My Unique Me Template

Draw yourself in the middle! Then, in the boxes, share what makes you unique!

Neutral Body Cut-Out Area (Draw Yourself Here!)

My Favorites!

Favorite Color:

Favorite Food:

Favorite Part of the Day:

People in My Family!

Draw or write about the special people in your family.

Teacher Note: Encourage students to be creative and express themselves! This is a chance to celebrate what makes each of them special.

Day 1: Welcome and Introduction

Warm-Up (5 minutes)

(Teacher says): "Good morning, everyone! Let's start our day with a quick warm-up. I want everyone to think about something that makes them unique, something that makes you, YOU! Maybe it's your favorite color, a special talent, or a language you speak. We're going to share these with a partner. Ready? Turn to your elbow partner and share what makes you unique!"

(Teacher says): "Fantastic! It sounds like we have so many wonderful and unique individuals in our classroom. And that's exactly what we're going to talk about this week!"

Introduction (5 minutes)

(Teacher says, as All Are Welcome Here Slide Deck Slide 1 is displayed): "Look at our first slide! Our lesson this week is called, 'All Are Welcome Here'. This is a very special story that teaches us about something really important: making everyone feel like they belong."

(Teacher says, as All Are Welcome Here Slide Deck Slide 2 is displayed): "Before we dive into our story, I want us to think about a big word: welcome. What does it mean to feel welcomed? Can you think of a time when someone made you feel really welcome, like when you joined a new game or visited a friend's house? How did it feel? What did they do or say?"

Video Story Time (10 minutes)

(Teacher says, as All Are Welcome Here Slide Deck Slide 3 is displayed): "Those are wonderful ideas! Now, we are going to watch a special video that tells the story 'All Are Welcome Here.' As you watch, I want you to pay close attention. Look for how the characters in the story show each other that they are welcome. Think about how different characters feel when they arrive."

(Play the YouTube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O5gia39y5uo)

Initial Discussion (10 minutes)

(Teacher says, as All Are Welcome Here Slide Deck Slide 4 is displayed): "Wow, what a beautiful story! Now, let's talk about it. What did you see in the story? What were some of the ways the characters made others feel welcome? Did you notice any characters who might have felt a little shy or lonely at first? How did that change?"

(Teacher says): "Great observations! We saw so many examples of kindness and acceptance. Tomorrow, we'll talk even more about how we are all different and special, just like the characters in the book, and how we can make our classroom a place where everyone feels truly welcome."

Day 2: Exploring Differences and Similarities

Review (5 minutes)

(Teacher says): "Good morning, everyone! Yesterday, we watched the wonderful story 'All Are Welcome Here' and talked about what it means to feel welcome. Who can remind us of one way the characters in the story made someone feel welcome?"

Shared Qualities (10 minutes)

(Teacher says, as All Are Welcome Here Slide Deck Slide 5 is displayed): "Excellent! Today, we're going to think more about how we are all unique and special, just like the students in the story. They had different clothes, different families, and different things they liked to do. But even with all those differences, they all found a place where they belonged.

(Teacher says, as All Are Welcome Here Slide Deck Slide 6 is displayed): "In our classroom, we also have so many things that make us unique! Some of us love to draw, some love to read, some are great at math, and some are fantastic at sports! We might come from different places, speak different languages at home, or have different traditions. These differences make our classroom interesting and special! But guess what? We all share one very important thing: We all belong here!"

My Welcoming World Worksheet (15 minutes)

(Teacher says): "Today, you're going to start creating your own 'My Welcoming World Worksheet.' On this worksheet, you'll draw or write about some things that make you unique. You'll also think about how you can show others they are welcome in our classroom. This isn't just a one-day activity; we'll work on it more tomorrow. Take your time, be creative, and think about how wonderful it is that we are all different and still belong together."

(Distribute My Welcoming World Worksheet. Circulate and assist students as they begin working.)

(Teacher says): "Great work today, everyone! Keep thinking about what makes you special and how you can welcome others. We'll continue with our worksheets tomorrow!"

