Counselora · Small Groups
When a joke does not feel funny: small-group series
Grades 3–5 · Ready-made original
Learning goal
Practice a clear response to an unwanted joke and a help request.
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 the student ask for adult help?”
Story · 6 minutes
A made-up student keeps calling Kai a nickname. Kai does not like it. Kai is not sure how to respond.
A response to compare · 5 minutes
Kai can say, “Use my name,” or go straight to a school adult. Kai does not have to solve repeated teasing alone.
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 the student ask for adult help?
Closing · 2 minutes
“Choose the first action or words for this story.”
One action to keep
“How could the student ask for adult help?”
Session 2: Try a second situation
Opening · 4 minutes
“How could the student ask for adult help?”
Story · 6 minutes
A classmate keeps repeating a nickname after being asked to stop.
A response to compare · 5 minutes
“The nickname keeps happening. I need help stopping it.”
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 the student ask for adult help?
Closing · 2 minutes
“Choose the first action or words for this story.”
One action to keep
“How could the student ask for adult help?”
Session 3: Try a different situation
Opening · 4 minutes
“How could the student ask for adult help?”
Story · 6 minutes
A student does not feel comfortable telling the classmate to stop directly.
A response to compare · 5 minutes
Go straight to a school adult: “I need help with repeated teasing.”
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 the student ask for adult help?
Closing · 2 minutes
“Choose the first action or words for this story.”
One action to keep
“How could the student ask for adult help?”
Session 4: Choose and use the skill
Opening · 4 minutes
“How could the student ask for adult help?”
Story · 6 minutes
A made-up student keeps calling Kai a nickname. Kai does not like it. Kai is not sure how to respond.
A response to compare · 5 minutes
Kai can say, “Use my name,” or go straight to a school adult. Kai does not have to solve repeated teasing alone.
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 the student ask for adult help?
Closing · 2 minutes
“Choose the first action or words for this story.”
One action to keep
“How could the student ask for adult help?”
Story cards to print
Card 1
A made-up student keeps calling Kai a nickname. Kai does not like it. Kai is not sure how to respond.
How could the student ask for adult help?
Card 2
A classmate keeps repeating a nickname after being asked to stop.
How could the student ask for adult help?
Card 3
A student does not feel comfortable telling the classmate to stop directly.
How could the student ask for adult help?
Student response page
Story number: __________
My first words or action: ________________________________________________
A response I could try next: ________________________________________________
Response examples
1. Kai can say, “Use my name,” or go straight to a school adult. Kai does not have to solve repeated teasing alone.