Unit Plan 8 (Grade 1 Counselor): Asking for Help Is a Strong Choice

Focus: Teach students when and how to ask for help from a trusted adult. The counselor presents school scenarios such as feeling scared, being hurt, having a conflict, losing something, or needing help with work. Students identify which adult could help and practice clear help-seeking phrases such as “I need help,” “I feel worried,” or “Something unsafe happened.”

Grade Level: 1

Subject Area: School Counseling (Help-Seeking • Trusted Adults • Safety and Support)

Total Unit Duration: 1–2 weeks, 30 minutes per session

I. Introduction

This Grade 1 counseling lesson helps students understand that asking for help is a strong, safe, and responsible choice. Students learn that some problems are small and can be tried with a simple strategy, but other problems feel too big, unsafe, confusing, or upsetting to handle alone. In those moments, students can ask a trusted adult for help.

The counselor uses picture cards, puppet scenarios, school helper cards, or a simple “Who can help?” sorting activity. Students practice naming trusted adults such as the teacher, counselor, nurse, principal, playground supervisor, cafeteria helper, bus driver, secretary, or family adult. They also practice clear words they can use when they need help with feelings, safety, conflict, injuries, lost items, or schoolwork.

Essential Questions

• When should students ask for help?
• Who are trusted adults at school?
• How can students tell when a problem feels too big to handle alone?
• What words can students use when they need help?
• Why is asking for help a strong and responsible choice?

II. Objectives and Standards

Learning Objectives — Students will be able to:

1. Identify situations when a feeling or problem may be too big to handle alone.
2. Name trusted adults at school who can help with different problems.
3. Match common school problems to appropriate trusted adults.
4. Practice clear help-seeking phrases such as “I need help,” “I feel worried,” or “Something unsafe happened.”
5. Explain that asking for help can keep students safe, supported, and ready to learn.
6. (Optional Session) Apply help-seeking skills through school helper matching, puppet practice, picture sorting, or role-play.

Standards Alignment — Grade 1 (ASCA-based Custom)

• C:S2.1c — Know When and How to Ask for Help
  • Recognize when a feeling or problem is too big to handle alone and identify a trusted adult who can help.
  • Example: A student says, “If I feel really scared on the playground, I can tell the teacher on duty.”
• C:S6.1a — Identify Trusted Adults and Helping Roles
  • Name trusted adults at school and explain when to ask them for help.
  • Example: A student identifies the teacher, counselor, nurse, principal, or playground supervisor as adults who can help.

Success Criteria — Student Language

• I can tell when I need help.
• I can name trusted adults at school.
• I can match a problem to an adult who can help.
• I can use clear words to ask for help.
• I can remember that asking for help is strong and responsible.