Asking For Help

I teach this lesson to my students because it really helps let them know that it is OK to ask for help and they should be asking for help if they need it. Primarily, the lesson refers to students asking for help when they don't understand something. When I was in school, even up to college, I was very timid and never asked questions when I didn't understand something. My grades suffered from my lack of understanding and my unwillingness to ask questions or let my teacher know I needed help. After teaching this lesson, I have found that a majority of the students raised their hand after I ask, "How many of you felt like others were going to think you were stupid by asking a question or getting help?"

Asking for HELP lesson plan:

First, I tell the class we are going to play a guessing game. They are to try and figure out what I am thinking (zebra, monkey, snake, etc.), but they cannot ask any questions and I can't give them any hints that may lead them to figure it out. When the kids finally figure out that it is impossible, then I tell them ok, lets change the game a little.

To change the game, I tell the kids they may ask me 20 yes or no quesitons to try and figure out what I am thinking. The majority of classes (grades 4-6) were able to figure it out within about 10-12 questions.

Next, I introduced Mr. SPOT. SPOT is a tracker that uses a satellite to send for help. I explain each of the functions:

ON/OFF button: Important feature of the device (usually I can get a little chuckle out of the kids).

OK button: When pushed, SPOT sends a message to the satellite, then sends a message to a persons email and/or cell phone that lets them know that the user is OK and gives them longitude/latittude (GPS-Global Positioning System) location of where they are.

911 button: This button is pushed when the user has an emergency and needs immediate assistance.

HELP button: If pushed, it will send a message to an invidual, via email and/or cell phone that tells them the user is OK, but still needs help, and will give the GPS coordinates of where he/she is located.

I relate this to school and ask the students:
What kinds of things do we need help with in school? (homework, tests, problems, etc.)
Who do you ask for help? (Teacher)
What is an appropriate way to ask for help when you are in the classroom? (Raise hand)

I then discuss how much time it may take for a person that gets a HELP message to get to the SPOT user. That person isn't magic and can't get there in a snap of a finger. It is going to take some time, preparation, and the SPOT user is going to have to be patient.

I relate this to students waiting for their teacher and it will take some time before the teacher can get around to all of those needing help.

I discuss the difference between asking for help in the classroom vs. asking for help out at recess and what is appropriate depending on your situation. I tell the students that it doesn't make sense to raise your hand when you are outside because then the person you need help from, may not see you!

Last, I have the students write in their counselor notebook about the lesson relating to SPOT and give them 4 things to remember when asking for help!

S = Speak up

P = Point out

O = be Optimistic of the outcome

T = Thank