Unit Plan 18 (Grade 1 Counselor): Safe Choices Around School

Focus: Review safe and responsible choices in common school spaces such as the hallway, classroom, cafeteria, restroom, bus line, and playground. The counselor uses picture cards or scenario slides and asks students to identify safe, unsafe, respectful, and irresponsible choices. Students practice explaining why a choice helps keep themselves and others safe.

Grade Level: 1

Subject Area: School Counseling (Safety • Responsibility • School Routines)

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

I. Introduction

This Grade 1 counseling lesson helps students understand that safe and responsible choices matter in every part of the school. Students learn that classrooms, hallways, playgrounds, cafeterias, restrooms, bus lines, and group spaces each have routines that help students stay safe, respectful, and ready to learn.

The counselor uses picture cards, school-space scenarios, or simple slides to help students identify safe and unsafe choices. Students practice explaining why a choice is safe, who it helps, and when they should tell a trusted adult about something unsafe. The goal is for students to connect school rules to real care for themselves and others.

Essential Questions

• What does a safe choice look like around school?
• What does a responsible choice look like in different school spaces?
• How can students tell the difference between safe and unsafe choices?
• Who are trusted adults students can ask for help?
• How do listening and following directions help keep everyone safe?

II. Objectives and Standards

Learning Objectives — Students will be able to:

1. Identify safe and responsible choices in the classroom, hallway, playground, cafeteria, restroom, bus line, and group settings.
2. Sort examples into safe, unsafe, respectful, and irresponsible choices.
3. Explain why a safe choice helps themselves, classmates, adults, or the school community.
4. Name trusted adults who can help when something feels unsafe or confusing.
5. Practice school-ready behaviors such as listening, watching, following directions, participating, and completing a routine.
6. Use safety language such as “That is unsafe,” “I need help,” “Someone could get hurt,” or “I can tell a trusted adult.”
7. (Optional Session) Apply safe-choice thinking through school-space scenario sorting, role-play, picture cards, or a safe-choice walk-through.

Standards Alignment — Grade 1 (ASCA-based Custom)

• C:S6.1c — Make Safe and Responsible Choices
  • Choose safe, respectful actions in classroom, hallway, playground, cafeteria, and group settings.
  • Example: A student chooses walking feet in the hallway, keeps hands to self, and tells an adult about an unsafe situation.
• 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.
• 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 safe choices around school.
• I can tell if a choice is safe or unsafe.
• I can explain why a safe choice helps people.
• I can name trusted adults who can help.
• I can listen, follow directions, and participate during the lesson.
• I can tell an adult if something unsafe happens.