lenny

Counseling Kickoff

user image

Lesson Plan

Counseling Kickoff Lesson Plan

Introduce 2nd graders to the counseling space and routines through calming exercises, storytelling, movement, and hands-on activities to build safety, rapport, and self-regulation skills.

This lesson eases student anxiety about counseling, establishes expectations, fosters trust, teaches calm-down strategies, and encourages emotional expression for future support.

Audience

2nd Grade

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Guided activities and discussion.

Materials

Welcome to Counseling Poster, Calm-Breathing Prompt Cards, Story PDF: My Feelings Matter, Movement Break Music Track, Feelings Faces Printables, and Counseling Expectations Chart

Prep

Review and Print Materials

10 minutes

Step 1

Calm and Quiet Time

3 minutes

  • Invite students to sit in a circle; dim lights or reduce noise.
  • Introduce the Calm-Breathing Prompt Cards. Guide students through a simple breathing exercise: inhale for 4, hold for 2, exhale for 6.
  • Encourage them to notice how their body feels after each breath.

Step 2

Welcome and Objective

5 minutes

Step 3

Story Time

7 minutes

  • Introduce the story using the Story PDF: My Feelings Matter.
  • Read aloud, pausing to ask: “How do you think the character felt here?”
  • Encourage students to name feelings they recognize and connect to personal experiences.

Step 4

Movement Break

3 minutes

  • Play the Movement Break Music Track.
  • Guide students to stand and follow simple movements: stretch arms up, touch toes, and jump in place.
  • Use positive reinforcement: “Great job moving and recharging our bodies!”

Step 5

Hands-On Activity

7 minutes

  • Distribute Feelings Faces Printables.
  • Ask students to color the face that matches how they’re feeling today.
  • Invite volunteers to share why they chose that face and how they might use a calm-down strategy.

Step 6

Discussion/Closing

5 minutes

  • Gather students back in the circle.
  • Ask: “Which calm-down strategy did you like best?” and “How do you feel about counseling now?”
  • Revisit the Counseling Expectations Chart to reinforce routines.
  • Thank students and preview what to expect at the next session.
lenny
0 educators
use Lenny to create lessons.

No credit card needed

Slide Deck

Welcome to Counseling!

Welcome to our counseling session! This is a safe space to:
• Learn about our counseling room
• Practice calming exercises
• Talk about our feelings

Welcome students as they enter. Introduce yourself and the counseling space. Mention that today we will learn about our space, practice calming, and talk about feelings.

Calm and Quiet Time

Let’s get calm by sitting quietly in a circle.
Look at the Calm-Breathing Prompt Cards and follow along as we breathe together.

Guide students to sit in a circle. Dim lights or lower noise if possible. Hold up the Calm-Breathing Prompt Cards.

Breathing Exercise

• Inhale slowly for 4 seconds
• Hold that breath for 2 seconds
• Exhale gently for 6 seconds
Notice how your body feels after each breath.

Lead students through the inhale–hold–exhale counts. Count out loud so they can follow.

Counseling Expectations

Our expectations in counseling:
• Listen to others
• Share our thoughts respectfully
• Follow directions and be kind

Display the Counseling Expectations Chart. Read each rule and ask students to repeat.

Story Time: My Feelings Matter

We will read “My Feelings Matter.”
Pay attention to how the character feels on each page.

Introduce the story. Show the Story PDF. Encourage students to sit close and look at the pictures.

Feelings Check-In

When you hear this part, think:
• What feeling do you see?
• Have you felt that way before?

After reading a key scene, pause and ask: How do you think the character feels? Invite quick responses.

Movement Break

Let’s stand and move together:
• Stretch arms up high
• Touch your toes
• Jump in place to recharge our energy!
Movement Break Music Track

Tell students it’s time to get our bodies moving. Play the Movement Break Music Track. Model the movements first.

Hands-On Activity

Choose a face that matches how you feel today.
Color it in and think about why you chose it.
Feelings Faces Printables

Hand out the Feelings Faces Printables. Show them how to pick and color a face.

Share Your Choice

Who would like to share?
• Show your feelings face
• Tell us why you chose it
• Name one calm-down strategy you might use

Invite volunteers to show their colored face and explain why they chose it. Affirm each student’s sharing.

Discussion & Next Steps

Let’s talk:
• Which calm-down strategy did you like best?
• How do you feel about counseling now?
Thank you for sharing! See you next time.

Wrap up the session. Revisit the strategies and expectations. Preview next time’s focus.

lenny

Worksheet

Feelings Faces Activity Worksheet

Let’s practice recognizing and drawing faces that show different feelings. For each feeling below:

  1. Color or draw the face to show that emotion.
  2. Write the name of the feeling.
  3. Think about and write when you feel this way.

1. Happy

Color or draw a smiling face below:






Label this feeling: ____________________


When do you feel happy?





2. Sad

Color or draw a sad face below:






Label this feeling: ____________________


When do you feel sad?





3. Angry

Color or draw an angry face below:






Label this feeling: ____________________


When do you feel angry?





4. Scared

Color or draw a scared face below:






Label this feeling: ____________________


When do you feel scared?





Reflection

Which feeling was easiest to draw and why?











Which feeling was hardest to draw and why?











How can you use a calm-down strategy when you feel one of these emotions?












lenny
lenny