Para Power Lesson Plan Para Power Unveiled
Facilitator Lesson Plan
30 Minutes
7th Grade (Tier 2)
Purpose
Recognizing paraprofessionals fosters empathy, teamwork, and appreciation for diverse supports. Students learn to collaborate effectively and value every member of their learning community as an essential part of their academic success.
Learning Objectives
Students will identify and describe key paraprofessional roles, apply their understanding through group role-play scenarios, and reflect on supporting these vital team members to enhance classroom collaboration.
Materials
Paraprofessional Roles Overview
Scenario Cards
Reflection Worksheet
Slide Deck & Projector
Preparation
Print and cut Scenario Cards (1 set per 3–4 students).
Copy the Reflection Worksheet for each student.
Arrange seating for small group collaboration.
Instructional Flow
Warm-Up 5 Min
Greet students and pose the question: “Who helps support us in our classroom?”
Collect volunteer responses and list them visibly on the board.
Introduce the term paraprofessional and explain their role as vital support staff.
Distribute the Paraprofessional Roles Overview .
Teaching 8 Min
Present the Roles Overview via projector or chart.
Describe common duties: small-group support, one-on-one assistance, behavior guidance, material preparation.
Invite questions and clarify any unfamiliar responsibilities.
Emphasize how paraprofessionals collaborate with both teachers and students.
Activity 10 Min
Divide students into groups of 3–4 and provide each group with a set of Scenario Cards .
Groups read a scenario depicting a classroom challenge.
Students role-play how a paraprofessional would assist in that situation.
Groups discuss and note key supportive actions on the cards.
Invite group representatives to share one insight with the class.
Reflection 4 Min
Distribute the Reflection Worksheet .
Prompt: "What surprised you about paraprofessional duties? How can you support them?"
Encourage honest, thoughtful responses for their "Power Partner" journals.
Cool-Down 3 Min
Ask 1–2 volunteers to share a key takeaway from today’s lesson.
Summarize how paraprofessionals strengthen the learning environment.
Preview future opportunities to collaborate with support staff.
Para Power Slides Para Power Unveiled
Exploring the Roles and Impact of Paraprofessionals
Welcome students and introduce the session. Explain that today we’ll uncover what paraprofessionals do and why they’re vital partners in our classroom.
Who Supports Our Classroom?
Who helps support us in our classroom every day?
Think about the people who assist with work, explain topics, or help keep us organized.
Introducing: The Paraprofessional
Record responses on the board
What Is a Paraprofessional?
Key Responsibilities
Small-group academic support
One-on-one student assistance
Behavior guidance & de-escalation
Material preparation & organization
The Missing Piece
Paraprofessionals work side-by-side with teachers and students to make sure everyone can succeed.
"They are often called 'Paras' or instructional aides."
Collaborative Activity
Scenario Role-Play
1
Form groups of 3–4 students .
2
Read your assigned Scenario Card .
3
Role-play how a paraprofessional would help.
4
Discuss and jot down key supportive actions.
5
Share one major insight with the class.
Reflection
Discovery
What surprised you most about the duties of a paraprofessional?
Action
How can you support and respect the paraprofessionals in our classroom?
Key Takeaways
Paraprofessionals strengthen our learning environment.
They support both students and teachers side-by-side.
Working together helps everyone succeed!
Thank you for being Para Power partners!
Paraprofessional Roles Overview Reference Guide
Paraprofessional Roles Overview
Partners in Learning, Success, and Community
Paraprofessionals (sometimes called paras or instructional aides ) are key members of our classroom team. They work alongside teachers to help every student succeed. While teachers plan lessons and lead whole-class instruction, paraprofessionals provide extra support where it’s needed most.
What Does a Paraprofessional Do?
Small-Group Support
Work with a few students at a time to practice skills, answer questions, and offer extra explanations.
One-on-One Assistance
Help individual students who need more concentrated attention—for academic challenges or special learning needs.
Behavior Guidance
Model appropriate behavior, remind students of rules, and help with de-escalation if emotions run high.
