Counselora · Small Groups
Sorting schoolwork and asking for support: small-group series
Grades 9–12 · Ready-made original
Learning goal
Sort a busy week into small tasks, questions, and support needs.
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 can be started, clarified, or changed?”
Story · 6 minutes
A made-up student, Casey, has a group deadline, a club task, and a family responsibility in the same week. Two deadlines are unclear. Casey writes “do everything tonight” even though there is not enough time.
A response to compare · 5 minutes
Separate known deadlines from questions. Ask about the two unclear dates before planning the whole evening.
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 can be started, clarified, or changed?
Closing · 2 minutes
“Choose the first action or words for this story.”
One action to keep
“What can be started, clarified, or changed?”
Session 2: Try a second situation
Opening · 4 minutes
“What can be started, clarified, or changed?”
Story · 6 minutes
Two school tasks and a club meeting overlap. One task's due date is unconfirmed.
A response to compare · 5 minutes
Confirm the due date and ask which work needs attention first.
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 can be started, clarified, or changed?
Closing · 2 minutes
“Choose the first action or words for this story.”
One action to keep
“What can be started, clarified, or changed?”
Session 3: Try a different situation
Opening · 4 minutes
“What can be started, clarified, or changed?”
Story · 6 minutes
A team expects a student to handle a role that clashes with an existing support appointment.
A response to compare · 5 minutes
Ask about a shared role or a different time without giving up the needed support automatically.
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 can be started, clarified, or changed?
Closing · 2 minutes
“Choose the first action or words for this story.”
One action to keep
“What can be started, clarified, or changed?”
Session 4: Choose and use the skill
Opening · 4 minutes
“What can be started, clarified, or changed?”
Story · 6 minutes
A made-up student, Casey, has a group deadline, a club task, and a family responsibility in the same week. Two deadlines are unclear. Casey writes “do everything tonight” even though there is not enough time.
A response to compare · 5 minutes
Separate known deadlines from questions. Ask about the two unclear dates before planning the whole evening.
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 can be started, clarified, or changed?
Closing · 2 minutes
“Choose the first action or words for this story.”
One action to keep
“What can be started, clarified, or changed?”
Story cards to print
Card 1
A made-up student, Casey, has a group deadline, a club task, and a family responsibility in the same week. Two deadlines are unclear. Casey writes “do everything tonight” even though there is not enough time.
What can be started, clarified, or changed?
Card 2
Two school tasks and a club meeting overlap. One task's due date is unconfirmed.
What can be started, clarified, or changed?
Card 3
A team expects a student to handle a role that clashes with an existing support appointment.
What can be started, clarified, or changed?
Student response page
Story number: __________
My first words or action: ________________________________________________
A response I could try next: ________________________________________________
Response examples
1. Separate known deadlines from questions. Ask about the two unclear dates before planning the whole evening.
2. Confirm the due date and ask which work needs attention first.
3. Ask about a shared role or a different time without giving up the needed support automatically.