Counselora · Small Groups
Combining two ideas in a shared task: small-group series
Grades 3–5 · Ready-made original
Learning goal
Hear two ideas and choose a fair next step.
Materials
These three story cards, the response page below, and pencils.
Write, draw, or say your answer. You may pass.
Session 1: Find a first response
Opening · 4 minutes
“How could they include both ideas?”
Story · 6 minutes
A pretend group is choosing a class display. Drew wants animal facts and Sasha wants a map. Both keep repeating their own idea. They have one sheet of poster paper and ten minutes to choose.
A response to compare · 5 minutes
“You want animals and I want a map. We could put animals on a map.”
Practice · 10 minutes
One partner reads the story above. The other tries the words or actions in the supplied response. Switch readers if you want. Writing, drawing, watching, or passing is also a choice.
Student response · 3 minutes
How could they include both ideas?
Closing · 2 minutes
“Choose the first action or words for this story.”
One action to keep
“How could they include both ideas?”
Session 2: Try a second situation
Opening · 4 minutes
“How could they include both ideas?”
Story · 6 minutes
Two students want different titles for a class poster. They have time to test both on paper.
A response to compare · 5 minutes
Write both titles and check which one best explains the poster.
Practice · 10 minutes
Use the story above. Try a first response, then compare it with the supplied response. A partner can read the response instead of acting.
Student response · 3 minutes
How could they include both ideas?
Closing · 2 minutes
“Choose the first action or words for this story.”
One action to keep
“How could they include both ideas?”
Session 3: Try a different situation
Opening · 4 minutes
“How could they include both ideas?”
Story · 6 minutes
Two students disagree about a game rule. Neither knows the rule the teacher gave.
A response to compare · 5 minutes
“Let's ask the teacher to clarify the rule before we decide.”
Practice · 10 minutes
Use the story above. Write or say a response before reading the supplied response. Compare them. Choose one word or action that makes the response clearer.
Student response · 3 minutes
How could they include both ideas?
Closing · 2 minutes
“Choose the first action or words for this story.”
One action to keep
“How could they include both ideas?”
Session 4: Choose and use the skill
Opening · 4 minutes
“How could they include both ideas?”
Story · 6 minutes
A pretend group is choosing a class display. Drew wants animal facts and Sasha wants a map. Both keep repeating their own idea. They have one sheet of poster paper and ten minutes to choose.
A response to compare · 5 minutes
“You want animals and I want a map. We could put animals on a map.”
Practice · 10 minutes
Choose story 1, 2, or 3 from the cards below. One partner reads it; the other gives a response. Switch readers if you want. Use the supplied responses to check whether the action fits the problem.
Student response · 3 minutes
How could they include both ideas?
Closing · 2 minutes
“Choose the first action or words for this story.”
One action to keep
“How could they include both ideas?”
Story cards to print
Card 1
A pretend group is choosing a class display. Drew wants animal facts and Sasha wants a map. Both keep repeating their own idea. They have one sheet of poster paper and ten minutes to choose.
How could they include both ideas?
Card 2
Two students want different titles for a class poster. They have time to test both on paper.
How could they include both ideas?
Card 3
Two students disagree about a game rule. Neither knows the rule the teacher gave.
How could they include both ideas?
Student response page
Story number: __________
My first words or action: ________________________________________________
A response I could try next: ________________________________________________
Response examples
1. “You want animals and I want a map. We could put animals on a map.”
2. Write both titles and check which one best explains the poster.