Day 3: Acts of Welcoming

Share & Discuss (10 minutes)

(Teacher says): "Welcome back! Yesterday, we started thinking about our unique qualities and how we can make others feel welcome on our My Welcoming World Worksheet. Does anyone feel comfortable sharing one thing they drew or wrote about that makes them unique, or one idea they had for welcoming others?"

(Teacher says, as All Are Welcome Here Slide Deck Slide 7 is displayed): "Thank you for sharing! It's so inspiring to hear your ideas. Today, we're going to think even more about specific actions we can take. The slide asks: 'What are some ways we can show others they are welcome?' Think about your words, your actions, and even just a smile. What are some things we can actually do to make someone feel welcome in our classroom, at recess, or even in our school?"

Brainstorming Welcome Actions (10 minutes)

(Teacher says): "Those are fantastic ideas! Let's make a list together of all the wonderful ways we can make our classroom and school a more welcoming place. I'll write them on the board as you share."

(Write student ideas on the board. Encourage a variety of suggestions, e.g., inviting someone to play, sharing, listening, helping, smiling, using kind words.)

Continued Worksheet (10 minutes)

(Teacher says): "Now, I want you to go back to your My Welcoming World Worksheet. Look at our brainstormed list on the board and think about what you've already written. Can you add more ideas to your worksheet about how you will welcome others? Maybe you can draw a picture of yourself doing one of these welcoming actions!"

(Students continue working on their worksheets. Circulate and provide feedback and encouragement.)

(Teacher says): "Excellent work, artists and writers! We're building a wonderful collection of welcoming ideas. Tomorrow, we'll start a very special project with all these ideas!"

Day 4: Creating Our Welcome Banner

Review Welcome Actions (5 minutes)

(Teacher says): "Good morning, everyone! Let's quickly remember some of the amazing welcoming actions we brainstormed yesterday. Who can share one idea from our list, or from their My Welcoming World Worksheet?"

(Teacher says, as All Are Welcome Here Slide Deck Slide 8 is displayed): "Wonderful! Today, we're going to turn our ideas into a beautiful, giant 'Welcome Banner' for our classroom! Each of you will create one piece of our banner. Your piece should show a way you will help make our classroom a place where everyone feels welcome."

Introduce Banner Activity (5 minutes)

(Teacher says): "Think about what you drew or wrote on your My Welcoming World Worksheet. What is one special message or picture you want to share with everyone about welcoming others? You can draw a picture, write a kind word, or show a welcoming action on your piece of paper. When we put all our pieces together, it will be a giant reminder that 'All Are Welcome Here!'"

Banner Creation (20 minutes)

(Teacher says): "I'm going to give each of you a piece of construction paper. You can use markers, crayons, or whatever art supplies we have to create your part of the banner. Be creative! Show us what 'welcome' looks like to you."

(Distribute construction paper and art supplies. Circulate and offer assistance, praise effort, and encourage students to incorporate ideas from their worksheets or the class brainstorm.)

(Teacher says): "Fantastic work today! Your banner pieces are looking amazing. We'll finish them up and put our whole banner together tomorrow!"

Day 5: Sharing Our Welcoming Classroom

Complete Banner (10 minutes)

(Teacher says): "Good morning, class! Let's take the first few minutes to finish up your wonderful banner pieces. Make sure your message or drawing clearly shows how you welcome others. If you're already finished, you can help a friend or silently review your work."

(Allow students to complete their banner pieces. Collect them when ready.)

Assemble & Display (10 minutes)

(Teacher says): "Now, for the exciting part! We're going to assemble our Classroom Welcome Banner Activity! I'll need some helpers to carefully tape or glue our pieces together to make one big, beautiful banner. Where should we hang it so everyone can see it every day?"

(Guide students in assembling the banner and choosing a prominent display location.)

Reflection & Cool-Down (10 minutes)

(Teacher says, as All Are Welcome Here Slide Deck Slide 9 is displayed): "Look at our amazing banner! It's a wonderful reminder that every single one of us has a part in making our classroom a place where 'All Are Welcome Here.'

