# Lesson 212: Helping classmates

❤️ SOCIAL EMOTIONAL LEARNING (40 Lessons) • 🔵 B. Understanding Others

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## Objective

I can notice when a classmate might need help and offer help kindly. I can ask first, listen to the answer, and know when it is better to ask an adult for help.

## Materials

- Plain paper or a notebook page
- Crayons or colored pencils
- Optional: star or hand stickers to mark helping choices

## Mini-lesson — What does it mean to help classmates?

In a classroom, we are part of a team. Classmates can help each other so that everyone can learn.

Helping means making a job easier

- Picking up crayons that fell on the floor.
- Showing a classmate where to put papers away.
- Walking with a friend who feels nervous.

We ask before we help

- We can say, "Do you want some help?"
- Or, "I can help you carry this if you like."
- If they say "no", we respect their choice.

Safe and kind helping

- Use gentle hands and quiet voices.
- Help with small tasks like tidying or showing.
- Do not lift people or run while holding sharp objects.

Helping is not doing all the work

- We do not write answers for classmates.
- We can show how to do something, then let them try.
- This helps everyone learn and feel proud.

When to ask an adult for help

- When someone is hurt or crying hard.
- When a problem feels too big to fix alone.
- When we see unsafe behaviour, like pushing or fighting.

Adults can model simple helping scripts and point out real moments when classmates help each other well.

Picture strip: "I can help you."

## Guided Practice — Helping scripts

You and an adult will practise short helping scripts to use in the classroom.

1. On a notebook page, draw three speech bubbles in a column. Number them 1, 2, and 3.
2. In bubble 1, the adult helps you write or trace: "Do you want some help?"
3. In bubble 2, write or trace: "I can show you how, then you can try."
4. In bubble 3, choose a sentence for when you need an adult, such as: "I will tell the teacher so they can help." Write or trace it in the bubble.
5. Next to each speech bubble, draw two simple stick figures (you and a classmate) showing the helping moment.
6. Practise reading the three bubbles aloud with the adult. The adult can switch roles so you practise being the person who offers help and the person who receives help.

Tracing Pad
Lines
Trace
Pen

## Practice — Helping hands chart

Use this practice to help your child notice real ways they can help classmates during the week.

1. On a new page, draw a large hand in the middle with five fingers. Inside the palm, write or trace: "Helping hands in our class".
2. On each finger, write or trace one small helping idea, such as: "pick up books", "share crayons", "show where things go", "walk with a friend", or "ask the teacher to help".
3. Around the hand, draw tiny pictures that match each helping idea. For example, a book pile, crayons, a backpack, or two children walking.
4. Talk with the child: "Which helping idea feels easiest to try first?" and "When should we ask an adult instead of helping by ourselves?"
5. During the week, the adult can quietly notice and point out: "That was a helping hand when you held the door." Add a star or sticker near that finger on the chart.
6. At the end of the week, look at the chart together and celebrate one helping moment the child feels proud of.

## Quick Check — Helping classmates

Answer each question about noticing when to help, offering help kindly, and asking an adult when a problem is too big.

1) What does it mean to help a classmate?

Doing all their work so they never try. Making a job easier in a kind and safe way. Telling them what to do in a bossy voice.
Helping means making a job easier, kindly and safely.

2) What is a good helping question to ask?

"Do you want some help?" "You have to let me help." "Move, I am doing it."
Asking, "Do you want some help?" is kind and respectful.

3) Your classmate drops their pencil case and things spill. What could you do?

Laugh and walk away. Kick the crayons further. Ask, "Do you want help picking these up?"
Offering to help pick things up is a kind choice.

4) Your classmate says, "No, I am okay." after you offer help. What could you say?

"You have to let me help." "Okay, if you change your mind, I am here." "Fine, I will never help you."
We respect their choice and stay kind.

5) Which is a safe helping choice?

Walking slowly while you carry books together. Running and pushing while holding scissors. Climbing on chairs to hang things alone.
Helping should be safe for you and your classmate.

6) Your friend is hurt and crying on the playground. What should you do?

Tell them to stop crying and walk away. Try to carry them by yourself. Stay with them and call an adult to help.
Big problems need adult help; you can stay with your friend.

7) Your classmate does not understand a worksheet. What is a helpful choice?

Give them all the answers to copy. Show one example and say, "Now you try this one." Tell them they are bad at work.
Showing how and then letting them try helps them learn.

8) Which words fit a helping classroom best?

"please", "thank you", "you are welcome" "move", "mine", "do it" "I do not care", "go away"
Polite words show kindness and respect when we help.

9) When might it be best to get an adult instead of helping by yourself?

When a friend asks you to share a crayon. When you want to tell a joke. When you see pushing, fighting, or someone is hurt.
Adults should help with unsafe or very big problems.

10) What is one big goal of this lesson?

To make classmates do all of our jobs. To learn kind and safe ways to help classmates. To never ask adults for help.
The goal is to help classmates in kind, safe, respectful ways.

## Assessment (parent/teacher)

Student can explain in simple words what it means to help a classmate. Student can use at least one helping script (for example, "Do you want some help?"). Student understands that helping should be kind and safe. Student knows they should not do all of a classmate's work for them. Student can say one time when they should ask an adult to help instead.

## Exit ticket (student)

😀 I can notice and help classmates in kind, safe ways. 🙂 I know some helping ideas, but I want more practice. 😅 Helping classmates still feels a bit tricky for me.

#### Next time I will practise…

Asking, "Do you want some help?" Using safe hands when I help Telling an adult when a problem is too big
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