The Listening Friend Facilitator Guide
K-2 School Counseling 30-Minute Lesson 1
The Listening Friend Facilitator Guide
Book: The Rabbit Listened
Target Audience
Grades K, 1, & 2
Total Time
30 Minutes
ASCA Mindsets
M 1, B-SS 2, B-SS 3
Core Purpose
Meet Your Counselor
Learning Goals
- • Understand that the school counselor is a trusted adult who listens without judging.
- • Recognize that all feelings (sad, mad, scared, quiet) are completely okay.
- • Identify how and when to ask for counselor support in the school building.
Materials Needed
- • The Rabbit Listened by Cori Doerrfeld (or companion slides).
- • 1 copy of Comfort Bunny Activity Sheet per student.
- • Crayons, markers, or colored pencils; Counselor Visit slips/mailbox sample.
30-Minute Pacing Flow
Min 00–05 Warm Intro Mystery box & ear warm-up
Min 05–17 Read-Aloud Stop & talk prompts
Min 17–25 Bunny Craft Drawing safe helpers
Min 25–30 Wrap & Routine Bunny breaths & how to ask
Instructional Script & Read-Aloud Stops
1 Warm Hook: "The Secret Listener" (5 Mins) Engage
Counselor Script: "Hello friends! I am [Your Name], your school counselor! Have you ever wondered what a school counselor actually does? Put two hands up by your ears like bunny ears! My biggest superpower is my listening ears. Today we are going to meet a very special bunny who taught me everything about how to be a great listener."
2 Interactive Story Stops: The Rabbit Listened (12 Mins) Story Discussion
Page Stop 1: The Castle Falls
Ask: "Look at Taylor’s face and shoulders. How is Taylor feeling right now? What do your body and face do when something you worked so hard on breaks?"
Page Stop 2: The Animals Arrive
Ask: "The chicken squawked, the bear roared, the snake hissed. Did the animals want to help? Yes! But did Taylor feel better? Why didn't their advice work?"
Page Stop 3: The Rabbit Arrives
Ask: "What does the rabbit do? Does the rabbit shout or push? The rabbit just moved closer and was warm and quiet. How does Taylor’s body change?"
Page Stop 4: Ready to Rebuild
Ask: "Because the rabbit listened quietly, what was Taylor finally able to do? Laugh, shout, remember, and build again!"
The Listening Friend • School Counseling K-2 Page 1 of 2
Activity Guide, Counselor Routines & Adaptations
Connecting the story to real-world classroom help
Facilitation Part II
Part 3: "My Comfort Bunny" Activity (8 Mins)
Individual Work
Distribute the Comfort Bunny Activity Sheet. Guide students through two simple prompts:
1. Color & Name Your Bunny
Students decorate their bunny ears and body. Prompt: "Give your bunny a friendly name! This bunny reminds you that someone is always ready to listen."
2. Draw What Helps When Sad
In the blank frame, students draw a comfort item or feeling helper (a warm hug, a soft blanket, building blocks, sitting quietly with the counselor).
How Kids Can See the Counselor (Explain Clearly to K-2)
1. Tell Your Teacher
"Teacher, I have a big feeling and I'd like to talk with the counselor."
2. Counselor Mailbox
Show the classroom slip or mailbox location outside your office.
3. Hallway High-Five
"Wave and whisper: 'Can we talk today?' I will always check back on you!"
Closing Routine: "Bunny Breaths" (5 Mins)
Mindfulness Tool
Teach students this portable calming strategy before saying goodbye:
Step 1 Wiggle nose like a bunny
Step 2 Take 3 quick sniffs in
Step 3 One long, soft sigh out
Grade-Level Differentiation
| Grade | Focus & Support Strategy |
|---|
| Kindergarten | Focus on naming the emotion (sad, mad) through facial expressions. Allow student to draw only; teacher/counselor transcribes verbal words. Emphasize counselor is a safe grown-up. |
| 1st Grade | Encourage students to label their drawing with 1-2 words (e.g., "hug", "blocks", "quiet"). Discuss why the loud animals didn't work even though they tried. |
| 2nd Grade | Students complete the sentence frame: "When I have a big feeling, I need someone who will..." Discuss being a listening bunny friend to their own classmates. |
The Listening Friend • School Counseling K-2 Page 2 of 2
The Listening Friend Slides
Welcome To School Counseling
Grades K - 2
The Listening Friend
Meet Your School Counselor!
Inspired by the story The Rabbit Listened by Cori Doerrfeld
Big Ears Ready
•
Kind Hearts Open
•
All Feelings Welcome
Our School Team
What Does a School Counselor Do?
I Listen
I am here to hear your stories, your worries, and your happy moments.
Big Feelings
Sad, mad, excited, or nervous—every feeling is okay to feel here.
Friend Help
I help you share, play together, and solve problems peacefully.
⭐ You are never alone at our school!
Story Time
The Rabbit Listened
Chapter 1: The Tall Castle
Taylor built something brand-new and amazing...
💥 CRASH!
Out of nowhere, the blocks tumbled down. Everything was gone.
Turn & Talk:
How did Taylor feel when the castle crashed?
What does your body feel like when something goes wrong?
Taylor didn't know what to do next...
Lots of Advice!
All the Animals Had Big Ideas...
🐔
Chicken
"Squawk! Talk about it!"
🐻
Bear
"Grrr! Get angry and roar!"
🐍
Snake
"Hiss! Knock down someone else's!"
🦘
Kangaroo
"Hop! Let's clean it all up!"
Did Taylor want to talk, roar, or clean up yet? No. Not yet.
The Turning Point
Then Came the Rabbit... 🐰
Moved Closer
The rabbit stepped closer, slowly and gently.
Warm & Quiet
The rabbit sat right next to Taylor and stayed warm and calm.
Just Listened
The rabbit didn't interrupt. The rabbit stayed until Taylor was ready!
When someone listens quietly, we feel safe to heal and rebuild.
Your Safe Person
I Am Like the Rabbit for You!
No Rushing
You don't have to hurry to feel happy.
Safe to Share
You can whisper, talk, cry, or just sit quietly.
We Solve Together
When you are ready, we rebuild like Taylor!
🐰❤️🏫
Comfort Bunny Activity Sheet
School Counseling The Rabbit Listened
My Comfort Bunny Activity Sheet
Name:
Date:
Like the rabbit in our story, you have caring people who will sit with you and listen!
K-2
1 Color your Comfort Bunny and give it a name!
Bunny's Name:
2 When I have big feelings, who can I talk to? (Color or check the circles)
Counselor
My Teacher
My Family
A Friend
3 Draw something that helps you feel better when you are sad or upset (like Taylor's blocks or a soft hug):
When I feel upset, I can:
The Listening Friend • School Counselor Lesson 1 Remember: You are loved and supported at school!