Lesson Plan
Who's Your School Squad?
Antwan will identify at least three supportive individuals within his school community (staff and peers) whom he can turn to for academic encouragement and assistance.
Knowing who to ask for help makes school less stressful and more successful! This lesson helps Antwan build his network of support so he always knows where to go when he needs a hand or a cheerleader.
Audience
7th Grade Student (1:1 with Antwan)
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Interactive discussion, visual aids, and a guided activity.
Materials
Smartboard or Projector, Markers or Pens, School Squad Slide Deck, School Squad Script, Antwan's Support Squad Explorer, and Cool Down: Support Squad Exit Ticket
Prep
Preparation Steps
15 minutes
- Review the School Squad Slide Deck and School Squad Script to familiarize yourself with the content and talking points for a 1:1 session with Antwan.
* Print out one copy of Antwan's Support Squad Explorer for Antwan and one for yourself as a guide.
* Ensure you have markers or pens for Antwan to use with the explorer activity.
* Prepare your projector or smartboard for the slide deck presentation.
* Review the Cool Down: Support Squad Exit Ticket and prepare to administer it to Antwan at the end of the session. Be ready to scribe or allow for drawing if Antwan prefers.
Step 1
Warm-Up: Think-Pair-Share (Adapted for 1:1) (5 minutes)
5 minutes
- Teacher says: "Good morning, Antwan! Today, we're going to talk about something super important: who helps us at school! Think about a time you needed help with homework or just felt a little stuck. Who did you go to?"
* Display the first slide of the School Squad Slide Deck (Title Slide).
* Allow Antwan time to think and respond. Offer prompts like, "Was it a teacher? A friend?" or "What did they help you with?"
Step 2
Introduction to Antwan's School Squad (10 minutes)
10 minutes
- Teacher says: "Great thinking, Antwan! Sometimes it's easy to forget all the awesome people who are here to help us. Today, we're going to learn about your 'School Squad' – all the supportive individuals in our school community who can give you academic encouragement and assistance, and even just listen when you need to talk."
* Use the School Squad Script to guide the discussion through the School Squad Slide Deck, introducing different roles like teachers, counselors, librarians, and the school social worker.
* Emphasize the different ways each person can offer support (e.g., academic help, emotional support, guidance).
* Facilitate a discussion, asking Antwan to name individuals he already knows in these roles. Point to pictures on the slides if available to support comprehension. It's crucial for Antwan to hear names and associate them with roles.
Step 3
Activity Time: Antwan's Support Squad Explorer (10 minutes)
10 minutes
- Teacher says: "Now, let's explore who's in your School Squad using this special explorer sheet!"
* Distribute the Antwan's Support Squad Explorer and a pen/marker to Antwan.
* Explain the activity: The teacher will read each statement/question on the explorer sheet. Antwan will identify a person at school who fits the description (e.g., "a teacher who helps with math"). The teacher will help Antwan write the name of the supportive person in the designated space, or Antwan can point/draw.
* The teacher will actively guide Antwan through the sheet, providing verbal prompts, pointing to visuals, and offering choices if Antwan has difficulty recalling names. Focus on identifying any supportive individual for each category, rather than unique individuals for each square. The goal is active participation and exposure to names/roles.
* After 7-8 minutes, review the explorer sheet with Antwan, reinforcing the names of the supportive people he identified.
Slide Deck
Who's Your School Squad?
Finding Your Helpers at School!
Greet Antwan warmly. Display the title slide. Start by asking Antwan to think about a time he needed help at school and who he went to. Emphasize that it's okay to need help and that there are many people who care.
Your School Squad
Who are the people at school who help you learn and grow?
- Teachers
- Counselors
- Librarian
- Social Worker
- Coaches
- Trusted Friends
Introduce the concept of a 'School Squad' directly to Antwan. Explain that these are the people who support him academically and personally. Ask Antwan if he can think of anyone already. Point to each role as you say it.
Teachers: Your Learning Guides
What do teachers help with?
- Explaining tough subjects
- Giving extra help with homework
- Helping you understand assignments
- Making learning fun!
Talk about teachers with Antwan. Explain how they help with lessons, homework, and understanding new things. Ask Antwan to name a teacher he feels comfortable asking for help.
Counselors: Your Problem Solvers
What do counselors help with?
