Jessica Ebeling

Developmental Guidance Lesson Plan

Grade Level: (7-8)

Time: Approximately 20-30 minutes

Objective: To have students explore what trust means to them and apply trust to the context of their own lives.

Introduction: In a classroom setting have the students get into group of five. After they are in their groups write the word trust on the board. Tell them they have ten minutes to define trust as a group, and discuss within the group what they think trust means to them. After ten minutes, have one person from each group write their groups definition on the board. Read each one out loud.

Procedure: As a class have them vote on the best definition on the board of trust. The definition can be a combination of all the definitions or it can be all of them, let the class lead the decision. Explain the activity “Trust Lean” to the class. Tell the class this activity will challenge you to trust your group members. One person stands with their feet together and falls backwards while the other group members catch them. Tell the class that if anyone feels uncomfortable about the activity they don’t have to participate.

Before the group does the Lean they must come up with a communication sequence. To make sure the faller knows the catchers are ready.

Activity: Have the groups complete the “Trust Lean.” Make sure everyone gets a chance to fall.

Assessment: Have the students write a one-page reaction paper to the activity.

Closure: Thank the students and teacher for letting you come into the classroom to do this activity.

Resources: The Caring Classroom this book is a great resource to find classroom activities. The “Trust Lean” was found in this book.