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The Connection Quest

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Lesson Plan

Connection Quest Blueprint

Engage a 9th-grade student in a fun, one-on-one mission to share and discover strengths and interests, building rapport and setting a positive classroom foundation.

Strong teacher-student connections boost trust, engagement, and motivation. This targeted session helps personalize learning and fosters a supportive environment from day one.

Audience

9th Grade Student

Time

20 minutes

Approach

Interactive quest activities for mutual sharing and reflection.

Materials

Prep

Session Preparation

5 minutes

  • Review the Quest Launch Deck slides and flow
  • Print or ready the Strengths Scavenger Hunt activity sheets
  • Print or have digital access to the Quest Reflection Sheet
  • Familiarize yourself with any known student interests or background to personalize examples

Step 1

Welcome & Introduction

2 minutes

  • Greet the student warmly and establish a relaxed tone
  • Briefly explain the session’s purpose: a creative quest to learn about each other’s strengths and interests

Step 2

Quest Launch

5 minutes

  • Display the opening slide from the Quest Launch Deck
  • Introduce the mission: explore personal strengths and interests together
  • Invite the student to set a simple, personal goal for the session

Step 3

Strengths Scavenger Hunt

10 minutes

  • Hand the student the Strengths Scavenger Hunt activity sheet
  • Instruct them to move through prompts identifying hobbies, talents, and values
  • Share your own responses alongside theirs to model openness
  • Offer support or clarifications as needed

Step 4

Reflection & Debrief

3 minutes

  • Provide the Quest Reflection Sheet for quick insights
  • Ask the student to note key takeaways and any new connections made
  • Discuss one next step or follow-up activity to continue relationship building
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Slide Deck

The Connection Quest

Embark on a creative mission to build a strong classroom connection by sharing our strengths and interests.

Welcome the student warmly. Introduce the session as a fun quest to learn about each other’s strengths and interests.

Mission Brief

Our mission is to discover what makes each of us unique. By sharing hobbies, talents, and values, we’ll build trust and set the stage for success this year.

Explain the mission: to explore personal strengths and interests together and set the tone for a supportive environment.

Set Your Quest Goal

Think of one thing you’d like to gain from today’s session (e.g., share something new, learn about my hobbies, find a common interest). Write it down and share it with me.

Prompt the student to identify one simple, personal goal for this session. Listen and acknowledge their choice.

Activity: Strengths Scavenger Hunt

• Identify three hobbies you enjoy.
• Name two talents or skills you’re proud of.
• Share one personal value or belief important to you.

Hand over the Strengths Scavenger Hunt sheet. Guide the student through the first couple of prompts, then let them continue independently while you model openness.

Wrap-Up & Next Steps

Reflect on today’s discoveries:
• What surprised you?
• What did we learn about each other?
Decide on one next action to keep building our connection.

Distribute the Quest Reflection Sheet. Discuss what stood out and plan a quick next step (e.g., follow-up activity, check-in).

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Activity

Strengths Scavenger Hunt

Instructions: For each prompt below, write your response in the “Student” section. Then, watch as I share my answers in the “Teacher” section. Let’s learn more about each other!

  1. Three Hobbies I Enjoy:
    • Student:



    • Teacher:


  2. Two Talents or Skills I’m Proud Of:
    • Student:



    • Teacher:


  3. One Personal Value or Belief That Matters to Me:
    • Student:



    • Teacher:


  4. One Goal I Have for This School Year:
    • Student:



    • Teacher:


  5. Something New I’d Like to Learn or Try:
    • Student:



    • Teacher:


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Worksheet

Quest Reflection Sheet

Use this sheet to reflect on our Connection Quest. Write your thoughts in the spaces provided.

  1. My Quest Goal was:






  1. One thing I learned about myself today:






  1. One thing I learned about my teacher today:






  1. Something that surprised me during our quest:






  1. One next step or action we can take to keep building our connection:






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