Counselora · Small Groups
Finding a school contact and a backup contact: small-group series
Grades 9–12 · Ready-made original
Learning goal
Choose a school helper, a way to ask, and a backup.
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
“Who could help when the usual contact is away?”
Story · 6 minutes
A made-up student has three questions: a course requirement is unclear, two activities have conflicting schedules, and the student wants a private conversation about a school concern. A familiar staff member is unavailable this week.
A response to compare · 5 minutes
Ask the teacher or school adviser about the course question, and an available school adult for the appropriate private-help route.
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
Who could help when the usual contact is away?
Closing · 2 minutes
“Choose the first action or words for this story.”
One action to keep
“Who could help when the usual contact is away?”
Session 2: Try a second situation
Opening · 4 minutes
“Who could help when the usual contact is away?”
Story · 6 minutes
A course requirement is unclear and the usual adviser is away.
A response to compare · 5 minutes
Ask the school office who can help confirm the current requirement.
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
Who could help when the usual contact is away?
Closing · 2 minutes
“Choose the first action or words for this story.”
One action to keep
“Who could help when the usual contact is away?”
Session 3: Try a different situation
Opening · 4 minutes
“Who could help when the usual contact is away?”
Story · 6 minutes
Two school activities overlap and the student needs the confirmed schedules.
A response to compare · 5 minutes
Ask each activity's school contact to confirm times before choosing or requesting a change.
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
Who could help when the usual contact is away?
Closing · 2 minutes
“Choose the first action or words for this story.”
One action to keep
“Who could help when the usual contact is away?”
Session 4: Choose and use the skill
Opening · 4 minutes
“Who could help when the usual contact is away?”
Story · 6 minutes
A made-up student has three questions: a course requirement is unclear, two activities have conflicting schedules, and the student wants a private conversation about a school concern. A familiar staff member is unavailable this week.
A response to compare · 5 minutes
Ask the teacher or school adviser about the course question, and an available school adult for the appropriate private-help route.
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
Who could help when the usual contact is away?
Closing · 2 minutes
“Choose the first action or words for this story.”
One action to keep
“Who could help when the usual contact is away?”
Story cards to print
Card 1
A made-up student has three questions: a course requirement is unclear, two activities have conflicting schedules, and the student wants a private conversation about a school concern. A familiar staff member is unavailable this week.
Who could help when the usual contact is away?
Card 2
A course requirement is unclear and the usual adviser is away.
Who could help when the usual contact is away?
Card 3
Two school activities overlap and the student needs the confirmed schedules.
Who could help when the usual contact is away?
Student response page
Story number: __________
My first words or action: ________________________________________________
A response I could try next: ________________________________________________
Response examples
1. Ask the teacher or school adviser about the course question, and an available school adult for the appropriate private-help route.
2. Ask the school office who can help confirm the current requirement.
3. Ask each activity's school contact to confirm times before choosing or requesting a change.