Lesson Plan
Who's Got Your Back?
Students will identify at least three sources of support in their lives and draft one way to ask for help from one of those sources.
Understanding and utilizing your support system is a vital life skill that helps you navigate challenges, reduce stress, and build resilience.
Audience
7th Grade
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Interactive discussion, personal reflection, and practical application.
Materials
Prep
Teacher Preparation
10 minutes
- Review the My Support Web Slides to ensure familiarity with the content.
- Print enough copies of the Support Web Map Worksheet for each student.
- Print enough copies of the My Help Script Journal for each student.
- Ensure projector and computer are set up for the slide presentation.
Step 1
Warm-Up: Who do you talk to?
5 minutes
- Display the 'Do Now' question from the My Support Web Slides: 'Who do you talk to when you need help?'
- Ask students to silently reflect or jot down a quick answer.
- Facilitate a brief class discussion, encouraging volunteers to share (no pressure). Emphasize that help can come from many places.
Step 2
Mapping Your Support Web
10 minutes
- Introduce the concept of a 'support system' using the My Support Web Slides.
- Distribute the Support Web Map Worksheet.
- Guide students through the worksheet, prompting them to identify different categories of support (family, friends, teachers, mentors, community members).
- Encourage them to think broadly and include specific names if they feel comfortable.
Step 3
Crafting Your Help Script
10 minutes
- Transition to the idea of 'help-seeking' using the My Support Web Slides.
- Distribute the My Help Script Journal.
- Explain that asking for help can be hard, but having a simple script can make it easier.
- Provide examples and guide students in drafting a sentence or two to ask for help from one person on their support web.
- Allow time for students to share their scripts with a partner or in small groups if they wish.
Step 4
Commit to Connect
5 minutes
- Challenge students to commit to reaching out to one person on their support web this week, even if it's just to say hello or thank them.
- Reiterate the importance of their support systems and that everyone needs help sometimes.
- Collect the Support Web Map Worksheet and My Help Script Journal for review, if desired.
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Slide Deck
Who's Got Your Back?
Do Now:
Who do you talk to when you need help?
Greet students and start with a warm-up. This question is meant to be a low-stakes reflection to get them thinking about who they rely on.
What's a Support System?
It's the people in your life who:
- Care about you
- Listen to you
- Help you when you need it
- Cheer you on!
Introduce the concept of a support system. Explain that it's the network of people who care about them and can offer help. Emphasize that everyone has one, even if it's small.
Who's In Your Web?
Your support system can include:
- Family: Parents, guardians, siblings, aunts, uncles, grandparents
- Friends: Close classmates, friends from sports or clubs
- School: Teachers, counselors, coaches, administrators
- Community: Religious leaders, neighbors, doctors, mentors
Explain that support systems can include many different types of people. Provide examples for each category. Transition to the worksheet where they will map their own.
Asking for Help: A Superpower!
It's okay (and smart!) to ask for help.
Sometimes it feels hard to find the right words. Let's practice!
Introduce the idea that asking for help is a sign of strength. Explain that it can be tricky, but practicing makes it easier. Distribute the journal for them to work on their script.
Commit to Connect
This week, try reaching out to one person on your support web. It could be:
- A quick "hello"
- A thank you
- Sharing something positive
Your support system is there for you!
Encourage students to think about one person they could reach out to this week. It doesn't have to be a big ask, just a connection. Reinforce that building and using their support system is a lifelong skill.
Worksheet
My Support Web Map
Your support system is a network of people who care about you and can help you. Let's map out who is in your personal support web!
Instructions:
- In the center circle, write your name.
- In the surrounding circles, write the names of people who support you. Try to think of at least one person for each category, but you can add more!
- If a category doesn't feel right, you can change it or leave it blank and add someone from another category. You can also add more circles if you need them!
### My Support Web
_________________
/ \
| Community |
| (e.g., coach, |
| mentor, |
| religious |
| leader) |
\_________________/<br/><br/><br/>
_________________ _________________
/ \ / \
| Family | | Friends |
| (e.g., parents, | | (e.g., classmates,|
| guardians, | | teammates) |
| grandparents, | | |
| siblings) | | |
\_________________/ \_________________/<br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/> _________________________________
/ \
| **MY NAME:** |
| |
\_________________________________/<br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/> _________________ _________________
/ \ / \
| School | | Other |
| (e.g., teacher, | | (e.g., doctor, |
| counselor, | | neighbor, |
| coach) | | trusted adult) |
\_________________/ \_________________/<br/><br/><br/>
_________________
/ \
| |
| (Add your own!) |
| |
\_________________/
Reflection Questions:
-
Was it easy or difficult to fill out your support web? Why do you think that is?
-
Which category has the most people? Why do you think that is?
-
How does it feel to see all the people who support you?
Journal
My Help Script Journal
Sometimes it can be hard to ask for help, even from people we trust. Having a