Unit Plan 19 (Grade 1 Counselor): My Strengths and Interests
Help Grade 1 students name strengths, interests, and growth areas while building self-awareness, belonging, and pride without comparison.
Focus: Help students name personal strengths, interests, and areas of growth. The counselor uses sentence frames such as “I am good at…,” “I like…,” and “I am learning to….” Students draw themselves using a strength or share one thing they are proud of. The goal is to build self-awareness without comparison or competition.
Grade Level: 1
Subject Area: School Counseling (Self-Awareness • Strengths • Belonging)
Total Unit Duration: 1–2 weeks, 30 minutes per session
I. Introduction
This Grade 1 counseling lesson helps students recognize that every person has strengths, interests, and things they are still learning. Students practice naming what they are good at, what they enjoy, and what they are working to improve. The lesson emphasizes self-awareness without comparing students to one another.
The counselor uses sentence frames, picture cards, drawing, partner sharing, or a class strengths web to help students notice their own positive qualities. Students also learn that their strengths and interests can help the classroom community. A student who likes drawing, helping, building, listening, reading, running, asking questions, or including others can use those strengths to help the class feel kind, safe, and welcoming.
Essential Questions
- What is a strength?
- What is an interest?
- What is something students may still be learning?
- How can students feel proud without comparing themselves to others?
- How can students use their strengths to help the classroom community?
II. Objectives and Standards
Learning Objectives — Students will be able to:
- Identify personal strengths, interests, and areas of growth.
- Use sentence frames such as “I am good at ___,” “I like ___,” and “I am learning to ___.”
- Draw, write, dictate, or share one personal strength or interest.
- Name one thing they are still learning or practicing.
- Explain how a personal strength or interest can help the classroom community.
- Recognize that every student is an important member of the class.
- (Optional Session) Apply self-awareness and belonging skills through a strengths drawing, partner share, class web, strengths sort, or classroom community reflection.
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.
Success Criteria — Student Language
- I can name one strength I have.
- I can name one thing I like or enjoy.
- I can name one thing I am still learning.
- I can share something about myself without comparing.
- I can explain how my strengths can help my class.
- I can remember that I belong in my classroom.