Boundary Builders Lesson Plan Red Ribbon Week • Counselor & Officer Guide
Boundary Builders
Target Grades
3rd - 6th
Focus
Refusal skills, boundaries, and identifying trusted adult networks.
Duration
45 Minutes (ideal for classroom or library presentation).
Co-Led By
School Counselor & School Resource Officer (SRO).
Essential Questions
How can I say "no" to a peer while keeping my relationships and safety intact?
What is the difference between positive, neutral, and negative peer pressure?
How does building boundaries protect my body, mind, and personal goals?
Objectives
Students will define peer pressure and distinguish between its three types (Spoken, Unspoken, and Mocking).
Students will practice 4 concrete refusal strategies: Direct No, The Excuse, The Pivot, and The Exit.
Students will construct a physical "Boundary Shield" featuring 3 trusted adults and 2 personalized refusal scripts.
Students will identify the campus officer as a highly accessible trusted resource for physical safety concerns.
Part 1: The Pressure Test (Warm-up)
10 Mins
Begin with a game of "Simple Dares." Have the Counselor give silly, harmless dares (e.g., "I dare you to stand on one foot and rub your belly!"). Introduce peer pressure as the "force" that makes us want to fit in. Transition to serious peer pressure: when someone tries to make us do something that goes against our wellness, values, or safety.
Counselor Tip:
Emphasize that peer pressure isn't always a scary kid in an alleyway. It's often a close friend who is just trying to get us to join in. Recognizing the feeling of "pressure" is step one.
Part 2: The Refusal Toolkit (Direct Instruction)
12 Mins
Introduce the four "Boundary Tools" using anchor charts or board drawings. Explain that having the words ready before the pressure happens makes refusal twice as easy:
1. Direct No Clear, firm, and eye contact. "No thanks, I'm good."2. The Excuse Blame a parent, rule, or schedule. "My coach runs random testing."3. The Pivot Suggest something else. "No, let's go play basketball instead."4. The Exit Simply walk away or move to safety without arguing.
Red Ribbon Week Curriculum Pack Page 1 of 2
Red Ribbon Week • Counselor & Officer Guide
Boundary Builders
Co-Facilitated
SRO Guide
SRO Officer Action Spotlight
School Resource Officers are powerful allies for students navigating peer pressure. Invite the officer to demonstrate "The Power Stance" (standing tall, hands out of pockets, solid eye contact) to show how body language deters pressure.
Officer Pro-Tip: "Remind kids that an officer's job is to protect their boundaries, not just catch rulebreakers."
Refusal Demo: Have students practice saying a direct "No" to the officer in a fun, safe, high-energy environment.
Part 3: Scenario Analysis & Worksheets
13 Mins
Distribute the Refusal Radar Worksheet . Walk students through the 3 concrete scenarios (The Dare, The Secret, and The Borrow). Allow students to work in pairs or table groups to fill in their customized response lines using the "Boundary Tools."
Facilitation Tip:
Have the SRO walk around during the worksheet portion to read answers and issue high-fives for strong, assertive refusal lines written by students.
Part 4: Shield of Strength Craftivity
10 Mins
Transition to the Shield of Strength Craftivity . Give each student the shield sheet. Instruct them to write their 3 trusted adults at the bottom (encourage them to include one school resource like the Counselor or SRO, one family member, and one teacher). They will write their custom "Power Phrases" in the quadrants.
Materials Needed: Scissors, colored pencils, safety pins or tape (to wear shields as badges afterwards).
Debrief Questions (5 Mins)
1. Why does blaming a parent work so well?
Because it transfers the conflict from "you and your friend" to "you and an adult." It's hard to argue with a parent's rules!
2. Who is on your Shield of Strength?
Students share names. SRO and Counselor emphasize their doors are always open for safety or boundary concerns.
Red Ribbon Week Curriculum Pack Page 2 of 2
Refusal Radar Worksheet Red Ribbon Week • Student Activity
Refusal Radar
Practice using your Boundary Tools to navigate tricky peer situations!
Name: _______________________
Date: _______________________
Your 4 Boundary Tools
1. Direct No "No thanks." Firm & honest.
2. The Excuse "My parents track my phone."
3. The Pivot "Let's go play basketball instead."
4. The Exit Walk away to a safe place.
Scenario 1
The Playground Dare
A group of older kids is near the tall fence. One climbs onto the high ledge and dares you to jump off. They say, "Come on, don't be a baby! Everyone has done it once."
Choose your Boundary Tool:
Direct No The Excuse The Pivot The Exit
Write your exact refusal script below:
Scenario 2
The Backpack Secret
Your classmate shows you a medicine bottle filled with brightly colored pills they got from home. They whisper, "Keep this a secret! If you tell anyone, you're not invited to my party anymore."
Choose your Boundary Tool:
Direct No The Excuse The Pivot The Exit
Who is the closest trusted adult you should report this to?
Scenario 3
The Scooter Ride
After school, an older neighborhood kid pulls up on a scooter. They offer you a ride home, but they aren't wearing a helmet and your parents do not know them. They say, "Hurry up, hop on! It's way faster."
Choose your Boundary Tool:
Direct No The Excuse The Pivot The Exit
Write your exact refusal script below:
Red Ribbon Week • Boundary Builders Worksheet Keep Your Guard Up!
