Lesson Plan
Progress Pulse Lesson Plan
Guide anxious students through a structured quarterly self-assessment over four 10-minute sessions, helping them rate self-esteem, reflect on motivation, set counseling goals, and generate actionable data for targeted support.
Regular structured check-ins empower students to build self-esteem, stay motivated, and practice self-reflection while providing counselors with consistent progress data to tailor interventions.
Audience
Middle School Students in Individual Counseling
Time
4 sessions, 10 minutes each
Approach
Student-led ratings and reflections with counselor coaching.
Materials
- Progress Pulse Quarterly Check-In Form, - Student Journal Or Digital Notebook, - Timer Or Smartphone, and - Pen Or Pencil
Prep
Teacher Preparation
15 minutes
- Review each student’s background and previous counseling notes
- Print or digitally prepare the Progress Pulse Quarterly Check-In Form for each of the four sessions
- Gather student journals, timers, and writing utensils
- Reserve a quiet, private space for individual check-ins
Step 1
Session 1: Baseline Check-In
10 minutes
- Welcome the student and explain the purpose of the Progress Pulse process
- Guide the student to complete initial ratings of self-esteem and motivation on the form
- Prompt reflection: “How are you feeling right now?” and “What concerns do you have?”
- Collaboratively set 2–3 counseling goals for the upcoming quarter
- Collect the completed form and note any immediate observations
Step 2
Session 2: Mid-Quarter Reflection
10 minutes
- Greet the student and recap the goals set in Session 1
- Ask the student to rate current self-esteem and motivation on a fresh form
- Have the student reflect on progress toward each goal and record challenges
- Discuss observed improvements and barriers
- Adjust goals or strategies as needed and store the form with previous data
Step 3
Session 3: Pre-Conclusion Assessment
10 minutes
- Welcome the student and remind them this is the third check-in
- Student completes ratings and reflective comments on the form
- Compare ratings to Sessions 1 and 2 to highlight growth areas
- Celebrate achievements and brainstorm solutions for any ongoing challenges
- Finalize adjustments and file the completed form
Step 4
Session 4: Quarterly Summation & Future Planning
10 minutes
- Review the four check-in forms together, tracking trends over time
- Discuss overall progress, key successes, and remaining hurdles
- Invite the student to identify lessons learned and set preliminary goals for the next quarter
- Encourage a final reflection: “What’s one thing you’re proud of?”
- Thank the student for their participation and outline next steps for continued support
Slide Deck
Progress Pulse: Quarterly Check-In
• 4 Sessions, 10 Minutes Each
• Track Self-Esteem & Motivation
• Set & Reflect on Counseling Goals
• Generate Data for Personalized Support
Welcome the student. Introduce the Progress Pulse process and its purpose: empowering them to track feelings, set goals, and see growth over time. Explain that we’ll meet for four 10-minute check-ins this quarter.
How to Use This Deck
- Follow one slide per session
- Student completes the check-in form each time
- Counselor guides reflection and goal setting
- Store forms to compare progress over time
Describe how we’ll use this slide deck alongside the Progress Pulse Quarterly Check-In Form. Emphasize confidentiality and student ownership of data.
Session 1: Baseline Check-In
- Rate self-esteem (1–5)
- Rate motivation (1–5)
- Reflection prompts:
– “How are you feeling right now?”
– “What concerns do you have?” - Set 2–3 SMART counseling goals
Guide the student through baseline ratings. Read prompts aloud if needed. Encourage honest responses and collaboratively set 2–3 counseling goals.
Session 2: Mid-Quarter Reflection
- Rate self-esteem & motivation again
- Reflect on progress toward each goal
- Identify challenges or barriers
- Discuss improvements & adjust goals/strategies
Recap goals from Session 1. Help the student compare current feelings to baseline. Provide positive reinforcement and adjust goals as needed.
Session 3: Pre-Conclusion Assessment
- Complete ratings & comments
- Compare with Sessions 1 & 2 to spot growth areas
- Celebrate achievements
- Co-plan solutions for ongoing challenges
Highlight any growth trends so far. Celebrate wins, however small. Brainstorm solutions for remaining challenges.
Session 4: Quarterly Summation & Future Planning
- Review ratings trends (all sessions)
- Discuss key successes & remaining hurdles
- Identify lessons learned
- Set preliminary goals for the next quarter
- Final reflection: “What’s one thing you’re proud of?”
Review all four form entries with the student. Use visual cues (e.g., trends in ratings) to reinforce progress. Help the student articulate lessons learned and prepare for the next quarter.
Next Steps & Continued Support
• Keep your journal or digital notebook updated
• Reach out if challenges arise
• Schedule the next quarterly check-in
• Remember: small steps build big progress
Encourage the student to continue self-reflection between quarters. Remind them of your availability and next check-in schedule.
Worksheet
Progress Pulse Quarterly Check-In Form
This form supports the Progress Pulse Lesson Plan and the Progress Pulse Slides. Complete one form per session.
Student Name: ____________________________ Counselor: ____________________
Session Number: ____ Date: ______________
1. Self-Assessment Ratings
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On a scale of 1 (very low) to 5 (very high), rate your self-esteem today: _____
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On a scale of 1 (very unmotivated) to 5 (very motivated), rate your motivation today: _____
2. Reflection Prompts
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How are you feeling right now?
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What concerns or challenges are on your mind?
