Why Use the Teacher Companion Guides?

We know that many teachers feel uncertain—or even uncomfortable—teaching social skills and topics. At Navigate360, our mission is to make implementing our programs as simple and stress-free as possible. That’s why each Compass Curriculum Student lesson is digitally delivered and designed for students to complete independently, with minimal teacher intervention.

Digital lessons provide well-documented advantages, such as interactivity, self-paced learning, individualized instruction, and ease of use. We embrace these benefits and strive to make every lesson impactful.

At the same time, we recognize there’s no substitute for the human element. Social skills take root when practiced in real-world settings. That’s why we encourage schools and districts to pair digital lessons with classroom discussions. Teachers bring these skills to life by weaving Compass Curriculum concepts into daily instruction.

To make this easier, we’ve created the Teacher Companion Guide (TCG)—a ready-to-use lesson plan that complements each digital lesson and supports meaningful classroom conversations. With no extra prep, you can focus on helping students practice essential life skills.

What Is the Teacher Companion Guide?

The Teacher Companion Guide is a downloadable PDF that serves as an out-of-the-box lesson plan for each Compass for Students digital lesson. It’s designed to help educators reinforce social-emotional skills in the classroom with minimal preparation.

Each guide is organized into five key sections:

1. Overview Information
2. Before the Lesson
3. During the Lesson
4. After the Lesson
5. Additional Resources

Section Breakdown

Overview Information

• Theme – Highlights the lesson’s core focus, aligned with our Scope and Sequence.
• Brief Summary – Provides a concise overview of the lesson content, ideal when you’re short on time.

Before the Lesson

• Journal Question – Prompts reflection and helps students connect prior experiences to the lesson.
• Lesson Objectives – Outlines key concepts to guide discussion and measure comprehension.
• Shared Vocabulary – Lists essential terms for clear and consistent communication.
• Welcome Activity – Sets a positive tone and prepares students for the topic.

During the Lesson

• Engaging Strategies – Offers optional activities to reinforce lesson content.
• Differentiate Instruction – Suggests ways to provide additional support for varying student needs.
• Support for English Language Learners (ELLs) – Includes strategies to ensure language and cultural inclusivity.

After the Lesson

• Key Takeaways – Summarizes main ideas for quick review.
• Continue the Conversation – Provides ready-to-use discussion questions to spark dialogue.
• Exit Slip – A quick check for understanding.
• Optimistic Closure – Helps students connect the lesson to real life.
• Follow-Up Activity/Prompt – Optional extensions for deeper exploration.

Where to Find the Teacher Companion Guide

Teachers can access the TCG in two main places:

1 - Lesson View

From the admin home page, click Start Lesson on the current lesson card.

In the student lesson view, locate the Resources section in the lesson navigation. The Teacher Companion Guide is listed there.

2 - Home Dashboard View

On the current lesson card, click the three-dot menu to open lesson resources.

Select the Teacher Companion Guide link to access it directly.

That’s It!

The Teacher Companion Guide is here to make instruction easier, more engaging, and more effective. Whether you’re facilitating the full digital lesson or selecting specific components, the TCG provides structure and support—without adding extra workload.

We hope you’ll use the Teacher Companion Guide to bring social skill learning to life for every student with Compass Curriculum. If you have any questions, please reach out to our team—we’re here to help!