Lesson Plan
Check-In Champions Lesson Plan
Students will co-create and practice a peer check-in routine using an interactive game that reinforces our class charter and celebrates Black and Brown boys’ cultural pride.
An interactive check-in game builds engagement, affirms identity, and ensures Black and Brown boys lead daily routines that reinforce respect, listening, honesty, and support.
Audience
6th Grade (focus on Black and Brown boys)
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Model, practice, reflect with an interactive check-in game
Prep
Prepare Materials
10 minutes
- Review the Class Charter Poster and highlight cultural values of respect and community.
- Queue the Check-In Routine Slide Deck and test transitions.
- Set up the Check-In Champions Interactive Game (print boards or launch digital spinner).
- Print enough copies of the Check-In Reflection Journal Template.
- (Optional) Gather a list of culturally-relevant affirmations to model.
Step 1
Introduction
5 minutes
- Display the Class Charter Poster and revisit key agreements.
- Explain that today’s check-in will use an interactive game to guide each step and highlight how our Black and Brown classmates live out our charter.
- Show Slide 1 of the Check-In Routine Slide Deck.
Step 2
Model Check-In
5 minutes
- Invite two volunteers to the front.
- Launch the Check-In Champions Interactive Game and spin/roll to select Step 1: Greeting.
- Model a cultural affirmation: “One way I honored our charter today by … (e.g., sharing a family tradition).”
- Continue using the game to select and narrate Steps 2–5, recording a reflection entry in the journal.
- Emphasize how each step ties back to affirming identity and charter values.
Step 3
Partner Practice
7 minutes
- Students pair up, ideally pairing a Black or Brown boy with another peer.
- Each pair plays the Check-In Champions Interactive Game to determine each check-in step in sequence.
- Partners share a cultural affirmation at Step 3: “I’m proud of … because it aligns with our value of …”.
- After completing all five steps, partners record one journal entry in the Check-In Reflection Journal Template, noting how they uplifted each other’s identity and charter values.
- Teacher circulates to support and celebrate affirmations.
Step 4
Group Reflection & Routine Design
8 minutes
- Whole-class debrief: “Which charter values connected to our cultural strengths? Which game-selected affirmation felt most powerful?”
- On the board, co-create a concise daily check-in routine with roles: Leader, Listener, Recorder.
- Determine timing (e.g., 2–3 minutes each morning) and confirm use of the interactive game to guide steps, ensuring cultural affirmations are embedded.
Step 5
Assign Roles & Close
5 minutes
- Introduce “Check-In Champions” who will rotate daily, ensuring at least one Black or Brown boy leads each day.
- Remind students to bring the interactive game materials and reflection journals to tomorrow’s check-in.
Slide Deck
Daily Check-In Routine
An interactive, student-led process to boost well-being, reinforce our charter, and practice kindness every day.
Welcome everyone! Today we’re launching our Daily Check-In Routine. This slide introduces our goal: building strong connections and supporting one another every morning.
Charter Connection & Check-In Steps
Why we check in:
• Puts our charter into action
• Builds trust and accountability
Five Steps:
- Greeting
- Mood Rating
- Share One Need
- Active Listening
- Supportive Response
Point out how each check-in step links back to our charter values—respect, listening, honesty, and support. Then review the five steps we’ll learn.
Step 1: Greeting
• Make eye contact
• Use each other’s names
• Smile and pass the check-in token
Model a warm greeting: look at your partner, use their name, smile, and pass the check-in token to signal your turn.
Step 2: Mood Rating
• Choose a number (1-5) or an emoji
• Be honest about how you’re feeling
Show the number scale (1–5) or emoji cards. Demonstrate rating your own mood, then invite a volunteer.
Step 3: Share One Need
• State one thing you need today
• Keep it short (1 sentence)
• Speak honestly
Explain that sharing one clear need helps peers know how to support you. Model a concise sentence.
Step 4: Active Listening
• Face your partner and give your full attention
• Paraphrase what you heard
• Ask a clarifying question
Demonstrate active listening: face the speaker, paraphrase what you heard, and ask a follow-up question.
