Counselora · Small Groups
Choosing a useful role in a group: small-group series
Grades 9–12 · Ready-made original
Learning goal
Change a group routine so more people can take part.
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 change would let more people contribute?”
Story · 6 minutes
A made-up project team plans everything in a fast-moving group chat. One member cannot check messages after school, another wants time to read before responding, and a new member has not been told how decisions are made.
A response to compare · 5 minutes
Keep decisions in a shared school-time document and allow time to read before replying.
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 change would let more people contribute?
Closing · 2 minutes
“Choose the first action or words for this story.”
One action to keep
“What change would let more people contribute?”
Session 2: Try a second situation
Opening · 4 minutes
“What change would let more people contribute?”
Story · 6 minutes
A team makes all decisions after school. One member cannot use a device at home.
A response to compare · 5 minutes
Agree an in-school time and place for reviewing and making decisions.
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 change would let more people contribute?
Closing · 2 minutes
“Choose the first action or words for this story.”
One action to keep
“What change would let more people contribute?”
Session 3: Try a different situation
Opening · 4 minutes
“What change would let more people contribute?”
Story · 6 minutes
A new teammate can see the messages but does not know who makes the final choice.
A response to compare · 5 minutes
Write down how decisions will be made and ask for everyone's input before choosing.
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 change would let more people contribute?
Closing · 2 minutes
“Choose the first action or words for this story.”
One action to keep
“What change would let more people contribute?”
Session 4: Choose and use the skill
Opening · 4 minutes
“What change would let more people contribute?”
Story · 6 minutes
A made-up project team plans everything in a fast-moving group chat. One member cannot check messages after school, another wants time to read before responding, and a new member has not been told how decisions are made.
A response to compare · 5 minutes
Keep decisions in a shared school-time document and allow time to read before replying.
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 change would let more people contribute?
Closing · 2 minutes
“Choose the first action or words for this story.”
One action to keep
“What change would let more people contribute?”
Story cards to print
Card 1
A made-up project team plans everything in a fast-moving group chat. One member cannot check messages after school, another wants time to read before responding, and a new member has not been told how decisions are made.
What change would let more people contribute?
Card 2
A team makes all decisions after school. One member cannot use a device at home.
What change would let more people contribute?
Card 3
A new teammate can see the messages but does not know who makes the final choice.
What change would let more people contribute?
Student response page
Story number: __________
My first words or action: ________________________________________________
A response I could try next: ________________________________________________
Response examples
1. Keep decisions in a shared school-time document and allow time to read before replying.
2. Agree an in-school time and place for reviewing and making decisions.
3. Write down how decisions will be made and ask for everyone's input before choosing.