Counselora · Small Groups
Asking for clearer schoolwork directions: small-group series
Grades 6–8 · Ready-made original
Learning goal
Name the confusing part of a task and ask for useful help.
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 question names the confusing direction?”
Story · 6 minutes
Devon reads 'compare the two sources' on an assignment and is unsure what compare means here. Devon says, 'I do not get any of this.' The teacher asks which part is confusing, but Devon is not sure how to explain.
A response to compare · 5 minutes
“What does compare mean for these two sources? Could you show one example?”
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 question names the confusing direction?
Closing · 2 minutes
“Choose the first action or words for this story.”
One action to keep
“What question names the confusing direction?”
Session 2: Try a second situation
Opening · 4 minutes
“What question names the confusing direction?”
Story · 6 minutes
A direction says explain your answer. The student has an answer but no example of an explanation.
A response to compare · 5 minutes
“Could you show what one explanation should include?”
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 question names the confusing direction?
Closing · 2 minutes
“Choose the first action or words for this story.”
One action to keep
“What question names the confusing direction?”
Session 3: Try a different situation
Opening · 4 minutes
“What question names the confusing direction?”
Story · 6 minutes
The student receives an example but still does not understand the first step.
A response to compare · 5 minutes
“Could we work through the first step together?”
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 question names the confusing direction?
Closing · 2 minutes
“Choose the first action or words for this story.”
One action to keep
“What question names the confusing direction?”
Session 4: Choose and use the skill
Opening · 4 minutes
“What question names the confusing direction?”
Story · 6 minutes
Devon reads 'compare the two sources' on an assignment and is unsure what compare means here. Devon says, 'I do not get any of this.' The teacher asks which part is confusing, but Devon is not sure how to explain.
A response to compare · 5 minutes
“What does compare mean for these two sources? Could you show one example?”
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 question names the confusing direction?
Closing · 2 minutes
“Choose the first action or words for this story.”
One action to keep
“What question names the confusing direction?”
Story cards to print
Card 1
Devon reads 'compare the two sources' on an assignment and is unsure what compare means here. Devon says, 'I do not get any of this.' The teacher asks which part is confusing, but Devon is not sure how to explain.
What question names the confusing direction?
Card 2
A direction says explain your answer. The student has an answer but no example of an explanation.
What question names the confusing direction?
Card 3
The student receives an example but still does not understand the first step.
What question names the confusing direction?