Unit Plan 35 (Grade 3 Counselor): Look How I Have Grown

Focus: Invite students to reflect on growth across the year in emotions, coping, friendships, problem-solving, safety, responsibility, and learning habits. Students complete a reflection page comparing what they could do at the beginning of the year with what they can do now. The counselor helps students celebrate progress while naming one area for continued growth.

Grade Level: 3

Subject Area: School Counseling (Reflection • Growth Mindset • Goal Setting)

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

I. Introduction

This Grade 3 counseling lesson gives students time to notice and celebrate how much they have grown throughout the year. Students reflect on counseling skills they have practiced, including naming feelings, noticing body clues, choosing coping tools, asking for help, showing empathy, solving conflicts, respecting boundaries, making responsible choices, and using learning habits that help them succeed.

Students compare “beginning of the year” skills with “now” skills through a reflection page, growth map, or discussion activity. The counselor emphasizes that growth does not mean students are finished learning. Students can celebrate progress while also naming one skill, strategy, or goal they want to keep strengthening.

Essential Questions

• How have students grown in feelings, coping, friendships, problem-solving, safety, responsibility, or learning habits?
• What strengths, interests, values, or growth areas can students recognize in themselves?
• How can perseverance and growth mindset help students keep improving?
• What is one goal or skill students want to keep practicing?

II. Objectives and Standards

Learning Objectives — Students will be able to:

1. Reflect on personal growth in emotions, coping, friendship, problem-solving, safety, responsibility, or learning habits.
2. Name feelings, needs, or personal experiences connected to school, friendship, learning, or group situations.
3. Identify personal strengths, interests, values, or areas for continued growth.
4. Explain how perseverance, helpful self-talk, strategies, practice, or support helped them improve.
5. Choose one realistic goal or skill they want to keep practicing.
6. Identify one step that can help them continue making progress.
7. (Optional Session) Create a growth reflection, personal growth map, or “then and now” counseling skills page.

Standards Alignment — Grade 3 (ASCA-based Custom)

• C:S1.3a — Identify Feelings, Needs, and Personal Experiences
  • Name feelings, describe needs, and connect emotions to school, home, friendship, learning, or group experiences.
  • Example: A student says, “I felt embarrassed when I got the answer wrong, but I needed encouragement instead of teasing.”
• 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:S5.3b — Use Perseverance and Growth Mindset
  • Keep trying when learning or relationships feel difficult and use helpful self-talk, strategies, practice, or support.
  • Example: A student says, “This math problem is hard, but I can try another strategy or ask for help.”
• C:S5.3c — Set, Track, and Reflect on a Simple Goal
  • Choose a realistic goal related to learning, behavior, friendship, coping, or responsibility and identify steps for progress.
  • Example: A student sets a goal to use respectful words during group work and checks in at the end of the week.

Success Criteria — Student Language

• I can name one way I have grown this year.
• I can connect my growth to feelings, coping, friendships, problem-solving, responsibility, or learning habits.
• I can name one strength or value I have noticed in myself.
• I can explain how practice, support, or helpful self-talk helped me improve.
• I can choose one goal or skill I want to keep practicing.