Unit Plan 19 (Grade 5 Counselor): My Strengths, Interests, Values, and Identity

Focus: Help students reflect on who they are as learners, friends, classmates, and future middle school students. Students identify personal strengths, interests, values, and identity qualities that matter to them, while recognizing that confidence grows from understanding themselves and respecting others’ differences.

Grade Level: 5

Subject Area: School Counseling (Self-Awareness • Identity • Belonging and Inclusion)

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

I. Introduction

This Grade 5 counseling lesson helps students reflect on who they are and who they are becoming. As students prepare for middle school, it is important for them to recognize their strengths, interests, values, leadership qualities, and growth areas. Students learn that confidence is not about being the same as everyone else; it grows from understanding themselves and respecting the different strengths and identities of others.

Students complete an identity map, strengths shield, or reflection activity that helps them describe themselves as learners, friends, classmates, family members, and future middle school students. The counselor emphasizes that personal words, choices, attitudes, and actions can help others feel included, respected, and valued. The goal is for students to build healthy self-awareness while also contributing to a respectful and inclusive school community.

Essential Questions

• What strengths, interests, values, and qualities help describe who I am?
• How can understanding myself help me feel more confident and prepared for middle school?
• Why is it important to respect that classmates may have different strengths, interests, values, and identities?
• How can personal choices and words help build belonging, respect, inclusion, and trust?

II. Objectives and Standards

Learning Objectives — Students will be able to:

1. Identify personal strengths, interests, values, leadership qualities, and growth areas.
2. Describe themselves in multiple roles, such as learner, friend, classmate, family/community member, and future middle school student.
3. Explain how personal strengths and values can support confidence, leadership, and school success.
4. Recognize that classmates may have different strengths, interests, values, and experiences that deserve respect.
5. Identify one way their words, choices, attitudes, or actions can help others feel included and valued.
6. (Optional Session) Create or revise an identity map, strengths shield, or personal reflection product that connects identity to belonging and school community.

Standards Alignment — Grade 5 (ASCA-based Custom)

• C:S1.5b — Recognize Strengths, Interests, Values, and Growth Areas
  • Identify personal strengths, interests, values, leadership qualities, and areas for continued growth.
  • Example: A student says, “I am good at helping others stay calm, but I am working on speaking up when I need help.”
• C:S1.5c — Contribute to a Respectful and Inclusive School Community
  • Recognize how personal words, choices, attitudes, and actions can support belonging, respect, inclusion, trust, and leadership.
  • Example: A student notices a classmate being left out of a group and helps create a role so the classmate can participate.

Success Criteria — Student Language

• I can name personal strengths, interests, and values that help describe me.
• I can describe who I am as a learner, friend, classmate, and future middle school student.
• I can identify one growth area I want to keep developing.
• I can explain why classmates’ differences should be respected.
• I can name one choice I can make to help others feel included and valued.