Lesson Plan
Skillful Connections Overview
Provide school counselors with a clear 12-week roadmap for facilitating small-group social skills sessions, outlining weekly themes, objectives, and core materials tailored for 6th graders.
Delivering this structured guide ensures counselors can confidently lead focused, developmentally appropriate sessions that build students’ empathy, communication, cooperation, and self-awareness.
Audience
Time
Approach
Materials
Prep
Review and Customize Materials
30 minutes
Step 1
Introduce the Program
5 minutes
Step 2
Weekly Session Delivery
20 minutes
Step 3
Wrap-Up and Reflection
5 minutes
Slide Deck
Skillful Connections Overview
Agenda
Program Purpose & Goals
12-Week Curriculum Timeline
Focus Areas Across Weeks
Core Materials
Preparation Steps
Next Steps & Support
Lesson Plan
Skillful Connections Counselor Guidehttps://www.lenny.org/lesson/dc49d487-d4bf-4b99-9133-87e84a00a992#teacher-guide
Equip counselors with a comprehensive facilitation guide, session flow, and materials to deliver 12 weekly social skills sessions to 6th graders.
A structured counselor guide ensures consistent, engaging sessions that build empathy, communication, cooperation, and self-awareness by providing clear facilitation notes, materials lists, and group management tips.
Audience
Time
Approach
Materials
Prep
Review and Prepare Materials
30 minutes
Step 1
Program Overview
10 minutes
Step 2
Weekly Session Facilitation
15 minutes
Step 3
Reflection and Monitoring
5 minutes
Lesson Plan
Weekly Session Outline
Provide counselors with a detailed, week-by-week outline of themes, objectives, activities, materials, and prompts to guide each 30-minute session across the 12-week Skillful Connections curriculum.
A clear weekly roadmap helps counselors stay organized, maintain consistency, and ensure each social-skills lesson builds progressively, maximizing student engagement and skill development.
Audience
Time
Approach
Materials
Step 1
Week 1: Program Introduction & Icebreakers
30 minutes
Step 2
Week 2: Understanding Emotions
30 minutes
Step 3
Week 3: Empathy in Action
30 minutes
Step 4
Week 4: Active Listening
30 minutes
Step 5
Week 5: Clear Communication
30 minutes
Step 6
Week 6: Reading Nonverbal Cues
30 minutes
Step 7
Week 7: Cooperation & Teamwork
30 minutes
Step 8
Week 8: Problem-Solving Strategies
30 minutes
Step 9
Week 9: Conflict Resolution Techniques
30 minutes
Step 10
Week 10: Assertiveness & Boundaries
30 minutes
Step 11
Week 11: Leadership & Peer Support
30 minutes
Step 12
Week 12: Reflection & Celebration
30 minutes
Lesson Plan
Session Materials List
Provide counselors with an itemized, session-by-session checklist of all materials needed for the 12-week Skillful Connections curriculum.
Having a clear materials list ensures counselors can gather supplies ahead of time, minimizing disruptions and ensuring each session runs smoothly.
Audience
Time
Approach
Materials
Step 1
Journal
Discussion
Worksheet
Worksheet
Worksheet
Game
Activity
Slide Deck
Problem-Solving Toolbox
Step 1: Identify the Problem
Step 2: Brainstorm Possible Solutions
Step 3: Evaluate Options
Step 4: Choose & Plan
Step 5: Implement & Review
Practice: Real-Life Example
Project Guide
Worksheet
Worksheet
Worksheet
