Unit Plan 15 (Grade 1 Counselor): Listening to a Friend

Focus: Help students practice listening as a friendship skill. The counselor models poor listening and strong listening, then students identify the difference. Students practice partner sharing with a simple prompt and repeat back one thing their partner said. This helps students understand that friends feel respected when they are truly heard.

Grade Level: 1

Subject Area: School Counseling (Friendship Skills • Respectful Listening • Turn-Taking)

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

I. Introduction

This Grade 1 counseling lesson helps students understand that listening is one way to show friendship, kindness, and respect. Students learn that strong listening is not just being quiet; it means paying attention, waiting for a turn, thinking about what the other person said, and responding in a caring way.

The counselor models poor listening and strong listening so students can compare the difference. Students then practice partner sharing with simple prompts and repeat back one thing their partner said. The goal is for students to learn that friends and classmates feel valued when someone listens carefully and responds respectfully.

Essential Questions

• How does listening help a friendship?
• What does strong listening look like and sound like?
• How can students show a friend they are paying attention?
• Why is taking turns important during a conversation?
• How can students repeat back one thing a partner said?

II. Objectives and Standards

Learning Objectives — Students will be able to:

1. Identify the difference between poor listening and strong listening.
2. Practice listening behaviors such as watching, waiting, thinking, and keeping the body calm enough to learn.
3. Listen to a partner’s idea and repeat back one thing the partner said.
4. Practice taking turns as speaker and listener during a partner conversation.
5. Use respectful responses that show care, attention, and respect.
6. Follow a simple three-step counselor direction during partner listening practice.
7. (Optional Session) Apply friendship listening skills through partner sharing, picture sorting, role-play, or a listening game.

Standards Alignment — Grade 1 (ASCA-based Custom)

• C:S3.1c — Listen and Respond Respectfully
  • Listen when others speak and respond in ways that show care, attention, and respect.
  • Example: A student listens to a partner’s idea and says, “I heard you say you felt nervous too.”
• C:S3.1b — Share, Take Turns, and Cooperate
  • Practice sharing materials, taking turns, waiting appropriately, and working with classmates during activities.
  • Example: A student waits for a turn during a classroom game and says, “You can go first.”
• 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 show strong listening.
• I can wait while my partner talks.
• I can repeat one thing my partner said.
• I can take turns as speaker and listener.
• I can follow directions during partner practice.
• I can help a friend feel heard and respected.