Asking for help is a crucial skill for students to develop, as it fosters independence and effective communication. In this blog post, we will discuss an engaging no-prep activity that educators can use to teach middle school students how to ask for help. We will also provide discussion questions to further explore this important topic and mention related skills that can be developed alongside asking for help.

Introduction

Learning to ask for help is an essential part of a student’s academic and social development. It encourages self-awareness, problem-solving, and effective communication. By teaching students how to ask for help, educators can help them become more confident and independent learners, as well as improve their interpersonal relationships. This guide will focus on an easy-to-implement activity for middle school students, followed by discussion questions and related skills.

No-Prep Activity

This no-prep activity is called “Help Me Out” and can be easily incorporated into any classroom setting. Here’s how it works:

1. Divide the class into pairs. Each pair should consist of a “Student” and a “Teacher.”
2. Provide the “Students” with a list of common academic or social situations in which they might need help (e.g., not understanding a math problem, needing assistance with a group project, or feeling overwhelmed by an assignment).
3. Ask the “Students” to choose one situation from the list and practice asking their “Teacher” for help using clear and concise language. Encourage them to be specific about what they need help with.
4. The “Teachers” should then respond with empathy and offer guidance or support.
5. After a few minutes, have the pairs switch roles and repeat the process.
6. Once all pairs have completed the activity, bring the class together for a group discussion.

This activity allows students to practice asking for help in a safe and controlled environment, while also helping them to develop empathy and active listening skills.

Discussion Questions

After completing the “Help Me Out” activity, use the following discussion questions to stimulate further conversations around asking for help:

1. Why is it important to ask for help when you’re struggling with something?
2. How can asking for help improve your communication and problem-solving skills?
3. What are some strategies for asking for help effectively and respectfully?
4. How did it feel to be in the role of the “Teacher” during the activity? How did it feel to be in the role of the “Student”?
5. What can you do to make it easier for others to ask you for help?

Related Skills

Teaching middle school students to ask for help is just one aspect of their social-emotional learning journey. Here are some other related skills that can be developed alongside asking for help:

• Active listening
• Empathy
• Self-awareness
• Assertiveness
• Resilience

Next Steps

If you’re interested in exploring more activities and resources to help your middle school students develop essential social-emotional skills, sign up for free samples of our skill-based materials. By incorporating these strategies into your teaching practice, you can help your students become more effective communicators, problem solvers, and independent learners.