Lesson Plan
Meet Your Counseling Crew
Students will be able to identify the role of the school counselor, describe ways the counselor supports their academic, career, and foundational well-being, identify external resources, and recognize trusted adults at school. Students will also complete a confidential student needs survey.
Establishing a connection with the new school counselor and understanding their role is crucial for students to feel supported and know where to turn when facing academic, career, or personal challenges. This lesson empowers them to utilize available resources effectively.
Audience
Middle School Students (Grades 6-8)
Time
25-30 minutes
Approach
Interactive presentation, discussion, and a reflective activity.
Materials
- Meet Your Counseling Crew Slide Deck, - My Trusted Crew Activity, - Counseling Corner: A Parent's Guide, - Projector or interactive whiteboard, - Computer with internet access (for survey), and - Student devices (optional, for survey)
Prep
Review Materials and Technology
15 minutes
- Review the Meet Your Counseling Crew Lesson Plan, Meet Your Counseling Crew Slide Deck, My Trusted Crew Activity, and Counseling Corner: A Parent's Guide to familiarize yourself with the content and flow.
- Ensure projector/interactive whiteboard and computer with internet access are ready.
- Make sure the link to the "Mid-Year Student Counseling Data" survey is accessible for students: https://www.lenny.org/go/284467
Step 1
Warm-Up: What's a Counselor?
3 minutes
- Begin with a quick poll or show of hands: "What comes to mind when you hear 'school counselor'?"
- Briefly discuss student responses, clarifying any misconceptions. Refer to Meet Your Counseling Crew Slide Deck Slide 1.
Step 2
Introduction of New Counselor & Role
7 minutes
- Introduce the new school counselor, Mrs. Murray.
- Use the Meet Your Counseling Crew Slide Deck (Slides 2-4) to explain Mrs. Murray's role:
- Academic Support: Study skills, goal setting, course selection.
- Career Exploration: Future planning, understanding interests.
- Foundational Well-being: Conflict resolution, managing feelings, stress.
- Emphasize confidentiality and Mrs. Murray as a safe person to talk to.
Step 3
Counselor Supports & Outside Resources
7 minutes
- Discuss how Mrs. Murray collaborates with teachers and parents to support students (e.g., individualized learning plans, behavioral support). Use Meet Your Counseling Crew Slide Deck (Slide 5-6).
- Introduce the concept of outside resources (e.g., community mental health services, tutoring, family support programs) and how Mrs. Murray can connect students to these. Use Meet Your Counseling Crew Slide Deck (Slide 7).
Step 4
Activity: My Trusted Crew
8 minutes
- Distribute the My Trusted Crew Activity worksheet.
- Explain the activity: students will identify trusted adults at school and outside of school. Emphasize that identifying trusted adults is a key way to ensure they always have someone to talk to.
- Provide time for students to complete the activity. Walk around to offer support and answer questions. For students with special needs, offer options like drawing pictures of trusted adults or pointing to images/names on a pre-printed list if writing is a barrier.
Step 5
Survey & Wrap-Up
5 minutes
- Transition to the survey. Explain that this is a confidential way to share their immediate needs with Mrs. Murray.
- Provide the link to the "Mid-Year Student Counseling Data" survey (https://www.lenny.org/go/284467).
- Have students complete the survey on their devices or guide them to a computer lab if individual devices are not available.
- Thank students for their participation and reiterate that Mrs. Murray is a resource for all students. Refer to Meet Your Counseling Crew Slide Deck (Slide 8).
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Slide Deck
What's a School Counselor, Anyway?
Let's find out what a school counselor really does and how they can help you navigate middle school life!
Start with a quick discussion to gauge student understanding and clear misconceptions. Ask: "What comes to mind when you hear 'school counselor'?"
Meet Your New Counselor!
Say hello to your new school counselor, Mrs. Murray!
They are here to support you in many ways.
Introduce the new counselor, Mrs. Murray. If Mrs. Murray is present, allow her to say a brief hello. Emphasize that this person is here to support them.
Your School Counselor: Your All-Star Support!
Your school counselor is here to help you succeed in three main areas:
- Academic Support: Staying on track with classes, study skills, setting goals, planning for high school courses.
- Career Exploration: Thinking about your interests, exploring future jobs, understanding different paths.
- Foundational Well-being: Managing feelings, making friends, solving conflicts, dealing with stress.
Explain the three main areas of support: Academic, Career, and Foundational Well-being. Start with academic. Give examples relevant to middle schoolers.
