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All Are Welcome

Lesson Plan

All Are Welcome

Students will learn the meaning of acceptance, identify welcoming behaviors, and practice including peers through discussion and a creative poster activity.

Building acceptance fosters empathy and a supportive classroom where every student feels valued and included, enhancing social-emotional development.

Audience

1st Grade

Time

15 minutes

Approach

Read, discuss, and engage in a hands-on inclusion activity.

Materials

Storybook 'All Are Welcome', Welcome Poster Template, Inclusion Scenario Cards, Name Tag Stickers Sheet, and Happy Helpers Activity Sheet

Prep

Prepare Materials

5 minutes

Step 1

Introduction

2 minutes

  • Gather students on the rug and introduce today’s topic: acceptance.
  • Show the cover of Storybook 'All Are Welcome'.
  • Ask: “How do you feel when someone welcomes you?”

Step 2

Read Aloud

5 minutes

  • Read the story, pausing to ask:
    • “How did the characters welcome others?”
    • “Why is it important to include everyone?”

Step 3

Discussion

3 minutes

  • Display one Inclusion Scenario Card at a time.
  • Invite students to suggest ways to include the child in the scenario.
  • Role-play their ideas to practice welcoming behaviors.

Step 4

Creative Activity

5 minutes

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Slide Deck

All Are Welcome

Learning about acceptance and how to welcome our friends!

Welcome slide: Greet students and introduce the lesson. Say: “Today we’re going to learn about acceptance—how we can make everyone feel welcome and included!”

What Is Acceptance?

• Acceptance means including everyone.
• It’s about being kind and making others feel valued.

Define acceptance. Ask: “What does it mean to accept someone? How does it feel when you’re accepted?”

Story Time: All Are Welcome

Let’s read our story and look for ways the characters welcome each other.

Storybook 'All Are Welcome'

Show the cover of the storybook. Read aloud, pausing to ask:
– “How did the characters welcome others?”
– “Why is it important to include everyone?”

Discussion: How to Include Others?

Look at our Inclusion Scenario Cards.
What would you do to welcome a new friend in each situation?

Display one scenario card at a time. Invite students to suggest welcoming actions and role-play their ideas.

Creative Activity

  1. Take a Happy Helpers Activity Sheet and a name-tag sticker.
  2. Draw or write one way you can welcome a new friend.
  3. Place your idea on the Welcome Poster Template.

Hand out materials. Remind students of one way they can welcome someone new. Circulate and support drawing or writing.

Our Welcome Poster

Great work! Let’s celebrate all the ways we can show acceptance and make everyone feel at home.

Gather students around the poster. Invite volunteers to share their ideas. Reinforce how each idea shows acceptance.

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Worksheet

Welcome Poster Template

How can we welcome someone new to our class?
Draw or write one way to welcome a new friend in each of the spaces below.

Idea 1







Idea 2







Idea 3







Idea 4







Idea 5







Idea 6







Once all students have added their ideas, display this poster where everyone can see how we welcome new friends!

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Activity

Inclusion Scenario Cards

Use these cards to spark discussion and role-play. Display one card at a time and ask: “What can we do to include everyone?”

Card 1 – Recess Bench
You see a classmate sitting alone on the bench during recess. What can you say or do to include them in your game?





Card 2 – Lunch Table
A new student sits by themselves at the lunch table. How could you welcome them to your table?





Card 3 – Reading Time
Your reading partner finished early and looks like they have nothing to do. How can you invite them to read or draw with you?





Card 4 – Art Center
Someone is watching others paint but hasn’t joined in yet. What friendly words or actions could help them feel welcome at the art table?





Card 5 – Building Blocks
Two friends are building a tower. A classmate wants to help but seems shy. How can you include them in the building fun?





Card 6 – Story Circle
It’s story time and there’s an empty spot in the circle. A new friend is standing by the edge. What could you do to make room and welcome them?





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Worksheet

Happy Helpers Activity Sheet

Stick your name tag sticker here:





My idea to welcome a new friend:











What will you say?





What will you do?





Use your drawing or writing to show how you can help someone feel included and happy!

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