(Teacher says, as All Are Welcome Here Slide Deck Slide 10 is displayed, and distribute the Cool Down Activity: Our Welcoming Words): "For our cool-down today, I want you to think about one word that describes how you feel when you are welcomed, or one word that describes how you will welcome someone else today. Write that word on your cool-down slip. This banner is our promise. How will you keep this promise today, tomorrow, and every day?"

(Collect cool-down slips. Conclude with a reinforcing message.)

(Teacher says): "You all make our classroom a truly special and welcoming place. Remember, 'All Are Welcome Here' not just in our story, but right here, with all of us! Thank you for being such kind and welcoming students!"

My Welcoming World

We are all special and unique, and that's what makes our classroom amazing! This worksheet helps you think about what makes you, YOU, and how you can help everyone feel welcome.

Part 1: What Makes YOU Unique?

Draw a picture or write about some things that make you special and unique! (For example: your favorite hobby, a special skill, something about your family, or a favorite food!)

Part 2: How Can YOU Help Everyone Feel Welcome Here?

Think about the story "All Are Welcome Here" and our discussions. What are some actions or words you can use to make sure your classmates, friends, and everyone at school feels welcome and like they belong? Draw a picture or write your ideas!

Classroom Welcome Banner Activity

Objective: To create a collaborative classroom banner that visually represents our commitment to making everyone feel welcome.

Materials:

• Construction paper (one piece per student)
• Markers, crayons, colored pencils
• Glue or tape (for assembling the banner)

Instructions:

1. Your Banner Piece (Day 4): Each student will receive one piece of construction paper. Your task is to design this piece to show how you will help make our classroom a place where everyone feels welcome. You can:
   • Draw a picture of yourself performing a welcoming action (e.g., inviting a friend to play, helping someone, smiling).
   • Write a kind word or a short sentence about welcoming others (e.g., "Be Kind!", "All Friends!").
   • Combine drawing and writing to express your message.
2. Think about your ideas from your My Welcoming World Worksheet and our class discussions. What is the most important message you want to share about welcoming?
3. Use bright colors and clear pictures so your message can be easily seen and understood.
4. Assembling the Banner (Day 5): Once everyone has completed their individual pieces, we will work together to connect them using glue or tape to form one large "Classroom Welcome Banner." We will then find a special place in our classroom to display it as a daily reminder that All Are Welcome Here!

Warm Up: What Makes You, YOU?

Objective: To activate prior knowledge about individual uniqueness and prepare students for a lesson on celebrating differences.

Instructions:

1. Think Time (1 minute): "Good morning, everyone! To start our day, I want you to think about something that makes you special and unique. It could be your favorite hobby, a special talent, a language you speak at home, your favorite color, or anything else that makes you, YOU!"

2. Partner Share (3 minutes): "Now, I want you to turn to a partner sitting near you. Take turns sharing what makes you unique with each other. Listen carefully to your partner! If you're using the My Unique Me Template, you can start drawing and writing your ideas!"

3. Class Share (1 minute): "Does anyone want to share one unique thing about themselves, or something unique they learned about their partner, with the whole class?"

Teacher Notes:

• Encourage positive sharing and listening.
• Emphasize that everyone has something unique and special about them.
• This warm-up sets the stage for discussing diversity and acceptance later in the lesson.
• Distribute the My Unique Me Template if using a visual aid for this warm-up.

Cool Down: Our Welcoming Words

Objective: To help students reflect on their personal commitment to creating a welcoming environment.

Instructions:

1. Reflection (2 minutes): "Now that we have created our 'All Are Welcome Here' banner, I want you to take a moment to think. What is one word that describes how you feel when you are welcomed by others? Or, what is one word that describes how you will welcome someone else today or tomorrow?"
2. Write Your Word (3 minutes): "On the small slip of paper I give you, please write down that one word. This will be your welcoming word, a promise you carry with you."
3. Share (Optional / If Time) & Collect (5 minutes): "If you'd like to share your word with the class, you may. When you are done, please hand in your slip as your exit ticket for today."

Teacher Notes:

• Provide small slips of paper or sticky notes for students to write on.
• Encourage thoughtful reflection.
• This activity reinforces the main theme and allows for a quick assessment of student understanding and commitment.