lenny

Classroom Belonging Buzz

For Schools

Lesson Plan

Classroom Belonging Buzz

Students will define what it feels like to belong in a classroom and collaborate to generate specific actions that help peers feel included. By lesson’s end, each student will create a personal pledge to support classroom belonging.

Fostering belonging builds empathy, boosts confidence, and creates a safe learning community where every student feels valued and can succeed.

Audience

3rd Grade

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Brainstorming, sharing, and reflection activities.

Materials

Prep

Prepare Materials

5 minutes

  • Print enough copies of the Belonging Brainstorm Chart and Belonging Reflection Worksheet for each group/student
  • Post a large blank piece of chart paper at the front of the room
  • Gather markers, sticky notes, and a timer
  • Review both generated materials to familiarize yourself with prompts and layout

Step 1

Warm-Up Discussion

5 minutes

  • Gather students in a circle and ask: “What does it feel like when you belong somewhere?”
  • Record key words/phrases (e.g., safe, happy) on the chart paper
  • Explain that today we’ll discover ways to create that feeling for everyone

Step 2

Group Brainstorm

10 minutes

  • Divide class into small groups of 4
  • Give each group a copy of the Belonging Brainstorm Chart and sticky notes
  • Instruct groups to write one idea per sticky note for how to help classmates feel they belong
  • Set timer for 8 minutes, then collect notes

Step 3

Share and Cluster

5 minutes

  • Invite groups to place their sticky notes onto the large chart paper
  • Read aloud and cluster similar ideas (e.g., greeting each morning, sharing supplies)
  • Highlight 3–4 categories of actions

Step 4

Individual Reflection

7 minutes

  • Distribute the Belonging Reflection Worksheet
  • Students recall a time they felt they belonged and draw or write about it
  • Then they choose one action from the brainstorm to pledge to do this week

Step 5

Closing Pledge

3 minutes

  • Ask volunteers to share their action pledges aloud
  • Collect worksheets and display pledges on a “Belonging Bulletin” board
  • Encourage students to follow through and notice when classmates show belonging
lenny

Slide Deck

Classroom Belonging Buzz

Today we’ll explore:
• What it feels like to belong
• Ways we can help others feel included

Use background color #FFA07A. Welcome students warmly. Introduce today’s topic: what belonging feels like and how we can help others belong. Display lesson objective: “Define belonging & create inclusion actions.”

Warm-Up: What Is Belonging?

  1. Sit in a circle
  2. Discuss: “What does belonging feel like?”
  3. I’ll write down your words

Use background color #FF7F50. Gather students in a circle. Ask: “What does it feel like when you belong somewhere?” Record key words/phrases (e.g., safe, happy) on chart paper. Emphasize that these feelings help build our classroom community.

Group Brainstorm: Ways to Belong

• In groups of 4
• Use sticky notes & brainstorm chart
• Write one idea per note
• 8 minutes on the timer

Switch to background color #FF6347. Divide students into groups of 4. Hand out sticky notes and the Belonging Brainstorm Chart. Set an 8-minute timer. Circulate to prompt ideas.

Share & Cluster Ideas

• Place your sticky notes on the chart
• We’ll read and group similar ideas
• Notice 3–4 main action categories

Maintain #FF7F50 background. Invite groups up to place sticky notes on the large chart paper. Read each aloud and help students cluster similar ideas into categories. Highlight 3–4 key action groups.

Individual Reflection & Pledge

  1. Recall a time you felt you belonged
  2. Draw or write about it
  3. Pick one action to pledge this week

Switch to #FFA07A background. Distribute the Belonging Reflection Worksheet. Guide students: first recall and draw/write a time they felt they belonged, then choose one brainstorm action to pledge.

Closing Pledge

• Share your action pledge aloud
• We’ll display these on our Belonging Bulletin
• Notice and celebrate belonging in others!

Use #FF6347 background. Invite volunteers to share their pledges aloud. Collect worksheets to display on the Belonging Bulletin board. Encourage students to practice their pledges and notice belonging behaviors in others.

lenny

Worksheet

Belonging Brainstorm Chart

Instructions:

  • In your group, brainstorm actions that make classmates feel they belong.
  • Write each action on a sticky note.
  • Then transfer each idea into the chart below and describe how it helps peers feel included.
Idea (one action per sticky note)How It Helps Peers Feel Included
































































lenny
lenny

Worksheet

Belonging Reflection Worksheet

Name: _______________________ Date: _______________

1. Recall & Draw

Think of a time you felt you truly belonged in our classroom. Draw a picture showing who was there and what was happening.













2. Describe the Moment

In a few sentences, write about what made you feel you belonged, who helped you feel that way, and how it felt.







3. My Inclusion Pledge

Look at our Belonging Brainstorm Chart for ideas. Choose one action you will do this week to help classmates feel they belong. Then write your pledge below.







I pledge to: ________________________________________________________________

Why this matters: ___________________________________________________________



lenny
lenny