Counselora · Small Groups
Choosing a coping strategy for the school day: small-group series
Grades 6–8 · Ready-made original
Learning goal
Choose a few ways to pause and know when to ask for help.
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
“Which coping choice fits this setting?”
Story · 6 minutes
Casey has a noisy lunch period, a long afternoon assignment, and a late bus. One reset idea will not fit every setting. Casey needs options that follow school expectations and do not require special supplies.
A response to compare · 5 minutes
In a noisy lunch space, ask about an available quieter place. During class, a brief stretch or help request may fit.
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
Which coping choice fits this setting?
Closing · 2 minutes
“Choose the first action or words for this story.”
One action to keep
“Which coping choice fits this setting?”
Session 2: Try a second situation
Opening · 4 minutes
“Which coping choice fits this setting?”
Story · 6 minutes
A long class task feels hard to begin. The student can stay seated and ask a question.
A response to compare · 5 minutes
Rest hands briefly and ask what the first step should be.
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
Which coping choice fits this setting?
Closing · 2 minutes
“Choose the first action or words for this story.”
One action to keep
“Which coping choice fits this setting?”
Session 3: Try a different situation
Opening · 4 minutes
“Which coping choice fits this setting?”
Story · 6 minutes
The bus is late and the student does not know the updated plan.
A response to compare · 5 minutes
Ask the supervising school adult for the current information rather than leaving alone.
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
Which coping choice fits this setting?
Closing · 2 minutes
“Choose the first action or words for this story.”
One action to keep
“Which coping choice fits this setting?”
Session 4: Choose and use the skill
Opening · 4 minutes
“Which coping choice fits this setting?”
Story · 6 minutes
Casey has a noisy lunch period, a long afternoon assignment, and a late bus. One reset idea will not fit every setting. Casey needs options that follow school expectations and do not require special supplies.
A response to compare · 5 minutes
In a noisy lunch space, ask about an available quieter place. During class, a brief stretch or help request may fit.
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
Which coping choice fits this setting?
Closing · 2 minutes
“Choose the first action or words for this story.”
One action to keep
“Which coping choice fits this setting?”
Story cards to print
Card 1
Casey has a noisy lunch period, a long afternoon assignment, and a late bus. One reset idea will not fit every setting. Casey needs options that follow school expectations and do not require special supplies.
Which coping choice fits this setting?
Card 2
A long class task feels hard to begin. The student can stay seated and ask a question.
Which coping choice fits this setting?
Card 3
The bus is late and the student does not know the updated plan.
Which coping choice fits this setting?
Student response page
Story number: __________
My first words or action: ________________________________________________
A response I could try next: ________________________________________________
Response examples
1. In a noisy lunch space, ask about an available quieter place. During class, a brief stretch or help request may fit.
2. Rest hands briefly and ask what the first step should be.
3. Ask the supervising school adult for the current information rather than leaving alone.