Counselora · Small Groups
Pausing before responding to a disagreement: small-group series
Grades 6–8 · Ready-made original
Learning goal
Notice a sign of stress and choose a safe next 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 pause and next action could help?”
Story · 6 minutes
Taylor opens the assignment page and sees a quiz and a project due on the same day. Taylor's shoulders tighten, thoughts jump between tasks, and the first reaction is to close the laptop. The next class begins in five minutes.
A response to compare · 5 minutes
Rest hands, look away from the page briefly, then write one question about the two deadlines.
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 pause and next action could help?
Closing · 2 minutes
“Choose the first action or words for this story.”
One action to keep
“What pause and next action could help?”
Session 2: Try a second situation
Opening · 4 minutes
“What pause and next action could help?”
Story · 6 minutes
A student sees three missing tasks and wants to shut the page.
A response to compare · 5 minutes
Pause, then ask which task is still required and should come first.
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 pause and next action could help?
Closing · 2 minutes
“Choose the first action or words for this story.”
One action to keep
“What pause and next action could help?”
Session 3: Try a different situation
Opening · 4 minutes
“What pause and next action could help?”
Story · 6 minutes
A student gets stuck on the first quiz question and assumes every question will be hard.
A response to compare · 5 minutes
Pause, read another allowed question, or ask the teacher to clarify the direction.
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 pause and next action could help?
Closing · 2 minutes
“Choose the first action or words for this story.”
One action to keep
“What pause and next action could help?”
Session 4: Choose and use the skill
Opening · 4 minutes
“What pause and next action could help?”
Story · 6 minutes
Taylor opens the assignment page and sees a quiz and a project due on the same day. Taylor's shoulders tighten, thoughts jump between tasks, and the first reaction is to close the laptop. The next class begins in five minutes.
A response to compare · 5 minutes
Rest hands, look away from the page briefly, then write one question about the two deadlines.
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 pause and next action could help?
Closing · 2 minutes
“Choose the first action or words for this story.”
One action to keep
“What pause and next action could help?”
Story cards to print
Card 1
Taylor opens the assignment page and sees a quiz and a project due on the same day. Taylor's shoulders tighten, thoughts jump between tasks, and the first reaction is to close the laptop. The next class begins in five minutes.
What pause and next action could help?
Card 2
A student sees three missing tasks and wants to shut the page.
What pause and next action could help?
Card 3
A student gets stuck on the first quiz question and assumes every question will be hard.
What pause and next action could help?
Student response page
Story number: __________
My first words or action: ________________________________________________
A response I could try next: ________________________________________________
Response examples
1. Rest hands, look away from the page briefly, then write one question about the two deadlines.
2. Pause, then ask which task is still required and should come first.
3. Pause, read another allowed question, or ask the teacher to clarify the direction.