Lesson Plan
Support Mapping Workshop Guide
Students will map at least five supports across school, home, and community and draft a help-seeking script including what, when, and how to ask.
Building a strong support network and knowing how to ask for help is crucial for navigating challenges and fostering well-being. This lesson empowers students with practical strategies to identify resources and advocate for themselves.
Audience
10th Grade
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Interactive mapping and role-playing.
Prep
Review Materials
10 minutes
Step 1
Warm-up: Name One Trusted Person
5 minutes
- Project the warm-up question: "Think about one person you trust. What makes them trustworthy?"
- Have students briefly share their thoughts with a partner or the whole class. (See Your Support Network Slides)
Step 2
Model a Layered Support Map and Script
8 minutes
- Present the concept of a support network using the Your Support Network Slides.
- Model how to map different types of support (school, home, community).
- Introduce the idea of a help-seeking script and model an example using one of the Help-Seeking Script Cards. Discuss the 'what, when, and how' elements.
Step 3
Draft Personal Support Map
7 minutes
- Distribute the Support Network Map Template.
- Instruct students to individually brainstorm and map at least five supports across the three areas (school, home, community).
- Encourage them to think broadly about who supports them and in what ways.
Step 4
Role-Play Help-Seeking using Script Cards; Partner Feedback
7 minutes
- Divide students into pairs.
- Provide each pair with a selection of Help-Seeking Script Cards (students can choose a scenario or use their own).
- Instruct them to role-play asking for help using their drafted script or one of the cards.
- After each role-play, partners should provide constructive feedback using the Role-Play Feedback Protocol.
Step 5
Exit Ticket: Write Your First Ask and When You’ll Make It
3 minutes
- Distribute the Exit Ticket My First Ask.
- Students will complete the exit ticket, identifying a specific situation where they might need help and when they plan to make that ask. Collect as students leave.
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Slide Deck
Who's on My Team? Building Your Support Map
Navigating life with a strong support system is key to success and well-being. Today, we'll discover how to identify your unique team and learn how to reach out when you need them most!
Welcome students and introduce the day's topic: building a personal support map. Explain that understanding and utilizing our support systems is a key life skill.
Warm-Up: My Trusted Person
Think about one person you trust. What qualities make them trustworthy?
Share your thoughts with a partner.
Present this question as a warm-up. Give students a minute to think individually, then have them share with a partner or the whole class. Facilitate a brief discussion about common characteristics of trustworthy people.
What's a Support Network?
It's your personal team!
- People who help you when you're feeling down.
- People who celebrate your successes.
- People who give you advice.
- People who listen without judgment.
Why is it important?
- Reduces stress
- Boosts resilience
- Provides different perspectives
- Helps you achieve your goals
Define what a 'support network' is. Emphasize that it's not just friends and family, but also school staff, community members, and even online resources. Discuss the importance of having diverse supports.
Mapping Your Layers of Support
Your support network isn't just one type of person; it's a rich and varied group!
- School: Teachers, counselors, coaches, administrators
- Home: Family members, guardians, close relatives
- Community: Youth leaders, mentors, doctors, religious leaders, trusted neighbors
Introduce the idea of different 'layers' or 'areas' of support. Explain that students will be mapping their own supports shortly. Provide examples for each category. (e.g., School: Teacher, Counselor, Coach; Home: Parent, Sibling, Grandparent; Community: Youth leader, Doctor, Librarian).
The Power of a Help-Seeking Script
Sometimes, asking for help can feel really hard. A help-seeking script is like a map for your words. It helps you:
- Clearly say what you need.
- Feel more confident when you ask.
- Ensure you communicate effectively.
What's in a script?
- WHAT you need help with.
- WHEN you plan to ask or when you need the help.
- HOW you'll approach the person.
Explain what a help-seeking script is: a way to prepare for difficult conversations. Emphasize that it helps clarify thoughts, reduce anxiety, and ensure the message is clear. Give a simple example or ask students to brainstorm why this might be useful.
Let's Practice! Script Example
Scenario: You're feeling overwhelmed with homework in multiple classes and don't know how to prioritize.
Your Script Might Include:
- What:
Present this scenario and verbally walk through how a script might be built. For example: 'What's bothering you? You're overwhelmed with homework. Who could help? Your English teacher. What would you say? 'I'm feeling really stressed about the upcoming essay and I'm not sure where to start. Could I meet with you after class today to talk through it?'
Your Turn! Build Your Team
Now, it's your turn to create your own personalized support map and draft a help-seeking script.
Use the Support Network Map Template to identify your trusted adults, and then think about a situation where you might need to use a Help-Seeking Script Cards.
Remember to consider:
- Who is on your team?
- What specific help do you need?
- When and How will you ask?
Transition to the activity where students will create their own support maps and scripts. Reiterate the importance of identifying specific people and thinking about how they would approach them. Encourage them to be honest about their needs.
Role-Play & Feedback
Practice makes perfect! In pairs, you will:
- Choose a scenario from the Help-Seeking Script Cards (or use your own).
