Counselora · Small Groups
Choosing a small skill to practice: small-group series
Grades K–2 · Ready-made original
Learning goal
Name one skill a story character can practice.
Materials
These three story cards, the response page below, and pencils.
Read aloud. Point, draw, tell, or pass.
Session 1: Find a first response
Opening · 4 minutes
“What helpful action can you name?”
Story · 6 minutes
Ari makes a paper bridge. It bends. Ari asks to see a new fold. Then Ari holds the paper while a partner helps.
A response to compare · 5 minutes
Ari asks to see another fold. Asking for help is a skill Ari can practice.
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 helpful action can you name?
Closing · 2 minutes
“Choose the first action or words for this story.”
One action to keep
“What helpful action can you name?”
Session 2: Try a second situation
Opening · 4 minutes
“What helpful action can you name?”
Story · 6 minutes
Pat tries a paper fold, then asks an adult to hold one corner.
A response to compare · 5 minutes
Pat asks for help with one part of the task.
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 helpful action can you name?
Closing · 2 minutes
“Choose the first action or words for this story.”
One action to keep
“What helpful action can you name?”
Session 3: Try a different situation
Opening · 4 minutes
“What helpful action can you name?”
Story · 6 minutes
Lee notices a partner has no paper and points to the spare paper on the table.
A response to compare · 5 minutes
Lee helps a partner find what they need.
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 helpful action can you name?
Closing · 2 minutes
“Choose the first action or words for this story.”
One action to keep
“What helpful action can you name?”
Session 4: Choose and use the skill
Opening · 4 minutes
“What helpful action can you name?”
Story · 6 minutes
Ari makes a paper bridge. It bends. Ari asks to see a new fold. Then Ari holds the paper while a partner helps.
A response to compare · 5 minutes
Ari asks to see another fold. Asking for help is a skill Ari can practice.
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 helpful action can you name?
Closing · 2 minutes
“Choose the first action or words for this story.”
One action to keep
“What helpful action can you name?”
Story cards to print
Card 1
Ari makes a paper bridge. It bends. Ari asks to see a new fold. Then Ari holds the paper while a partner helps.
What helpful action can you name?
Card 2
Pat tries a paper fold, then asks an adult to hold one corner.
What helpful action can you name?
Card 3
Lee notices a partner has no paper and points to the spare paper on the table.
What helpful action can you name?
Student response page
Story number: __________
My first words or action: ________________________________________________
A response I could try next: ________________________________________________
Response examples
1. Ari asks to see another fold. Asking for help is a skill Ari can practice.
2. Pat asks for help with one part of the task.
3. Lee helps a partner find what they need.