Tipping Point Slides The Tipping Point
Knowing When to Try and When to Ask
Lesson 1 Help Highway
The Problem Road
Sometimes we are driving along on our work, and we hit a bump.
"I don't know this word."
What do you do first?
Do we stop right away, or try to go around?
Try 3 Strategies First!
1
Try Again
Read the instructions one more time slowly.
2
Look Around
Check the board or your folder for a hint.
3
New Way
Try a different tool (like a counter or a drawing).
The Tipping Point
The Tipping Point is the moment you have tried your best but you are still stuck.
Stuck
Ask for Help
If you've tried 3 ways, it's time to ASK!
Try or Ask?
Scenario 1
You are writing a sentence and don't know how to spell "elephant". You haven't looked at the word wall yet.
ASK TRY
Scenario 2
You tried reading the instructions 3 times. You checked your anchor chart. You are still confused.
ASK TRY
Try It Tracker Worksheet The Try-It Tracker
Obstacle Problem-Solving: Lesson 1
Name:
Date:
Before you ask for help, try the 3-Step Challenge ! Use this tracker when you get stuck on a task.
My 3-Step Challenge
1
Read Again
Check the directions slowly.
2
Look for Clues
Check the board or wall.
3
Try One Way
Try solving it with a drawing.
Should I ASK or TRY?
Read each scenario. Circle the best choice.
I haven't started my work because I forgot what my teacher said. I haven't looked at the board yet.
ASK TRY
I tried reading the word twice. I looked at the picture. I asked a neighbor. I'm still stuck.
ASK TRY
I can't find my eraser. It might be in my desk, but I only looked in my pencil box.
ASK TRY
Show your "Tipping Point"
Draw yourself using a tool or strategy before you ask for help!
Effort Jar Teacher Guide Effort Jar Guide
Lesson 1: Hook and Facilitation Guide
The Hook: The Effort Jar
The "Effort Jar" is a visual metaphor for cognitive load and perseverance. It helps students visualize that we only ask for help when we have "filled our jar" with attempts.
Materials Needed
Clear plastic jar
Blue marbles or stones ("Attempts")
One gold marble ("Help")
Key Concept
"We ask for help when our effort jar is full. Asking is the last step of solving, not the first."
Facilitation Script
1. The Empty Jar
"Class, this is my Effort Jar. When I start a task, like a math worksheet, my jar is empty. If I hit a problem and immediately say 'I can't do it', should I put the gold 'Help' marble in?" (Wait for No)
2. Adding the Effort
"Let's say I read the directions again. (Add 1 blue marble). Then I look at my anchor chart. (Add 1 blue marble). Then I try to draw it. (Add 1 blue marble). Look! My jar is getting full of effort!"
3. The Tipping Point
"I've tried 3 things and I'm still stuck. NOW my jar is full. This is the Tipping Point. Now, the gold marble can go in! This marble represents a specific question for a helper."
Discussion & Reflection
Wait Time Practice
Model waiting for 10 seconds before putting in a marble. Encourage students to "count to 10" when they feel frustration rising.
The "Quick-Ask" Habit
Discuss: "Why is it sometimes harder to try than to ask?" (Fear of being wrong, feeling tired). Validate these feelings while reinforcing the jar metaphor.
Scaffolding for SPED
Use physical marbles for individual students who struggle with impulse control. They must hand you 3 blue "effort" tokens before they can ask a question.
Helper Map Slides The Helper Map
Who can help me solve my problem?
Lesson 2 Help Highway
The Teacher Traffic Jam
If everyone asks the teacher the same question at the same time, what happens?
TRAFFIC JAM!
Waiting in line means you aren't learning. We need other roads!
How can we clear the jam?
Ask 3 Before Me!
Me
Check my brain, my work, and the board.
Peer
Ask a neighbor who is working quietly.
Map
Check the word wall or anchor charts.
"If those 3 roads are blocked, then come to the Teacher!"
The Right Helper
Ask a Friend When...
You need a pencil or paper
You forgot what page we are on
You can't find a word on the wall
Ask a Teacher When...
The instructions don't make sense
Something is broken or unsafe
You tried 3 strategies and you're stuck
Detective Challenge
Think: Who is closest? Who knows the answer? Who is free to talk?
Helper Challenge!
Scenario 1: You can't find your glue stick.
Do you ask: A) The Teacher or B) Your Neighbor?
Scenario 2: You don't understand how to do the math problem.
Do you ask: A) The Teacher or B) Your Neighbor?
Helper Map Worksheet The Help Map Sorting Game
Obstacle Problem-Solving: Lesson 2
Name:
Date:
Look at the scenarios below. Decide who the Best Helper is for each one. Draw a line to match!
The Problem
"I need to use the restroom."
"My pencil lead broke."
"I forgot what page we are on."
"I am stuck on Question #3."
The Helper
A Neighbor
The Teacher
A Neighbor
The Teacher
The "3 Before Me" Check
Write down 3 things you can check BEFORE you walk to the teacher's desk.
1
2
3
Helper Reference Cards Ask a Neighbor
"What page are we on?"
"Can I borrow a pencil?"
"Where is the glue?"
Remember: Whisper to a friend who is working!
Ask a Teacher
"I'm still stuck after 3 tries."
"I don't understand the task."
"I need to leave the room."
Wait for a break or use your signal!
Check the Room
Look at Anchor Charts
Look at the Board
Look at the Word Wall
The answer might be right there!
Ask 3
Before Me!
