Session 1 Discussion: Getting Oriented and Setting Goals

Discussion Guidelines

• Listen actively and show respect when others speak.
• Share honestly—this is a safe space to discuss your thoughts.
• Build on each other’s ideas and ask follow-up questions.

1. Icebreaker Reflection (5 minutes)

• Prompt: “What did you learn about your partner that surprised or interested you?”
• Follow-Ups:
  • “Why do you think that detail stood out to you?”
  • “How might knowing this help you connect with your classmates?”

Your Response:

2. Exploring the Campus Map (7 minutes)

• Prompt: “Looking at the Campus Map, which landmark seems most important to you and why?”
• Follow-Ups:
  • “How do you think you’ll use this location in your daily routine?”
  • “Is there any spot you feel unsure about locating on your own?”

Your Response:

3. Goal Setting Discussion (5 minutes)

• Prompt: “Share one academic goal and one social goal you wrote on your Goal Setting Worksheet.”
• Follow-Ups:
  • “What steps will you take this week to work toward your academic goal?”
  • “Who could help you achieve your social goal, and how will you ask for their support?”

Your Response:

4. Quiz Reflection & Next Steps (3 minutes)

• Prompt: “After the Campus Landmarks Quiz, which location do you still want to learn more about?”
• Follow-Ups:
  • “What could you do if you ever get lost or have questions about a location?”
  • “How will you use what you learned today to feel more confident on campus tomorrow?”

Your Response:

Closing Thought

• Ask: “What’s one takeaway from today’s discussion that will help you on your journey at our school?”

Your Response:

Campus Map Relay

Objective

Students will practice locating and identifying key campus landmarks on the map quickly and collaboratively.

Time

7 minutes

Materials

• Large Campus Map (Campus Map)
• Landmark Cards (Landmark Cards)

Prep (10 minutes)

• Place copies of the Campus Map at one end of the room, creating relay stations (one map per team).
• Create index cards with names of landmarks (e.g., main office, library, gym, cafeteria) and label them as Landmark Cards.
• Arrange open space so each team has a clear start line about 10–15 feet from their map station.
• Divide students into teams of 4–5.

Instructions

1. Team Formation & Setup (2 minutes)

   • Divide students into equal teams of 4–5.
   • Have each team line up single-file at their designated start line.
   • Give the first student in each line a shuffled stack of Landmark Cards, face-down.

2. Relay Race (3 minutes)

   • On your signal, the first student flips over the top card, reads the landmark name aloud, and runs to their team’s Campus Map.
   • They place a marker (or point) on the correct location of that landmark, then run back and tag the next teammate.
   • The next student repeats with a new card. Continue until all cards are placed or time expires.

3. Review & Reflection (2 minutes)

   • Gather students around one map.
   • Ask each team to share one landmark they placed, explaining why that location is important on campus.
   • Clarify any misplaced landmarks and reinforce correct map knowledge.

Variation: For added challenge, include a “wild card” prompting teams to explain how they might use that location in their daily routine.

Landmark Bingo

Objective

Reinforce knowledge of campus landmarks through an engaging bingo-style game.

Time

10 minutes

Materials

• Set of Landmark Bingo Cards (one per student)
• Landmark markers or chips (e.g., pennies, stickers) (Landmark Tokens)
• A master list of campus landmarks to call

Prep (5 minutes)

• Print and distribute the Landmark Bingo Cards featuring a 5×5 grid of campus landmarks (center space can be “Welcome Center” as free space).
• Prepare enough Landmark Tokens for each student to cover up to 25 squares.
• Create a shuffled stack or slip of each landmark name for the caller.

Instructions

1. Distribute Cards & Tokens (1 minute)

   • Give each student one Landmark Bingo Card and a handful of Landmark Tokens.
   • Explain that each square contains the name or image of a campus landmark (e.g., library, gym, cafeteria, main office).

2. Explain Bingo Rules (1 minute)

   • The goal is to complete a straight line of five landmarks horizontally, vertically, or diagonally.
   • The center square (“Welcome Center”) is a free space and can be covered automatically.
   • When you call a landmark, students check their cards; if they have it, they cover that square with a token.

3. Play the Game (6 minutes)

   • The teacher (or student leader) draws and calls one landmark at a time from the master list.
   • After each call, pause for 5–7 seconds to let students mark their cards.
   • Continue calling landmarks until the first student shouts “Bingo!”

4. Verify & Reflect (2 minutes)

   • Ask the student who called “Bingo” to read aloud the five covered landmarks in their winning line.
   • Verify against the called list. If correct, celebrate the winner.
   • Ask: “Which landmark on your winning line is most important to you, and why?”

Variation Ideas

• Blackout Bingo: First to cover every square wins.
• Four Corners: Cover all four corner landmarks.
• Partner Bingo: Students pair up and share one landmark fact when they cover a square.
• Wild Card Challenge: When a player covers a square, they must name one way they might use that location during their day.