National School Counseling Week offers a unique opportunity to focus on empowering our high school students to take control of their lives and decisions. Increasing agency, or the ability to act independently and make choices, is a critical skill for young adults navigating the complexities of high school and beyond.

Related resources:

• social skills lessons
• social skills activities

This blog post outlines a lesson plan centered around Increasing Agency for High Schoolers, featuring a social-emotional learning (SEL) video, complemented by a discussion and a flashcard activity designed to engage students in practicing personal agency.

Lesson Plan Overview

Duration: 30-35 minutes

Materials: Access to “Increasing Agency” SEL video, printable PDF flashcards

Objective: To help high school students understand the concept of agency and explore ways to increase their own agency in various aspects of their lives.

Preparation Steps

1. Ensure access to the “Increasing Agency” digital SEL video.
2. Download and print the flashcards provided in the PDF format for the follow-up activity.
3. Prepare a space conducive to viewing the video and engaging in group discussions.

Lesson Execution

1. Introduction to Agency (5 minutes): Begin with a brief explanation of what agency means and why it’s important for personal development and success. Emphasize how increased agency leads to better decision-making and self-confidence.
2. Viewing the SEL Video (5 minutes): Show the “Increasing Agency” video to the class. This engaging video illustrates how to exercise agency in an engaging, age-appropriate way.
3. Group Discussion (10 minutes): Facilitate a discussion based on the video’s content. Encourage students to share their thoughts on how they can apply the concept of agency in their own lives.
4. Flashcard Activity (10-15 minutes): Utilize the printable PDF flashcards for an interactive activity. Each flashcard contains a question related to increasing agency. Have students draw cards, discuss their thoughts, and suggest ways to enhance agency in each scenario.

Conclusion

Increasing agency is not just about making decisions; it’s about making informed decisions that align with one’s values and goals. This lesson plan, featuring the “Increasing Agency” digital SEL video and flashcard activity, provides a structured yet flexible framework for school counselors to empower high school students. By engaging in this lesson, you can play a pivotal role in helping students navigate their journey toward becoming proactive, self-reliant individuals.

Empower your students to take control of their choices and actions. Let this lesson on increasing agency be the catalyst for inspiring high schoolers to embrace their potential and steer their lives with confidence and purpose.

“Increasing Agency” Video Lesson

Try out this sample video lesson below from our twelth-grade SEL curriculum. We offer our entire Social-Emotional Learning platform free for 30 days here!

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