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Building Your Support Team

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Lesson Plan

Building Your Support Team

Each student will be able to create a personal support plan identifying two trusted adults they can talk to when feeling angry.

Learning to identify and utilize a support system is crucial for managing strong emotions like anger. This lesson empowers students to take a proactive approach to their emotional well-being by building a network of trusted adults.

Audience

6th Grade Students (Tier 2 - Small Group)

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Interactive discussion, individual planning, and group sharing.

Materials

Your Support Superheroes Slides, My Personal Support Plan Worksheet, and Check-in / Check-out Form Activity

Prep

Prepare Materials

10 minutes

Step 1

Warm-Up: Who's On Your Team?

5 minutes

  • Begin with a brief discussion: "When you're trying to achieve a goal, who do you rely on for help? Think about sports, school projects, or even learning a new skill."
    - Introduce the idea of a 'support team' for emotions, specifically when feeling angry. (Refer to Your Support Superheroes Slides Slide 2)

Step 2

Guided Discussion: When to Ask for Help

10 minutes

  • Lead a discussion using questions like: "Why is it important to talk to someone when you're angry?" and "What makes an adult a 'trusted adult'?"
    - Discuss the key concepts: seeking help, trusted adults, support systems, self-advocacy, and maintaining self-control. (Refer to Your Support Superheroes Slides Slides 3-5)

Step 3

Activity: Create a Personal Support Plan

10 minutes

Step 4

Group Coaching: Sharing Our Plans

3 minutes

  • Invite students to voluntarily share one trusted adult from their plan (without going into details about why they chose them).
    - Emphasize that having a plan is a sign of strength and self-awareness.

Step 5

Wrap-Up: Curriculum Review Game

2 minutes

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Slide Deck

Building Your Support Team

Who helps you when things get tough?

Let's talk about building your team!

Welcome students and introduce the topic of building a support team for emotions.

Who's On Your Team?

Think about a time you had a goal. Who did you rely on for help?

  • Learning a new game?
  • Finishing a project?
  • Trying something difficult?

Now, who helps you when you have strong feelings?

Facilitate a brief discussion. Ask students to share examples of people they rely on for different goals (e.g., sports coach, study buddy). Transition to thinking about emotional support.

When is it important to talk?

Why is it important to talk to someone when you're feeling angry?

  • What happens if you keep it all inside?
  • How can talking help?

Initiate a discussion about why it's important to talk about anger rather than keeping it inside. Emphasize that anger is a normal emotion, but how we manage it is key.

What Makes a Trusted Adult?

Who are the adults in your life you feel safe talking to?

What qualities do they have?

  • Good listener?
  • Understand your feelings?
  • Gives helpful advice?
  • Someone you trust?

Guide students to define what a 'trusted adult' means to them. Prompt them to think about qualities like listening, understanding, and giving good advice. Provide examples like parents, guardians, teachers, counselors, coaches, or other family members.

Your Support Superpowers!

Let's explore some key ideas:

  • Seeking Help: Knowing when and how to ask for support.
  • Trusted Adults: People you can rely on.
  • Support Systems: Your network of helpers.
  • Self-Advocacy: Speaking up for yourself and your needs.
  • Maintaining Self-Control: How a support system can help with this.

Review the key concepts, ensuring students understand each one. Explain how these concepts tie into managing anger and building a support system.

Create Your Personal Support Plan

It's time to build your own team!

Take out your "My Personal Support Plan" worksheet.

  • Identify at least two trusted adults.
  • Think about how you can reach them.
  • Remember, this plan is for you!

Explain the worksheet activity. Give clear instructions on completing the 'My Personal Support Plan' worksheet. Encourage them to think deeply about who they can choose and why.

Your Plan: Your Strength!

Who's on your team? (Optional sharing)

Why is having a support team important for managing anger?

Remember: Having a plan is a sign of strength!

Facilitate the group sharing, reminding students they only need to share if they feel comfortable. Conclude by reiterating the importance of having a plan and asking the wrap-up question.

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Worksheet

My Personal Support Plan: When Anger Strikes!

Sometimes, big feelings like anger can be hard to handle on your own. That's why it's super important to have a support team – people you can talk to and trust. Your support plan will help you remember who those people are and how to reach them when you need help.

Part 1: Identifying Your Support Superheroes

Think about the adults in your life who make you feel safe, understood, and supported. These are your 'Support Superheroes'!

  1. Trusted Adult #1:

    • Who is this person? (e.g., parent, guardian, teacher, counselor, coach, aunt, uncle)



    • Why do you trust this person? (e.g., they listen, they understand, they give good advice, they care about me)



    • How can you reach this person if you are feeling angry? (e.g., talk to them in person, call them, text them, find them at school)






  2. Trusted Adult #2:

    • Who is this person?



    • Why do you trust this person?



    • How can you reach this person if you are feeling angry?






Part 2: My Plan in Action

What are some things you can say or do to let your Support Superheroes know you need to talk when you are angry?













Part 3: Reflection

How does it feel to know you have a plan and people to talk to when you are angry?













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Activity

Check-in / Check-out Form: How Am I Doing Today?

This form is a quick way to think about how you're feeling and to let a trusted adult know if you need some support. You can use it at the beginning or end of your day, or whenever you feel like you need a moment to check in with yourself.

Check-in

Date:


My Name:


1. How am I feeling right now? (Circle one)

  • 😊 Happy
  • 😐 Okay
  • 🙁 Sad
  • 😠 Angry
  • 😟 Worried
  • 😴 Tired
  • Other:


2. What is one thing I am looking forward to today/have learned today?






3. Do I need to talk to a trusted adult today? (Circle one)

  • Yes
  • No

If "Yes," who would you like to talk to?



Check-out

Date:


My Name:


1. How am I feeling now? (Circle one)

  • 😊 Happy
  • 😐 Okay
  • 🙁 Sad
  • 😠 Angry
  • 😟 Worried
  • 😴 Tired
  • Other:


2. What is one thing that went well today/that I am proud of?






3. Is there anything I need help with for tomorrow? (Circle one)

  • Yes
  • No

If "Yes," what is it?



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