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Peer Support Circles

Lesson Plan

Peer Support Circles Lesson Plan

Students will engage in peer-led support circles to share personal challenges and build effective communication skills in a safe and structured setting.

This lesson is important because it fosters empathy, resilience, and a supportive community among students, while equipping them with vital communication skills.

Audience

Grades 7-12

Time

60 minutes

Approach

Structured group discussions and guided reflection.

Materials

Peer Support Circles Lesson Plan, Slide Deck for Peer Support Circles, and Discussion Prompts Resource

Prep

Lesson Preparation

15 minutes

Step 1

Introduction and Ground Rules

10 minutes

  • Introduce the concept of peer support circles to the class
  • Explain the importance of confidentiality, respect, and active listening
  • Set clear ground rules for the discussion to create a safe environment

Step 2

Guided Discussion

35 minutes

  • Divide students into small groups in a circle format
  • Provide each group with discussion prompts from the prepared resource
  • Encourage each student to share thoughts and experiences while ensuring balanced participation
  • Monitor groups to offer support and guidance as needed

Step 3

Reflection and Debrief

15 minutes

  • Reconvene the class and invite volunteers to share their experiences
  • Facilitate a reflective discussion on what was learned from the activity
  • Emphasize how these skills can be applied in everyday situations
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Slide Deck

Peer Support Circles

Welcome to Peer Support Circles

Today, we'll explore how sharing our experiences can help us grow and support each other.

Introduce the session with an overview of the Peer Support Circles. Explain to the students the purpose of the activity and set the tone for open, respectful dialogue.

Lesson Objectives

• Engage in open discussion about personal challenges.
• Build effective communication skills.
• Foster a supportive and empathetic community.

Discuss the lesson objectives to ensure that students understand what they will be learning and why it is important.

Ground Rules

• Confidentiality: What is shared in the circle, stays in the circle.
• Respect: Listen without interrupting.
• Participation: Everyone has a voice.

Explain the importance of setting ground rules before beginning the peer-led discussion. Remind students to listen actively and maintain confidentiality.

Discussion Guidelines

• Break into small groups arranged in a circle.
• Use provided discussion prompts to guide conversation.
• Share thoughts and experiences equally.

Outline how the discussion will be organized. This slide provides students with an overview of the guided discussion process.

Reflection and Debrief

• Reflect on your experience.
• Share key takeaways with the group.
• Discuss how these skills can be used in everyday situations.

Guide the reflection phase: ask open-ended questions for students to reflect on what they have learned and how it applies to everyday life.

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Discussion

Discussion Prompts for Peer Support Circles

These discussion prompts are designed to help guide the conversation in your peer support circles. Feel free to adapt them as necessary to create a safe and encouraging environment for all participants.

Guidelines for Using the Prompts

  1. Active Listening: Focus on truly hearing each other without judgment.
  2. Respect and Confidentiality: Remind everyone that what is shared in the circle remains within the circle.
  3. Openness: Encourage honesty and vulnerability, while also being respectful of personal boundaries.

Prompts to Spark Conversation

Icebreaker

  • Share one positive thing that happened to you this week, and why it mattered to you.





Exploring Personal Challenges

  • What is one challenge you’ve faced recently, and how did you navigate it?





  • How do you usually cope with stress or difficult situations?





Building Empathy and Support

  • Can you share an experience when someone else's support helped you overcome a challenge?





  • What does being supportive mean to you in times of personal difficulty?





Looking Forward

  • What is one positive change you would like to see in your life, and what steps might you take to reach that goal?





  • How can this group continue to support you both during and after the discussion today?





Optional Follow-up Questions

  • In what ways can challenges become opportunities for personal growth?





  • How might sharing these experiences help others who are facing similar situations?





Feel free to use these prompts to foster thoughtful discussion while ensuring that everyone feels safe and heard during the session.

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