Accepting Differences Counselor Guide School Counseling Core Curriculum Guide
Accepting Differences: Seeing Through Kind Lenses
Anchor Text: Carla's Glasses (Storyline Online Read-Aloud)
Target Level: Grades 2-5
Duration: 45-50 Minutes
Delivery: Tier 1 Guidance
ASCA Mindsets
M 1: Development of whole self & body pride
M 2: Sense of acceptance, respect & belonging
B-SS 2: Positive & supportive peer relationships
B-SS 4: Empathy toward physical/style differences
B-SMS 1: Self-discipline & personal responsibility
National Counseling Framework
LSSSCA Competencies
Domain II: Interpersonal Effectiveness & Empathy
Competency 2.1: Valuing physical & individual differences
Competency 2.3: Prosocial anti-bullying behavior
Domain I: Self-Confidence & self-advocacy pride
State Counselor Association
CCMR Readiness
Inclusive Workplaces: Respecting peers with accommodations
Different Lenses: Multi-perspective problem solving
Team Reliability: Mutual support in high-stakes fields
Self-Advocacy: Expressing needs with confidence
Career & Life Readiness
Essential Questions
How does getting glasses or changing appearances impact how we feel about ourselves?
What does it mean to “look at others through a lens of empathy”?
Why do modern careers rely on people who view challenges from different perspectives?
Measurable Learning Objectives
SWBAT:
Identify how unkind teasing about glasses or physical traits impacts emotional well-being.
Practice 2 empathetic responses to support classmates wearing glasses or using assistive tools.
Explain 1 real-world example of how different perspectives improve workplace innovation.
Key Vocabulary & Conceptual Anchors
Perspective / Lens: The unique way an individual perceives situations based on their unique experiences and needs.
Accommodation & Tools: Helpful devices (like glasses, hearing aids, or wheelchairs) that help people see, learn, and thrive.
Self-Advocacy: Speaking up proudly for your needs and feeling confident in your own unique identity.
Psychological Safety: A team or classroom climate where everyone feels accepted and safe to be themselves.
Materials Needed
Storyline Online Read-Aloud
Carla's Glasses Guidance Slides
Student Lens Activity Sheets
Markers / colored pencils
Acceptance Check Exit Tickets
Available on Storyline Online
Counselor Guidance Lesson • Carla's Glasses: Accepting Differences Page 1 of 2 • Foundations & Standards
Instructional Sequence • Step-by-Step Delivery
Classroom Procedures & Pacing Guide
Total: 45-50 Min
1
Anticipatory Hook: "Different Lenses, Clear Vision" (7 Min)
Engage
Display slide 2. Ask students: "Who in our room or family wears glasses, braces, or uses special tools to help them see, walk, or hear?" Highlight that glasses give people clear vision and allow them to show their personal style. Share core theme: "Glasses help us see clearly; empathy helps us see kindly."
2
Storyline Online Read-Aloud & Interactive Pauses (15 Min)
Core Text
Stream the Storyline Online read-aloud featuring Carla's glasses story. Pause at 3 key counseling moments:
Pause 1: The New Glasses
Prompt: Carla puts on her glasses. How does she feel inside before walking into class? Why can new things feel scary?
Pause 2: The Whispers
Prompt: Classmates whisper and make comments. Why do people sometimes laugh at what looks different? How did Carla stand tall?
Pause 3: The New Perspective
Prompt: When classmates understand why Carla wears glasses, how does their attitude change from mockery to acceptance and admiration?
3
CCMR Bridge: Lenses & Perspectives in Future Careers (8 Min)
Career Readiness
Connect Carla's glasses to college, career, and military settings: "Specialized lenses let surgeons perform delicate operations, pilots navigate storms, and astronomers discover distant planets. Just as these professionals rely on clear lenses, successful teams rely on teammates who see problems through unique perspectives."
4
Student Activity: "My Unique Lens for Success" (12 Min)
Application
Distribute the student worksheet. Students design their own symbolic “empathy glasses,” identify personal strengths they bring to school, write how they will respond if a peer gets new glasses or looks different, and craft a future career teamwork goal.
5
Wrap-Up & Exit Ticket Assessment (6 Min)
Assess
Students complete the 2-up Acceptance Check Exit Ticket. Counselor reviews answers to measure ASCA and LSSSCA empathy benchmarks and flag any students reporting feeling unsafe or unaccepted.
Counselor Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS)
Tier 1: Universal Whole-class read-aloud guidance, classroom “lens of kindness” anchor poster, positive behavior reinforcement.
Tier 2: Targeted Small Group Confidence-building lunch bunch for students with new glasses/sensory gear or those working on peer empathy.
Tier 3: Intensive Individual Individual counseling support, restorative peer conferencing, and caregiver communication for targeted exclusion.
