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Hello, School Counselor

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Lesson Plan

Introducing the School Counselor

Students will meet their school counselor, learn who they are and what they do, practice naming emotions, and build comfort by creating a greeting card.

Introducing the counselor in a fun, interactive way builds trust, helps children feel safe seeking support, and fosters positive emotional well-being in school.

Audience

Kindergarten

Time

15 minutes

Approach

Interactive intro with visuals and art activity

Materials

Prep

Teacher Preparation

5 minutes

Step 1

Welcome and Icebreaker

2 minutes

  • Greet students at the door and introduce the school counselor by name
  • Counselor waves and says “Hello” to the class
  • Students wave back and say “Hi, counselor!”

Step 2

Counselor Introduction

3 minutes

  • Display the first slide of Counselor Introduction Slide Deck
  • Counselor shares their name, role, and favorite part of being a counselor
  • Invite students to ask one simple question (e.g., “What games do you play?”)

Step 3

Role Chart Discussion

3 minutes

  • Show the Counselor Role Chart
  • Explain each picture: listening, helping solve problems, teaching about feelings
  • Ask students when they might come see the counselor

Step 4

Feelings Exploration

3 minutes

  • Display the Emotions Feelings Chart
  • Counselor names emotions and points to each face
  • Students mimic expressions and share a time they felt that way

Step 5

Create Greeting Cards

3 minutes

  • Distribute the Counselor Greeting Card Template, Drawing Paper Sheets, and Crayons
  • Students draw or (with help) write a greeting or something they’d like to say to the counselor
  • Counselor circulates, compliments work, and chats briefly with each student

Step 6

Closing and Farewell

1 minute

  • Thank students for their participation
  • Encourage everyone to say “Goodbye” to the counselor
  • Remind students they can visit the counselor anytime for help or to talk
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Slide Deck

Meet Ms. Parker

Your School Counselor

Display as students arrive. Say: “Hello everyone! I’m your school counselor, Ms. Parker. I’m so happy to meet you today. Can you all wave and say ‘Hi, Ms. Parker!’?”

All About Me

• I love reading stories
• I enjoy drawing pictures
• I’m here to help you

Point to the slide and say: “Here are a few things about me. I love reading books, drawing, and helping friends.” Show a photo if you have one. Ask: “Who likes to read stories?”

I Am Here to Listen

I will sit and listen when you need to talk.

Explain: “If you have something on your mind—happy or sad—I will always listen. You can tell me anything.” Invite a volunteer to whisper into your ear.

I Help Solve Problems

I help you find good solutions when you feel stuck.

Say: “Sometimes we have problems at school or with friends. I can help you find ways to solve them.” Ask: “Can you think of a time you solved a problem?”

I Teach About Feelings

I teach you to name and talk about your feelings.

Introduce feelings: “We all have feelings. Part of my job is to teach you how to name and understand them.” Mention you’ll look at more feelings in the next slide.

Feelings Chart

😊 Happy 😢 Sad 😠 Angry 😨 Scared

Point to each face. Say the emotion and have students mimic the expression. Use your Emotions Feelings Chart for reference.

Time to Ask Me

Do you have a question for me?

Invite one simple question: “What would you like to know? You can ask me one thing!” If time allows, answer a question or two.

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Activity

Counselor Role Chart

Use this visual chart to show students the different ways the school counselor can help.

  1. 👂 Listening
    • Picture: A large ear icon
    • Caption: "I listen when you talk."
  2. 🧩 Solving Problems
    • Picture: A puzzle piece fitting into place
    • Caption: "I help you find solutions when you feel stuck."
  3. ❤️‍🧠 Teaching Feelings
    • Picture: A heart and brain together
    • Caption: "I teach you how to name and understand your feelings."

Teacher Notes:

  • Display the chart on a wall or on a large poster board.
  • Point to each picture and read the caption aloud.
  • Ask students to share a time they needed to talk, solve a problem, or name a feeling.
  • Reinforce that the counselor is here for all of these things!
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Activity

Emotions Feelings Chart

Use this chart to help students identify and name their emotions.

😊 Happy 😢 Sad 😠 Angry 😨 Scared 😰 Worried 😍 Excited

Teacher Notes:

  • Display the chart where all students can see it.
  • Point to each face and say the emotion aloud.
  • Invite students to mimic the expression.
  • Ask: “Can you tell me a time you felt this way?”
  • Reinforce that all feelings are okay and the counselor is here to help talk through them.
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Worksheet

Counselor Greeting Card Template

Cut along the solid line and fold on the dotted line to create your card.

Front of Card (Decorate and Draw):
[Draw a picture for your counselor here]







––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
(fold here)

Inside of Card:

Write a special message to your counselor below:





From: ______________________________

(write your name here)

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Warm Up

Counselor Hello Warm-Up

Time: 2 minutes

Materials: None

Instructions:

  1. Have students sit in a circle. The school counselor sits or stands in the center.
  2. Counselor greets the group: “Hello everyone! I’m Ms. Parker, your school counselor. I’m so happy to meet you!”
  3. Counselor tosses a soft ball to a student. The student catches it, says, “Hello, Ms. Parker! I’m [Name] and I feel [happy/excited] today!”
  4. Counselor replies, “Nice to meet you, [Name]! I’m glad you feel [emotion].”
  5. Student tosses the ball back or to another classmate. Continue until every student has had a turn.

Notes:

  • Encourage clear speaking and listening.
  • Emphasize that it’s okay to feel any emotion—counselor is here to help with all feelings.
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Cool Down

Goodbye Wave

Time: 2 minutes

Materials: None

Instructions:

  1. Invite students to stand in a circle or by their desks. The counselor stands at the center or front.
  2. Counselor waves and says: “Goodbye, friends! I had so much fun meeting you today.”
  3. Going around the circle, each student waves back and says: “Goodbye, Ms. Parker! I feel _________ today.”
  4. Counselor responds to each student: “I’m glad you feel _________!”
  5. Once everyone has shared, counselor closes with: “See you soon—remember, I’m always here if you need me!”

Notes:

  • Encourage students to use a clear voice when sharing their feeling word.
  • Reinforce that all feelings are welcome and the counselor is here to help.
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Hello, School Counselor • Lenny Learning