Support Squad Lesson Plan Teacher Facilitation Guide
Support Squad
Establishing Belonging & Connection through Trusted Adults
Grade Level: 3rd & 4th
Duration: 45 - 60 Mins
Learning Objectives
Identify at least three trusted adults on the school campus.
Locate key offices and support zones (e.g., counseling, nurse, library, main office) on a school map.
Describe two situations when it is helpful to reach out to a support squad member.
Demonstrate how to respectfully ask for help using positive self-advocacy.
Materials Needed
• Support Squad Map Worksheet
• Squad Anchor Chart
• Markers, colored pencils
• Optional: Photos of campus staff
Lesson Flow & Facilitation
PART 1
Connection Circle: Who Keeps Us Safe?
10 Mins
Goal: Prime students to think about safety, connection, and community in their everyday lives.
Facilitation: Gather students in a circle. Introduce the concept of a safety team outside of school (e.g., firefighters, police officers, family members). Transition the conversation to school: "Just like communities have safety networks, our school has a Support Squad! Who are they and why are they here?"
Discussion Prompt: "Name one person at school who greeted you with a smile today, or someone who helps you feel safe when you arrive."
PART 2
Core Instruction: Meet Your Support Squad
15 Mins
Goal: Explicitly teach the role of various school staff members and map them to physical zones of safety.
Direct Instruction: Display the Support Squad Anchor Chart . Walk through the key roles of school staff members:
The Connectors: Counselor, Social Worker (help with big feelings, friendship issues).The Caretakers: Nurse, Custodians (help with physical safety, feeling sick, classroom space).The Guides: Librarian, Teachers, Aides (help with learning, finding tools, playground problems).The Directors: Principal, Vice Principal, Front Office Staff (help coordinate school safety, parent contact).
Explain that Trusted Adults are campus adults who are reliable, listen actively, and have the job of keeping students safe and connected.
Unit: Connection & Belonging Page 1 of 2
Support Squad Lesson Plan
Guided Practice, Evaluation, and Differentiation
Part 2 of 2
PART 3
Guided Practice: Mapping the Campus Squad
15 Mins
Goal: Provide a tactile way for students to locate and visualize their trusted supports in physical school spaces.
Activity Setup: Distribute the Support Squad Map Worksheet (Page 1). Display a projection of your school's specific map, or complete the visual spaces together as a group.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
Direct students to color and label the key campus zones (Office, Nurse, Library, Counseling Office, Playground).
Ask students to write down the actual names of the staff members who work in those spaces inside the designated support clouds.
Encourage students to draw a line connecting their personal classroom space to these support zones.
PART 4
Independent Work: Squad Collector Cards
10 Mins
Goal: Help students establish concrete plans and key questions to ask when accessing their supportive networks.
Task: Students complete the Squad Collector Cards (Page 2 of the worksheet). They select three specific staff members they feel most connected to (or want to know better) and write down their specific names, locations, and a question they would feel comfortable asking them.
Teacher Guidance: Help students brainstorm questions (e.g., "What is your favorite book?" for the librarian, or "What can I do if I scrape my knee?" for the nurse).
PART 5
Closing: The Squad Pledge
5 Mins
Goal: Consolidate connection and affirm that seeking support is a sign of strength and self-advocacy.
Closing Activity: Have students stand up and read the "Squad Pledge" together from the anchor chart. Ask a few volunteers to share one person they feel secure reaching out to in times of need.
Differentiation Strategies
Support: Provide students with pre-printed labels or a sheet with pictures of school staff to paste on their maps.Challenge: Challenge students to schedule a quick 1-minute "intro interview" with one support person during recess or library time.
Classroom Integration
Real Visits: Invite one or two school support staff members (counselor, librarian) to drop by the class during Part 2.Visual Reinforcement: Display completed maps or cards on a "Who We Can Go To" bulletin board.
Unit: Connection & Belonging Page 2 of 2
Support Squad Map Worksheet Student Explorer Activity
My School Support Map
Map out the trusted helpers who make your school a safe and happy place!
Name:
Date:
Directions: In each campus zone below, write down the actual name of the helper who works there (or who you feel safe talking to). Inside the safe zone cloud, write one thing they help with!
Zone 1: My Classroom
Classroom Teacher / Aide
Who is here:
What they help with:
Zone 2: Clinic / Nurse
School Nurse / Health Aid
Who is here:
What they help with:
Zone 3: Support Office
Counselor / Social Worker
Who is here:
What they help with:
Zone 4: Front Office
Principal / Office Staff
Who is here:
What they help with:
Zone 5: The Library
Librarian / Media Specialist
Who is here:
What they help with:
Zone 6: Play / PE Areas
Duty Teacher / Coach / Custodian
Who is here:
What they help with:
Unit: Connection & Belonging Page 1 of 2
Personal Connection Cards
My Squad Collector Cards
Create custom profile cards for the school staff members you can count on most!
Name:
Date:
Directions: Fill out details for four different trusted helpers at school. Once completed, you can cut these cards out to keep in your binder or desk as your quick-reference support guides!
Helper Card #1
Squad Member's Name:
Their Job on Campus:
A Question I Can Ask Them:
Always there to support me!
Helper Card #2
Squad Member's Name:
Their Job on Campus:
A Question I Can Ask Them:
Always there to support me!
Helper Card #3
Squad Member's Name:
Their Job on Campus:
A Question I Can Ask Them:
Always there to support me!
Helper Card #4
Squad Member's Name:
Their Job on Campus:
A Question I Can Ask Them:
Always there to support me!
Unit: Connection & Belonging Page 2 of 2
Support Squad Anchor Chart Support Squad
Who are the Trusted Adults at your school?
They are school helpers who keep you safe, listen to you, and support your learning!
A Trusted Adult...
Listens Carefully: They stop what they are doing to hear your thoughts.Helps Solve Problems: They guide you to safe solutions.Keeps You Safe: That is their primary job at our school!Respects You: They make you feel valued and welcome.
The Support Squad Pledge
"I belong at this school.
Read this aloud to start your day with connection!
Your Squad Lineup
Counselor / Social Worker
For friendship struggles, big feelings, or when you feel overwhelmed.
School Nurse
For feeling sick, physical hurts, recess scrapes, or hygiene needs.
Front Office & Principals
For checking in, lost parents, safety, or office needs.
Teachers & Librarians
For classroom safety, peer issues, reading support, or study tools.
Keep this lineup in mind whenever you need a helping hand!
How to Ask for Help: The 3-Step Signal
1
Pause & Breathe
Recognize that you need help. Take a breath.
2
Locate Your Squad
Go to or look for a trusted staff member nearby.
3
Speak & Share
Say: "Excuse me, can you help me with something?"
