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Circle of Trust

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Lesson Plan

Circle of Trust Lesson Plan

Students will develop communication, empathy, and trust-building skills through scenario-based discussions and personal reflection, enabling them to navigate peer relationships and resolve conflicts positively.

Building core relationship skills helps 7th graders foster supportive friendships, improve conflict resolution, and create a positive classroom climate that promotes emotional well-being and collaboration.

Audience

7th Grade

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Interactive discussions and reflective exercises

Materials

Circle of Trust Presentation Slides, Trust Scenario Cards, Empathy Reflection Worksheet, Sticky Notes, and Timer

Prep

Prepare Materials

10 minutes

Step 1

Introduction and Warm-Up

5 minutes

  • Display the Circle of Trust Presentation Slides and define: communication, empathy, trust.
  • Ask students to shout out real-life examples of each term.
  • Emphasize why these skills matter in friendships and group work.

Step 2

Scenario Discussion

10 minutes

  • Arrange students in pairs and have each pair draw a card from the Trust Scenario Cards.
  • In pairs, students read their scenario and discuss:
    • How would you communicate your feelings?
    • What empathy statements could you use?
    • How can trust be built or repaired?
  • After 5 minutes, pairs swap cards and repeat with a new scenario.

Step 3

Personal Reflection

10 minutes

  • Hand out the Empathy Reflection Worksheet to each student.
  • Instruct students to recall a time they felt misunderstood or excluded.
  • Complete the worksheet prompts:
    • Describe the situation and your emotions.
    • Identify what communication or empathy was missing.
    • Propose one action to build trust next time.
  • Encourage honest, thoughtful responses.

Step 4

Wrap-Up and Debrief

5 minutes

  • Invite 2–3 volunteers to share one insight from their worksheet.
  • Give each student a sticky note to write one trust-building action they’ll practice this week.
  • Collect sticky notes and review common themes aloud.
  • Summarize key strategies: active listening, open communication, empathy statements.
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Slide Deck

Circle of Trust

Strengthening communication, empathy, and trust in 7th-grade friendships

Welcome students to the “Circle of Trust” lesson. Explain that over the next 30 minutes they’ll learn three core relationship skills—communication, empathy, and trust—through interactive activities.

Lesson Objectives

  • Develop clear communication skills
  • Practice empathy statements
  • Build and repair trust with peers

Read aloud each objective. Emphasize that these skills will help them navigate friendships and resolve conflicts.

Key Terms & Definitions

  • Communication: Sharing thoughts and feelings clearly.
  • Empathy: Understanding and sharing others’ emotions.
  • Trust: Belief in someone’s reliability and honesty.

Define each term and invite students to shout out real-life examples. Clarify misunderstandings and reinforce why these skills matter.

Scenario Discussion Activity

  • Pair up and pick a card from Trust Scenario Cards.
  • Discuss:
    • How would you communicate your feelings?
    • What empathy statements could you use?
    • How can trust be built or repaired?
  • After 5 minutes, swap cards with another pair and repeat.

Explain the Scenario Discussion. Distribute the Trust Scenario Cards. Circulate to prompt deeper thinking and keep pairs on task.

Personal Reflection

  • Complete the Empathy Reflection Worksheet.
  • Recall a time you felt misunderstood or excluded.
  • Describe the situation and your emotions.
  • Identify what communication or empathy was missing.
  • Propose one action to build trust next time.

Hand out the Empathy Reflection Worksheet. Encourage honest responses and remind students there are no wrong answers.

Wrap-Up & Next Steps

  • Volunteers share one insight from their reflection.
  • Write one trust-building action on a sticky note.
  • Reflect daily: active listening, open communication, empathy.
  • Practice your trust-building action this week!

Invite 2–3 volunteers to share. Collect sticky notes with commitments. Reinforce common themes and remind students to practice their action this week.

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Activity

The Trust Scenario Cards have been created with six engaging peer situations for students to discuss communication, empathy, and trust-building strategies.

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Worksheet

Empathy Reflection Worksheet

Name: __________________________ Date: __________________________

Instructions

Take your time to reflect honestly. Complete each prompt thoughtfully, and write in full sentences.

1. Describe a time you felt misunderstood or excluded by a friend or peer. What happened?













2. How did this situation make you feel? Use specific emotion words (e.g., disappointed, hurt, confused).







3. What did you notice about the communication or empathy in this situation? What was missing?











4. Write two empathy statements someone could have used to show they cared. For example: “I understand that you …” or “It sounds like you felt …”

  • Empathy Statement 1:



  • Empathy Statement 2:



5. What is one action you could take in the future to build or repair trust in a friendship? Describe what you would do and how it might help.








6. Reflection: How will practicing empathy and clear communication help your friendships this week?




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Warm Up

Relationship Skills Warm-Up

Time: 5 minutes
Materials: Sticky Notes, Timer

Instructions

  1. Give each student one sticky note.
  2. Prompt: “Write one word that comes to mind when you think of trust in a friendship.”
  3. Set a 1-minute timer. Students write and then post their note on the board or chart paper.
  4. Quickly scan the words aloud, grouping similar responses.
  5. Ask the class:
    • What patterns do you notice?
    • How do these words help us understand trust?

This quick activity primes students to think about trust before we explore communication, empathy, and trust-building in today’s lesson.

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Cool Down

Trust Action Exit Ticket

Name: _______________________ Date: _______________________

1. What is one trust-building action you commit to practicing this week?







2. Why is this action important for building or repairing trust?







3. How will you know if you’ve successfully practiced this action?







4. What challenges might you face, and how will you overcome them?









Thank you for your reflection! Remember to revisit this action throughout the week.

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