lenny

Healthy Boundaries: Knowing When to Say No

user image

Lesson Plan

Healthy Boundaries: Knowing When to Say No

Understanding and setting personal boundaries

This week-long lesson series helps elementary students understand and set personal boundaries through discussions, role-playing, and creative activities. Each day focuses on different aspects of boundaries, helping students express themselves in uncomfortable situations, crucial for their social and emotional development. By practicing these skills, students can improve their self-esteem and friendships.

Audience

Elementary Students

Time

1 week

Approach

Understanding and setting personal boundaries

Materials

Discussion Guide, Scenario Worksheet, Exit Ticket Quiz, Crayons and Paper, Storybook, Craft Supplies, Boundary Bingo Cards, Role-Playing Game Cards, and Social Stories

Step 1

Day 1: Introduction to Boundaries

1 hour

  • Begin with a simple explanation of personal boundaries.
  • Read a social story that illustrates a basic boundary scenario.
  • Discuss why boundaries are important for feeling safe and happy.
  • Play a "Boundary Bingo" game where students identify different types of boundaries.

Step 2

Day 2: Types of Boundaries

1 hour

  • Use the Discussion Guide to explore different types of boundaries (e.g., personal space, sharing toys).
  • Read a social story focusing on a specific type of boundary.
  • Encourage students to share examples from their own lives.
  • Create a class chart of different boundaries.
  • Play a matching game where students match scenarios to the type of boundary.

Step 3

Day 3: Role-Playing Scenarios

1 hour

  • Distribute the Scenario Worksheet.
  • Read a social story about saying no politely.
  • Divide students into small groups to act out scenarios.
  • Focus on how to say no politely and discuss effective strategies.
  • Use "Role-Playing Game Cards" to add variety and fun to the scenarios.

Step 4

Day 4: Creative Expression

1 hour

  • Ask students to draw or craft a representation of a boundary they want to set.
  • Read a social story about expressing boundaries creatively.
  • Encourage them to share their creations and explain their boundaries.
  • Discuss how these boundaries make them feel safe.
  • Play a "Boundary Charades" game where students act out different boundaries.

Step 5

Day 5: Reflection and Closure

1 hour

  • Reflect on the week's learning and discuss any new insights.
  • Read a social story summarizing the key points of setting boundaries.
  • Distribute the Exit Ticket Quiz to assess understanding.
  • End with a "Boundary Jeopardy" game to review key concepts.
lenny
0 educators
use Lenny to create lessons.

No credit card needed

Discussion

Discussion Guide

Guide to facilitate a discussion on personal boundaries for young students.

What are personal boundaries and why are they important?

Explain personal boundaries in simple terms and discuss their role in feeling safe and happy.







Can you think of a time when you wanted to say no? How did it feel?

Encourage students to share simple experiences and reflect on their feelings.







What are some ways to say no nicely?

Explore different techniques such as saying 'No, thank you,' or 'I don't like that.'







lenny
lenny

Worksheet

Scenario Worksheet

Worksheet with simple scenarios for students to role-play setting boundaries.

Scenario 1: A friend wants to play with your favorite toy, but you don't want to share it right now. What do you say?

Think about how to say no nicely.







Scenario 2: You are tired and want to rest, but a friend wants to play. How do you respond?

Consider how to express your need to rest.







Scenario 3: Someone is teasing you, and you don't like it. How do you handle the situation?

Focus on expressing your discomfort and asking them to stop.







lenny
lenny

Quiz

Exit Ticket Quiz

lenny

Worksheet

Boundary Bingo Cards

Printable cards for a Boundary Bingo game to help students identify different types of boundaries.




Personal Space







Sharing Toys







Saying No







Respecting Others







Listening







Taking Turns







Asking for Help







Expressing Feelings







Being Honest







Being Kind




lenny
lenny

Worksheet

Role-Playing Game Cards

Printable cards for role-playing games to add variety and fun to boundary scenarios.




A friend wants to borrow your pencil, but you need it.







Someone is standing too close to you in line.







You want to play alone, but a friend keeps asking to join.







A classmate is talking loudly while you're trying to read.







You don't want to eat the snack offered to you.




lenny
lenny

Reading

Social Stories

A collection of social stories to illustrate boundary concepts for each day's focus.

Day 1: Introduction to Boundaries

Story: "Emma's Playground Adventure"
Emma learns about personal space when playing on the playground and how to ask for space politely.

Day 2: Types of Boundaries

Story: "Tommy's Toy Dilemma"
Tommy discovers different types of boundaries when deciding whether to share his toys with friends.

Day 3: Role-Playing Scenarios

Story: "Lily Learns to Say No"
Lily practices saying no politely when her friends want her to join a game she's not interested in.

Day 4: Creative Expression

Story: "Sam's Artful Boundaries"
Sam uses art to express his boundaries and learns how to communicate them to his classmates.

Day 5: Reflection and Closure

Story: "The Boundary Review"
A recap of the week's lessons through a story where characters reflect on what they've learned about boundaries.

lenny
lenny
Healthy Boundaries: Knowing When to Say No • Lenny Learning