Counselora · Small Groups
Asking about options after a missed deadline: small-group series
Grades 9–12 · Ready-made original
Learning goal
Ask about actual next steps rather than assuming the outcome.
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 available options should the student ask about?”
Story · 6 minutes
A fictional assignment deadline passed yesterday. Ren assumes there is no point asking about it, but the teacher’s policy has not been checked.
A response to compare · 5 minutes
Ren asks, “What options are available for this assignment now?” Ren checks the real policy and asks for help with any barrier to the next step.
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 available options should the student ask about?
Closing · 2 minutes
“Choose the first action or words for this story.”
One action to keep
“What available options should the student ask about?”
Session 2: Try a second situation
Opening · 4 minutes
“What available options should the student ask about?”
Story · 6 minutes
A missed task appears as incomplete, but no next-step information is listed.
A response to compare · 5 minutes
“What options are available for this task now?”
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 available options should the student ask about?
Closing · 2 minutes
“Choose the first action or words for this story.”
One action to keep
“What available options should the student ask about?”
Session 3: Try a different situation
Opening · 4 minutes
“What available options should the student ask about?”
Story · 6 minutes
A teacher replies, “Bring your draft tomorrow so we can discuss next steps.”
A response to compare · 5 minutes
Bring the current draft and questions. The reply does not promise a particular grade or extension.
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 available options should the student ask about?
Closing · 2 minutes
“Choose the first action or words for this story.”
One action to keep
“What available options should the student ask about?”
Session 4: Choose and use the skill
Opening · 4 minutes
“What available options should the student ask about?”
Story · 6 minutes
A fictional assignment deadline passed yesterday. Ren assumes there is no point asking about it, but the teacher’s policy has not been checked.
A response to compare · 5 minutes
Ren asks, “What options are available for this assignment now?” Ren checks the real policy and asks for help with any barrier to the next step.
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 available options should the student ask about?
Closing · 2 minutes
“Choose the first action or words for this story.”
One action to keep
“What available options should the student ask about?”
Story cards to print
Card 1
A fictional assignment deadline passed yesterday. Ren assumes there is no point asking about it, but the teacher’s policy has not been checked.
What available options should the student ask about?
Card 2
A missed task appears as incomplete, but no next-step information is listed.
What available options should the student ask about?
Card 3
A teacher replies, “Bring your draft tomorrow so we can discuss next steps.”
What available options should the student ask about?
Student response page
Story number: __________
My first words or action: ________________________________________________
A response I could try next: ________________________________________________
Response examples
1. Ren asks, “What options are available for this assignment now?” Ren checks the real policy and asks for help with any barrier to the next step.
2. “What options are available for this task now?”
3. Bring the current draft and questions. The reply does not promise a particular grade or extension.