August 18-21 : Welcome Back & Friendship
đź“š Topic/Focus: Welcome Back, Counselor Role, Friendship Introduction
🧠Activity: Students were welcomed back to guidance and reviewed the role of the school counselor. We talked about what guidance will look like this year and ways the counselor can support students at school. Students also participated in age-appropriate friendship discussions and activities focused on getting to know one another, connecting with classmates, and thinking about what makes a good friend.
đź’ˇKey concept: "Positive relationships help us feel connected."
🎯This week's objectives:Â
Reintroduce the role of the school counselor
Build comfort and connection within the classroom
Identify qualities of a positive friendship
Understand why having at least one positive connection at school matters
Recognize that learning and relationships are both important parts of the school experience
August 24-28 : Friendship & Belonging
đź“š Book: A Little Sot of Belonging
🧠Activity: Students explored what it means to belong at school and discussed the people, places, and experiences that help them feel included and connected. Through the story and class discussion, we talked about ways to make friends, include others, and help everyone feel like they are an important part of our school community. We also practiced an important friendship skill: introducing ourselves! Students practiced using a handshake, sharing their name, and confidently introducing themselves!
💡Key concept: "Not everyone we know is a close friend, and that’s okay."
🎯This week's objectives:Â
Understand what it means to feel a sense of belonging
Identify ways to make and build friendships
Recognize ways to help others feel included
Understand that everyone deserves to feel like they belong at school
Practice simple ways to connect with new or different people
August 31-September 4: Social Smarts - Read the Room
🧠Activity: Students were introduced to the idea of “social smarts” and learning how to read the room by noticing what is happening around them and thinking about what others might need. Students learned the strategy Spot It. Think It. Do It.Â
Spot It: What do I see or notice?
Think It: What might this person be feeling or thinking? What are all of my options?
Do It: What choice should I make?
Students practiced their observation skills through a “detective” activity where they walked around the classroom, froze, and then looked for and pointed to something specific they were asked to spot. The activity connected their observation skills to everyday social situations and helped students understand how noticing others can guide positive choices.
đź’ˇKey concept: "Paying attention to others helps us make choices that help everyone feel seen, included, and like they belong. "Â
🎯This week's objectives:Â
Understand what it means to use “social smarts” and read the room
Practice noticing people, situations, and details in our surroundings
Identify what someone else might be feeling or thinking
Consider different choices before deciding what to do
Understand how our choices can help others feel included and like they belong
September 7-11: Social Smarts - Red & Green Flag Behaviors
🧠Activity: We continued practicing “Spot It, Think It, Do It” through our red and green flag behavior activity and feelings charades. Students practiced spotting behaviors, facial expressions, body language, and tone of voice, thinking about what those clues might tell us about how someone is feeling, and doing something kind, respectful, or helpful in response. These activities helped students strengthen their social awareness and recognize how our choices can help build positive friendships and make sure others feel seen, included, and valuedÂ
đź’ˇKey concept: "We can use red and green flags to guide our friendship choices."
🎯This week's objectives:Â
Identify red flag and green flag behaviors
Practice recognizing behaviors in everyday situations
Recognize feelings through facial expressions and body language
Understand how tone of voice can provide clues about feelings
Practice using social clues to better understand others
Understand how social smarts can help us build positive friendships
Make thoughtful choices about who we choose to spend time with