- Talking about feelings
- Solving problems with friends
- Planning for high school and beyond
- Helping you feel calm and happy
Introduce the counselor to Antwan. Explain their role in helping with feelings, problems, and future plans. Emphasize that talking to a counselor is a sign of strength and that you can help him connect with them.
Librarian: Your Information Expert
What does the librarian help with?
- Finding interesting books
- Doing research for projects
- Using computers and technology
- Learning new things in the library
Explain the librarian's role to Antwan. Highlight how they help with finding books, research, and using computers. Make it clear they are a resource for academic tasks. Ask Antwan if he has been to the library and who helped him there.
School Social Worker: Your Support Connector
What does the social worker help with?
- Connecting you with resources
- Supporting you and your family
- Helping with school attendance
- Making sure you feel safe and supported
Introduce the school social worker to Antwan. Explain their role in connecting students and families with resources and support. This is directly relevant to Antwan's goal. Emphasize that they are there to help him feel safe and supported.
Other Awesome People!
Who else can be part of your School Squad?
- Coaches
- Lunch staff
- Administrators (Principals, Vice Principals)
- And even your trusted friends!
Broaden the idea of support to include other staff and even trusted friends. Emphasize that sometimes the best help comes from friends who are also learning. Ask Antwan if he can think of any other adults or friends who help him at school.
Let's Explore: Your Support Squad!
Get ready to find your helpers!
We'll use an explorer sheet to find who can help you at school.
Transition to the activity. Explain that this activity will help Antwan practice identifying supportive people. Briefly review the adapted instructions for the explorer sheet before starting the activity.
Remember Your Squad!
You are not alone!
There are many caring people at school who want to help you succeed and feel good.
Don't be afraid to ask for help!
Wrap up the session with Antwan. Emphasize the importance of reaching out and reiterate that there are many people who care and want to help him. Remind him he can always ask you for help connecting with his 'School Squad'.
Script
Teacher Script: Who's Your School Squad? (1:1 with Antwan)
Warm-Up: Thinking Together (5 minutes)
(Display School Squad Slide Deck - Title Slide)
"Good morning, Antwan! Today, we're going to talk about something super important: who helps us at school!"
"Think about a time you needed help with your schoolwork, or maybe you felt a little stuck on something, or even just needed someone to talk to. Who did you go to? Who helped you? You can point, tell me a name, or describe them."
(Give Antwan time to think and respond. If needed, offer specific prompts: "Was it a teacher? A friend?" or "What did they help you with? Maybe with reading, or a game?")
"That's great, Antwan! It's good to know there are people who help us."
Introduction to Antwan's School Squad (10 minutes)
(Display School Squad Slide Deck - "Your School Squad" slide)
"Sometimes it's easy to forget all the awesome people who are here to help us. Today, we're going to learn about your 'School Squad' – these are all the supportive people in our school who can help you with schoolwork, or if you need to talk."
"Look at this slide. Your School Squad can include: Teachers, Counselors, our Librarian, the School Social Worker, Coaches, and even your trusted friends!"
(Display School Squad Slide Deck - "Teachers: Your Learning Guides" slide)
"First up, our Teachers! You see them every day. What kind of things do your teachers help you with?" (Pause for Antwan's response. Guide him towards academic help, e.g., "Do they help with reading? Math?")
"That's right! Teachers help explain things, give extra help with homework, and help you understand assignments. If you don't understand something in class, who should you ask first?" (Wait for Antwan to indicate a teacher.)
(Display School Squad Slide Deck - "Counselors: Your Problem Solvers" slide)
"Next, we have our School Counselors. Our counselors are great! They can help if you want to talk about feelings, or if you have problems with friends. They want to help you feel calm and happy at school. If you're feeling worried, you can always ask me to help you talk to a counselor."
(Display School Squad Slide Deck - "Librarian: Your Information Expert" slide)
"Then there's our wonderful Librarian! The librarian can help you find interesting books, help you with school projects, and even show you how to use computers. Have you been to the library, Antwan? Who helped you there?"
(Display School Squad Slide Deck - "School Social Worker: Your Support Connector" slide)
"And a very important person in your school squad is the School Social Worker. Our social worker is here to help you and your family. They can help with things like coming to school every day and making sure you feel safe and supported. They are a great person to talk to if you have worries about school or home."
