Counselor Connections

Rezana McCray

Tier 1

Lesson Plan

Counselor Connections Plan

Students will meet the school counselor, learn about available support services, create personalized name tents, and complete a needs assessment to build rapport and inform future sessions.

This lesson helps 8th graders connect with their counselor, understand resources, and share their individual needs, fostering trust and setting a supportive tone for the year.

Audience

8th Grade

Time

45 minutes

Approach

Interactive intro plus hands-on activities.

Materials

Counselor Introduction Slide Deck, - Blank Name Tent Templates, - Digital Needs Assessment Form, and - Markers and Decorative Supplies

Prep

Prepare Materials

10 minutes

Review the Counselor Introduction Slide Deck and note key talking points.
Print one copy of the Blank Name Tent Templates per student.
Gather markers, colored pencils, and decorative supplies within reach.
Set up the Digital Needs Assessment Form on classroom devices or print paper copies.
Familiarize yourself with the needs assessment questions to support students as needed.

Step 1

Introduction and Icebreaker

7 minutes

Display the title slide of the Counselor Introduction Slide Deck.
Introduce yourself: share your name, role, and what you do as the school counselor.
Conduct a quick icebreaker: ask students to share one fun fact or favorite hobby with the class.

Step 2

Support Services Overview

8 minutes

Advance to slides 2–4 of the Counselor Introduction Slide Deck.
Explain the types of support you offer (academic, social-emotional, college/career).
Highlight how and when students can access services and confidentiality guidelines.
Invite brief questions to clarify any services.

Step 3

Name Tent Creation

15 minutes

Distribute the Blank Name Tent Templates and markers/decorative supplies.
Instruct students to write their names prominently and add drawings or interests.
Circulate to encourage creativity and learn each student’s name.
Have students place their completed name tents on their desks for the remainder of the year.

Step 4

Needs Assessment Completion

15 minutes

Explain why understanding each student’s needs helps tailor support.
Direct students to complete the Digital Needs Assessment Form independently.
Monitor progress, clarify questions, and offer one-on-one support as needed.
Collect paper forms or ensure digital submissions are sent before closing.

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Slide Deck

Meet Your School Counselor!

• Hello 8th Graders!
• I’m Ms. Taylor, your school counselor
• Today: Get to know each other, learn about my role, and have some fun activities ahead.

Welcome students! Introduce yourself: name, years as school counselor, your passion for helping students succeed. Encourage students to participate and ask questions today.

About Me

• Master’s in School Counseling from State University
• 5 years working with middle school students
• Fun Fact: I love hiking and my dog Scout!

Share a brief background to build rapport. Highlight education, experience, and a fun personal fact.

What Does a School Counselor Do?

• Support academic success
• Guide social-emotional growth
• Help plan for college and careers
• Provide a safe, confidential space

Define your role so students understand how you support them. Emphasize you’re a resource, listener, and advocate.

Support Services Overview

Academic Support:
– Study skills, organization, goal-setting
Social-Emotional Support:
– Stress management, conflict resolution
College & Career:
– Course planning, career exploration

Briefly explain each service area. Use real examples: peer conflict, study strategies, goal-setting.

Confidentiality & Trust

• What you share stays between us
• Exceptions: harm to self/others, abuse concerns
• My goal: keep you safe and supported

Clarify confidentiality boundaries so students know what stays private and when you must share.

How to Connect with Me

• Office location & drop-in hours
• Sign-up sheet outside my door
• Email: taylor@school.edu
• Virtual check-ins available

Explain how students can reach out—drop-ins, appointments, email—and reassure them it’s easy to connect.

Name Tent Activity

• Materials: Blank Name Tent Templates & markers
• Write your name, draw hobbies/interests
• Display on desk for the year
• Let’s get creative!

Introduce the Name Tent activity. Explain purpose: learn names, personalize the classroom, and have fun.

Needs Assessment Instructions

• Complete the digital form independently
• Share topics you’d like support with
• Takes about 10–15 minutes
• Your honest answers help me plan

Explain the needs assessment. Emphasize it guides future sessions and ensures you understand their priorities.

Worksheet

Blank Name Tent Template

Instructions: Cut along the solid lines and fold along the dotted line to create a tent you can place on your desk. Decorate the front and back as you like!

────────────────────────────────────────
| |
| |
| |
| Your Name Here |
| |
| |
| |
────────────────────────────────────────
........fold line........................
────────────────────────────────────────
| |
| |
| Draw Your Hobbies |
| and Interests Here |
| |
| |
| |
────────────────────────────────────────

Once folded, the top section will stand upright on your desk displaying your name, and the bottom section will be the base. Have fun decorating!

Activity

Digital Needs Assessment Form

Instructions: Please complete this form to help me understand your needs and preferences. Your honest responses will guide future counseling sessions.

1. What academic subjects or skills do you need support with most? Why?

2. Which social-emotional topics would you like to discuss? (e.g., stress management, friendships, self-esteem)

3. What are three strengths or interests you bring to class?

4. What are two goals you have for this school year (academic or personal)?

5. Which times work best for you to meet one-on-one? (Check all that apply)

Morning break
Lunch
After school
Other: __________________

6. Preferred way to connect with the counselor:

7. Anything else you'd like me to know? (Optional)

Thank you for sharing! Your responses are confidential and will help me tailor support to your needs.

Cool Down

Reflection Exit Ticket

Thank you for participating today! Please take a moment to reflect on our session and share your thoughts.

1. One new thing I learned about the school counselor or counseling services is:

2. A question I still have or something I’d like more information about is:

3. How comfortable do you feel reaching out to the counselor if you need support?

( ) Very Comfortable
( ) Somewhat Comfortable
( ) Not Comfortable

4. Rate today’s lesson on a scale of 1–5 (1 = not helpful, 5 = very helpful):

5. One part of today’s activities that I enjoyed the most was:

Thank you for your honest feedback! Your responses will help shape future sessions and ensure you feel supported.

Game

Counselor Connections Plan Update

I’ve added a Meet the Counselor Scoot game to reinforce key info before creating name tents.

Updated Instructions

Introduction and Icebreaker (7 minutes)
- Display title slide… (unchanged)
Support Services Overview (8 minutes)
- Slides 2–4… (unchanged)
Meet the Counselor Scoot Game (10 minutes)
- Arrange 6–8 posters around the room; each has a question about the counselor or services (e.g., “What are two social-emotional supports I offer?”).
- Give each student a Scoot recording sheet.
- On “Go,” students rotate clockwise, spending about 1 minute at each station to read and answer the question.
- After completing all stations, return to seats and invite quick debrief: clarify any missed details.
Name Tent Creation (15 minutes)
- Distribute Blank Name Tent Templates… (unchanged)
Needs Assessment Completion (15 minutes)
- Complete Digital Needs Assessment Form… (unchanged)

I’ve set up the Scoot game to build engagement and check understanding—let me know if you’d like question examples or tweaks!