Counselor Guidance Lesson • Carla's Glasses: Accepting Differences Page 2 of 2 • Instructional Pacing & MTSS
Accepting Differences Slides School Counseling Core Guidance
ASCA & LSSSCA Aligned
Seeing Through Kind Lenses
Accepting differences, celebrating individuality, and discovering how Carla's glasses teach us empathy and teamwork.
Anchor Story: Carla's Glasses on Storyline Online College, Career & Life Readiness
Counselor Warm-Up
How Do Different Tools Help Us See?
Eyeglasses
Bring the chalkboard and books into sharp, crisp focus so we can learn and read comfortably!
Telescopes
Help astronomers discover distant galaxies, rings of Saturn, and brand-new stars in the night sky.
The Lens of Empathy
Helps us look at classmates with understanding, kindness, and respect instead of judgment.
Glasses give people clear sight; empathy gives people kind hearts!
Storyline Online
Carla's Glasses: From Whispers to Wonder
1. The New Look
First Day Feelings
When Carla wore her glasses, classmates stared and whispered. Trying something new can feel scary.
2. Standing Tall
Carla's Confidence
Carla realized her glasses were her superpower! They helped her see vividly and showed her unique flair.
3. Understanding
Seeing Kindness
Classmates learned that everyone has different needs and traits. Kindness replaced curiosity and judgment.
Counselor Check-In: How would you want your friends to react if you showed up with new glasses or braces?
Celebrating Diversity
Differences Are Not Deficits—They Are Strengths
Tools & Appearance
Glasses, hearing devices, braces, wheelchairs, unique hair, and height help us navigate the world.
Unique Identity
Thinking Styles
Some peers learn through drawing, others love numbers, and some need quiet spaces. All brains are amazing!
Diverse Minds
Cultures & Traditions
Different languages, special holidays, family stories, and delicious foods make our community rich.
Rich Heritage
In our classroom, nobody has to change who they are to fit in. You belong here.
Empathy in Action
Changing Unkind Words Into Supportive Words
Never Say This
× “You look totally weird in those glasses!”
× “Why do you walk or talk like that?”
× “Your project idea is strange—we won't use it.”
Acceptance Lens Student Worksheet School Counseling Guidance • Acceptance in Action Grades 2-5 • ASCA & CCMR Aligned
Name:
Date:
Teacher/Room:
Seeing Through Kind Lenses: My Acceptance Blueprint
Inspired by Carla's Glasses: Celebrating individuality, empathy, and different viewpoints!
1
My Unique Glasses (What Makes Me Special & Strong!)
Just like Carla's glasses showed her unique spark, write your strengths into your special glasses:
Left Lens: A Talent or Skill
Something I am great at doing:
Right Lens: A Unique Trait
A style, hobby, or tradition I love:
The Frame: My Friendship Superpower
How I help classmates feel included:
2
Looking Through Kind Lenses (Empathy Phrasing)
When someone looks different or uses assistive tools, words matter. Write what you would say:
Scenario A: New Glasses or Style First Day
A peer walks into class wearing new glasses or braces and looks nervous about being teased.
What kind, encouraging sentence can you say to them?
Scenario B: Seeing Differently Team Challenge
A classmate sees a project problem through a completely different angle than the rest of the group.
How can you welcome their unique perspective?
3
College, Career & Military Readiness (CCMR): Future Teamwork
My future dream career or field (e.g., doctor, pilot, engineer, artist, soldier):
Why will having teammates who look at challenges through different perspectives help your workplace succeed?
My Daily Lens of Kindness Pledge
I promise to be proud of who I am, view classmates through a lens of empathy and respect, and stand up against teasing or exclusion every single day.
Student Signature:
Carla's Glasses Guidance Lesson Student Handout Counselor Curriculum • ASCA Mindsets B-SS 2, B-SS 4 & CCMR
Acceptance Check Exit Ticket Carla's Glasses: Acceptance Exit Ticket
ASCA Mindsets • LSSSCA Interpersonal Competency • CCMR
Name:
Date:
1. In Carla's Glasses , when someone has new glasses or looks different, what is the best choice?
Laugh or whisper
Compliment & encourage
Ignore them at recess
2. Write one encouraging sentence to help a classmate feel confident about their glasses or style:
3. CCMR Connection: Why do future career teams need people who look at problems from different perspectives?
Counselor Climate Check:
I feel accepted and respected at my school:
Not Yet Sometimes Always
Cut Here • 2-Up Classroom Copy
Carla's Glasses: Acceptance Exit Ticket
ASCA Mindsets • LSSSCA Interpersonal Competency • CCMR
Name:
Date:
1. In Carla's Glasses , when someone has new glasses or looks different, what is the best choice?
Laugh or whisper
Compliment & encourage
Ignore them at recess
2. Write one encouraging sentence to help a classmate feel confident about their glasses or style:
3. CCMR Connection: Why do future career teams need people who look at problems from different perspectives?
Counselor Climate Check:
I feel accepted and respected at my school:
Not Yet Sometimes Always