- Role-play asking for help using your script.
- Provide feedback to your partner using the Role-Play Feedback Protocol.
This is a chance to refine your approach!
Explain the role-play activity and how the Role-Play Feedback Protocol will be used. Emphasize that this is a safe space to practice and receive constructive feedback.
My First Ask: Exit Ticket
Before you leave, please complete the Exit Ticket My First Ask.
- Identify one specific situation where you might need help soon.
- Write down when you plan to make that ask.
This helps you take the first step in using your new skills!
Conclude the lesson by having students complete the exit ticket. This helps solidify their learning and provides you with insight into their understanding and readiness to apply the skills.
Worksheet
My Support Network Map
It's important to know who your "team" is! Use this template to map out the people who support you in different areas of your life. Think about at least five people who you can go to for help, advice, or just a listening ear.
Instructions:
- In each section (School, Home, Community), list people you trust and who support you.
- Briefly describe the kind of support they offer (e.g., academic help, emotional support, advice, fun activities).
- Feel free to add more circles or notes if you need to!
School Supports
Think about teachers, counselors, coaches, administrators, club advisors, or other adults at school.
Person 1:
Kind of Support:
Person 2:
Kind of Support:
Person 3:
Kind of Support:
Home Supports
Think about family members, guardians, older siblings, or other trusted adults at home.
Person 1:
Kind of Support:
Person 2:
Kind of Support:
Community Supports
Think about youth leaders, mentors, doctors, religious leaders, trusted neighbors, or family friends outside of school and home.
Person 1:
Kind of Support:
Person 2:
Kind of Support:
Person 3:
Kind of Support:
My Reflection
After completing your map, what did you notice about your support network? Is there anyone you want to connect with more, or any areas where you feel you could build more support?
Script
Help-Seeking Script Cards
Cut along the lines to create individual cards. Use these scenarios to practice drafting your "what, when, and how" help-seeking scripts with a partner. You can also use a scenario from your own life.
Card 1: Academic Overwhelm
Scenario: You have three major assignments due in different classes next week, and you feel completely overwhelmed, not knowing where to start or how to manage your time. You're starting to feel anxious.
What to think about:
- WHAT kind of help do you need?
- WHO could help you with this?
- WHEN and HOW will you approach them?
Card 2: Friendship Conflict
Scenario: You had a misunderstanding with a close friend, and now they aren't talking to you. You feel hurt and confused, and you want to resolve the issue but aren't sure how to start the conversation.
What to think about:
- WHAT kind of help or guidance do you need?
- WHO could help you navigate this (e.g., a trusted adult, another friend)?
- WHEN and HOW will you approach them?
Card 3: Personal Stress
Scenario: You've been feeling unusually tired and stressed lately, and you're having trouble sleeping. It's starting to affect your concentration in class and your mood at home. You don't know why you're feeling this way.
What to think about:
- WHAT kind of help do you need (e.g., to talk, get advice, see a doctor)?
- WHO could you talk to about these feelings?
- WHEN and HOW will you initiate this conversation?
Card 4: Future Planning Anxiety
Scenario: All your friends seem to have their future plans figured out (college applications, career ideas), but you feel lost and unsure about what you want to do after high school. You're worried about falling behind.
What to think about:
- WHAT kind of information or guidance do you need?
- WHO can provide support or resources for future planning?
- WHEN and HOW will you reach out to them?
Discussion
Role-Play Feedback Protocol
When providing feedback to your partner, remember to be constructive, specific, and kind. The goal is to help each other improve our help-seeking skills!
Partner A (Speaker) asks Partner B (Listener) for feedback:
- "What was one thing I did well when asking for help?"
- "Was my 'what, when, and how' clear? If not, what could I clarify?"
- "What is one suggestion you have for me to improve my help-seeking script or approach?"
Partner B (Listener) provides feedback to Partner A:
-
One thing that worked well: (e.g., "I noticed you clearly stated what you needed.", "You maintained good eye contact.", "Your tone was calm and clear.")
-
Clarity of the 'What, When, How': (e.g., "Your 'what' was clear, but I wasn't sure 'when' you needed the help.", "You clearly stated 'what' you needed, 'when' you wanted to talk, and 'how' you would approach the person.")
-
One suggestion for improvement: (e.g., "Perhaps you could try starting with an 'I' statement.", "Maybe practice saying it a bit slower.", "Consider adding a specific time you are available to meet.")
Switch roles and repeat!
Cool Down
Exit Ticket: My First Ask
Now that you've explored your support network and practiced help-seeking scripts, it's time to think about taking a real step forward!
-
Think about a situation (big or small) where you might need to ask for help or support in the near future. This could be academic, social, personal, or anything else that comes to mind.
My Situation:
-
Who is the specific person you would consider asking for help in this situation? (Refer to your Support Network Map Template if needed!)
I would consider asking:
-
When do you plan to make this ask or start this conversation?
I plan to make this ask by/on:
Optional: Briefly write down one sentence of what you might say to them to start the conversation.