New Connections Facilitator Guide New Connections Plan
Tier 3 Social Skills Session • 4th Grade Girls
30 Minutes
The "Why"
Since these girls already know each other from last year’s group, this session moves beyond introductions to deepen trust through reflective check-ins, a sensory calming activity, meaningful compliments, and shared goal-setting.
Prep Steps
• Print 3 copies of Emoji Cards, Compliment Chain, All About Me, and Goal Worksheets.
• Cut templates and prompts into envelopes for each student.
• Gather markers and sensory fidget tools (stress balls) on a tray.
Session Roadmap
5m
Welcome
Welcome and Check-In
Give each student an Emoji Greeting Card .
Ask them to choose the emoji that best reflects how they feel returning to school and explain why.
Teacher Script: "I'm choosing the 'Excited' emoji because I missed our Tuesday meetings! How about you?"
3m
Sensory
Calming Sensory Activity
Guide a deep breathing exercise: inhale (4), hold (2), exhale (6).
Notice the texture, weight, and temperature of the fidget tool.
8m
Connect
Seated Compliment Chain
Distribute Compliment Chain Prompts .
Write a compliment for the peer on the right, then pass the sheet right.
Note: Continue until everyone has written for each peer in the circle.
7m
Reflect
Reflect on Last Year & All About Me
Complete the All About Me Template with updated prompts.
Focus: Favorite memory, friendship lesson, and one thing to improve.
5m
Goals
Set Personal and Group Goals
Complete Goal-Setting Worksheet (Personal goal).
Agree on one shared Group Goal (e.g., "Ask follow-up questions").
2m
Close
Closing and Reflection
Name one positive thing noticed about a peer today. Reinforce the group goal.
New Connections Slides New Year, New Connections
A session to deepen friendships and set goals for the new school year.
30 Minutes Tier 3 Social Skills
Today's Objectives
Deepen rapport among returning peers
Share meaningful reflections about last year
Practice follow-up questions and active listening
Set personal and group social goals
Welcome & Check-In
Choose an Emoji Greeting Card that shows how you feel about returning to school.
Explain why you chose it.
Listen as each peer shares.
😀 😢 😮 😊 🤗 😴
Emoji Greeting Game
1
Pair up and show your chosen emoji
2
Ask a follow-up question (e.g., "What made you feel excited?")
3
Write your partner's name and one new thing you learned
4
Rotate so everyone pairs with each peer
Reflect & Share
Fill out your template:
Favorite memory from last year
One lesson learned about friendship
One thing to improve this year
Volunteers share one reflection with the group!
Set Your Goals
Personal Goal
Write one social goal on your worksheet that you want to work on yourself.
Group Goal
Discuss and agree on a shared goal for our whole group.
Great Work Today!
Name one positive thing you noticed about a peer today.
Remember our Group Social Goal as you head back to class!
Deepening connections, one conversation at a time.
Emoji Greeting Cards Worksheet Emoji Greeting Cards
Practice greetings and build connections!
Name: __________________________
Date: ________________
How to use these cards:
1. Cut out each card along the dotted lines. 2. Choose an emoji to show your partner. 3. Say the matching greeting. 4. Write your partner's name on the card after you greet them!
😀
Happy
"Good morning! You look happy today."
Partner's Name:
😢
Sad
"Hello! I'm sorry you're feeling sad. How can I help?"
Partner's Name:
😮
Surprised
"Wow! That's surprising—tell me more!"
Partner's Name:
😊
Shy
"Hi there! It's okay to feel shy. Want to talk about it?"
Partner's Name:
🤗
Excited
"Hey! You look excited—what's making you happy?"
Partner's Name:
😴
Tired
"Hello! You seem tired—how was your day?"
Partner's Name:
All About Me Template Worksheet All About Me Reflection
Social Skills Group
Session 1 Reflection
My Name
Date
Think back over last school year. Fill in the boxes below to share your journey with the group!
1
My favorite memory from last year was...
2
One lesson I learned about friendship is...
3
One thing I want to improve this year is... Goal-Setting Worksheet My Growth Goals
Name:
Date:
Think about how you want to connect with others this year. Let's set some goals together!
My Personal Social Goal
My personal social goal is:
Why this is important:
One step I will take:
Our Group Social Goal
Our group social goal is:
How I will support our group goal:
Compliment Chain Prompts Worksheet Compliment Chain
Kindness Practice
Instructions:
Write one kind compliment for the peer on your right . Choose a prompt below, fill it in, circle the number you used, and then pass the sheet to that person. Try to use a different prompt each time!
Writing a compliment for:
Peer's Name: _________________________________
1
I really admire how you _____________________________________________
2
One thing that makes you special is _______________________________
3
I appreciate when you ___________________________________________
4
Your ________________ is awesome because ____________________
5
You always ___________________________________________________
Passing the chain to keep the kindness moving!
