Lesson Plan

Session 1 Lesson Plan

Build a welcoming classroom community and introduce essential routines through a name-based icebreaker and collaborative creation of class norms.

Establishing community and routines on Day 1 builds trust, reduces anxiety, and sets a positive tone. Students feel valued, understand expectations, and are prepared to engage in learning.

Audience

Time

Approach

Materials

Prep

Teacher Preparation

10 minutes

Step 1

Welcome and Warm-Up

5 minutes

Step 2

Icebreaker Activity

10 minutes

Step 3

Establish Classroom Norms

10 minutes

Step 4

Reflection and Closing

5 minutes

Slide Deck

Session 1 Icebreaker

How to Play

Icebreaker Questions

Introduce Your Partner

Why Classroom Norms?

Brainstorm Norms

Our Class Norms

Reflection & Closing

Lesson Plan

Session 2 Lesson Plan

Introduce classroom procedures and daily routines—morning arrival, transitions, bathroom and lunch—to help students navigate the school day independently and confidently.

Clear, well-practiced routines reduce student anxiety, foster independence, maximize instructional time, and create a predictable learning environment.

Audience

Time

Approach

Materials

Prep

Teacher Preparation

10 minutes

Step 1

Morning Meeting & Review

5 minutes

Step 2

Introduce Daily Procedures

10 minutes

Step 3

Guided Practice

10 minutes

Step 4

Reflection & Closing

5 minutes

Slide Deck

Session 2: Procedures & Routines

Why Procedures Matter

Arrival & Unpacking

Morning Work

Bathroom Breaks

Hallway Transitions

Lunch Line

Reflection & Closing

Lesson Plan

Session 3 Lesson Plan

Guide students to articulate personal academic and social goals for the year using a structured worksheet and collaborative discussion.

Goal setting fosters ownership, motivation, and self-awareness. By defining clear targets, students build confidence and a growth mindset to support success throughout the year.

Audience

Time

Approach

Materials

Prep

Teacher Preparation

10 minutes

Step 1

Morning Meeting & Norms Review

5 minutes

Step 2

Introduce Goal-Setting

7 minutes

Step 3

Individual Goal Setting

10 minutes

Step 4

Partner Share & Feedback

5 minutes

Step 5

Reflection & Commitment

3 minutes

Slide Deck

Session 3: Setting Personal Goals

What Is a Goal?

Academic Goal Example

Social Goal Example

Using Your Goal Worksheet

Questions & Next Steps

Worksheet

Lesson Plan

Session 4 Lesson Plan

Engage students in collaborative team-building games that foster trust, communication, and problem-solving skills through hands-on challenges.

Team-building strengthens relationships, encourages cooperation, and builds a positive classroom culture. These activities help students learn to work together, support one another, and develop essential social skills.

Audience

Time

Approach

Materials

Prep

Teacher Preparation

10 minutes

Step 1

Warm-Up & Norms Review

5 minutes

Step 2

Overview & Team Formation

5 minutes

Step 3

Challenge 1: Tower Build

8 minutes

Step 4

Challenge 2: Shared Story Drawing

7 minutes

Step 5

Reflection & Closing

5 minutes

Slide Deck

Session 4: Team-Building Challenges

Rules & Timing

Challenge 1: Tower Build

Challenge 2: Shared Story Drawing

Reflection & Closing

Worksheet

Lesson Plan

Session 5 Lesson Plan

Engage students in an interactive scavenger hunt to review this week’s classroom norms, procedures, personal goals, and teamwork skills, then reflect on their growth and set next steps.

A fun, active review reinforces key concepts and celebrates students’ achievements. Guided reflection builds metacognition and helps students take ownership of their learning as they head into the coming weeks.

Audience

Time

Approach

Materials

Prep

Teacher Preparation

10 minutes

Step 1

Welcome & Norms Review

5 minutes

Step 2

Interactive Scavenger Hunt

15 minutes

Step 3

Group Reflection & Sharing

7 minutes

Step 4

Closing & Commitment

3 minutes

Slide Deck

Session 5: Review & Reflection