Teacher Script: Asking for Help

Introduction & Warm-Up (5 minutes)

(Display Ask for Help Slide Deck - Slide 1)

"Good morning/afternoon, everyone! Today, we're going to talk about a really important skill that all of us use, or need to use, every single day: asking for help. We've all been in situations where things feel tough, whether it's with homework, a friendship problem, or just figuring out a new game."

(Display Ask for Help Slide Deck - Slide 2)

"To get us started, I want you to think about those moments. When do you find yourself needing help? It could be in school, at home, with friends, or even with something personal. I'm going to hand out a quick Warm-Up: When Do We Need Help? sheet. Take about two to three minutes to jot down as many situations as you can think of where you've needed, or might need, some help."

"Alright, let's hear some of your ideas. Who would like to share a situation where they realized they needed help? (Call on 3-4 students). Great examples! It's clear we all face situations where a little extra support can make a big difference."

Why Asking for Help is Important (7 minutes)

(Display Ask for Help Slide Deck - Slide 3)

"Often, we think asking for help means we aren't smart enough, or that we should be able to do everything on our own. But actually, it's the opposite! Asking for help is a huge sign of strength. Why do you think that is? Turn and talk to a partner for about 30 seconds: Why is asking for help a sign of strength?"

"(Bring class back together) What did you and your partner discuss? (Call on 2-3 students). Excellent points! When you ask for help, you're showing self-awareness, you're being proactive, and you're taking responsibility for your own learning and well-being. It can help you learn faster, solve problems more easily, and even reduce stress and frustration."

(Display Ask for Help Slide Deck - Slide 4)

"Now, even though it's so beneficial, many of us still find it hard. What are some of the reasons you might hesitate to ask for help? (Allow students to share, guiding them if needed to common fears like looking silly, bothering someone, embarrassment, or not knowing who to ask). Those are all very normal feelings! We're going to talk about how we can overcome those feelings by having a plan."

How to Ask for Help (8 minutes)

(Display Ask for Help Slide Deck - Slide 5)

"So, how do we actually do it effectively? It's a skill, just like anything else, and it gets easier with practice. Here are three key things to remember:

1. Identify WHO can help: Think about who is the best person for the specific type of help you need. Is it a teacher, a friend, a parent, a counselor, a coach, or a librarian? Different problems might need different helpers.

2. Be clear about WHAT you need: Don't just say 'I don't get it.' Try to pinpoint what specifically you're stuck on. Do you have a specific question? Do you need a concept explained differently? Do you need a quiet space to work? The more specific you are, the easier it is for someone to help you.

3. Ask politely and respectfully: Use your words to show respect and appreciation for the person's time. Phrases like 'Could you please help me with...?' or 'I'm stuck on this part, would you mind showing me...?' work well."

(Display Ask for Help Slide Deck - Slide 6)

"Let's look at a couple of examples. (Read examples on slide). Notice how the 'try' examples are specific and respectful. Can anyone give me another example of how they might rephrase 'I need help with my math homework' to be more specific?"

"(Call on a student). Excellent! Being clear really helps the other person understand how to best support you."

Activity: Help-Seeking Scenarios (7 minutes)

"Now it's your turn to practice! I'm going to give each of you (or each pair/small group) a Activity: Help-Seeking Scenarios sheet with a different situation on it. Your task is to work together (or individually) to figure out how you would ask for help in that specific scenario. Remember to think about: WHO you would ask, WHAT specific help you need, and HOW you would phrase your request. You have about 5 minutes for this."

"(After 5 minutes) Let's have a few groups share their scenarios and how they decided to ask for help. (Call on 2-3 groups). Fantastic job everyone! You're already applying these strategies."

Conclusion & Cool-Down (3 minutes)

(Display Ask for Help Slide Deck - Slide 7)

"To wrap things up today, remember that asking for help is not just okay, it's a superpower that can make your life easier and help you grow. Everyone needs help sometimes, and you now have some tools to ask for it effectively."

"For our Cool-Down: My Help Plan, I want each of you to quickly write down one strategy you learned today that you'll try to use, or one person you know you can go to when you need help. This is for you to reflect on and keep in mind."

"Thank you all for an insightful discussion today. Keep practicing these skills, and don't hesitate to reach out when you need to!"

Warm-Up: When Do We Need Help?

Instructions: Think about a time when you felt stuck, confused, or overwhelmed. What was the situation? What made it difficult? Below, list as many different situations as you can think of where you might need to ask for help.

Academic Situations (e.g., homework, understanding a concept):

Social Situations (e.g., problems with friends, group projects):

Personal Situations (e.g., feeling upset, managing tasks):

Activity: Help-Seeking Scenarios

Instructions: Read the scenario below. Then, use the "Who, What, How" strategy to plan how you would effectively ask for help in this situation. Be specific!

Scenario 1: The Confusing Math Problem

You're working on your math homework, and you've been staring at problem #7 for 15 minutes. You've re-read the textbook explanation, but it still doesn't make sense. You're starting to feel frustrated and worried you won't finish the assignment.

• WHO would you ask for help? (Be specific: e.g., "My math teacher, Ms. Rodriguez")
  
  
  
• WHAT specific help do you need? (e.g., "I need help understanding how to find the variable in this type of equation.")
  
  
  
  
• HOW would you ask? (Write out your exact sentence or question.)
  
  
  
  
  
  

Scenario 2: Group Project Troubles

Your group project is due next week, and one of your group members hasn't completed any of their assigned tasks. You've tried reminding them, but they keep saying they'll "get to it." You're worried your group will get a bad grade because of this.

• WHO would you ask for help?
  
  
  
• WHAT specific help do you need?
  
  
  
  
• HOW would you ask?
  
  
  
  
  
  

Scenario 3: Feeling Left Out

Lately, your usual group of friends has been making plans without you. You feel sad and a bit confused, and you're not sure why this is happening. You want to talk to someone about it but don't know where to start.

• WHO would you ask for help?
  
  
  
• WHAT specific help do you need?
  
  
  
  
• HOW would you ask?
  
  
  
  
  
  

Scenario 4: A New Skill Challenge

You're trying to learn a new skill, like playing a musical instrument or coding, but you've hit a really difficult part. You're losing motivation and feel like giving up because you can't figure out how to progress.

• WHO would you ask for help?
  
  
  
• WHAT specific help do you need?
  
  
  
  
• HOW would you ask?
  
  
  
  
  
  

Cool-Down: My Help Plan

Instructions: Take a moment to reflect on today's lesson. Complete the statements below.

1. One new strategy I learned today for asking for help is...
   
   
   
   

2. A specific person (or type of person) I can ask for help when I feel stuck is...
   
   
   
   

3. In what situation might I try to use my new help-seeking superpower soon?