
B. ... because it would be fun.
The user comes first in the sentence. It says who has the problem, like Mr Lee.
3. Which part states the task?
A. ... a way to check the bus times ... ✓
B. Our Year 5 class needs ...
The task comes after 'a way to'. It tells what the user needs to do, such as check the bus times.
4. Which one gives the reason?
A. ... a way to catch the bus ...
B. ... because he is often late for the bus. ✓
The reason comes after 'because'. It explains why the task matters to the user.
5. Which is a better rewrite of the vague statement 'Make a homework app'?
A. Make a really great homework app for everyone.
B. Sam needs a way to track his homework because he forgets what is due. ✓
A clear problem statement names a user, a task and a reason. Vague ideas don't do this.

Match the Pairs

[User] needs a way to [do something] because [reason] → The pattern for a problem statement: one sentence with the user, the task and the reason
Mia needs a way to ... → Naming the user: the first part of the statement says exactly who has the problem
A problem statement gives the reason why the task matters → Mr Lee needs a way to check homework quickly because he has 30 books to mark.
Rewriting a vague idea into a clear problem statement → Make a better timetable -> Sam needs a way to see his class times because he forgets where to go.
Someone needs a way to read books. → The user is not named and there is no reason. It should say who the user is and add 'because ...'.
Build an app that has lots of games. → This is a solution, not a problem statement. It has no user, no task and no reason.

Key Term

[User] needs a way to [do something] because [reason]
A problem statement is one sentence that names the user, says the task they need to do, and gives the reason why it matters. It turns a vague idea into a clear problem.

Fill in the Blanks

1. Mia needs a way to find books because the library is huge.
Hint: Type the word that introduces the reason in a problem statement.
2. Tom needs a way to save his game because he keeps losing his score.
Hint: Type the phrase that links the user to the task.
3. User: Grandpa Grandpa needs a way to call family because they live far away.
Hint: Type the user named on the first line.
4. Task: send a photo Lila needs a way to send a photo because her gran lives far away.
Hint: Type the task that is listed on the first line.
5. Vague: make a reading app Better: Ava needs a way to read aloud because she is learning.
Hint: Type the verb that follows the user's name in the pattern.

Spot the Error

Question 1
A Mia needs a way to
B find a library book
C quickly because
D she should get a book app.
Line D — The reason must say why the task matters, not suggest a solution. It should be something like 'she has little lunch time.'
Question 2
A Sam rides the bus to school.
B He is often late.
C He needs a way to check times
D because he must check times.
Line D — The reason only repeats the task. It should say why the task matters, such as 'because he must not be late.'
Question 3
A Leo needs a way to
B save his coding work
C so he loses his files.
Line C — A problem statement gives its reason with the word 'because'. The line should be 'because he loses his files.'
Question 4
A Priya needs a way to
B do something with plants
C because they dry out on
D the weekend.
Line B — The task is too vague. It should say exactly what Priya needs to do, such as 'water the class plants'.
Question 5
A Jack needs a way to
B use a spinning wheel app
C because kids argue at lunch.
Line B — The task line names a solution, not a task. It should say what Jack needs to do, such as 'pick a team fairly'.

Student with a class code? Join your class →