Boundary Shield Craftivity Red Ribbon Week • Creative Craftivity
My Boundary Shield
Customize your shield with your go-to words and trusted safety team!
Name: _______________________
Date: _______________________
Action Steps:
Fill in each section of the shield below using your favorite refusal strategies.
Write the names of your 3 Trusted Adults at the bottom.
Color and decorate your shield, then cut along the dashed lines ( - - - ) to wear or tape to your desk!
Boundary Builder
Quadrant 1 My Go-To Direct "No"
Simple, strong, and honest statement.
Quadrant 2 My Best Backup Excuse
Blame parents, coach, or school rules.
Quadrant 3 My Strongest "Pivot"
An alternative activity to suggest instead.
Quadrant 4 My "Exit Plan"
Where will you go / what will you say?
Safety Network
My 3 Trusted Safety Adults
1. School Adult
2. Home Adult
3. Officer / Guide
Red Ribbon Week • Shield Craftivity Proudly Built Boundaries
Safe Steps Slides Red Ribbon Week • PK - K Lesson 1
My Super Healthy Body!
Our bodies are amazing! Let's learn how to keep them happy, active, and safe every single day.
🍎 Yummy Food
🏃 Active Play
💤 Sweet Sleep
🛡️ Safe Habits
The Safety Rule Lesson 1
Always Ask First!
Medicines can help us when we are sick, but only a trusted adult can give them to us.
The Golden Rule:
If you find a pill, a spray, or an unknown bottle—do not touch it! Go tell a helper adult immediately.
Your Safety Team:
👨👩👦 Parents & Family
👩🏫 Teachers & Counselors
👮 School Officers & Doctors
Never take medicine on your own—always ask your safety team first!
Interactive Game Lesson 1
Safe To Eat or Ask First?
Let's vote! Thumbs up for Safe, or hands on head for Ask First!
🍎
Red Apple
In your lunchbox from home.
Safe to Eat!
💊
Unknown Pill
Found on the kitchen counter.
Stop! Ask First!
🍬
Shiny Candy
Found lying on the playground dirt.
Stop! Ask First!
Great job! Helping our bodies make smart, safe choices makes us Safety Heroes!
Safe Steps Sorting Activity Red Ribbon Week • PK - Kindergarten
Safe Steps Sorting
Let's learn what is safe fuel for our bodies vs what we must ask an adult about!
Name: ______________________
Date: ______________________
Instructions: Color the pictures first! Then, with help from a teacher or parent, cut out the 6 items at the bottom and glue them into the correct box.
😋
Safe Healthy Fuel
Yummy things that make our bodies strong, run, and grow big!
Glue Safe Items Here
✋
Stop & Ask First
Unknown bottles, medicines, or sprays that adults handle!
Glue "Ask First" Here
Cut Along This Line
🍎 Sweet Apple
💊 Medicine Bottle
🍌 Banana
💨 Spray Bottle
💧 Water Cup
🧪 Unknown Liquid
Red Ribbon Week • Safe Steps Sort Stay Healthy & Ask First!
Trust Team Scenarios Worksheet Red Ribbon Week • 1st - 2nd Grade
Trust Team Scenarios
Let's solve safety puzzles and find the perfect adult helper!
Name: ______________________
Date: ______________________
Who is on your Trust Team? A trusted adult keeps you safe, listens to you, and follows safety rules. On campus, your Trust Team includes teachers, counselors, nurses, SRO officers, and principals!
Puzzle 1
The Hallway Dare
During recess, a friend whispers: "Hey! Let's sneak past the red cone and explore the dark empty hallway in the main building. No one will see us!"
1. What should you tell your friend?
2. Which Trust Team adult should you look for on the playground?
Puzzle 2
The Playground Secret
A neighborhood student near the fence offers you a piece of candy, but tells you, "Eat it right now, but don't tell your teacher. It's our little secret."
1. Is this a safe "secret" or an unsafe "secret"? Why?
2. Who is an adult you can tell immediately at school?
Puzzle 3
The Scared Feeling
You see a suspicious package or an unknown bottle lying on the floor of the school bathroom. It makes you feel nervous.
1. Should you pick it up to throw it away? Why or why not?
2. Who can you tell? (Hint: Think about our campus nurse or officer!)
Red Ribbon Week • Trust Team Scenarios Trust Your Helper Adults!
Trust Team Badge Activity Red Ribbon Week • 1st - 2nd Grade
Trust Team Helpers
Learn which Trust Team adults can help you solve safety situations!
Name: ______________________
Date: ______________________
Part 1: Helper Match-Up Draw a line from each safety situation on the left to the correct Trust Team helper on the right who is best equipped to handle it!
Safety Situations
🤕
I skinned my knee
I fell while running fast during recess.
🧪
Strange liquid found
I found a mystery bottle in the bathroom.
😢
A peer won't stop teasing
I need help with a conflict on the yard.
Trust Team Helpers
👮
Campus Officer (SRO)
Keeps our physical school campus safe.
🩺
Campus Nurse
Heals our bodies when we are hurt.
🏫
Teacher or Counselor
Guides our minds & solves heart problems.
Part 2: Design Your Junior Safety Helper Badge!
Color and customize the official badge. Write your own name on the ribbon to pledge to always make safe, healthy choices!
Junior Helper
Officer ____________
Write Your Name Above!
Trust Team
Red Ribbon Week • Trust Team Badge Activity Make Healthy Choices Daily!
