Counselora · Small Groups
Asking for missing project supplies: small-group series
Grades 6–8 · Ready-made original
Learning goal
Separate a choice you can make from a decision an adult must handle.
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 can the student do and what must an adult clarify?”
Story · 6 minutes
A science team lacks the supplies listed for a project. Quinn thinks the team has to buy the supplies at home. The teacher has not said that.
A response to compare · 5 minutes
Quinn can ask what school supplies or changes are available. Providing needed materials is an adult planning problem, not Quinn’s responsibility 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
What can the student do and what must an adult clarify?
Closing · 2 minutes
“Choose the first action or words for this story.”
One action to keep
“What can the student do and what must an adult clarify?”
Session 2: Try a second situation
Opening · 4 minutes
“What can the student do and what must an adult clarify?”
Story · 6 minutes
A project requires a material the school has not provided. The student thinks they must buy it.
A response to compare · 5 minutes
“What school-provided material or alternative can I use?”
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 can the student do and what must an adult clarify?
Closing · 2 minutes
“Choose the first action or words for this story.”
One action to keep
“What can the student do and what must an adult clarify?”
Session 3: Try a different situation
Opening · 4 minutes
“What can the student do and what must an adult clarify?”
Story · 6 minutes
A group task has no clear direction about how students should divide the work.
A response to compare · 5 minutes
Ask the teacher to clarify the task, then choose roles using the answer.
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 can the student do and what must an adult clarify?
Closing · 2 minutes
“Choose the first action or words for this story.”
One action to keep
“What can the student do and what must an adult clarify?”
Session 4: Choose and use the skill
Opening · 4 minutes
“What can the student do and what must an adult clarify?”
Story · 6 minutes
A science team lacks the supplies listed for a project. Quinn thinks the team has to buy the supplies at home. The teacher has not said that.
A response to compare · 5 minutes
Quinn can ask what school supplies or changes are available. Providing needed materials is an adult planning problem, not Quinn’s responsibility 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
What can the student do and what must an adult clarify?
Closing · 2 minutes
“Choose the first action or words for this story.”
One action to keep
“What can the student do and what must an adult clarify?”
Story cards to print
Card 1
A science team lacks the supplies listed for a project. Quinn thinks the team has to buy the supplies at home. The teacher has not said that.
What can the student do and what must an adult clarify?
Card 2
A project requires a material the school has not provided. The student thinks they must buy it.
What can the student do and what must an adult clarify?
Card 3
A group task has no clear direction about how students should divide the work.
What can the student do and what must an adult clarify?
Student response page
Story number: __________
My first words or action: ________________________________________________
A response I could try next: ________________________________________________
Response examples
1. Quinn can ask what school supplies or changes are available. Providing needed materials is an adult planning problem, not Quinn’s responsibility alone.
2. “What school-provided material or alternative can I use?”
3. Ask the teacher to clarify the task, then choose roles using the answer.