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Circle Up!

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Lesson Plan

Session 1: Welcome Circle

Students will introduce themselves, establish group norms, and practice respectful listening through the circle format, setting a foundation of trust for future sessions.

Building a positive community from week one encourages student ownership, fosters safety, and supports collaboration—key for social-emotional growth and conflict resolution.

Audience

7th Grade

Time

45 minutes

Approach

Guided circle activities to set norms and build trust.

Materials

Talking Piece, Session 1 Discussion Prompts, Session 1 Reflection Sheet, Whiteboard or Chart Paper, and Markers

Prep

Teacher Preparation

15 minutes

Step 1

Warm-Up

10 minutes

  • Greet students as they enter; invite them to find a seat in the circle
  • Conduct a quick name icebreaker: each student says their name and one thing they enjoy outside school
  • Model enthusiastic sharing and eye contact
  • Emphasize that every voice is valued

Step 2

Circle Discussion

25 minutes

  • Explain circle norms: speak with the talking piece, listen without interrupting, respect confidentiality
  • Demonstrate passing the talking piece; only the holder speaks
  • Use Session 1 Discussion Prompts to guide sharing (e.g., "What brings you joy?", "What do you hope to get from our circles?")
  • Record agreed norms on chart paper or whiteboard
  • Encourage students to build on others’ ideas and ask clarifying questions

Step 3

Closing Reflection

10 minutes

  • Distribute Session 1 Reflection Sheet
  • Ask students to write one thing they appreciated and one norm they commit to following
  • Invite volunteers to share reflections aloud
  • Review and post the finalized norms for reference
  • Collect reflection sheets and thank students for their honest participation
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Slide Deck

Session 1: Welcome Circle

• Objective: Introduce ourselves and set group norms
• Duration: 45 minutes
• Today’s Flow: Warm-Up → Circle Discussion → Closing Reflection

Welcome students warmly and introduce yourself. Explain that this is the first of 12 weekly circles designed to build community and trust. Share the session objective.

Agenda

  1. Warm-Up (10 min)
  2. Circle Discussion (25 min)
  3. Closing Reflection (10 min)

Briefly walk through today’s agenda so students know what to expect. Emphasize the importance of each part.

Circle Norms

• Speak only when holding the talking piece
• Listen without interrupting
• Respect confidentiality
• Be honest and kind

Explain each norm as you present it. Invite students to suggest additions before finalizing. Record norms on chart paper.

Discussion Prompts

• What brings you joy?
• What do you hope to gain from our circles?

Use the Session 1 Discussion Prompts handout for guidance.

Introduce the talking piece and demonstrate passing it. Use the prompts to guide sharing around the circle.

Closing Reflection

• Complete the Session 1 Reflection Sheet
– One thing you appreciated
– One norm you commit to
• Volunteers share their responses

Distribute reflection sheets. Explain that students will write one thing they appreciated and one norm they commit to following.

Thank You!

Great start, everyone!

• Norms will stay posted in our classroom
• See you next week for Session 2

Thank students for their participation. Remind them that these norms will guide our circles all semester.

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Worksheet

Session 1 Discussion Prompts

Use these questions to guide our circle sharing. Remember: only speak when you have the talking piece and listen respectfully to others.

  1. What brings you joy outside of school?





  2. What do you hope to gain from our circles this semester?





  3. What makes a circle feel like a safe space for you?





  4. Describe one norm you’d like to add to help our group feel respected and included.





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Worksheet

Session 1 Reflection Sheet

Name: ____________________________ Date: _______________

  1. One thing I appreciated about today’s circle:





  2. One norm I commit to following in our circles:





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Lesson Plan

Session 2: Empathy in Action

Students will practice active listening and empathy by role-playing real-life scenarios and reflecting on the impact of empathetic communication.

Cultivating empathy deepens trust, strengthens relationships, and equips students with social-emotional skills to understand and support peers.

Audience

7th Grade

Time

45 minutes

Approach

Role-play, guided discussion, and reflection.

Materials

Talking Piece, Session 2 Empathy Role-Play Scripts, Session 2 Discussion Prompts, Session 2 Reflection Sheet, Chart Paper, and Markers

Prep

Teacher Preparation

15 minutes

Step 1

Warm-Up: Active Listening Pair Share

10 minutes

  • Invite students to pair up and face each other in the circle
  • Explain active listening skills: eye contact, nodding, paraphrasing
  • Prompt: Partner A shares one moment when they felt truly heard; Partner B listens and paraphrases before switching roles
  • Debrief: Ask a few volunteers what helped them feel listened to

Step 2

Empathy Role-Play

20 minutes

  • Distribute one scenario card from Session 2 Empathy Role-Play Scripts to each pair
  • Roles: Speaker, Listener, Observer (rotate so each student experiences every role)
    • Speaker shares the scenario aloud
    • Listener practices active listening techniques
    • Observer takes notes on empathetic responses and body language
  • After 5 minutes, rotate roles and use a new scenario
  • Reconvene and ask observers to share examples of strong empathetic responses

Step 3

Circle Discussion

10 minutes

  • Bring the group into full circle with the talking piece
  • Use Session 2 Discussion Prompts to guide sharing, e.g.:
    • How did it feel to be the listener?
    • What was challenging about empathizing?
  • Record key insights on chart paper

Step 4

Closing Reflection

5 minutes

  • Distribute Session 2 Reflection Sheet
  • Students write:
    1. One empathy skill they will practice this week
    2. One way they plan to show understanding to a peer
  • Invite 2–3 volunteers to share aloud
  • Collect sheets and thank students for their openness
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Worksheet

Session 2 Empathy Role-Play Scripts

Cut these cards apart and distribute one per pair. Each person will take turns as Speaker, Listener, and Observer.

Scenario 1: Overwhelmed by Homework
You have three major assignments due tomorrow and feel too stressed to start any of them. Describe what’s on your mind and how it’s affecting you.

Scenario 2: Left Out at Lunch
You saw your friends in the cafeteria but they didn’t invite you to join them. Explain how that made you feel and what you wished would have happened.

Scenario 3: Nervous About Presentation
You have to give a book report in front of the class, and your voice trembles when you practice. Share your fears and what you need to feel more confident.

Scenario 4: Disappointed by a Test Grade
You studied hard for the math test but received a lower grade than expected. Talk about your disappointment and what you plan to do next time.

Scenario 5: Hurt by a Rumor
You heard that someone spread a rumor about you at school. Describe how you found out, how it made you feel, and what you want from your classmates.

Scenario 6: Family Expectations
Your parents signed you up for basketball even though you’d rather spend free time painting. Explain the pressure you feel and how you’d like them to understand your interests.

Scenario 7: Sad About a Pet’s Passing
Your dog passed away last night, and you’re heartbroken. Share your sadness and how losing your pet is affecting your day.

Scenario 8: Ignored Online
You posted a funny photo in a class group chat but no one reacted or replied. Talk about why this bothered you and what you wish your classmates would do differently.

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