Lesson Plan
Circle of Voices Plan
In this 30-minute icebreaker, students will share personal responses in a safe, structured circle to build trust and empathy, then conclude with a one-word reflection to consolidate feelings.
Establishing trust and open communication early fosters a positive group climate. Through sharing and listening, students develop empathy, active listening skills, and a sense of belonging critical for future group counseling sessions.
Audience
6th Grade Class
Time
30 Minutes
Approach
Guided circle-sharing followed by one-word reflection
Materials
- Welcome and Warm-Up Slides, - Pass the Ball Share Activity Guide, - One-Word Reflection Prompts, and - Beach Ball Or Soft Ball
Prep
Review And Setup
10 Minutes
- Review Welcome and Warm-Up Slides to familiarize yourself with prompts and discussion norms
- Read through Pass the Ball Share Activity Guide to understand the sequence of sharing prompts
- Print or prepare One-Word Reflection Prompts cards or display them digitally
- Gather a Beach Ball Or Soft Ball and inspect for safety
- Arrange chairs in a circle ensuring enough space for the ball pass
Step 1
Welcome And Warm-Up
5 Minutes
- Display Welcome and Warm-Up Slides
- Greet students and introduce the purpose: building trust and listening skills
- Review group agreements (respect, confidentiality, one speaker at a time)
- Model tone: kind, open, and nonjudgmental
Step 2
Pass The Ball Share
20 Minutes
- Have students sit or stand in a circle, passing the ball while soft music plays
- When music stops, the student holding the ball reads a prompt from the Pass the Ball Share Activity Guide and shares their response
- Continue music and ball passing, ensuring each student has 2–3 turns until time ends
- Sample prompts: “Share something you’re proud of,” “Name a hobby you enjoy,” “Describe a place you feel safe”
Step 3
One-Word Reflection
5 Minutes
- Introduce the One-Word Reflection Prompts
- Ask each student to think of one word that captures how they feel after today’s session
- Go around the circle; each student shares their word and optional brief explanation
- Reinforce positive listening and close by thanking everyone for sharing
Slide Deck
Ready to Share?
An Icebreaker to Build Trust & Empathy
Welcome everyone! Introduce yourself and explain that today’s session is called “Ready to Share?” — an icebreaker to help us get to know each other, build trust, and practice listening skills. Keep your tone warm and enthusiastic.
Today's Objectives
• Share something about yourself in a safe space
• Practice active listening and empathy
• Have fun and build connections
Read each objective aloud. Emphasize that sharing helps us connect, listening shows we care, and having fun makes the group stronger.
Our Group Agreements
• Be respectful and kind
• Keep what’s shared confidential
• Listen without interrupting
• Participate and stay positive
Go through each agreement. Ask students to give a thumbs-up if they agree. Stress that confidentiality means what’s said here stays here.
Icebreaker Overview
Pass the ball around the circle
When the music stops, answer a sharing prompt
Everyone gets a chance to speak (2–3 turns each)
Introduce the icebreaker at a high level. Explain that we’ll be passing a ball to determine whose turn it is to share. Highlight that everyone will get 2-3 turns.
How to Play
- Sit or stand in a circle
- We’ll play soft music and pass the ball
- Music stops → person holding ball reads a prompt and shares
- Continue until everyone has shared
Walk students through the steps. Show enthusiasm when describing the music and the fun of learning about each other.
Let's Get Started!
• Find a spot in the circle
• Make sure there’s enough space to pass the ball
• Get ready for our Pass the Ball Share
Cue students to form the circle. Remind them to spread out enough to pass the ball safely. Be ready to start the music.
Activity
Pass the Ball Share Activity Guide
Overview (20 minutes)
Students sit in a circle and pass a soft ball while soft music plays. When the music stops, the student holding the ball picks or reads a prompt and shares their response (30–60 seconds). Repeat until time is up so each student has 2–3 turns.
Materials
- Beach Ball or Soft Ball
- Music player with a short soft playlist
- Printed prompt cards or a projected prompt list
Prep (5 minutes)
- Arrange chairs (or have students stand) in a spacious circle.
- Load soft background music at a low volume.
- Write prompts on index cards (face down) or display them where everyone can see.
- Inspect the ball for safety and cleanliness.
Instructions
- Explain the Rules (2 minutes)
- Tell students they will pass the ball while music plays.
- When the music stops, whoever has the ball draws/reads a prompt and shares.
- Play and Share (15 minutes)
- Start the music and have students pass the ball clockwise.
- Stop the music after 20–30 seconds.
- Student holding the ball chooses a prompt and shares for 30–60 seconds.
- Return the prompt and resume music.
- Aim for each student to share at least twice.
- Quick Wrap-Up (3 minutes)
- Thank everyone for participating.
- Invite volunteers to share one thing they learned about a classmate or how they felt.
Prompts (Use and shuffle as needed)
- Share something you’re proud of.
- Name a hobby you enjoy.
- Describe a place where you feel safe.
- What is your favorite school subject and why?
- Name one thing that makes you smile.
- Share a goal you have this year.
- Tell us about a family tradition you like.
- What’s a food you can’t live without?
- If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why?
- Name one quality you value in a friend.
Facilitation Tips
- Offer “pass” option once per student if they’re very shy; prompt again later with a simpler question.
- Model a brief answer to reduce pressure.
- Use positive reinforcement (nodding, “Thank you for sharing!”) to encourage openness.
- Monitor time—keep shares concise to allow 2–3 turns each.
- If a student shares something emotional, validate briefly and offer to talk privately after the session.
Cool Down
One-Word Reflection
Purpose
Wrap up today’s session by encouraging students to reflect on their feelings in a concise, focused way. Sharing one word helps consolidate emotions and reinforce listening skills.
Materials
- A visible list of example words (optional)
- Pens and paper or whiteboard (optional)
Instructions
- Gather everyone back into the circle.
- Explain: “Please think of one word that best describes how you feel after our activity today.”
- Give students about 30 seconds to think—and, if helpful, jot down their word.
- Go around the circle. Each student says their one word aloud.
- If a student wishes, they can add a very brief reason (10–15 seconds max).
Examples of One-Word Responses
• Excited
• Calm
• Proud
• Curious
• Connected
• Happy
Reflection Space
Write your one word here:
Facilitation Tips
- Encourage brevity: one word plus a short phrase only if the student volunteers.
- Acknowledge each share with a nod or “Thank you for sharing.”
- Note patterns: if several students pick similar words, highlight the shared experience (e.g., “I notice many of you said ‘connected’—we did a great job listening to each other!”).
- Keep the pace steady to maintain group energy.
- Close by thanking everyone for their openness and reinforcing group agreements.