Feeling Safe Together?

Casey Lb Bayne

Tier 1

Lesson Plan

Cool Down Roadmap

Students will reflect on what makes their classroom feel safe and draw or write one action they can take to support classmates’ safety, reinforcing trust and community before dismissal.

Regular moments of reflection on safety and trust help first graders feel valued, connected, and ready to learn, strengthening classroom management and culturally responsive practice.

Audience

1st Grade

Time

10 minutes

Approach

Guided slides, scripted prompts, and a reflective drawing activity.

Materials

Safety Snapshot Slides, * Feeling Safe Script, and * Trust Tree Reflection Prompt

Prep

Review Materials

5 minutes

Read through the Safety Snapshot Slides to understand each reflection prompt
Practice the language in the Feeling Safe Script to lead the discussion confidently
Prepare to display or hand out the Trust Tree Reflection Prompt
Arrange seating in a circle so all students can easily see the board and each other

Step 1

Introduction

2 minutes

Gather students in a circle near the board or carpet
Display the first slide of the Safety Snapshot Slides
Use the Feeling Safe Script to welcome students and introduce today’s reflection on safety

Step 2

Class Sharing

4 minutes

Show the slide “What Makes Our Classroom Feel Safe?”
Invite 3–4 volunteers to share one thing that helps them feel safe
Acknowledge each response, connecting it to how it creates a welcoming space

Step 3

Trust Tree Reflection

3 minutes

Present the Trust Tree Reflection Prompt
Ask each student to draw or write one action they can take to help classmates feel safe
Circulate to support and encourage quick reflections

Step 4

Closing

1 minute

Bring attention back together and thank students for sharing
Remind them: “We each help keep our classroom safe together!”
End with a group clap or chant to reinforce unity

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Slide Deck

Feeling Safe Together!

Let’s think about what makes our classroom such a safe and happy place!

Welcome students to our cool-down. Say: “Today, we’ll think about what makes our classroom feel safe together.” Use the Feeling Safe Script if you’d like.

What Makes Our Classroom Feel Safe?

•

Ask: “What makes our classroom feel safe?” Invite 3–4 volunteers to share one thing each. Acknowledge each idea and connect them back to how they keep everyone safe.

Safety in Action

For example:
• Use kind words
• Share materials
• Listen when others speak

Provide examples to spark ideas. Explain how these actions help everyone feel safe and respected.

Trust Tree Reflection

Draw or write one thing YOU can do to help classmates feel safe.

Show the Trust Tree Reflection Prompt. Ask each student to draw or write one action they can do to help a friend feel safe. Circulate to encourage and support.

We Keep Each Other Safe!

Great job! Remember—we all keep each other safe.

Bring attention back together. Thank students for sharing. Say: “We each help keep our classroom safe together!” End with a group clap or chant to celebrate.

Script

Feeling Safe Script

(Display the first slide: “Feeling Safe Together!”)
Teacher: “Hello, friends! Please come sit in our circle spot. Today, we’re going to think about what makes our classroom feel safe together. When we feel safe, we can learn new things, have fun, and help each other feel happy.”

(Display the second slide: “What Makes Our Classroom Feel Safe?”)
Teacher: “Take a look at this slide. Who can share one thing that makes our classroom feel safe? It might be our class rules, our friends, or how we treat each other kindly. Raise your hand if you’d like to share!”

If no one volunteers:
Teacher: “I’ll start us off. I feel safe when we all use our kind voices and listen carefully. Now it’s your turn—who can go next?”

After each student response:
Teacher: “Thank you, [Student Name]! That keeps us safe because [connect response—e.g., ‘using kind words helps everyone feel welcome’]. Who has another idea?”

(Display the third slide: “Safety in Action”)
Teacher: “Those are great ideas! Here are a few more ways we keep each other safe:”
• “Use kind words”
• “Share materials”
• “Listen when others speak”

Teacher: “Do you hear how each action helps someone feel safe?”

(Display the fourth slide: “Trust Tree Reflection”)
Teacher: “Now it’s time for our Trust Tree Reflection. Please take your paper and draw or write one thing you can do to help your classmates feel safe. Maybe you’ll draw yourself sharing crayons or write ‘say please and thank you.’”

Circulate and encourage:
Teacher (quietly to a student): “Nice work, [Student Name]—listening closely really helps friends feel heard and safe.”

(Display the fifth slide: “We Keep Each Other Safe!”)
Teacher: “Thank you, everyone, for your wonderful ideas and drawings! Remember, we each help keep our classroom safe together. Let’s celebrate with a big group clap! Ready? 1…2…3—clap!”

Cool Down

Trust Tree Reflection

Draw or write one thing you can do to help your classmates feel safe. Turn that idea into a leaf on our Trust Tree!

Steps:

Think of one caring action (for example: “use kind words,” “share my crayons,” or “listen quietly”).
Draw a leaf on the tree and write your action inside it or below it.

Here’s our tree—add your leaf anywhere you like:

     _________
    /         \
   /           \
  /             \
  \             /
   \           /
    \_________/
        |||
        |||
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