Lesson Plan
Belonging Map Adventure Plan
Students will map their social connections, identify where they feel included or isolated, and plan one action to strengthen their sense of belonging in the classroom.
Fostering a sense of belonging builds social-emotional skills, empathy, and supportive relationships, enhancing engagement and well-being.
Audience
7th Grade Students
Time
40 Minutes
Approach
Interactive mapping, reflection, and guided discussion.
Materials
- Community Web Slide Deck, - Belonging Map Adventure Worksheet, - Connection Web Chart Activity, - Share Your Circle Discussion Prompts, - Chart Paper, and - Colored Markers
Prep
Preparation
10 Minutes
- Review Community Web Slide Deck and key discussion prompts.
- Print one copy per student of Belonging Map Adventure Worksheet and Share Your Circle Discussion Prompts.
- Prepare large sheets of Chart Paper and sets of Colored Markers for each group.
- Preassign groups to ensure diverse social circles.
Step 1
Introduction
5 Minutes
- Display the first slide of Community Web Slide Deck to define “belonging.”
- Ask students: “What makes you feel part of a group?” Capture 2–3 responses.
- Explain that today they’ll explore where they belong in our classroom community.
Step 2
Connection Web Activity
10 Minutes
- Divide students into groups of 4–5; give each group Chart Paper and Colored Markers.
- Instruct groups to write each member’s name as a node and draw lines showing friendships or supports.
- Encourage students to discuss connections while mapping them.
Step 3
Individual Belonging Map
10 Minutes
- Distribute Belonging Map Adventure Worksheet.
- Students shade areas where they feel included (green) and isolated (red) on their personal maps.
- Prompt reflection: “What connections help you feel supported? Where do you want to strengthen ties?”
Step 4
Share Your Circle Discussion
10 Minutes
- Provide Share Your Circle Discussion Prompts.
- In small groups, students share highlights from their worksheets, using prompts to guide deeper discussion.
- Emphasize active listening and thank each speaker for sharing.
Step 5
Action Planning & Closing
5 Minutes
- Facilitate a whole-class brainstorm: “What is one action you can take to strengthen a connection?” Record ideas on the board.
- Students write their personal commitment on their worksheets.
- Conclude by reaffirming the importance of belonging and peer support.
Step 6
Differentiation and Assessment
Ongoing
- IEP/504: Offer sentence starters or allow drawing on worksheets.
- ELL: Include visual cues on Community Web Slide Deck and provide a vocabulary list.
- Formative assessment: Observe group interactions and note participation.
- Collect worksheets to assess understanding of belonging and action plans.
Worksheet
Belonging Map Adventure Worksheet
1. Personal Belonging Map
Instructions: In the space below, draw a circle. Write your name in the center, and add names of people or groups you connect with around the circle. Then shade areas where you feel included (use green) and areas where you feel isolated (use red).
2. Reflection Prompts
a. Which connections help you feel most supported in our classroom?
b. Are there any connections you’d like to strengthen? Why?
c. What makes it hard to connect with others in these areas?
3. Action Commitment
What is one action you will take this week to strengthen a connection or build a new one?
My Personal Commitment: _______________________________________________________
Activity
Connection Web Chart Activity
Time: 10 Minutes
Materials:
- Chart Paper
- Colored Markers
Objective: Visualize and discuss your group’s social connections to deepen understanding of belonging.
Steps:
- Group Formation (1 Minute)
- Students form preassigned groups of 4–5.
- Assign Roles (1 Minute)
- Recorder: Draws the network on chart paper.
- Timekeeper: Keeps track of the 10-minute limit.
- Presenters (2): Share findings with the class.
- Contributors: Offer names and connection ideas.
- Create the Connection Web (5 Minutes)
- Recorder draws a large circle and writes each member’s name as a node.
- Draw lines between names to represent friendships or support.
- Use different colored lines (or arrow styles) to distinguish strong ties from occasional ones.
- Discuss Within Your Group (2 Minutes)
- Prompts:
• Who appears most connected? Who might feel less connected?
• What patterns or surprises do you notice?
- Prompts:
- Share Out (1 Minute)
- Presenter 1 highlights one key insight.
- Presenter 2 suggests one action to strengthen a weaker connection.
Reflection Prompts:
- What did you notice about how connections form in our classroom?
- How could you support a classmate who seems less connected?
Discussion
Share Your Circle Discussion Prompts
Purpose: In small groups, share insights from your Personal Belonging Maps to build understanding, empathy, and support.
Discussion Guidelines
- Use “I” statements to speak from your own experience.
- Listen without interrupting; show respect and curiosity.
- Keep what’s shared in this group confidential.
- Encourage each person to speak; thank each other for sharing.
Core Questions
- Highlight of Your Circle
• What connection on your map makes you feel most supported or happy?
• Why does this relationship feel important to you?
- Spotting the Gaps
• Is there an area you shaded red (isolated)?
• What challenges or feelings come up when you think about connecting there?
- Dreaming Stronger Ties
• Which new or stronger connection would you most like to develop?
• What small step could you take this week to move toward that goal?
- Empathy & Action
• After hearing others’ maps, what surprised you or gave you a new perspective?
• How might you support a peer who feels less connected in our class?
Extension Prompts (if time allows)
- What does belonging look like or sound like when it’s working well?
- If you could create a new classroom tradition or activity to include everyone, what would it be?
- How can our group hold each other accountable for the action commitments we make?
Slide Deck
What Is Belonging?
Belonging means feeling accepted, supported, and connected to a group. When we belong, we feel safe and valued for who we are.
Introduce the concept of belonging and connect to students’ everyday experiences.
Why Belonging Matters
- Builds confidence and self-esteem
- Strengthens teamwork and cooperation
- Creates a positive, supportive classroom culture
Highlight why belonging helps us learn and work together. Invite 1–2 students to share how they feel when they belong somewhere.
Sample Community Web
Imagine a group of five classmates:
• Alex
• Maya
• Jamal
• Priya
• Luis
Lines show who talks or works together often. Thicker lines = strong friendships; thinner = occasional connections.
Walk through this simple example so students see how names and lines represent connections.
Connection Web Activity
- Form groups of 4–5
- Assign roles: Recorder, Timekeeper, Presenters, Contributors
- On chart paper, write each name as a node
- Draw lines to show who supports or spends time with whom
Explain each role clearly and model drawing one node and line.
Reading Your Web
• Who appears most connected?
• Who has fewer lines?
• What surprised you about your group’s network?
Prompt students to look for patterns—central figures or isolated nodes—and prepare to share one insight.
Let’s Get Started!
Grab your chart paper and markers, join your group, and begin mapping your community web now.
Invite students to gather materials and begin. Circulate to support diverse learners and ensure everyone understands.