Huh? Asking When You Don't Understand
Seven moments where the student did not understand something. They choose a clear way to ask.
The teacher talks fast and you miss the directions. What could you say?
Session summary (SOAP)
Stays on this screen. Nothing is saved or sent.
Mark a card Correct, Correct with cue or Incorrect and the summary writes itself here.
How to run it
Read each moment aloud and act as the speaker, then let the student choose and say the question to you. Respond helpfully every time so asking is rewarded. Afterwards, practice in a real task: give directions a little fast on purpose and wait for the student to ask. Name the different kinds of questions: say it again, what does it mean, show me, which one.
Cueing ladder
Start at the top. Add support one step at a time.
- IndependentSet up the situation and wait for the student to respond on their own.Log as correct
- Nonverbal cueUse a look, a gesture or a point to the visual cue card.Log as cued
- Indirect promptAsk 'What could you say now?' or 'What might they be thinking?'Log as cued
- ModelShow what to say or do, then run the moment again so the student can try it.Log as cued
Adjust it
Offer two repairs to choose from, and play the confused listener with a clear huh? signal.
Signal confusion with only a look, and expect the student to notice and repair without a prompt.
Matching IEP goal
Given conversation scenarios, Student will choose or produce a repair (rephrasing, adding detail or asking a clarifying question) when a listener or speaker is confused in 8 of 10 opportunities across 3 consecutive sessions, given no more than an indirect prompt.
Send it home through the parent portal →About this activity
Seven moments where the student did not understand: fast directions, a friend's usual spot, a coach's new word, a noisy cafeteria, grandpa's that one, three steps with only one remembered, confusing game rules. The student chooses a clear way to ask. Asking for clarification is one of the most useful things a student can say, and many students guess or stay quiet instead.
What to listen for
Notice whether the student chooses guessing or nodding options, which can mean asking feels risky. Listen for specific questions rather than general ones like what? Notice whether the student asks for the part they missed, as in what was the second step, which is more efficient than asking for everything again. Real-time asking is the goal.
Carrying it home
At home, welcome questions and thank the child for asking. When you give directions, invite questions: what do you want me to say again? Model it yourself: I did not catch that, could you say it again? Children who see adults ask without embarrassment are more likely to ask at school.
What's in this activity
- The teacher talks fast and you miss the directions. What could you say?
- Could you say that again more slowly?
- I already know
- Say nothing and guess
- Your friend says meet me at the usual spot and you are not sure where. What could you ask?
- Do you mean the swings or the bench?
- What time is it?
- Do you like recess?
- Your coach uses a word you do not know. What could you ask?
- What does that word mean?
- Can I go home?
- Nothing. Just nod
- It is too noisy in the cafeteria to hear your friend. What could you say?
- Sorry. I did not hear you. Can you say it again?
- Yeah sure
- Stop talking
- Grandpa asks you to bring that one and you do not know which. What could you ask?
- Which one? The big one or the small one?
- Why?
- Later
- The directions have three steps and you only remember one. What could you say?
- What was the second step?
- I am done
- This is too easy
- Your friend explains a new game and the rules are confusing. What could you say?
- Can you show me how?
- That game is boring
- I will just watch
Questions
- Who is this for?
- Students in grades 1 through 4 learning to ask for clarification when they do not understand, including students who tend to guess or stay quiet.
- Can I change the items?
- Yes. Open it in the Activity Studio, edit or add items and keep the same board, or switch it to another template that fits the content.
- Is it free?
- Yes. It plays free in the browser with no login. An account adds session data, goal scoring and assignment to a student.
Use this board with your caseload
With a free account, every correct, cued and incorrect mark is saved to the student and scored against their IEP goal, with the data written up for you. Assign it as home practice through the parent portal.
Track progress freeFree for SLPs. No card, no trial clock.