Lesson Plan
Connection Architect Plan
To help 3rd-grade students identify and practice specific ways to connect and build stronger, positive relationships with individual family members.
Strong family relationships provide a sense of security, belonging, and support, which are crucial for a child's emotional well-being and development. This lesson empowers students to actively contribute to a more harmonious family environment.
Audience
3rd Grade Student
Time
40 minutes
Approach
Through discussion, a visual aid, a hands-on activity, and personal reflection.
Materials
Whiteboard or chart paper, Markers, Creating Strong Family Ties Slide Deck, Building Blocks (or similar manipulatives for the activity), Bridge Builder Challenge Activity, and A Special Moment With... Journal
Prep
Preparation
15 minutes
- Review the Connection Architect Plan Lesson Plan and all generated materials (Creating Strong Family Ties Slide Deck, Bridge Builder Challenge Activity, A Special Moment With... Journal).
- Gather building blocks or similar manipulatives for the 'Bridge Builder Challenge'.
- Ensure access to a whiteboard or chart paper and markers.
- Prepare a comfortable and private space for the individual counseling session.
Step 1
Introduction: What Connects Us?
5 minutes
- Begin by welcoming the student and explaining that today's session is about exploring how to build really strong connections with the special people in their family.
- Ask: "What does it mean to feel connected to someone? How do you know when you have a strong connection with a family member?"
- Introduce the idea of 'Building Family Bridges' as a way to make these connections even stronger.
Step 2
Exploring Connection Ideas
10 minutes
- Use the Creating Strong Family Ties Slide Deck to guide a discussion on different ways to connect with family members (e.g., spending one-on-one time, helping out, talking, listening, showing appreciation).
- Discuss each idea and ask the student for their own examples of how they currently do these things or how they could start.
- Emphasize that even small actions can make a big difference.
Step 3
Bridge Builder Challenge
15 minutes
- Introduce the Bridge Builder Challenge Activity.
- Explain that each building block represents a positive interaction or an effort to connect with a family member.
- Have the student choose a specific family member they want to focus on for this challenge.
- Guide them in brainstorming 3-5 specific actions they can take to build a stronger connection with that family member this week.
- As they come up with each idea, have them add a building block to create a physical 'bridge' using the manipulatives.
- Encourage them to think about how they will do each action and when.
Step 4
Reflection and Closing
10 minutes
- Distribute the A Special Moment With... Journal.
- Guide the student to reflect on their chosen family member and the actions they identified in the 'Bridge Builder Challenge'.
- Have them complete the journal prompts, encouraging them to think about the positive impact of their efforts.
- Conclude by affirming their efforts and emphasizing that building strong family bridges takes practice and kindness, and that every effort makes a difference.
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Slide Deck
Building Family Bridges
What connects us?
- Think about your family.
- Who makes you feel happy?
- What makes your family special?
Start by welcoming students and introducing the topic of family connections. Ask them to think about someone in their family they feel really connected to, or want to connect with more.
What's a Family Bridge?
A 'Family Bridge' is...
- Ways we connect with family members.
- Little things we do to show we care.
- Making our family relationships strong and happy!
Explain that building connections is like building a bridge. Each kind act or positive interaction is like adding a block to the bridge, making it stronger.
1. Spend Time Together
How can you spend time?
- Play a game.
- Read a book together.
- Help with a chore (like cooking or gardening!).
- Go for a walk.
Discuss how spending time together helps. Ask students for ideas on what they could do with a family member. Encourage them to think about things the other person might enjoy.
2. Talk & Really Listen
Listen with your ears AND your heart!
- Ask about their day.
- Share about your day.
- Listen to their stories.
- Ask questions!
Talk about the importance of listening and talking. Ask students how they show someone they are listening. Emphasize asking questions and sharing their own day.
3. Show You Care
How can you show kindness?
- Say "Thank You!"
- Give a compliment.
- Offer to help.
- Give a hug (if they like hugs!).
- Draw a picture.
Discuss showing appreciation and kindness. Ask for examples of how they can show they care – a thank you, a small drawing, a hug.
Building Your Bridge!
Remember to:
- Spend Time Together
- Talk & Really Listen
- Show You Care
Which one will you try this week?
Summarize the key ways to build bridges and transition to the activity.
My Special Moment
Let's plan a special moment!
- Choose one family member.
- Think of something special you can do with them.
- Write it down in your journal!
Introduce the journal activity as a way to reflect and plan for a special moment.
Activity
Bridge Builder Challenge: Strengthening Family Connections
Goal: To help you plan specific actions to build a stronger connection with a family member.
Instructions:
- Choose a Family Member: Think of one special person in your family you want to build a stronger bridge with. (e.g., a parent, grandparent, sibling, aunt, uncle).
- What will your bridge look like? We are going to build a physical bridge using blocks! Each block represents a positive action you can take.
- Brainstorm Bridge Blocks: Let's think of 3-5 specific, small actions you can take this week to connect with that family member. These could be:
- Spending time together (playing a game, reading, doing a chore side-by-side).
- Talking and really listening (asking about their day, sharing about yours).
- Showing you care (a thank you, a compliment, a small help, a hug).
- Build Your Bridge! As you think of each action, write it on a piece of paper (or say it out loud) and then add a building block to your bridge. See how tall and strong you can make it!
- Example: "I will ask Dad about his favorite part of work today." (Add a block)
- Example: "I will offer to help my sister set the table for dinner." (Add a block)
- Your Challenge: Try to complete these actions during the week! Each time you do one, you're making your family bridge stronger.
Journal
A Special Moment With...
Sometimes, the best way to build a strong connection with someone is to plan a special moment just for them, or with them!
Think about one family member you want to connect with even more. It could be a parent, a grandparent, a sibling, an aunt, an uncle, or anyone special in your family.
My Special Family Member Is:
What makes this person special to me?
What is one specific thing I can do to have a special moment or build a stronger connection with them this week?
(Think about spending time, talking, listening, or showing you care!)
How do I think this special moment will make them feel? How do I think it will make me feel?