Lesson Plan
Building Trust Blueprint
Students will learn to recognize and practice trust‐building behaviors through interactive activities, fostering a respectful classroom culture in a single 30-minute session.
Trust underpins a safe and supportive classroom where students feel heard and respected, enabling collaboration and positive peer relationships.
Audience
5th Grade Class
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Interactive icebreaker, circle activity, group discussion.
Materials
- Trust Circle Slides, - Two Truths, One Wish Warm-Up Cards, - Respect in Action Discussion Guide, - Timer, and - Chart Paper and Markers
Prep
Review and Prep Materials
5 minutes
- Preview and familiarize yourself with Trust Circle Slides
- Shuffle and organize Two Truths, One Wish Warm-Up Cards
- Read through Respect in Action Discussion Guide
- Set up chart paper, markers, and a timer
Step 1
Warm-Up Icebreaker
5 minutes
- Explain the rules of Two Truths, One Wish.
- Distribute the Two Truths, One Wish Warm-Up Cards.
- Give students 2 minutes to write two true statements and one wish about themselves.
- Invite volunteers to share and discuss how revealing personal facts can build trust.
Step 2
Trust Circle Activity
10 minutes
- Arrange students in a circle and display Trust Circle Slides.
- Read aloud trust-building statements (e.g., “I keep my promises,” “I listen attentively”).
- Students stand if the statement applies to them, then sit quietly if not.
- Facilitate a brief discussion on how recognizing shared values fosters empathy and trust.
Step 3
Respect in Action Discussion
10 minutes
- Refer to the Respect in Action Discussion Guide.
- Pose the question: “What does respect look like in our classroom?”
- Divide students into small groups; assign each group a scenario depicting a respect challenge.
- Groups discuss and list respectful actions on chart paper.
- Each group presents their ideas to the class.
Step 4
Closure and Reflection
5 minutes
- Ask each student to share one trust‐building takeaway from today’s lesson.
- Highlight key behaviors (listening, honesty, empathy) and post the chart paper in the classroom.
- Encourage students to practice these behaviors daily.
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Slide Deck
Trust Circle Activity
Stand if the statement applies to you. Then sit quietly if it doesn’t.
Introduce the activity. Explain: “We’ll do a Trust Circle. I will read statements one by one. If the statement applies to you today, stand up. If it doesn’t, stay seated. After each, we’ll pause and notice what comes up.”
I Keep My Promises
Stand if you follow through on what you say.
Read aloud clearly. After students stand/sit, ask “How did it feel to stand? To stay seated?” and “Why might this statement build trust?”
I Listen Attentively
Stand if you pay full attention when someone else is speaking.
After the standing/sitting, prompt: “What does listening attentively look like? How does it show respect?”
I Admit When I’m Wrong
Stand if you own up when you make a mistake.
Discuss how admitting mistakes creates honesty. Ask: “Why is it hard or easy to say sorry?”
I Respect Others’ Opinions
Stand if you value different ideas and viewpoints.
Highlight that respecting opinions fosters safety. Ask: “How can we show respect even if we disagree?”
I Help Classmates When They Need It
Stand if you offer help when someone asks or looks stuck.
After this statement, discuss how offering help builds cooperation. Ask: “When have you helped a classmate recently?”
Reflect and Discuss
What surprised you? How can these actions build trust in our classroom?
Wrap up by inviting students to share observations. Questions: “What did you notice about our class? How can we practice these behaviors daily?”
Warm Up
Two Truths, One Wish Warm-Up Cards
Use this icebreaker to help students share something about themselves and foster early trust in the classroom.
Materials Needed
- Printed Two Truths, One Wish Warm-Up Cards (one per student)
- Pens or pencils
- Timer
Instructions for the Teacher
- Distribute one card to each student.
- Explain: “On your card, write two things that are true about you and one wish—something you hope for or want to learn.”
- Give students 2 minutes to complete their cards.
- Pair students up. Each student takes turns reading their two truths and one wish while their partner listens attentively.
- After pairs finish, invite a few volunteers to share one thing they learned about a classmate.
- Debrief with the class: “How did it feel to share something about yourself? How might this help us build trust?”
Two Truths, One Wish Card Template
Name: ____________________________
Truth 1: _________________________
Truth 2: _________________________
Wish: ____________________________
Reflection:
What did you learn about your partner?
Discussion
Respect in Action Discussion Guide
Purpose
Help students identify respectful and disrespectful behaviors in everyday classroom scenarios and practice responding with kindness and empathy.
Materials Needed
- Chart Paper or whiteboard
- Markers
- Printed scenarios (below)
Discussion Setup (1–2 minutes)
- Gather students in a circle or around tables.
- Remind them of today’s focus: respect—how we treat others and their ideas.
- Pose the opening question aloud:
“What does respect look like and sound like in our classroom?”
• Invite 2–3 volunteers to share one word or phrase.
Small-Group Scenario Discussions (6–7 minutes)
- Divide the class into 3–4 small groups.
- Assign each group a different scenario (or print one copy per group).
- Provide each group with chart paper and markers.
- Tell students to read their scenario, then discuss and answer:
- What respectful and disrespectful actions do you notice?
- How might each person feel?
- What could you say or do to show respect in this situation?
Scenarios
Scenario A: Interrupting Talk
During a partner’s presentation, Jamie keeps raising her hand and interrupting with questions before the speaker finishes.
Scenario B: Excluded Peer
At recess, a group of students chooses teams for a game but doesn’t invite Marco, who watches alone.
Scenario C: Dismissing Ideas
In a group project, Sasha suggests a new idea. Two classmates laugh and immediately drop her suggestion.
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Whole-Class Sharing (3–4 minutes)
- Invite each group to briefly present:
- The respectful actions they listed
- A respectful response or solution
- Use guiding prompts:
- “Why do you think this response shows respect?”
- “How might this change how people feel?”
- Record key phrases on chart paper under headings: Respectful Actions and Solutions.
Reflection and Teacher Prompts (3 minutes)
- Ask: “Which respectful response could you use if you see someone interrupting?”
- Ask: “How can we make sure everyone feels included at recess?”
- Ask: “What will you do next time you disagree with someone’s idea?”
Highlight student answers, reinforcing listening, empathy, and inclusion.
Extension Ideas
- Role-Play one scenario to practice respectful language.
- Create a Respect Pledge poster listing class commitments.
- Integrate a daily check-in: students share one respectful act they saw or did.