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Do You Belong Here?

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Lesson Plan

Belonging Blueprint

Students will reflect on diverse aspects of identity, identify inclusion gaps in their classroom, and collaboratively create actionable inclusion pledges to foster a more welcoming school climate.

This lesson builds empathy and awareness by helping students see and value differences, recognize when peers may feel excluded, and take concrete steps toward inclusion—strengthening community and belonging.

Audience

7th Grade Class

Time

50 minutes

Approach

Collaborative reflection and creative pledge-making.

Materials

Prep

Preparation

10 minutes

Step 1

Identity Spectrum Warm-Up

10 minutes

  • Distribute one Identity Spectrum Worksheet to each student.
  • Ask students to mark where they lie on each spectrum (e.g., extrovert–introvert, local–global, visual–verbal).
  • Prompt a Think-Pair-Share: In pairs, students discuss one spectrum where they differ most and why.
  • Emphasize respectful listening—no names are shared during discussion to protect privacy.
  • Differentiation:
    • Provide sentence starters for ELL or shy students ("I feel more __ because...").
    • Offer extension: students who finish early jot down a third spectrum they’d add.

Step 2

Pledge Poster Creation & Sharing

30 minutes

  • Form groups of 3–4 and give each group a Pledge Poster Template, markers, and sticky notes.
  • In groups, students review common inclusion gaps (e.g., feeling left out in clubs, language barriers).
  • Brainstorm and agree on 2–3 specific, actionable pledges to address these gaps ("We will invite someone new to our lunch table once a week").
  • Design and decorate the poster with clear pledge statements and visuals.
  • Once posters are complete, groups rotate to view others’ work in a mini-gallery walk, leaving positive feedback on sticky notes.
  • Differentiation:
    • Assign roles (researcher, writer, illustrator) based on strengths.
    • For advanced learners: challenge them to draft a brief action plan for how to track pledge progress.

Step 3

Commitment Circle Cool-Down

10 minutes

  • Invite students to form a circle holding their posters or prompt cards.
  • Hand out one Commitment Circle Prompt Card per student (e.g., "What will you do this week to honor our pledges?").
  • Going around the circle, each student reads their pledge aloud and shares one personal action they’ll take.
  • Collect prompt cards to display on a classroom “Inclusion Wall.”
  • Reinforce that these pledges guide daily behavior and will be revisited in future check-ins.
  • Differentiation:
    • Allow students who prefer to pass once to share non-verbally by placing a symbol next to a class pledge on the Inclusion Wall.
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Warm Up

Identity Spectrum Worksheet

Place an “X” on the line where you see yourself for each pair. There are no right or wrong answers—just be honest!

  1. Extrovert ———————————————————— Introvert
  2. Local ——————————————————————————— Global
  3. Visual ———————————————————————— Verbal
  4. Analytical ——————————————————— Creative
  5. Risk-Taker ——————————————————— Risk-Averse
  6. Independent —————————————————— Collaborative
  7. My Own Spectrum: ____________________ ————————————————— ________________

Reflection: Which spectrum surprised you most about yourself? Why?






Think–Pair–Share Prompt: Identify one spectrum where you think your partner might differ most from you.

Partner’s Name: ____________ Their Spectrum Choice: ____________

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Activity

Pledge Poster Creation Template

Group Name: ____________________________

Group Members: _________________________



Our Inclusion Pledges

  1. Pledge 1:


  1. Pledge 2:


  1. Pledge 3:


Visual Representation

Use this space to draw or collage a picture, symbol, or design that captures the spirit of your pledges.











Design Tips

  • Write your pledges in clear, bold letters so everyone can read them from a distance.
  • Choose colors that stand out against your poster paper.
  • Add icons or simple drawings next to each pledge to illustrate the action (e.g., a handshake for friendliness).
  • Leave space around text for easy readability.

When your poster is complete, display it on the wall for the gallery walk and be ready to share how your group will bring these pledges to life!

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Cool Down

Commitment Circle Prompt Cards

Cut along the dotted lines and distribute one card to each student.

“What will you do this week to honor our class pledges?”

“Name one pledge and describe how you’ll practice it tomorrow.”

“Who in our class might need extra support? How can you help them feel included?”

“Share a time you felt included. How did it impact you?”

“When have you felt excluded? How can you help someone else feel included?”

“What is one kind gesture you can do for a classmate this week?”

“Which pledge resonates most with you, and why?”

“How will you check in on our inclusion pledges next week?”

“Who will you invite to join an activity or conversation this week?”

“What creative idea do you have to celebrate inclusion in our class?”

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