Lesson Plan
Counseling Crew Kickoff Plan
Build rapport, review IEP goals, and set norms while giving students ongoing tools to track growth in this 30-minute kickoff.
Reviewing IEP goals and counseling hopes early fosters ownership and direction; adding a personal tracker lets students see their growth by year’s end, boosting motivation and self‐awareness.
Audience
6th Grade Middle School Students
Time
30 Minutes
Approach
Icebreakers, goal review, co‐created norms, and self‐tracking tools.
Materials
Prep
Review Materials & Arrange Space
10 Minutes
- Print and cut Icebreaker Question Cards and Get-to-Know-You Bingo Cards
- Print Name Tag Templates
- Print IEP Goals Reflection Worksheet and Counseling Progress Tracker
- Post Group Norms Poster on a visible wall or whiteboard
- Arrange chairs in a circle to foster inclusive discussion
- Gather markers or pens for personalization
Step 1
Welcome & Warm-Up
4 Minutes
- Greet each student by name; hand out Name Tag Templates
- Invite them to write their preferred name and decorate
- Share: “We’re here to build a supportive crew for IEP goal growth”
- Accommodation: Quiet students may draw symbols instead of writing
Step 2
Icebreaker: Two Truths and a Lie
5 Minutes
- Model your own 2 truths + 1 lie first
- Invite 3–4 volunteers to share; group guesses the lie
- Offer Icebreaker Question Cards or buddy support
- Accommodation: Allow written submissions or pass option
Step 3
Review IEP Goals & Set Counseling Hopes
6 Minutes
- Distribute IEP Goals Reflection Worksheet
- Ask each student to write/share one IEP goal and one thing they hope to get from counseling
- Encourage note-taking or drawing on the worksheet
- Accommodation: Provide sentence starters or private writing space
Step 4
Establish Group Norms
7 Minutes
- Prompt: “What helps you feel safe and respected?”
- Record ideas on Group Norms Poster
- Give each student 3 votes to select top 5 norms
- Add picture icons beside text for clarity
- Post final norms visibly
Step 5
Get-to-Know-You Bingo
5 Minutes
- Hand out Get-to-Know-You Bingo Cards
- Students circulate, collect signatures for a row, then call “Bingo!”
- Winner shares one fun fact
- Simplify bingo or pair students as needed
Step 6
Progress Tracker & Reflection
3 Minutes
- Distribute Counseling Progress Tracker and Reflection Prompt
- Model filling the first row: date, feeling, progress, next step
- Invite students to complete the reflection prompts
- Explain they’ll update the tracker each session and revisit at year’s end
- Accommodation: Allow drawing or bullet lists for responses
Slide Deck
Counseling Crew Kickoff
Building our supportive community for 6th-grade Tier 2 counseling sessions.
Let’s have fun, get connected, and set the tone for the year!
Welcome everyone! Introduce yourself and explain that this group will work together to support each student’s IEP goals. Highlight that today’s session is all about getting to know each other and creating a positive space.
Welcome & Warm-Up
• Grab a name tag and write your preferred name.
• Decorate with colors, drawings, or symbols that represent you.
• We’ll sit in a circle and share our names and one fun fact.
Distribute the Name Tag Templates and markers. As students arrive, greet them by name and encourage creativity. Remind quiet students they may draw symbols instead of writing.
Icebreaker: Two Truths and a Lie
- Facilitator shares two truths + one lie.
- Students take turns sharing theirs (4–5 volunteers).
- Group guesses the lie.
• Pass option available
• Buddy support or prewritten prompts offered
Model the game first: share two true facts and one lie. Encourage students to guess which is the lie and emphasize the option to pass if they’re not ready.
Establish Group Norms
• What helps you feel safe and respected?
• Suggestion examples:
– Listen without interrupting
– Use kind words
– Respect personal space
• Vote for our top 5 norms and post them here.
Write student responses on the Group Norms Poster. Use picture icons for any students who need visual supports. After gathering ideas, lead a quick vote to choose the top five norms.
Get-to-Know-You Bingo
• Find classmates who match each square.
• Get their signature to mark the box.
• First to bingo stands up and shares one fun fact!
Hand out the Get-to-Know-You Bingo Cards. Circulate the room, helping pairs or students who need assistance. Celebrate the winner by asking them to share one fun fact.
Closing & Reflection
• Share one word about how you feel.
• Share one thing you look forward to next session.
Thank you for your participation!
See you next time.
Go around the circle, inviting each student to share a word describing how they feel now and one thing they look forward to next time. Collect index cards from any student who prefers writing.
Worksheet
Get-to-Know-You Bingo Card
Instructions: Find a classmate who fits each description and have them sign their name in the square. First to get five in a row (horizontally, vertically, or diagonally) calls “Bingo!” and shares a fun fact with the group.
| B | I | N | G | O |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Find someone who has a pet | Find someone whose favorite subject is ________ | Find someone who speaks more than one language | Find someone who enjoys drawing | Find someone who loves chocolate |
| Find someone who has traveled out of state | Find someone who has a pet turtle | FREE SPACE | Find someone who plays a sport | Find someone whose favorite TV show is _______ |
| Find someone who can whistle | Find someone whose birthday is in a summer month | Find someone who plays a musical instrument | Find someone whose favorite movie genre is ___ | Find someone who has been to a museum |
| Find someone who has a garden | Find someone who reads a book every month | Find someone who prefers tea over soda | Find someone who has an older sibling | Find someone with a secret talent |
| Find someone whose favorite video game is ____ | Find someone who has a pet fish | Find someone who wants to travel to a new place | Find someone who enjoys hiking | Find someone whose favorite pizza topping is _ |
(Students sign their name in each square.)
