Unit Plan 34 (Grade 1 Counselor): Classroom Helpers and Leaders

Focus: Help students see leadership as small, helpful choices they can make each day. The counselor discusses behaviors such as welcoming others, following directions, using kind words, helping clean up, encouraging classmates, and asking for help when needed. Students name or draw one way they can be a helper or leader in first grade.

Grade Level: 1

Subject Area: School Counseling (Leadership • Belonging • School-Ready Choices)

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

I. Introduction

This Grade 1 counseling lesson helps students understand that leaders are not only people with special jobs or titles. In first grade, students can be classroom helpers and leaders through small daily choices, such as listening, following directions, welcoming others, cleaning up, using kind words, encouraging classmates, and asking for help when something feels confusing or too big.

The counselor helps students connect leadership to strengths, belonging, and school-ready behaviors. Students identify personal helper strengths and name one way they can contribute to a kind, safe, and welcoming classroom. The goal is for students to see that every child can lead by helping the class learn, include others, and follow routines.

Essential Questions

• What does it mean to be a helper or leader in first grade?
• What strengths can students use to help the classroom community?
• How can students help classmates feel included and welcome?
• How do listening and following directions show leadership?
• What is one small way students can be a classroom helper or leader?

II. Objectives and Standards

Learning Objectives — Students will be able to:

1. Explain that leadership can mean making helpful, kind, safe, and responsible choices.
2. Identify personal strengths, interests, or growth areas that can help them be a classroom helper or leader.
3. Name ways students can help create a kind, safe, and welcoming classroom community.
4. Practice school-ready behaviors such as listening, watching, following directions, participating, and completing routines.
5. Identify classroom helper actions such as welcoming others, cleaning up, encouraging classmates, using kind words, and asking for help when needed.
6. Draw, write, dictate, or share one way they can be a helper or leader in first grade.
7. (Optional Session) Apply helper and leader skills through scenario sorting, helper role cards, leadership drawings, class chart creation, or partner sharing.

Standards Alignment — Grade 1 (ASCA-based Custom)

• C:S1.1b — Recognize Strengths, Interests, and Growth
  • Identify personal strengths, interests, and things they are learning to improve.
  • Example: A student says, “I am good at helping others, and I am still practicing reading.”
• C:S1.1c — Show Belonging in the Classroom and School
  • Recognize that they are an important member of the class and can help create a kind, safe, welcoming community.
  • Example: A student names one way they can help classmates feel included during group work or play.
• C:S5.1a — Practice Listening and Following Directions
  • Use school-ready behaviors such as listening, watching, following directions, participating, and completing classroom routines.
  • Example: A student follows a three-step counselor lesson direction: listen, choose a card, and share with a partner.

Success Criteria — Student Language

• I can name a strength I can use to help my class.
• I can explain that leaders make helpful choices.
• I can name one way to help classmates feel welcome.
• I can listen and follow directions during the lesson.
• I can draw or name one way I can be a classroom helper or leader.
• I can remember that I am an important member of my class.