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Sending A Help Signal?

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Lesson Plan

Sending A Help Signal

Students will identify one trusted adult and draft a sentence to ask for help when feeling overwhelmed.

Learning to ask for help is a crucial life skill that empowers students to manage challenging emotions and situations, ensuring they have the support they need to thrive.

Audience

6th Grade

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Through brainstorming, drafting, and role-playing.

Materials

Help Signals Slides, My Help Script Builder Worksheet, and Trusted Adult Map Activity

Prep

Review Materials

10 minutes

Step 1

Do Now: Who Can You Talk To?

5 minutes

  • Display Help Signals Slides (Slide 1).
  • Ask students to silently reflect for 1 minute on who they can talk to when they feel overwhelmed.
  • Have students share their reflections with a partner for 2 minutes.
  • Bring the class back together and ask 2-3 students to share their thoughts with the whole class.

Step 2

Brainstorm Ways to Ask for Help

7 minutes

  • Display Help Signals Slides (Slide 2).
  • Lead a brief discussion (3 minutes) on why asking for help is important and what different ways they can ask for help (e.g., direct conversation, note, email, talking to another trusted adult who can relay the message).
  • Introduce the idea of a 'help signal' as a simple, clear way to communicate they need support.
  • Distribute the Trusted Adult Map Activity and give students 4 minutes to fill in their trusted adults.

Step 3

Draft a 'Help Script'

10 minutes

  • Display Help Signals Slides (Slide 3).
  • Distribute the My Help Script Builder Worksheet.
  • Explain that a 'help script' is a simple sentence or two they can use when they feel overwhelmed.
  • Guide students through drafting a sentence to ask for help using the worksheet.
  • Encourage them to think about what they would say to a trusted adult. Provide examples if needed (e.g., 'I'm feeling really stressed right now and need to talk,' 'I'm overwhelmed and could use some help with something.').

Step 4

Role-Play Asking for Help

8 minutes

  • Display Help Signals Slides (Slide 4).
  • Pair students up and have them take turns role-playing asking for help using their drafted 'help script' with a 'trusted adult' (their partner).
  • Emphasize that the partner should listen empathetically and respond supportively (e.g., 'Thanks for telling me. How can I help?').
  • Circulate and provide feedback and encouragement.
  • Conclude by reiterating the importance of reaching out to a trusted adult.
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Slide Deck

Sending A Help Signal?

Who can you talk to when you feel overwhelmed?

Welcome students and introduce the lesson. Explain that today we'll be talking about something important: asking for help. Encourage an open and safe environment. Prompt students to think about who they trust.

Why is it important to ask for help?

What are different ways to ask for help?

Initiate a class discussion. Ask students why it might be difficult to ask for help and listen to their responses. Then, brainstorm different methods for seeking support.

Crafting Your Help Script

What would you say to a trusted adult when you need help?

Introduce the concept of a 'help script.' Explain that it's a simple, clear sentence or two they can use. Guide them to think about what they would say to a trusted adult.

Practice Your Signal!

Role-play with a partner: Practice asking for help using your script.

Explain the role-play activity. Emphasize empathetic listening and supportive responses from the 'trusted adult' partner. Circulate to provide guidance and feedback.

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Worksheet

My Help Script Builder

Sometimes, it can be hard to find the right words when you're feeling overwhelmed and need help. This worksheet will help you practice what to say to a trusted adult.

Step 1: Who is your trusted adult?

Think about the person you identified in your Trusted Adult Map Activity that you would feel comfortable talking to when you need help. Write their name here:

Trusted Adult's Name:


Step 2: What are you feeling?

It's okay to feel overwhelmed. What are some feelings you might have when you need help? (Circle any that apply or write your own):

Stressed | Sad | Anxious | Frustrated | Confused | Tired | Worried

Other feelings:


Step 3: What do you want to say?

Draft a simple sentence or two you could say to your trusted adult to let them know you need help. Remember, you don't have to explain everything right away. Just let them know you need to talk or need support.

  • Example 1: "I'm feeling really stressed right now and need to talk."
  • Example 2: "I'm overwhelmed and could use some help with something."
  • Example 3: "I'm not doing so great and need some support."

My Help Script:










Step 4: Practice Your Script

Now, imagine you are talking to your trusted adult. Say your help script out loud to yourself. How does it feel? What might be their response?







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Activity

Trusted Adult Map

When you feel overwhelmed, it's really important to know who you can talk to. These are your trusted adults – people who care about you and want to help.

Draw a circle in the middle of the page and write your name in it. Then, draw lines connecting your circle to other circles, and in those circles, write the names of your trusted adults. These can be family members, teachers, coaches, neighbors, or any adult you feel safe talking to.































Reflect and Connect:

  1. Out of the adults you listed, who is one person you feel most comfortable talking to when you feel overwhelmed?




  2. Why do you feel this person is a trusted adult for you?







  3. What's one way you could reach out to this person if you needed help right now?







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