Counselora · Small Groups
Helping a classmate without giving them your answer: small-group series
Grades 3–5 · Ready-made original
Learning goal
Choose help that supports learning without copying.
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
“How could a student help without completing someone else's work?”
Story · 6 minutes
Ben asks Ada for the answer to a class practice problem. The teacher said students should show their own work.
A response to compare · 5 minutes
Ada says, “I can explain the first step, but you need your own answer.” They can ask the teacher what help is allowed.
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
How could a student help without completing someone else's work?
Closing · 2 minutes
“Choose the first action or words for this story.”
One action to keep
“How could a student help without completing someone else's work?”
Session 2: Try a second situation
Opening · 4 minutes
“How could a student help without completing someone else's work?”
Story · 6 minutes
A classmate asks for a whole drawing to copy. The task is to draw and label your own shape.
A response to compare · 5 minutes
“I can show how I found the sides. You'll need your own drawing.”
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
How could a student help without completing someone else's work?
Closing · 2 minutes
“Choose the first action or words for this story.”
One action to keep
“How could a student help without completing someone else's work?”
Session 3: Try a different situation
Opening · 4 minutes
“How could a student help without completing someone else's work?”
Story · 6 minutes
Two students are unsure whether partners may check each other's answers.
A response to compare · 5 minutes
“Let's ask the teacher what kind of checking is allowed.”
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
How could a student help without completing someone else's work?
Closing · 2 minutes
“Choose the first action or words for this story.”
One action to keep
“How could a student help without completing someone else's work?”
Session 4: Choose and use the skill
Opening · 4 minutes
“How could a student help without completing someone else's work?”
Story · 6 minutes
Ben asks Ada for the answer to a class practice problem. The teacher said students should show their own work.
A response to compare · 5 minutes
Ada says, “I can explain the first step, but you need your own answer.” They can ask the teacher what help is allowed.
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
How could a student help without completing someone else's work?
Closing · 2 minutes
“Choose the first action or words for this story.”
One action to keep
“How could a student help without completing someone else's work?”
Story cards to print
Card 1
Ben asks Ada for the answer to a class practice problem. The teacher said students should show their own work.
How could a student help without completing someone else's work?
Card 2
A classmate asks for a whole drawing to copy. The task is to draw and label your own shape.
How could a student help without completing someone else's work?
Card 3
Two students are unsure whether partners may check each other's answers.
How could a student help without completing someone else's work?
Student response page
Story number: __________
My first words or action: ________________________________________________
A response I could try next: ________________________________________________
Response examples
1. Ada says, “I can explain the first step, but you need your own answer.” They can ask the teacher what help is allowed.