Counselora · Small Groups
Helping a new classmate find school information: small-group series
Grades 6–8 · Ready-made original
Learning goal
Offer useful information without making someone explain their story.
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 useful information could be offered without personal questions?”
Story · 6 minutes
A new student joins a class midyear. Several classmates ask why they moved. Morgan wants to help without asking private questions.
A response to compare · 5 minutes
Morgan says, “The homework is on this board. Would you like me to show you?” The new student can accept or decline.
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 useful information could be offered without personal questions?
Closing · 2 minutes
“Choose the first action or words for this story.”
One action to keep
“What useful information could be offered without personal questions?”
Session 2: Try a second situation
Opening · 4 minutes
“What useful information could be offered without personal questions?”
Story · 6 minutes
A new student does not know where today's directions are posted.
A response to compare · 5 minutes
“The task steps are on this board. Want me to show you?”
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 useful information could be offered without personal questions?
Closing · 2 minutes
“Choose the first action or words for this story.”
One action to keep
“What useful information could be offered without personal questions?”
Session 3: Try a different situation
Opening · 4 minutes
“What useful information could be offered without personal questions?”
Story · 6 minutes
A classmate asks a new student why their family moved. Another student wants to be welcoming.
A response to compare · 5 minutes
Offer practical information instead: “Would the class schedule help? I can show you where it is.”
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 useful information could be offered without personal questions?
Closing · 2 minutes
“Choose the first action or words for this story.”
One action to keep
“What useful information could be offered without personal questions?”
Session 4: Choose and use the skill
Opening · 4 minutes
“What useful information could be offered without personal questions?”
Story · 6 minutes
A new student joins a class midyear. Several classmates ask why they moved. Morgan wants to help without asking private questions.
A response to compare · 5 minutes
Morgan says, “The homework is on this board. Would you like me to show you?” The new student can accept or decline.
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 useful information could be offered without personal questions?
Closing · 2 minutes
“Choose the first action or words for this story.”
One action to keep
“What useful information could be offered without personal questions?”
Story cards to print
Card 1
A new student joins a class midyear. Several classmates ask why they moved. Morgan wants to help without asking private questions.
What useful information could be offered without personal questions?
Card 2
A new student does not know where today's directions are posted.
What useful information could be offered without personal questions?
Card 3
A classmate asks a new student why their family moved. Another student wants to be welcoming.
What useful information could be offered without personal questions?
Student response page
Story number: __________
My first words or action: ________________________________________________
A response I could try next: ________________________________________________
Response examples
1. Morgan says, “The homework is on this board. Would you like me to show you?” The new student can accept or decline.