Lesson Plan
Hello Counselor Lesson Plan
Students will engage in interactive icebreakers to get to know their school counselor, explore the counselor’s role through slides and role-description cards, and complete a reflection worksheet to identify ways the counselor can support them.
Meeting the school counselor early builds trust, clarifies how they can help, encourages help-seeking, and reduces anxiety about counseling services throughout the year.
Audience
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Interactive icebreakers and guided discussion
Materials
Name-tag stickers, Markers, Counselor Introduction Slides, Icebreaker Bingo Sheets, Counselor Role Description Cards, and Support Reflection Worksheet
Prep
Prepare Materials
10 minutes
- Review the Counselor Introduction Slides to familiarize yourself with talking points
- Print enough copies of the Icebreaker Bingo Sheets for each student
- Print and cut apart the Counselor Role Description Cards
- Print the Support Reflection Worksheet
- Gather name-tag stickers and markers
Step 1
Welcome & Warm-up
5 minutes
- Greet students and introduce yourself as the new school counselor
- Display the Counselor Introduction Slides with a brief “About Me” overview
- Distribute name-tag stickers and markers; students write their names and one fun fact and share with a neighbor
Step 2
Icebreaker Bingo Activity
10 minutes
- Hand out the Icebreaker Bingo Sheets
- Explain that students must mingle to find classmates who match prompts (e.g., "Has a pet snake," "Enjoys drawing") and get initials
- First three students to complete a row call “Bingo!” and share one interesting fact they learned
Step 3
Counselor Role Exploration
10 minutes
- Use the slides to outline four key counselor roles (academic support, social/emotional guidance, career planning, crisis support)
- Distribute the Counselor Role Description Cards
- In pairs, students match each role card to a real-life scenario; discuss why the counselor is helpful in that situation
Step 4
Reflection & Share-Out
5 minutes
- Pass out the Support Reflection Worksheet
- Students write one way they might use the counselor’s help this year and one question they have
- Invite volunteers to share their reflections to close the session
use Lenny to create lessons.
No credit card needed
Slide Deck
Meet Your School Counselor
Welcome to 1st grade!
I’m excited to get to know each of you and support you this year.
Welcome students and introduce yourself as the new school counselor. Use this slide to grab attention and set a friendly tone at the start of the session.
About Me
• Name: [Your Name]
• Role: 7th-12th Grade School Counselor
• Experience: 5 years in middle school counseling
• Fun Fact: Avid hiker and pet turtle owner
Share your name, background, counseling experience, and one or two personal interests to help students see you as approachable. Invite a quick show of hands if they share a hobby.
Icebreaker Bingo
• Find classmates who match each prompt (e.g., “Has a pet,” “Plays an instrument”)
• Get their initials in the box
• First three students to get a row shout “Bingo!”
• Share one fun fact you learned
Explain how the Icebreaker Bingo works. Distribute the Icebreaker Bingo Sheets. Encourage students to mingle, ask questions, and get initials. The first three to complete a row call “Bingo!” and share.
What Does a Counselor Do?
• Academic Support: help with study skills and planning
• Social/Emotional Guidance: talk through feelings and friendships
• Career Planning: explore interests and future goals
• Crisis Support: provide help during difficult times
Introduce the four key roles of a school counselor. Read each bullet, then tell students they’ll explore these roles in more depth using the role description cards.
Reflection & Next Steps
Think about one way you might use my help this year, and one question you have:
• How I might use counselor support:
• My question for the counselor:
Prepare students for the final reflection. Distribute the Support Reflection Worksheet. Explain they’ll write one way they might use counselor support this year and one question they have, then share a few aloud.
Activity
Icebreaker Bingo Sheets
Instructions:
- Mingle with classmates to find someone who matches each prompt.
- When you find a match, have them write their initials in the box.
- The first three students to get four in a row (horizontally, vertically, or diagonally) call out “Bingo!”
- Share one interesting thing you learned with the class.
| Has a pet dog or cat | Can play a musical instrument | Loves to read books | Has traveled to another country | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Enjoys drawing or painting | Is left-handed | Shares your birthday month | Has a pet reptile | |
| Likes to play video games | Has read more than 5 books this summer | Speaks a language other than English | Enjoys cooking or baking | |
| Has participated in a school club | Enjoys outdoor activities | Has a favorite TV show | Loves a sport | |
Reading
Counselor Role Description Cards
Instructions for teacher: Print two copies of this page and cut along the lines to create four role description cards. Students will work in pairs to match each card to a real-life scenario during the lesson.
Academic Support
Description: Helps students develop study skills, organization, and academic planning.
Scenario: Maria feels overwhelmed with her homework and forgets when tests and projects are due. How can the counselor help Maria create a study schedule and improve her organizational skills?
Social/Emotional Guidance
Description: Supports students in talking through feelings, building friendships, and managing emotions.
Scenario: Jamal has been feeling lonely and doesn’t know who to turn to about his friendship problems. What strategies might the counselor use to help Jamal express his feelings and build connections?
Career Planning
Description: Helps students explore interests, set academic and career goals, and learn about future opportunities.
Scenario: Leah loves art and wants to explore a career in graphic design. How can the counselor guide Leah in choosing courses, clubs, or experiences that align with her interests?
Crisis Support
Description: Provides immediate support and resources during difficult or emergency situations.
Scenario: After a family emergency, Raj feels anxious and distracted in class. How can the counselor offer immediate support and connect Raj with additional help?
Worksheet
Support Reflection Worksheet
Welcome! Please take a few minutes to reflect on how I can support you this year. Write your thoughts below.
- One way I might use the counselor’s help this year:
- One question I have for the counselor:
- (Optional) Anything else you’d like me to know or any other questions?