1 Check Your Brain
2 Check the Room
3 Check a Peer
Specificity Robot Slides The Specificity Robot
Learning the language of asking for help
Lesson 3 Help Highway
Meet Robo-Helper
"Beep... boop... I can help you, but only if your command is specific."
Error! Generic Request:
"I don't get it." / "I can't do this."
Success! Specific Request:
"I don't know the word in Step 1."
Processing...
The 2-Part Command
1
The Obstacle
"I am stuck on Question #2 because..."
2
The Action
"Can you show me how to start?"
Upgrade Your Request!
Original
"I can't do math."
This doesn't tell the helper what is wrong.
Upgraded
"I don't know if I should add or subtract here."
Now the helper knows EXACTLY what to do!
Can You Beat the Robot?
The Robot is stuck on Step 4 of the art project. He doesn't know where to put the glitter.
Sentence Stem:
"I am stuck on __________ because __________."
Try saying it to a partner!
Specificity Robot Worksheet The Specificity Upgrade
Obstacle Problem-Solving: Lesson 3
Name:
Date:
Upgrade Your Code!
Robots don't understand "I'm stuck." They need The Obstacle and The Action . Use the stems below to upgrade your help requests!
Step 1: Name the Obstacle
If you're stuck on a word...
"I don't know how to read/spell..."
If you're stuck on math...
"I don't know if I should add or..."
If you're stuck on directions...
"I don't know what to do after..."
If you're stuck on tools...
"I can't find my..."
Upgrade Training
Buggy Code (Old Way)
"I can't find my paper."
Upgrade to (New Way):
"I checked my desk and my folder, but..."
Buggy Code (Old Way)
"I'm confused about math."
Upgrade to (New Way):
"I don't understand how to solve question..."
Design Your Specificity Robot
Draw a robot that only listens to VERY clear instructions!
Robot Mantra
"Clear words make help fast!"
Silent Signals Slides Silent Signals
Asking for help without saying a word
Lesson 4 Help Highway
Why Use Silent Signals?
Brain Break
Sometimes our voice is "too tired" to find the right words when we are frustrated.
No Interruption
It lets the teacher know you need help without stopping the whole class.
Silence is a Power!
The Desk Signal Colors
Green
"I'm good! I'm moving along."
Yellow
"I'm working, but I have a question soon."
Red
"Stop! I am stuck and need help now."
Universal Hand Signals
☝️
One Finger: Bathroom
I need to use the restroom quickly.
✌️
Two Fingers: Supplies
I need a pencil, paper, or tissue.
✋
Whole Hand: Question
"I have a specific question about my work."
Silent Mission
We are going to work for 5 minutes with ZERO VOICES.
Watch for the Teacher's nod!
Flip your desk card to RED if you get stuck!
Ready? 3... 2... 1... Silent Mission Start!
Desk Signal Cards Help Desk Signal Cards
Cut these out and stack them on your desk with a ring or tape. Flip to the color that matches your feeling!
I'M GOOD
"Keep going! I don't need help right now."
I'M THINKING
"I have a question, but I can keep working for now."
I'M STUCK
"Stop! I need help to move to the next step."
Pro Tip: Laminate these for daily use!
Action Heroes Slides Action Heroes Guide
Putting your self-advocacy skills into action!
Lesson 5 Help Highway
Your Action Script
1
"I have tried 3 ways to solve this..."
2
"I am stuck on __________ because __________."
3
"Can you show me how to __________?"
Challenge Card #1
The Problem:
You are painting a tree. You can't find the brown paint anywhere. You checked the supply bin and asked your neighbor.
What do you do next?
Act it Out!
Use your specific request words to ask the teacher for paint.
Challenge Card #2
Act it Out!
Show how you check the board and your notes first.
The Problem:
You are on Question #10. It says "Subtract the smaller number." You don't know which number is smaller.
Ask a friend first or the teacher?
Advocacy Hero!
You know when to try, who to ask, and how to speak up!
"Asking for help is a sign of strength!"
Advocacy Comic Strip Activity The Advocacy Adventure Comic
Obstacle Problem-Solving: Lesson 5 Final Activity
Name:
Draw a story of a time you hit a bump in the road. Show how you used your 3-Step Challenge and then Asked for Help !
1. The Problem
What was the obstacle?
2. My 3 Tries
What did you try first?
3. Asking Time
Who did you ask? What did you say?
4. Problem Solved
How did it end?
Advocacy Word Bank
Obstacle
Specific
3 Before Me
Stuck
Try Again
Helper
Advocacy Role Play Cards Self-Advocacy Role-Play Cards
Lesson 5: Scenarios for Simulation
Teacher Instructions
Cut out the cards below.
Assign students to pairs: one as the Student and one as the Helper (Teacher or Peer).
The Student must demonstrate the "Try First" steps before making a "Specific Request".
1
The Invisible Glue
Setting: Art Time
Obstacle: Your glue stick is completely empty. You checked your pencil box and under your desk.
Challenge:
Ask a neighbor for a glue stick without using your voice (if using Lesson 4 skills).
2
The Word Wall Maze
Setting: Writing Block
Obstacle: You want to spell the word "Through". You looked at the word wall but can't find the letter T section.
Challenge:
Use a specific request for the teacher: "I can't find the letter T on the wall."
3
The Math Muddle
Setting: Math Center
Obstacle: You don't know if you should count up or count back on the number line for Question 5.
Challenge:
Show the 3-Step Challenge : Check your notes, check the board, ask a peer.
4
The Lost Page
Setting: Reading Circle
Obstacle: The teacher said "Turn to page 42" but your book only goes up to page 40.
Challenge:
Identify the Tipping Point . Is this a time to TRY or ASK?
