Counselora · Small Groups
Asking a friend to listen before giving advice: small-group series
Grades 6–8 · Ready-made original
Learning goal
Ask for the kind of help you want.
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 the help they actually want?”
Story · 6 minutes
Jordan tells a friend that a project feels confusing. The friend gives several tips before Jordan has explained the problem.
A response to compare · 5 minutes
Jordan says, “Could you listen first? Then help me find the directions.” The friend can ask what kind of support would help.
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 the help they actually want?
Closing · 2 minutes
“Choose the first action or words for this story.”
One action to keep
“How could the student ask for the help they actually want?”
Session 2: Try a second situation
Opening · 4 minutes
“How could the student ask for the help they actually want?”
Story · 6 minutes
A friend gives advice before hearing the full problem.
A response to compare · 5 minutes
“Could you listen to the whole situation 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
How could the student ask for the help they actually want?
Closing · 2 minutes
“Choose the first action or words for this story.”
One action to keep
“How could the student ask for the help they actually want?”
Session 3: Try a different situation
Opening · 4 minutes
“How could the student ask for the help they actually want?”
Story · 6 minutes
A student wants a teacher example, but their partner keeps offering guesses.
A response to compare · 5 minutes
“Thanks. I need the teacher to clarify this direction before I choose a step.”
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 the help they actually want?
Closing · 2 minutes
“Choose the first action or words for this story.”
One action to keep
“How could the student ask for the help they actually want?”
Session 4: Choose and use the skill
Opening · 4 minutes
“How could the student ask for the help they actually want?”
Story · 6 minutes
Jordan tells a friend that a project feels confusing. The friend gives several tips before Jordan has explained the problem.
A response to compare · 5 minutes
Jordan says, “Could you listen first? Then help me find the directions.” The friend can ask what kind of support would help.
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 the help they actually want?
Closing · 2 minutes
“Choose the first action or words for this story.”
One action to keep
“How could the student ask for the help they actually want?”
Story cards to print
Card 1
Jordan tells a friend that a project feels confusing. The friend gives several tips before Jordan has explained the problem.
How could the student ask for the help they actually want?
Card 2
A friend gives advice before hearing the full problem.
How could the student ask for the help they actually want?
Card 3
A student wants a teacher example, but their partner keeps offering guesses.
How could the student ask for the help they actually want?
Student response page
Story number: __________
My first words or action: ________________________________________________
A response I could try next: ________________________________________________
Response examples
1. Jordan says, “Could you listen first? Then help me find the directions.” The friend can ask what kind of support would help.