Unit Plan 34 (Grade 3 Counselor): Classroom Helpers and Positive Leaders

Focus: Help students understand that leadership is shown through responsibility, kindness, problem-solving, and inclusion. The counselor discusses examples such as helping a group stay on task, inviting someone in, using calm words, reporting unsafe behavior, or encouraging a peer. Students choose one way they can be a positive leader in Grade 3.

Grade Level: 3

Subject Area: School Counseling (Leadership • Responsibility • Classroom Belonging)

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

I. Introduction

This Grade 3 counseling lesson helps students understand that leadership is not only about being first, loudest, or in charge. Positive leadership can look like helping classmates, including others, following routines, using calm words, solving problems respectfully, encouraging peers, and making responsible choices when others are watching or not watching. The counselor emphasizes that every student can lead in a way that fits their strengths and values.

Students examine realistic classroom, recess, group-work, hallway, and schoolwide situations where a student can choose to be a helper or positive leader. They connect leadership to responsibility, belonging, attention, organization, and respectful choices. The goal is for students to identify one leadership behavior they can practice in Grade 3 that helps the classroom feel safe, included, respectful, and ready to learn.

Essential Questions

• What does positive leadership look like in Grade 3?
• How can students use their strengths, interests, and values to help others?
• How do responsible choices help classmates feel safe, included, respected, and valued?
• How can attention, organization, and responsibility show leadership?
• What is one positive leadership behavior students can practice?

II. Objectives and Standards

Learning Objectives — Students will be able to:

1. Explain that leadership can be shown through responsibility, kindness, inclusion, problem-solving, and helping the group succeed.
2. Identify personal strengths, interests, values, or growth areas connected to positive leadership.
3. Describe how words, actions, choices, and attitudes can help classmates feel safe, included, respected, and valued.
4. Connect leadership to school-success behaviors such as listening, following directions, organizing materials, participating, completing routines, and staying on task.
5. Choose one positive leadership behavior to practice in Grade 3.
6. (Optional Session) Create a simple leadership action plan or reflection card connected to classroom belonging and responsibility.

Standards Alignment — Grade 3 (ASCA-based Custom)

• C:S1.3b — Recognize Strengths, Interests, Values, and Growth Areas
  • Identify personal strengths, interests, values, and areas where they are working to improve.
  • Example: A student says, “I am good at explaining directions to others, and I am working on staying calm when I am frustrated.”
• C:S1.3c — Contribute Positively to Classroom and School Belonging
  • Recognize how words, actions, choices, and attitudes can help classmates feel safe, included, respected, and valued.
  • Example: A student invites a classmate into a group project and makes sure everyone has a role.
• C:S5.3a — Practice Attention, Organization, and Responsibility
  • Use school-success behaviors such as listening, following directions, organizing materials, participating, completing routines, and staying on task.
  • Example: A student brings needed materials, starts work promptly, and follows a multi-step classroom direction.

Success Criteria — Student Language

• I can explain that leadership means helping in a positive way.
• I can name a strength, value, or growth area connected to leadership.
• I can make choices that help classmates feel safe, included, respected, and valued.
• I can show responsibility by listening, following directions, organizing materials, and staying on task.
• I can choose one positive leadership behavior to practice.