Counselora · Small Groups
Asking what comes next when plans change: small-group series
Grades 3–5 · Ready-made original
Learning goal
Ask a useful question when a plan changes.
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
“What changed, and what can they ask next?”
Story · 6 minutes
A made-up class planned to play outside, but rain moves the activity indoors. Ellis wanted running time. The indoor choices and schedule have not been explained yet. Ellis says the whole day is ruined.
A response to compare · 5 minutes
The outdoor plan changed because of rain. “What are the indoor choices?”
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
What changed, and what can they ask next?
Closing · 2 minutes
“Choose the first action or words for this story.”
One action to keep
“What changed, and what can they ask next?”
Session 2: Try a second situation
Opening · 4 minutes
“What changed, and what can they ask next?”
Story · 6 minutes
A partner is absent on the day a shared poster is due.
A response to compare · 5 minutes
“Which part should I work on today, and how will we handle the missing part?”
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
What changed, and what can they ask next?
Closing · 2 minutes
“Choose the first action or words for this story.”
One action to keep
“What changed, and what can they ask next?”
Session 3: Try a different situation
Opening · 4 minutes
“What changed, and what can they ask next?”
Story · 6 minutes
Reading moves to the afternoon. A student is unsure which lesson starts now.
A response to compare · 5 minutes
“What comes first on the changed schedule?”
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
What changed, and what can they ask next?
Closing · 2 minutes
“Choose the first action or words for this story.”
One action to keep
“What changed, and what can they ask next?”
Session 4: Choose and use the skill
Opening · 4 minutes
“What changed, and what can they ask next?”
Story · 6 minutes
A made-up class planned to play outside, but rain moves the activity indoors. Ellis wanted running time. The indoor choices and schedule have not been explained yet. Ellis says the whole day is ruined.
A response to compare · 5 minutes
The outdoor plan changed because of rain. “What are the indoor choices?”
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
What changed, and what can they ask next?
Closing · 2 minutes
“Choose the first action or words for this story.”
One action to keep
“What changed, and what can they ask next?”
Story cards to print
Card 1
A made-up class planned to play outside, but rain moves the activity indoors. Ellis wanted running time. The indoor choices and schedule have not been explained yet. Ellis says the whole day is ruined.
What changed, and what can they ask next?
Card 2
A partner is absent on the day a shared poster is due.
What changed, and what can they ask next?
Card 3
Reading moves to the afternoon. A student is unsure which lesson starts now.
What changed, and what can they ask next?