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Building Our Classroom Crew

Lesson Plan

What Makes Us Click?

Students will explore and practice key strategies—active listening, empathy, inclusion—to build a supportive, respectful, and inclusive classroom community. They will articulate and commit to personal actions that foster belonging.

Fostering a positive community increases respect, belonging, and engagement. This lesson helps students understand their roles and collaborative norms, boosting learning and well-being.

Audience

7th Grade

Time

30 Minutes

Approach

Interactive discussions, group work, and personal reflection.

Materials

Prep

Teacher Preparation

10 Minutes

Step 1

Opening Discussion

5 Minutes

  • Pose the question: "What makes you feel respected and supported in a classroom?"
  • Invite several students to share responses.
  • Record key ideas on chart paper for reference.

Step 2

Strategy Exploration

10 Minutes

  • Divide students into small groups; give each group a Community-Building Strategy Card.
  • Groups discuss how to apply their strategy in everyday class interactions.
  • Each group shares one example; teacher adds these to the chart paper list.

Step 3

Reflection and Commitment

15 Minutes

  • Distribute Community Reflection Sheet.
  • Students individually identify two strategies they will practice and write a personal commitment statement.
  • Pair students to share their commitments and offer supportive feedback.
  • Collect reflection sheets to review commitments and follow up later.
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Lesson Plan

Building Our Classroom Crew

Students will learn and practice active listening, empathy, and inclusion strategies to build a supportive, respectful classroom community and make personal commitments to apply these strategies.

Building a positive classroom community fosters respect, belonging, and engagement, supporting both academic growth and students’ emotional well-being by ensuring everyone feels valued and connected.

Audience

7th Grade

Time

30 Minutes

Approach

Interactive discussions, group work, and personal reflection.

Materials

Prep

Teacher Preparation

10 Minutes

Step 1

Opening Discussion

5 Minutes

  • Pose the question: "What makes you feel respected and supported in a classroom?"
  • Invite several students to share responses.
  • Record key ideas on chart paper for reference.

Step 2

Strategy Exploration

10 Minutes

  • Divide students into small groups; give each group a Community-Building Strategy Card.
  • Groups discuss how to apply their strategy in everyday class interactions.
  • Each group shares one example; teacher adds these examples to the chart paper list.

Step 3

Reflection and Commitment

15 Minutes

  • Distribute Community Reflection Sheet.
  • Students individually identify two strategies they will practice and write a personal commitment statement.
  • Pair students to share their commitments and offer supportive feedback.
  • Collect reflection sheets to review commitments and follow up later.
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Slide Deck

Building Our Classroom Crew

7th Grade | 30-Minute Session | Tier 1 Classroom Community

Welcome students and introduce the session: “Today we’re going to learn how to strengthen our classroom community so everyone feels respected and included.” Point out the agenda on the next slide.

Session Objectives

• Practice active listening and empathy
• Learn inclusion strategies to make everyone feel welcome
• Make personal commitments to strengthen our community

Read each objective aloud and connect to students’ experiences: “By the end of our time together, you’ll be able to….”

Why It Matters

• Builds mutual respect and trust
• Increases engagement and participation
• Supports everyone’s well-being and learning

Explain why a strong classroom community matters: “When we feel connected and respected, we learn better and enjoy class more.”

Agenda

  1. Opening Discussion (5 minutes)
  2. Strategy Exploration (10 minutes)
  3. Reflection & Commitment (15 minutes)

Briefly walk through each part of today’s session so students know what to expect.

Opening Discussion

What makes you feel respected and supported in a classroom?

• Share your thoughts with the group
• Listen actively and build on each other’s ideas

Pose the question on the slide, then invite 4–5 students to share. Record key ideas on chart paper.

Strategy Exploration

• Small groups: discuss how to apply your strategy daily
• Think of one real-life example
• Share your example; we’ll add them to our chart

Hand out one Community-Building Strategy Card per group. Circulate to guide discussions and encourage concrete examples.

Reflection & Commitment

• Pick two strategies to practice
• Write your personal commitment statement
• Pair up and share feedback
• Turn in your sheet when done

Distribute the Community Reflection Sheet. Encourage honest, thoughtful commitments.

Closing & Next Steps

• Review commitments regularly
• Celebrate progress in class
• Keep chart paper visible as our guide

Thank students for their participation. Explain how you’ll revisit these commitments and display chart paper as a reminder.

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Activity

Community-Building Strategy Cards

Use these cards in small-group discussions. Each card names a strategy, explains why it matters, and prompts students to brainstorm real-life classroom examples.

Active Listening

What it means:
• Give full attention to the speaker
• Show you’re listening by nodding, eye contact, and asking clarifying questions

Why it matters:
• People feel heard and respected
• Builds trust and deeper understanding

Discussion Prompt:
“Think of a time someone really listened to you. How did that make you feel? How could active listening help when a classmate is upset?”






Inclusive Language

What it means:
• Choose words that invite everyone in
• Avoid labels or jokes that exclude or stereotype

Why it matters:
• Helps everyone feel welcome and valued
• Prevents hurt feelings and misunderstandings

Discussion Prompt:
“What words or phrases can we use to make sure everyone feels part of our group? Give an example of inclusive vs. exclusive language.”






Encouragement & Affirmation

What it means:
• Notice and point out classmates’ efforts and successes
• Offer genuine praise and supportive feedback

Why it matters:
• Boosts confidence and motivation
• Creates a positive, uplifting atmosphere

Discussion Prompt:
“Share a moment when someone encouraged you. What did they say? How can you use encouragement to help a peer who’s struggling?”






Showing Empathy

What it means:
• Try to understand others’ feelings and perspectives
• Respond with kindness and understanding

Why it matters:
• Strengthens relationships and reduces conflict
• Helps classmates feel supported during tough times

Discussion Prompt:
“Think of a time you felt frustrated or sad. What would someone have done or said that would have helped? How can we show that level of empathy to peers?”






Cooperative Problem-Solving

What it means:
• Work together to find solutions when issues arise
• Brainstorm options, weigh pros and cons, and agree on next steps

Why it matters:
• Prevents small disagreements from becoming bigger conflicts
• Empowers students to take ownership of the class climate

Discussion Prompt:
“A disagreement happens in your group. How can you use cooperative problem-solving to reach an agreement that everyone feels good about?”






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Worksheet

Community Reflection Sheet

Name: ____________________________ Date: ________________

  1. Which two strategies will you focus on? (Choose from Active Listening, Inclusive Language, Encouragement & Affirmation, Showing Empathy, Cooperative Problem-Solving)

Strategy 1: ____________________________

Strategy 2: ____________________________

  1. Reflect on Strategy 1:
    • Why did you choose this strategy?
    • How will using this strategy help our classroom community?






  2. Reflect on Strategy 2:
    • Why did you choose this strategy?
    • How will using this strategy help our classroom community?






  3. Write your personal commitment statement for Strategy 1. Start with “I will…” and be specific.






  4. Write your personal commitment statement for Strategy 2. Start with “I will…” and be specific.






  5. How will you remind yourself to follow these commitments? (e.g., notes, reminders, ask a friend to help)






  6. Partner Feedback
    Partner Name: ____________________________

• What is one thing your partner noticed about your commitments?






• What suggestion did your partner offer to make your commitments stronger?






  1. Final Thoughts: Why is keeping these commitments important to our classroom community?











Please turn in this sheet to the teacher when you finish.

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