Activity
Two Truths and a Lie
Objective: Help students share information about themselves in a fun, low-stakes way to build rapport, practice active listening, and learn interesting facts about classmates.
Duration: 7 Minutes
Materials Needed:
• Optional: Icebreaker Question Cards for ideas
• Paper and pencils (for students who want to jot down statements)
Instructions:
- Introduce the Game (1 min)
• Explain: “We’ll each share three statements about ourselves—two true, and one false. Everyone else guesses which one is the lie.”
• Emphasize there’s a pass option if students prefer not to share verbally. - Model First (1 min)
• Facilitator shares two true statements and one lie. Example:
– “I have a pet turtle.” (Truth)
– “I’ve been to Disneyland twice.” (Truth)
– “I eat ice cream for breakfast every day.” (Lie)
• Reveal the lie and invite students to notice clues (tone, expression). - Student Preparation (1–2 mins)
• Invite students to think or jot down: two true facts + one lie about themselves.
• Provide sentence starters on the board or on Icebreaker Question Cards if needed. - Sharing & Guessing (2–3 mins)
• Choose 4–5 volunteers to share in our circle. After each share:
– Class guesses which statement is the lie.
– The sharer confirms and can elaborate on a truth or why they chose their lie. - Wrap-Up (1 min)
• Ask: “What surprised you about a classmate?” or “How did you decide which was the lie?”
• Reinforce positive listening: “Great job guessing and asking follow-up questions!”
Examples:
• Truths: “I have an older sibling,” “I play the guitar.”
Lie: “I’ve sky-dived.”
Possible Follow-Up Questions:
• “Why did you pick that lie?”
• “Which truth was most fun to share?”
Accommodations:
• Offer prewritten statements or visual prompts.
• Pair students for support or allow written responses on cards.
• Provide extra think time by playing quiet background music.
Activity
Group Norms Poster
Purpose: Co-create the rules that will help our group feel safe, respected, and ready to learn together.
- Brainstorm Ideas (5 min)
• Prompt: “What helps you feel safe and respected in a group?”
• Share your thoughts one at a time.
• Facilitator writes each idea below.
Group Idea Brainstorm:
- Vote for Top 5 Norms (3 min)
• Each student gets 3 votes (use checkmarks or stickers).
• Place your votes next to your favorite ideas above.
Top 5 Norms:
- Finalize & Display (2 min)
• Read aloud the top 5 norms.
• Write or draw a picture icon beside each for clarity.
• Post this poster on our wall as a daily reminder.
Accommodations:
• Use picture icons next to text for visual support.
• Provide sentence starters (e.g., “I feel safe when…”) on the board.
• Allow students to draw symbols instead of writing.
Warm Up
Name Tag Creation Template
Instructions: Write your name in big letters and decorate the tag with colors, drawings, or symbols that represent you! Cut along the dotted line, attach with a clip or tape, and wear proudly.
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| My Name is: ____________________________ |
| |
| |
| (Draw or decorate here) |
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Materials:
- Markers, colored pencils, or crayons
- Stickers or other small decorations
- Scissors and tape or clips
Tips:
- Choose symbols or colors that show something you love (e.g., sports, pets, music).
- If you prefer not to write words, draw pictures that tell us about you.
- Ask for help cutting or decorating if you need it.
Cool Down
Reflection Prompt
Please take a moment to share your thoughts:
- One word to describe how you feel now:
- What did you enjoy most in today’s session?
- What is one thing you look forward to next time?
- (Optional) Any suggestions or extra thoughts?
Worksheet
Icebreaker Question Cards
Use these prompts to help you think of two truths and a lie, or to get to know a partner better. Pick any questions you like or come up with your own!
- What is your favorite hobby or activity?
- If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?
- What’s your favorite book or movie and what do you like about it?
- Name one thing that always makes you laugh.
- Do you have a pet? Tell us something fun about them.
- What is your favorite food or snack?
- Share a fun fact about your family or background.
- What’s a talent or skill you’re proud of?
- If you could have any superpower, what would it be?
- What’s a place in our country you’d love to visit?
- Do you play a sport or musical instrument? Which one?
- What’s your favorite season and why?
- What’s something on your bucket list?
- Describe a memorable moment from last summer.
- If you could meet any fictional character, who would it be?
- (Your own question!) _______________________________________
Feel free to write down your ideas or share them out loud when it’s your turn.
Worksheet
IEP Goals Reflection Worksheet
Keep this sheet to look back on at the end of the year and celebrate how far you’ve come!
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My IEP Goal (as written):
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Why this goal is important to me:
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One thing I hope to get from counseling this year:
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How I will know I’m making progress on my goal:
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By the end of the year, I want to be able to (how I’ll describe my growth):
Worksheet
Counseling Progress Tracker
Keep this sheet handy and fill it out at the end of each counseling session. At the end of the year, look back to celebrate how far you’ve come!
| Session Date | Feeling (Word or Emoji) | Progress on IEP Goal | Next Steps or Goal for Next Session |
|---|---|---|---|
Year-End Reflection (Optional)
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Three words that describe how I’ve grown this year:
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My biggest achievement or “win”:
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One new goal or dream I want to pursue next: