Rapport Builders

Joe Reiss

Tier 2

Lesson Plan

Rapport Builders Lesson Plan

Introduce 1st graders to school counseling by building rapport through name‐tag creation, icebreakers, and sharing activities to foster a supportive group environment.

Building rapport early helps students feel comfortable sharing ideas, fosters trust in the counselor and peers, and lays the foundation for future group sessions.

Audience

1st Grade Students

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Interactive, hands-on sharing activities

Materials

Get-to-Know You Worksheet, Name Tag Template, Sharing Prompt Cards, Markers, Crayons, and Circle Seating Mat

Prep

Prepare Materials

10 minutes

Print copies of Get-to-Know You Worksheet, Name Tag Template, and Sharing Prompt Cards.
Gather markers, crayons, and set up the Circle Seating Mat in an open space.
Review each printed material to familiarize yourself with prompts and layout.

Step 1

Warm-Up & Name Tag Creation

7 minutes

Welcome students and invite them to sit on the Circle Seating Mat in a circle.
Introduce yourself as the school counselor and briefly explain your role (listening, helping, and supporting).
Distribute Name Tag Template, markers, and crayons.
Ask each student to write their name and draw one thing they like (e.g., favorite toy, animal, or color).

Step 2

Icebreaker: My Favorite

8 minutes

Shuffle and distribute one Sharing Prompt Card to each student.
Explain that each card has a prompt like “My favorite color is…” or “My favorite game is…”.
One by one, students read their prompt, finish the sentence, and show any drawing if included.
Encourage peers to listen quietly and give a thumbs-up or clap after each share.

Step 3

Worksheet Activity: Get to Know You

10 minutes

Hand out the Get-to-Know You Worksheet to each student.
Guide students through sections: drawing themselves, writing their name and age, and filling in a favorite activity.
Offer help: the teacher or peers can scribe for any student who needs support.
After completion, invite volunteers to share one thing they wrote or drew.

Step 4

Reflection & Closing

5 minutes

Ask each student to share one new thing they learned about a friend today.
Reinforce that sharing and listening help the group feel safe and connected.
Preview the next group session briefly (e.g., “Next time we’ll talk about feelings!”).
Thank everyone for participating and collect materials.

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Slide Deck

Rapport Builders: Welcome!

• Learn what school counseling is
• Make name tags
• Share favorite things
• Get to know our new friends

Greet the students warmly as they enter. Say: “Hello friends! I’m excited to meet you as your school counselor. Today we’ll have fun getting to know each other!”

Materials for Today

• Name Tag Template
• Markers & Crayons
• Sharing Prompt Cards
• Get-to-Know You Worksheet
• Circle Seating Mat

Show each item as you list it. Explain briefly how we will use each material in our activities.

Warm-Up & Name Tag Creation

Sit on the Circle Seating Mat in a circle
Write your name on your tag
Draw one thing you like (favorite toy, animal, or color)

Invite students to sit in a circle on the mat. Explain your role: “I listen, help, and support you.” Distribute name tags, markers, and crayons. Walk around and help as needed.

Icebreaker: My Favorite

Pick up one Sharing Prompt Card
Read or have the counselor read your prompt
Finish the sentence and show your drawing
Class gives thumbs-up or clap

Shuffle the prompt cards and hand one to each student. Model reading and answering one prompt first. Encourage quiet listening and positive reactions (thumbs-up or clap).

Worksheet: Get to Know You

• Draw yourself
• Write your name & age
• Fill in your favorite activity
• Color your pictures

Distribute the worksheet. Guide students through each section. Offer help: scribe for students who need writing support. After 8 minutes, invite 2–3 volunteers to share one thing they drew or wrote.

Reflection & Closing

• Share one new thing you learned about a friend
• Remember: sharing helps us feel connected
• Next time: We’ll talk about feelings!

Ask each student to share one new thing they learned about a friend. Reinforce that sharing and listening help everyone feel safe. Thank them for participating.

Worksheet

Get-to-Know You Worksheet

Welcome! This worksheet will help me learn more about you. Take your time and have fun!

My name is: ____________________________
My age is: ______________________________
Draw a picture of yourself here:
My favorite activity is: ___________________________________________________
Something else I’d like to share: _____________________________________________

Worksheet

Name Tag Template

Use this name tag to show everyone your name and something you like! Color and decorate it to make it special.

Write your name here:

Draw a picture of something you like inside your name tag: