Feelings Check-In Chart
How are you feeling today? Point to one face.
😊 Happy — I feel good
😢 Sad — I feel upset
😠 Angry — I feel mad
😨 Scared — I feel afraid
Remember: You can always talk to Ms. Rivera about how you’re feeling.
Lesson Plan
Meet Your School Counselor Lesson Plan
Students will meet the school counselor, learn what a counselor does, and practice asking for help in a supportive setting.
Early awareness of the counselor as a helper builds trust, emotional safety, and encourages children to seek support when needed.
Audience
Kindergarten
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Interactive circle time, puppet demonstration, and coloring activity.
Materials
- Counselor Introduction Poster, - Counselor Puppet, - Feelings Check-In Chart, - Counselor Coloring Worksheet, and - Stickers or crayons (class set)
Prep
Teacher Preparation
10 minutes
- Print and display the Counselor Introduction Poster.
- Assemble the Counselor Puppet and practice a short greeting script.
- Print enough copies of the Counselor Coloring Worksheet for each student.
- Review the Feelings Check-In Chart and plan how to introduce emotions vocabulary.
Step 1
Welcome & Introduction
5 minutes
- Gather students on the rug in a circle.
- Show the Counselor Introduction Poster and point to the counselor’s photo.
- Say: "This is our school counselor, Ms. Rivera. She’s here to help us with feelings, friendships, and school challenges."
Step 2
Puppet Greeting
7 minutes
- Bring out the Counselor Puppet and introduce it: "Hello, I’m Charlie the Counselor Puppet!"
- Ask the puppet to share one way it helps students (e.g., listening, problem-solving).
- Invite 2–3 students to say hello back to the puppet.
Step 3
Feelings Check-In
8 minutes
- Display the Feelings Check-In Chart.
- Review 4 basic emotions (happy, sad, angry, scared) using chart faces.
- Ask each student to point to how they feel today and share one word why.
- Encourage: "If you ever feel another emotion, you can talk to Ms. Rivera."
Step 4
Coloring & Discussion
7 minutes
- Distribute the Counselor Coloring Worksheet and crayons.
- Prompt students to color the picture of the counselor and draw themselves next to her.
- Circulate, ask: "When might you visit the counselor?" and reinforce help-seeking language.
Step 5
Closing & Reminder
3 minutes
- Gather students back on the rug.
- Remind: "Remember, our counselor is here to help us. If you ever need to talk, you can visit her office or ask me to go with you."
- Hand out stickers to reinforce participation.
use Lenny to create lessons.
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Slide Deck
Meet Your School Counselor
Welcome! This is our school counselor, Ms. Rivera.
Welcome students! Gather everyone on the rug in a circle.
Show the Counselor Introduction Poster.
Say: “Hello, friends! This is our school counselor, Ms. Rivera. She’s here to help us with our feelings, friendships, and anything at school. Let’s give her a big wave!”
What Does a Counselor Do?
• Listens to you
• Helps solve problems
• Talks about feelings
Point to each bullet as you say it.
Script: “Ms. Rivera listens when we need to talk. She helps us solve problems with friends. And she talks with us about our feelings.”
Say Hello to Charlie!
Meet Charlie the Counselor Puppet!
Bring out the Counselor Puppet.
Introduce: “Friends, meet Charlie the Counselor Puppet!”
Use a puppet voice: “Hi, I’m Charlie! I help students by listening and giving ideas.”
Invite 2–3 students to say hello back to Charlie.
How Are You Feeling Today?
Happy 😊 Sad 😢 Angry 😠 Scared 😨
Point to how you feel!
Display the Feelings Check-In Chart.
Review the four faces: “happy, sad, angry, scared.”
Ask each child: “Point to how you feel today and tell us one word why.”
Remind: “If you ever feel another way, you can talk to Ms. Rivera.”
Color & Draw!
Color Ms. Rivera and draw yourself next to her.
Hand out the Counselor Coloring Worksheet and crayons.
Say: “Color Ms. Rivera and draw yourself next to her.”
As children work, ask: “When might you visit the counselor?” and reinforce help-seeking language.
Remember!
If you need help, you can visit Ms. Rivera or ask your teacher to go with you.
Gather students back on the rug.
Say: “Remember, our counselor is here to help. If you ever need to talk, you can visit Ms. Rivera’s office or ask me to go with you.”
Hand out stickers to each student for participating.
Reading
Ms. Rivera, Our School Counselor
[Photo of Ms. Rivera goes here]
I’m here to help you!
- I listen when you need to talk
- I help you make friends
- I talk about your feelings
- I keep your secrets safe
- I support you at school
If you ever need help, come visit me in my office or ask your teacher to bring you!
Activity
Counselor Puppet Assembly & Use
Materials Needed:
- Puppet body (fabric or paper bag puppet)
- Velcro or glue dots
- Felt or paper cut-outs for eyes, mouth, and hair
- Craft sticks (if using a stick puppet)
- Markers or fabric paint
Assembly Steps (10 minutes):
- Attach facial features
- Use glue dots or Velcro to stick the eyes, mouth, and hair onto the puppet body.
- Add a handle
- For a hand puppet: ensure the opening at the bottom fits your hand.
- For a stick puppet: tape or glue a craft stick inside the puppet at the base.
- Personalize the puppet
- Write “Charlie the Counselor” on the puppet’s shirt or attach a small name tag.
- Decorate with markers or paint to match your school colors.
Using the Puppet During the Lesson:
- Introduction (Puppet Greeting)
• Have the puppet “peek” out from behind a chair or the rug’s edge.
• Script: “Hi, everyone! I’m Charlie the Counselor Puppet. I’m here to listen and help you with your feelings!” - Demonstration (Modeling Help-Seeking)
• Role-play a simple scenario: Charlie feels “sad” because he can’t find his toy.
• Ask a student volunteer to come up and help Charlie talk through his feelings:
– Charlie: “I feel sad because I lost my ball. Can you help me?”
– Volunteer: “I’m here for you, Charlie. Let’s look together!” - Student Interaction
• Invite 2–3 students to come up and share one way they might help Charlie.
• Praise their ideas and reinforce: “That’s a great way to ask for help!”
Tips for Success:
- Use a clear, friendly voice for the puppet.
- Keep interactions short (1–2 minutes) to maintain attention.
- Encourage students to talk directly to Charlie to build confidence in speaking up.
Storage & Care:
- Store the puppet in a labeled bin or hook in the counseling office.
- Wipe fabric puppets with a damp cloth; air dry.
- Check Velcro dots or glue before each use to ensure parts stay secure.
Reading
Worksheet
Counselor Coloring Worksheet
Instructions:
- Color the picture of Ms. Rivera below.
[Picture of Ms. Rivera goes here]
- Draw yourself standing next to Ms. Rivera.
[Draw yourself here]
- When might you visit the counselor? Draw or write your ideas below.