Lesson Plan
Be a Welcome Buddy
Students will learn to empathize with new classmates and create a personalized welcome resource (packet, brochure, or video) to help them feel included.
Welcoming newcomers fosters a supportive classroom community, teaches kindness and communication skills, and helps every student feel valued from day one.
Audience
2nd Grade
Time
90 minutes
Approach
Discussion, hands-on creative project, and peer sharing.
Materials
• Empathy Scenario Cards, • Welcome Packet Template, • Brochure Foldable Template, • Video Planning Sheet, • Chart Paper and Markers, • Colored Pencils, Crayons, Construction Paper, • Tablets or Computers with Recording Capability, and • Stickers and Decorative Materials
Prep
Prepare Materials
15 minutes
- Print enough Empathy Scenario Cards for pairs.
- Print copies of the Welcome Packet Template, Brochure Foldable Template, and Video Planning Sheet.
- Gather chart paper, markers, art supplies, construction paper, stickers.
- Ensure tablets/computers are charged and ready for student use.
- Review all materials and the lesson flow before class.
Step 1
Warm-Up Activity
10 minutes
- Introduce the concept of empathy: ask “How would you feel if you were new here?”
- Distribute Empathy Scenario Cards in pairs; each pair reads aloud and discusses feelings.
- On chart paper, record key feelings students share (e.g., nervous, excited, lonely).
Step 2
Class Discussion
15 minutes
- Define empathy together: “Understanding how someone else feels.”
- Ask why welcoming a new student is important; list responses on chart paper.
- Guide students to link empathy to actions: kind words, helpful gestures, sharing materials.
Step 3
Creative Project
45 minutes
- Explain project choices: welcome packet, brochure, or video.
- Show examples and the corresponding template:
• Welcome Packet Template
• Brochure Foldable Template
• Video Planning Sheet - Students choose one format and plan their content: greeting, classroom map, fun facts, supportive messages.
- Distribute art supplies and tech; circulate to support ideas and skills.
- Encourage creativity: drawings, photos, audio clips (for videos).
Step 4
Sharing & Feedback
15 minutes
- Form small groups of 3–4 students.
- Each student presents their welcome resource.
- Peers give one compliment and one suggestion for making it even more welcoming.
- Teacher highlights strong examples of empathy in each project.
Step 5
Cool-Down & Reflection
5 minutes
- Gather students in a circle.
- Ask each student to share one thing they learned about empathy.
- Emphasize how their work can help a new classmate feel included and safe.
Slide Deck
Be a Welcome Buddy
Building empathy and kindness in our classroom
90-minute lesson for 2nd Grade
Introduce the lesson. Welcome students and explain today’s activity: building empathy and creating a special welcome resource for a new classmate.
Learning Objectives
• Learn to empathize with new classmates
• Create a personalized welcome packet, brochure, or video
• Strengthen communication and creative skills
Review the objectives one by one. Emphasize that everyone will get to create something to help a new student feel at home.
Why Welcoming Matters
• Fosters a supportive classroom community
• Helps new students feel valued and safe
• Builds kindness and friendship from day one
Discuss each point and invite quick examples from students: times they felt welcomed or left out.
Warm-Up: What Is Empathy?
• Ask: “How would you feel if you were new here?”
• Listen for feelings like nervous, excited, lonely
• Record these feelings on chart paper
Ask the question on the slide and allow 2–3 student volunteers to share. Record key feelings on chart paper.
Empathy Scenario Cards
• Pair up and receive an empathy scenario card
• Read aloud and discuss: “How would you feel?”
• Share highlights with the class
Distribute one empathy scenario card to each pair. Explain they should read and discuss with their partner.
Class Discussion
• Define empathy: Understanding how someone else feels
• Why is welcoming a new student important?
• Link empathy to actions: kind words, helpful gestures, sharing
Guide students to define empathy and then ask why it matters for welcoming. Jot responses on the board.
Creative Project Choices
Choose one format to welcome a new classmate:
• Welcome Packet
• Brochure
• Video
Introduce the three project options. Show real or sample examples if available.
Project Templates
Display the templates so students know where to start. Explain each template’s purpose.
Work Time: Create Your Project
• Plan your content: greeting, classroom map, fun facts, supportive messages
• Use art supplies or tablets for videos
• Be creative with drawings, photos, audio clips
Invite students to plan first: what they’ll include and how. Then distribute materials and let them work.