(Display School Squad Slide Deck - "Other Awesome People!" slide)
"Who else might be part of your School Squad? We also have our coaches, our friendly lunch staff, our principals and vice principals, and don't forget your trusted friends! Sometimes your friends are the best helpers, especially if you're working on something together or need to study."
"So, you see, Antwan, you have a big team of people here at school who are ready to help you!"
Activity Time: Antwan's Support Squad Explorer (10 minutes)
(Display School Squad Slide Deck - "Let's Explore: Your Support Squad!" slide)
"Now, let's explore who's in your School Squad using this special explorer sheet! I'm going to give you this Antwan's Support Squad Explorer and a pen."
(Distribute Antwan's Support Squad Explorer and a pen/marker to Antwan.)
"On this sheet, we have different ways people can help. I will read each one, and you can tell me, point to, or even draw a picture of a person at school who can help with that. For example, the first one says, 'Someone who helps with MATH.' Who at school helps with math, Antwan?"
(Go through each square on the explorer sheet with Antwan. For each square: read the prompt clearly, provide wait time for Antwan to respond, offer choices if he struggles to recall a name, help him write the name if he identifies someone, or allow him to draw. The focus is on Antwan identifying any person for each category, not necessarily a unique person for each square. Encourage him to think about specific names he knows.)
"Great job, Antwan! You've identified so many people in your School Squad!"
Cool Down: Your Support Squad Exit Ticket (5 minutes)
(Display School Squad Slide Deck - "Remember Your Squad!" slide)
"Before we finish, we have one last quick activity. This is your Cool Down: Support Squad Exit Ticket. Please take one, and a pen."
(Distribute the exit ticket. For Antwan, read the questions aloud and emphasize that he can write, draw, or tell you his answers.)
"On this ticket, Antwan, I want you to tell me or draw about one person in our school who you feel comfortable asking for help with schoolwork. And then, tell me or draw about one person in our school who you feel comfortable talking to if you have a problem or are feeling sad."
"It can be anyone we talked about today – a teacher, a counselor, the librarian, the social worker, or even a friend. Your answers will just be for you and me. When you're done, please hand it to me."
"Remember your School Squad, Antwan! You are not alone, and there are many caring people at school who want to help you succeed and feel good. Don't be afraid to ask for help!"
*(Collect the exit ticket.)
Activity
Antwan's Support Squad Explorer!
Goal: Let's find and name people at school who can help you!
Instructions for Teacher:
- Read each prompt to Antwan clearly.
- Help Antwan identify a person at school who fits the description. Encourage him to say their name, point to them (if a visual is available), or describe their job.
- Write the name of the supportive person Antwan identifies in the space provided, or let Antwan draw a simple picture/symbol if he prefers.
- The goal is for Antwan to identify any supportive person for each category, not necessarily a different person for every box. Focus on his participation and recognition.
My School Squad Explorer Sheet
| Someone who helps with MATH. Name: | Our School COUNSELOR. Name: | Someone who helps with TECHNOLOGY (like computers). Name: |
| Someone who helps with READING. Name: | Our School LIBRARIAN. Name: | Someone who helps with SPORTS (like a coach). Name: |
| Someone who helps with WRITING. Name: | Someone who gives good ADVICE. Name: | FREE SPACE! You always have helpers! |
| Our SCHOOL SOCIAL WORKER. Name: | Someone who says "HI!" to you. Name: | A trusted ADULT at school. Name: |
| Someone who helps with SCIENCE. Name: | Someone who helps with HISTORY. Name: | An ADULT you can go to if you are SAD. Name: |
| Someone who makes you LAUGH. Name: | Someone who helps with ART or MUSIC. Name: | Someone at school you feel SAFE with. Name: |
Cool Down
Cool Down: Your Support Squad
Name: ________________________
Instructions for Teacher: Read the questions aloud to Antwan. Encourage him to respond by writing, drawing, or verbally telling you his answers. Offer to scribe for him if needed.
-
Who is one person at school you feel comfortable asking for help with schoolwork (like homework or a project)?
You can write their name or describe their job/role. You can also draw a picture!
-
Who is one person at school you feel comfortable talking to if you have a problem or are feeling sad?
You can write their name or describe their job/role. You can also draw a picture!