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Circle of Roles

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Lesson Plan

Role Recognition

Students will identify and map family member roles using Structural Family Therapy concepts through group discussion and a visual worksheet, aiming to recognize system strengths and gaps.

Understanding family structures enhances self-awareness, communication, and support skills, helping students build healthier relationships and coping strategies.

Audience

7th Grade Group

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Interactive discussion and visual mapping

Materials

Prep

Preparation

10 minutes

Step 1

Warm-Up

5 minutes

  • Invite students to share one positive family interaction.
  • Display Slide 1 of Circles Illustrated to introduce Structural Family Therapy roles.
  • Briefly explain inner, middle, and outer circles as role distances.

Step 2

Main Activity: Diagramming Roles

15 minutes

  • Distribute the Circle of Roles Template.
  • In small groups, students place family members into inner (close), middle (supportive), and outer (extended) circles.
  • Encourage discussion of each role’s strengths and any noticeable gaps in support.

Step 3

Reflection

5 minutes

  • Ask students to write one insight or goal based on their family diagram.
  • Invite volunteers to share insights with the group, focusing on support strategies.

Step 4

Wrap-Up

5 minutes

  • Summarize common themes and highlight effective support roles.
  • Encourage students to discuss their diagrams and insights with a trusted adult.
  • Suggest optional journaling using the Circle of Roles Template for deeper reflection.
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Slide Deck

Structural Family Therapy Circles

In this session, we will explore how family members fit into inner, middle, and outer circles of support. By mapping these circles, we’ll identify strengths and any gaps in our support systems.

Welcome students and introduce the purpose of today’s session. Explain that families can be thought of as systems where roles and relationships form concentric circles indicating closeness.

What is Structural Family Therapy?

• Developed by Salvador Minuchin
• Views the family as a system of interconnected roles
• Helps us understand boundaries, hierarchies, and patterns of support

Briefly describe the origins and goals of Structural Family Therapy. Emphasize that we focus on patterns, boundaries, and subsystems within a family.

Inner Circle: Core Relationships

• Represents the closest family members
• Often includes parents, siblings, or a primary caregiver
• These relationships shape daily life and emotional security
(Visual: concentric circles with highlighted inner ring)

Point to the inner circle in the diagram. Ask students to name people they would include here. Encourage concrete examples.

Middle Circle: Supportive Connections

• Includes relatives or friends who offer regular support
• Examples: grandparents, aunts, uncles, close friends
• Bridge between core family and the wider network

Discuss the middle circle. Invite examples of people who provide support but aren’t part of the daily core.

Outer Circle: Extended Network

• Encompasses extended family, neighbors, teachers, coaches, mentors
• These roles provide occasional guidance and resources
• They can strengthen or supplement core and middle support

Introduce the outer circle. Ask students to think of mentors, teachers, or community figures they rely on.

Sample Family Diagram

Inner Circle: Mom, Dad, Older Sister
Middle Circle: Grandma, Cousin, Best Friend
Outer Circle: Soccer Coach, Music Teacher, Next-door Neighbor
(Visual: labeled concentric circles with names)

Show a completed sample diagram. Walk through each placement and discuss why those roles belong in each circle.

Your Turn: Group Activity

  1. Take a copy of the Circle of Roles Template.
  2. In your small group, map your own family members into inner, middle, and outer circles.
  3. Discuss each placement’s strengths and note any support gaps.

Explain the group activity steps. Remind students to be respectful and supportive in their discussions.

Reflection Questions

• What surprised you about your circle map?
• Where do you see strong support? Where are gaps?
• How might you strengthen a weaker connection?

Use these questions to guide reflection. Allow time for volunteers to share insights.

Wrap-Up & Next Steps

• Review common themes and key insights
• Consider journaling your thoughts in the Circle of Roles Template
• Talk with a trusted adult about ways to build support

Summarize today’s learning and encourage continued reflection. Emphasize optional journaling and adult conversation.

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Worksheet

Circle of Roles Template

Use this worksheet to map and reflect on the roles within your family system.

Part 1: Map Your Family Roles

  1. Draw three concentric circles below (inner, middle, outer).













  2. Label each circle with names of people who fit in each role:

    • Inner Circle (closest):

    • Middle Circle (supportive):

    • Outer Circle (extended):

Part 2: Analyze Strengths and Gaps

  • Strengths you see in your support system:










  • Gaps or weaker connections you noticed:










Part 3: Set a Support Goal

Write one goal to strengthen a connection or fill a gap you identified:





Feel free to continue journaling your thoughts on the back of this page or discuss with a trusted adult.

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