Counselora · Classroom lesson
Asking a clear question about schoolwork
Grades 3–5 · Ready-made original
Learning goal
Ask for help with one confusing part of a task.
Materials
The student page below and a pencil.
Opening question · 3 minutes
“What question names the unclear part?”
A school situation · 5 minutes
A made-up student, Noor, must label a map but does not know what the symbol key means. Noor has the map open and says “I do not get any of it,” although the title and places are clear.
One possible response · 4 minutes
“I can find the places, but I don't know how to use this map key. Could you show me one symbol?”
Practice · 10 minutes
What question names the unclear part?
1. A map key shows a star, but the student does not know what it means.
2. The first explanation still does not help the student use the key.
Possible answers
1. “What does the star in this key mean?”
2. “Could we do one example together?”
Student page · 5 minutes
Use the ready-to-print student page at the end of this lesson. Students may write, draw, or give an answer aloud.
Exit question · 3 minutes
“Choose one of the stories. What could the student say or do first?”
Student page to print
Asking a clear question about schoolwork
Write, draw, or say your answer. You may pass.
An example
A made-up student, Noor, must label a map but does not know what the symbol key means. Noor has the map open and says “I do not get any of it,” although the title and places are clear.
What question names the unclear part?
One possible response: “I can find the places, but I don't know how to use this map key. Could you show me one symbol?”
1. A map key shows a star, but the student does not know what it means.
What question names the unclear part?
2. The first explanation still does not help the student use the key.
What question names the unclear part?
One sentence to keep
Choose one story above. Write the first thing the person could say or do.