3. Progress Toward Current Goals
Review the 2–3 counseling goals you set previously. For each, note your progress and any barriers.
Goal 1: ________________________________________
Progress and challenges:
Goal 2: ________________________________________
Progress and challenges:
(Optional) Goal 3: ________________________________________
Progress and challenges:
4. Set New or Adjusted Goals
Based on today’s check-in, list 1–3 action steps or goals to focus on next.
2. ________________________________________
(Optional) 3. ________________________________________
5. Counselor Notes (for counselor use)
Observations, follow-up questions, and next steps:
Thank you for your honest reflections. We’ll review this progress in our next check-in session!
Script
Progress Pulse Script
Use this script verbatim during each 10-minute individual check-in. Have the student complete the Progress Pulse Quarterly Check-In Form before or during your conversation.
Session 1: Baseline Check-In (10 minutes)
Counselor:
“Hi [Student Name], thanks for sitting with me today. We’re starting our Progress Pulse check-ins this quarter. Over the next four sessions, you’ll rate how you’re feeling, reflect on your motivation, and set goals. I’ll use this as data to support you, and everything you share is private between us.
First, let’s fill out the top of this form together.
- Self-Assessment Ratings
• On a scale of 1 to 5, how would you rate your self-esteem today? _____
• And your motivation? _____
(Counselor waits as the student writes.)
Counselor:
“Thanks. Can you tell me more about why you chose those numbers?”
Follow-up if needed: “What’s one thing that makes you feel that way right now?”
- Reflection Prompts
• How are you feeling in this moment?
Counselor (after student shares):
“That’s honest and really helpful. Thank you.
• What concerns or challenges are on your mind today?”
- Set Counseling Goals
Counselor:
“Great. Now let’s set 2–3 goals you’d like to work on this quarter. Think SMART: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound.”
Counselor (prompting):
“Goal 1:” ________________________________________
“Goal 2:” ________________________________________
(Optional) Goal 3: ______________________________
“Those look good. Which one feels most important to you right now?”
Follow-up: “What’s a small step you can take this week to move toward that goal?”
Counselor:
“Thank you for sharing your thoughts and goals. I’ll keep this form and we’ll check back in next session to track your progress.”
Session 2: Mid-Quarter Reflection (10 minutes)
Counselor:
“Hey [Student Name], welcome back! Last time you set these goals:
• Goal 1: [read student’s Goal 1]
• Goal 2: [read student’s Goal 2]
(Optional) Goal 3: [read student’s Goal 3]
Let’s complete a fresh check-in using the same form.”
- Self-Assessment Ratings
• Self-esteem (1–5): _____
• Motivation (1–5): _____
Counselor:
“Noticed this time you rated [higher/lower]. What changed since our last meeting?”
- Reflection Prompts
• How are you feeling right now?
Counselor:
“And about today, what’s on your mind?”
- Progress Toward Goals
Counselor:
“For each goal, let’s talk about your progress and any barriers.”
• Goal 1 Progress:
“Tell me one success you had.”
“Any challenges?”
• Goal 2 Progress:
“Share something you tried.”
“What stopped you at times?”
(Optional) Goal 3: same prompts.
Counselor:
“I’m proud of the steps you’ve taken so far. Let’s adjust anything that isn’t working and reinforce what is.”
- Set New or Adjusted Goals
Counselor:
“Based on our talk, what are 1–3 action steps or updated goals we should focus on next?”
*(Optional) 3. ______________________________
Counselor:
“Those sound strong. We’ll check back on these next time.”
Session 3: Pre-Conclusion Assessment (10 minutes)
Counselor:
“Hi [Student Name], this is our third check-in. Let’s see how things are moving.”
- Self-Assessment Ratings
• Self-esteem: _____
• Motivation: _____
Counselor:
“Compare these ratings to Session 1 and 2. What growth do you notice?”
- Reflection Prompts
• How are you feeling now?
Counselor:
“What’s one win you’ve had since we last met?”
- Celebrate & Troubleshoot
Counselor:
“I’m impressed by [specific win]. Let’s give you credit for that! What’s one area still challenging you?”
Counselor:
“How can we solve or reduce that challenge before our final session?”
- Adjust Goals if Needed
Counselor:
“If you’d like, let’s tweak your action steps:
*(Optional) 3. ______________________________
Counselor:
“Great. I’m excited to review everything one last time soon.”
Session 4: Quarterly Summation & Future Planning (10 minutes)
Counselor:
“Welcome back, [Student Name]. Today we’ll look at trends across all four forms.”
- Review Trends
Counselor (showing forms):
“Let’s glance at self-esteem and motivation ratings from Sessions 1–4. What stands out to you?”
- Key Successes & Remaining Hurdles
Counselor:
“Tell me the top two things you’re proud of this quarter.”
Counselor:
“And two areas you still find tough?”
- Lessons Learned
Counselor:
“What strategies or insights will you carry forward into next quarter?”
- Set Preliminary Goals
Counselor:
“Let’s draft 1–2 goals for the upcoming quarter to build on your progress.”
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-
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Final Reflection
Counselor:
“As we wrap up, what’s one thing you’re most proud of achieving?”
Counselor (closing):
“Thank you for your commitment and honesty. Keep using your journal between check-ins, and remember I’m here if you need support. We’ll schedule our next quarter’s sessions soon!”