It's Okay to Not Be Okay!
Your counselor is a trusted adult who can help with:
- Dealing with stress or anxiety
- Friendship troubles or bullying
- Family changes or challenges
- Learning to communicate effectively
- And much more!
Confidentiality: What you share with your counselor stays between you and them, unless it involves harm to yourself or others.
Delve deeper into foundational well-being. This is often the most important for students.
Teamwork Makes the Dream Work!
Your counselor works with:
- Teachers: To understand your learning style and needs.
- Parents/Guardians: To share your progress and support you at home.
- Administrators: To ensure a safe and positive school environment.
They help connect all the pieces to help you thrive!
Explain that counselors don't work alone. They collaborate with teachers, parents, and administrators to create a supportive environment.
Beyond Our Walls: Outside Resources
Sometimes, we need extra help from outside school. Your counselor can connect you to:
- Community support programs
- Mental health services
- Tutoring options
- Family resources
They help you find the right support when you need it most.
Introduce the idea that sometimes support extends beyond the school walls. The counselor can be the bridge.
Who's Your Crew? Identifying Trusted Adults
It's important to have people you can talk to when you have a problem or need advice.
Today, we'll think about your 'Trusted Crew' – the adults you feel comfortable confiding in, both at school and outside of school.
Transition to the activity. Emphasize the importance of having trusted adults.
Your Voice Matters: Quick Check-In Survey
Your new counselor wants to hear from you!
This quick and confidential survey helps them understand how to best support our school community.
Access the Survey Here:
https://www.lenny.org/go/284467
Explain the survey's purpose and how to access it. Reiterate confidentiality and thank students for their input.
Activity
My Trusted Crew Activity
It's important to have people you can talk to when you have questions, problems, or just need to share something important. These people are your Trusted Crew! Having a trusted crew helps you feel safe and supported.
Part 1: Trusted Adults at School
Think about the adults you see at school every day. Who are the people you feel comfortable talking to? It could be a teacher, a coach, a librarian, a staff member, or your new school counselor!
List 1-3 trusted adults at school:
(If writing is difficult, you can draw a picture of your trusted adult or ask an adult to help you write their name.)
Part 2: Trusted Adults Outside of School
Now, think about adults outside of school. Who are the people in your family, neighborhood, or community that you trust? This could be a parent, guardian, aunt, uncle, grandparent, family friend, religious leader, or coach.
List 1-3 trusted adults outside of school:
(If writing is difficult, you can draw a picture of your trusted adult or ask an adult to help you write their name.)
Part 3: Reflection
Why is it important to have a "Trusted Crew"? How can these adults help you?
Remember, Mrs. Murray is also a part of your trusted crew and is here to help you navigate anything you might be facing!
Reading
Counseling Corner: A Parent's Guide to School Support
Dear Parents and Guardians,
We are excited to introduce you to our new school counselor, Mrs. Murray! Mrs. Murray is a valuable resource for all students and families, dedicated to supporting student success in all areas of their lives.
Mrs. Murray's Role: Your Child's All-Star Support
Just like we discussed with the students, Mrs. Murray is here to help with three key areas:
- Academic Support: She can help students with study skills, setting academic goals, course selection, and planning for high school.
- Career Exploration: Mrs. Murray assists students in exploring their interests, thinking about future career paths, and understanding different educational journeys.
- Foundational Well-being: This includes supporting students with managing their feelings, navigating friendships, resolving conflicts, handling stress, and developing strong social-emotional skills.
Mrs. Murray is a confidential resource. What your child shares with her stays between them, unless it involves harm to themselves or others. This creates a safe space for students to talk openly.
Teamwork Makes the Dream Work!
Mrs. Murray collaborates closely with teachers and administrators to create a supportive learning environment for all students. She can:
- Work with teachers to understand your child's learning style and needs.
- Help develop individualized learning plans or behavioral support strategies.
- Communicate with you (with student permission, where appropriate) to ensure a consistent support system between home and school.
Beyond Our Walls: Connecting with Outside Resources
Sometimes, students and families need extra support that goes beyond what the school can directly provide. Mrs. Murray can act as a bridge to connect you with valuable community resources, such as:
- Community mental health services for therapy or counseling.
- Tutoring programs to help with specific academic challenges.
- Family support programs that offer various forms of assistance.
Identifying Trusted Adults: A Key to Well-being
We encourage students to identify trusted adults both at school and outside of school. These are the people they can turn to when they need help, advice, or just someone to listen. This