Step 5: Supportive Response
• Offer encouragement or helpful suggestions
• Show empathy ("I’ve got you")
• Return the token to your partner
Highlight that a supportive response can be words of encouragement or a simple plan to help. Then pass back the token.
Journal
Check-In Reflection Journal
Date: ____________________________
Check-In Partner: ____________________________
1. My Mood Today (1–5):
Circle one: 1 2 3 4 5
2. Something I Needed to Share:
3. The Supportive Response I Received:
4. As a Listener, I Offered:
5. One New Thing I Learned About My Partner:
6. One Way I Can Support My Partner Tomorrow:
Reflection
How did you feel during the check-in? What was challenging or rewarding?
Warm Up
Charter Quick Recall
Time: 5 minutes
Purpose: Reactivate our class charter agreements to prepare for today’s check-in routine.
Materials: Class Charter Poster
1. Recall Three Charter Agreements
Without looking at the poster, write down three agreements from our class charter:
• Agreement 1: ____________________________
• Agreement 2: ____________________________
• Agreement 3: ____________________________
2. Give a Real-Life Example
For each agreement above, describe one example of how we see it in action in our classroom:
• Example for Agreement 1:
• Example for Agreement 2:
• Example for Agreement 3:
3. Connect to Check-Ins
In one sentence, explain how following these agreements will help us during our daily check-ins:
4. Pair & Share (2 minutes)
Turn to a partner, compare your agreements and examples, and discuss any differences or surprises.
5. Class Debrief (1 minute)
We’ll quickly share one standout agreement and example from each pair.
Cool Down
Commitment Pledge
Time: 2–3 minutes
Purpose: Solidify our commitment to tomorrow’s check-in and hold ourselves accountable to our class charter values.
Instructions: Complete the statements below as your personal pledge. Then, sign your name to show you’re ready to lead with kindness and respect.
Date: ____________________________
- Tomorrow, during our check-in, I will actively participate by:
- I promise to support my partner by:
- I pledge to listen respectfully by:
- One way I can reinforce our class charter during check-ins is:
My Signature: ____________________________
Role Tomorrow (Champion, Listener, Recorder): __________________
Game
Check-In Champions Interactive Game
Objective: Use a spinner or board game to guide partners through all five check-in steps, embedding moments to share cultural affirmations and celebrate Black and Brown boys’ identities.
Materials
- Spinner (numbers 1–5) or one die (1–5)
- Optional: Game board with five spaces labeled Step 1 → Step 5
- Optional: Cultural Affirmation Cards (face-down pile)
- Optional: Small token to pass as a “talking piece”
- Check-In Reflection Journal Template
Setup (2 minutes)
- Place spinner/die in the center of each pair’s space.
- (Optional) Lay out board with five numbered spaces in a row.
- (Optional) Shuffle Cultural Affirmation Cards and tuck them face down next to the spinner.
How to Play (5 minutes per pair)
- Spin/Roll → Identify Step
• Partner A spins or rolls.
• The number indicates which check-in step to complete:- Greeting
- Mood Rating
- Share One Need
- Active Listening
- Supportive Response
- Complete the Step
• Both partners pause and follow the slide-deck directions for that step. - Cultural Affirmation (Step 3 only)
• When a 3 is rolled or spun, draw a Cultural Affirmation Card.
• Read aloud: e.g., “I’m proud of _____ because it shows our value of _____.” - Advance & Repeat
• After finishing Step N, spin/roll again to land on the next incomplete step.
• Continue until all five steps are done in any order. - Reflect
• Partners record one entry in the Check-In Reflection Journal Template.
Sample Cultural Affirmation Cards
- “Share a family tradition that reflects our value of respect.”
- “Name one strength you see in your partner today.”
- “Recall a story of a Black or Brown leader who inspires you.”
- “Tell about an achievement you’re proud of and why.”
Variations & Tips
- Digital Spinner: Project or share an online spinner labeled 1–5.
- Board Path: Move a token along spaces 1–5 as each step is completed.
- Teacher Tip: Encourage authentic responses; highlight connections to our class charter values after each card draw.