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Connect & Thrive!

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Lesson Plan

Connect & Thrive!

Students will learn how connecting with friends and taking care of themselves can help them feel less worried and more happy, and identify simple ways to make others feel included and practice self-care.

Learning to be a good friend and taking care of ourselves are super important. These skills help kids feel brave when they're worried, build happy friendships, and make our classroom a super fun and supportive place to be!

Audience

3rd Grade Students

Time

15 minutes

Approach

Fun discussion, quick group activity, and an exciting game to learn new ideas.

Materials

Connect & Thrive! Slide Deck, Belonging Boost Activity, and Wellness Wheel Game

Prep

Preparation Steps

10 minutes

Step 1

Introduction: What's Your Vibe?

3 minutes

  • Begin by displaying the first slide of the Connect & Thrive! Slide Deck and asking students to reflect on their current mood or thoughts without needing to share.
    * Move through the introduction slides (Slides 1-4), briefly discussing 'connection' and 'wellness' using the provided teacher notes as a guide. Keep the language simple and encouraging.

Step 2

Activity: Belonging Boost!

6 minutes

  • Display Slide 5: "Activity: Belonging Boost!" and introduce the Belonging Boost Activity.
    * Explain the objective: to brainstorm simple actions that can make others feel a greater sense of belonging.
    * Have students work in small groups (2-3 students) or individually for 3-4 minutes to brainstorm 2-3 specific actions or kind words they could use.
    * Bring the class back together and ask groups to share one idea each. Encourage positive reinforcement and build on ideas.
    * Facilitate a brief discussion on how these small actions can create a big impact on how everyone feels and how much they feel like they belong.

Step 3

Game: Wellness Wheel!

4 minutes

  • Display Slide 6: "Game Time: Wellness Wheel!" and introduce the Wellness Wheel Game.
    * Explain the game: You will name different categories of wellness (e.g., body, mind, friends, feelings). Students will quickly think of one activity for that category.
    * Go around the room, or call on students, asking them to share a wellness activity for the category you name.
    * Encourage diverse responses and emphasize that wellness looks different for everyone. Give simple examples if needed (e.g., body: running, mind: drawing, friends: sharing, feelings: talking about it).

Step 4

Wrap-Up & Reflection

2 minutes

  • Display Slide 7: "You've Got This!".
    * Briefly summarize the key takeaways: being a good friend and taking care of yourself are super important for feeling good and managing worried feelings.
    * Ask students for a quick show of hands: Who learned one new way to help someone belong? Who learned one new way to boost their own wellness?
    * Encourage them to practice these strategies every day.
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Slide Deck

Connect & Thrive!

How are you feeling right now? (Just think to yourself!)

Welcome students with a friendly smile. Ask them to quietly think about how they are feeling today, like a quick feeling check-in. No need to share out loud.

Our Superpowers: Friends & Feelings!

• Ever feel a little worried or sad?
• Today, we'll learn how being a good friend and taking care of YOU can help a lot!
• It's all about feeling happy and like you belong!

Tell students that today we'll learn about two special powers: being a good friend (connection) and taking care of ourselves (wellness). Explain these powers help us feel happy and brave, even when we're a little worried.

What is 'Belonging'?

• It's feeling like you're part of our classroom family!
• Feeling liked and understood.
• Like a puzzle piece that fits just right!

Explain 'belonging' as feeling like you're part of the team. Use simple words and give examples like feeling included when playing a game or sitting with friends at lunch.

What is 'Wellness'?

• Taking care of your body and your brain.
• Doing things that make you feel healthy and super happy!
• It's your personal 'power-up' time!

Explain 'wellness' as doing things that make your body and mind feel good. Give simple examples like getting enough sleep, eating yummy snacks, playing outside, and taking a quiet moment to read.

Activity: Belonging Boost!

• How can we help our friends feel like they belong?
• Let's share some super kind ideas!

Introduce the 'Belonging Boost' activity. Explain that they will think of kind things to do to make other friends feel included. This slide leads into the activity.

Game Time: Wellness Wheel!

• Let's find out all the fun ways to feel well!
• We'll 'spin' our imaginary wheel and share a wellness idea!

Transition to the game, explaining that it's about thinking of different ways to take care of ourselves. Emphasize that everyone can have their own special ways to feel well.

You've Got This!

• Remember: Good friends and taking care of YOU make us super strong!
• Keep connecting, keep caring, and keep shining bright!

Conclude by reminding students that being a good friend and taking care of themselves are important. Encourage them to use these ideas every day to feel their best.

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Activity

Belonging Boost Activity

Objective: To think of easy ways to make our friends feel like they belong in our classroom and school.

Instructions:

  1. Think about a time someone was super kind and made you feel included. What did they do or say?






  2. In small groups (or by yourself), brainstorm 2-3 kind things you could do or say this week to help a classmate feel more included or like they belong.

    Example ideas: inviting someone to play, asking about their favorite animal, giving a friendly wave, offering to share.












  3. Share one of your ideas with the class. Let's make everyone feel welcome!

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Game

Wellness Wheel Game

Objective: To think of different ways we can take care of ourselves and feel good.

Instructions:

  1. Imagine a giant
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