Counselora · Small Groups
Preparing for a change in school routines: small-group series
Grades 6–8 · Ready-made original
Learning goal
Check a question about the next grade and choose one small step.
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 should they check about the next grade?”
Story · 6 minutes
Remy will move to a new grade next term. Remy knows classes will have a different schedule but has heard conflicting stories about homework, clubs, and finding rooms. A friend says everyone already knows how the new system works.
A response to compare · 5 minutes
Ask a school contact about the actual schedule rather than treating classmates' stories as rules.
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 should they check about the next grade?
Closing · 2 minutes
“Choose the first action or words for this story.”
One action to keep
“What should they check about the next grade?”
Session 2: Try a second situation
Opening · 4 minutes
“What should they check about the next grade?”
Story · 6 minutes
A friend says the next grade has no clubs, but no official information is available.
A response to compare · 5 minutes
“Where can I find the current list of clubs?”
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 should they check about the next grade?
Closing · 2 minutes
“Choose the first action or words for this story.”
One action to keep
“What should they check about the next grade?”
Session 3: Try a different situation
Opening · 4 minutes
“What should they check about the next grade?”
Story · 6 minutes
A student knows their new classroom number but not where it is.
A response to compare · 5 minutes
Ask a school adult to show the room on a school map or explain the route.
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 should they check about the next grade?
Closing · 2 minutes
“Choose the first action or words for this story.”
One action to keep
“What should they check about the next grade?”
Session 4: Choose and use the skill
Opening · 4 minutes
“What should they check about the next grade?”
Story · 6 minutes
Remy will move to a new grade next term. Remy knows classes will have a different schedule but has heard conflicting stories about homework, clubs, and finding rooms. A friend says everyone already knows how the new system works.
A response to compare · 5 minutes
Ask a school contact about the actual schedule rather than treating classmates' stories as rules.
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 should they check about the next grade?
Closing · 2 minutes
“Choose the first action or words for this story.”
One action to keep
“What should they check about the next grade?”
Story cards to print
Card 1
Remy will move to a new grade next term. Remy knows classes will have a different schedule but has heard conflicting stories about homework, clubs, and finding rooms. A friend says everyone already knows how the new system works.
What should they check about the next grade?
Card 2
A friend says the next grade has no clubs, but no official information is available.
What should they check about the next grade?
Card 3
A student knows their new classroom number but not where it is.
What should they check about the next grade?
Student response page
Story number: __________
My first words or action: ________________________________________________
A response I could try next: ________________________________________________
Response examples
1. Ask a school contact about the actual schedule rather than treating classmates' stories as rules.
2. “Where can I find the current list of clubs?”
3. Ask a school adult to show the room on a school map or explain the route.