Material Preparation
Organize resources—like worksheets, manipulatives, or technology—so lessons run smoothly for everyone.
Why Paraprofessionals Matter
By providing targeted help, paraprofessionals ensure that no student falls behind . Their support builds confidence and independence. They also give teachers more time to plan engaging lessons and track each student’s progress.
How to Work with a Paraprofessional
1
Treat them as a partner
Listen, follow their instructions, and ask questions if you’re unsure.
2
Be respectful
Use polite language and maintain a positive attitude toward their support.
3
Stay engaged
Show that you value their help by participating and trying your best.
Together, teachers and paraprofessionals create a classroom where everyone can learn and grow.
Reflection Worksheet Power Partner Reflection
Name:
Date:
1 What is one duty of a paraprofessional that surprised you the most? Explain why it stood out to you.
2 How can you and your classmates show support and respect for paraprofessionals in our classroom? List two specific actions.
3 Think back to your group scenario. Describe how the paraprofessional helped solve the challenge and what you learned.
4 In your own words, why is it important for all classroom members (teachers, students, and paras) to work together?
Thank you for your thoughtful reflections!
Scenario Cards Activity Activity: Scenario Cards
Cut along the dotted lines. Each group receives one card to discuss and role-play.
1
Struggling Reader
Maria is having difficulty reading today’s story aloud and looks frustrated. The rest of the group is waiting for her to finish so they can continue.
The Mission:
How can a paraprofessional support Maria so she feels more confident and engaged?
2
Behavior Breakdown
During independent work time, Caleb becomes upset, crumples his worksheet, and shouts in frustration. The class is starting to get distracted.
The Mission:
Role-play how a paraprofessional could help calm Caleb and guide him back to his task.
3
Hands-On Math
A small group is working with fraction tiles, but some students aren’t sure how to use the pieces and feel lost.
The Mission:
Describe how a paraprofessional could demonstrate and guide the students through the activity.
4
Language Barrier
Ling, an English language learner, doesn’t understand the instructions for the science experiment. The teacher is busy helping another student.
The Mission:
How can a paraprofessional bridge the language gap and help Ling participate fully?
5
Tech Trouble
During a computer-based quiz, Jackson’s device freezes, and he starts to panic about losing his progress.
The Mission:
Demonstrate how a paraprofessional might troubleshoot the problem and reassure Jackson.
6
Organizational Help
The class is transitioning to art class, but Sofia’s desk is a mess—papers are scattered, and she can’t find her supplies.
The Mission:
Role-play how a paraprofessional could help Sofia organize her workspace and transition smoothly.
Discussion Guide Resource Facilitator Discussion Guide
Classroom Collaboration & Paraprofessional Impact
Duration 8 Minutes
Discussion Purpose
Deepen understanding of a paraprofessional’s impact and develop respectful collaboration skills through shared insights and brainstorming.
Discussion Norms
Listen Actively: Give each speaker your full attention.
Speak Respectfully: Use polite language and wait for turns.
Build on Ideas: Reference classmates' comments and the Overview.
Opening 2 Min
Initial Impressions
"What is one duty of a paraprofessional that stood out to you today?"
Follow-up: "Why do you think that specific duty is important for our learning environment?"
Reflection 3 Min
Scenario Deep-Dive
"Think back to the scenario your group role-played. How did the paraprofessional solve the challenge?"
Probe: "What was the key behavior or strategy they used, and how did it help the student or class?"
Brainstorm 2 Min
Collaboration Skills
"How can students and paraprofessionals work together to make our classroom run smoothly?"
Clarifying Instructions Peer Encouragement Setting up Materials
Wrap-Up 1 Min
Commitment to Action
"What is one action you will take this week to show appreciation for our paraprofessionals?"
Invite students to record this idea on their Reflection Worksheet.
Facilitation Tip
If discussion lags, remind students of specific examples from the Roles Overview or scenario cards. Keep the pace brisk to fit the 8-minute window.
Target Outcome
Students should feel confident identifying how paraprofessionals support learning and know concrete ways to collaborate respectfully.