Sharing & Feedback
• Small groups of 3–4 present their work
• Each peer gives one compliment and one suggestion
• Teacher highlights strong examples of empathy
Arrange students into small groups. Model giving one compliment and one suggestion.
Reflection
• Share one thing you learned about empathy
• Discuss how these projects help new classmates feel included
Bring students back to the circle. Ask each to share one new thing they learned about empathy.
Great Job, Welcome Buddies!
Your projects will help new students feel at home.
Keep showing kindness every day!
Congratulate students on their hard work. Encourage them to display projects and keep being kind.
Worksheet
Empathy Scenario Cards
Use these cards with a partner to practice empathy. Read each scenario, then write down how you would feel and what you or classmates could do to help someone in that situation.
Scenario 1
A new student just moved to your town and is sitting alone at recess. They look around but don’t know anyone yet.
- How might this student feel?
- What could you or a classmate do to help them feel welcome at recess?
Scenario 2
A student joins your reading group today for the first time. They don’t know the classroom routine yet.
- How might this student feel joining the group?
- What could you or your group members do to help them learn the routine and feel included?
Scenario 3
Your class is playing a new game at gym class. A new friend isn’t sure how to play and looks confused.
- How might this friend feel?
- What friendly action could you take to help them learn the game and join in?
Scenario 4
During art time, the new student doesn’t have the right materials and seems upset.
- How might this student feel without art supplies?
- What kind thing could you do to make sure they can create their artwork and feel part of the class?
Worksheet
Welcome Packet Template
Use this template to create a special packet that will help a new classmate feel at home in our classroom. Complete each section and add drawings or decorations to make it bright and fun!
1. Cover Page
Draw a fun cover for your welcome packet. Include a big title and a picture that shows our class spirit!
2. Greeting Message
Write a warm welcome message to your new friend. Tell them how excited you are to have them in our class.
- Hello, new friend!
- From,
3. Classroom Map
Draw a simple map of our classroom. Show where desks, the reading corner, the art station, and other special areas are.
4. Fun Facts About Our Class
List three fun things that make our class special or things we love to do together.
5. Helper Tips
Write three friendly tips to help your new classmate feel comfortable and know what to do.
6. Backpack Items
Choose three small items to include in a welcome backpack. For each item, explain why you picked it and how your new friend can use it.
- Item: _____________
Why I chose it:
How your new friend can use it:
- Item: _____________
Why I chose it:
How your new friend can use it:
- Item: _____________
Why I chose it:
How your new friend can use it:
Worksheet
Brochure Foldable Template
Use this tri-fold brochure to welcome a new friend to our class. Fold the paper into thirds so each numbered section shows on one panel.
1. Front Cover
Write a title for your brochure and draw a welcoming picture.
2. Greeting Message (Inside Left Panel)
Write a friendly welcome message to your new classmate.
- Hello, new friend!
- From,
3. Classroom Map (Inside Middle Panel)
Draw a simple map showing where important places are in our room: desks, reading corner, art station, and more.
4. Fun Facts About Our Class (Inside Right Panel)
List three fun things we do together that make our class special.
5. Helper Tips (Back Panel)
Write three friendly tips to help your new classmate feel comfortable and know what to do or where to go.
Worksheet
Video Planning Sheet
Use this sheet to plan a welcome video for a new classmate. Fill in each section before you start recording.
1. Introduction
Write a friendly greeting you will say at the start of your video.
Script (example): “Hello, new friend! My name is ____ and welcome to our class!”
Line 1:
Line 2:
2. Classroom Tour
Pick three special places in our classroom to show. For each place, write what you will say.
- Place: _____________
What you’ll say:
"__________________________________________"
- Place: _____________
What you’ll say:
"__________________________________________"
- Place: _____________
What you’ll say:
"__________________________________________"
3. Fun Facts About Our Class
Write two fun facts you will share to help your new friend learn about our class.
4. Helpful Tips for Feeling at Home
Write three tips you want to share to help your new classmate feel comfortable.
5. Shot List
Plan the order of your video shots. For each shot, write the number, what you will show, and how long it will last.
- Shot 1 – Show: __________________ – Duration: _____ seconds
- Shot 2 – Show: __________________ – Duration: _____ seconds
- Shot 3 – Show: __________________ – Duration: _____ seconds
Feel free to add more shots if you need them. When you’re done planning, you’re ready to record your welcome video!