Lesson Plan
Inclusion Action Plan
Students will identify and practice inclusive behaviors by brainstorming an Inclusion Action Plan and role-playing scenarios to foster empathy and relationship skills.
Building inclusion skills helps students recognize peers’ needs, practice kindness, and create a classroom where everyone feels valued and supported.
Audience
2nd Grade
Time
25 minutes
Approach
Interactive discussion and guided role-plays
Materials
Everyone Belongs Slides, Spot the Helper Cards, Inclusion Role-Play Scenario Cards, Inclusion Promise Poster, and Chart Paper & Markers
Prep
Prepare Materials
5 minutes
- Review Everyone Belongs Slides.
- Print and cut Spot the Helper Cards and Inclusion Role-Play Scenario Cards.
- Post chart paper titled Inclusion Action Plan in a visible area.
- Display slides and have markers ready.
Step 1
Warm-Up: Spot the Helper
3 minutes
- Show a few cards from Spot the Helper Cards.
- Ask volunteers to read each scenario and identify which character is being a helper or an includer.
- Discuss why those actions made everyone feel welcome.
Step 2
Introduce Inclusion
4 minutes
- Use Everyone Belongs Slides to define inclusion and relationship skills.
- Highlight examples of inclusive behaviors (e.g., inviting others, sharing materials).
- Check for understanding with 1–2 quick questions.
Step 3
Brainstorm Inclusion Action Plan
5 minutes
- Guide whole class to suggest behaviors that show inclusion.
- Record ideas on the Inclusion Action Plan chart paper (e.g., "Invite someone new to play," "Use kind words").
- Read aloud and agree on 3–4 key actions to post in the classroom.
Step 4
Activity: Inclusion Role-Play
8 minutes
- Divide students into small groups and give each a Inclusion Role-Play Scenario Card.
- Groups practice acting out both the exclusive and inclusive versions of the scenario.
- Invite 2–3 groups to perform for the class and discuss how inclusive actions made a difference.
Step 5
Cool-Down: Inclusion Promise
5 minutes
- Display the Inclusion Promise Poster.
- Lead students in a choral promise: “I will include others by ___.”
- Have each student complete the sentence aloud with one action they will do this week.
- Close by reminding students to look at the posted Inclusion Action Plan daily.
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Slide Deck
Everyone Belongs
We all have things that make us special. Inclusion means making everyone feel welcome.
Welcome students! Today we're talking about how everyone can feel part of our classroom. Use this slide to introduce the topic and get students excited.
What is Inclusion?
Inclusion means inviting others to join, sharing, and being kind.
Ask students: What does inclusion mean? Point out examples in everyday life.
Inclusive Behaviors
• Invite others to play
• Share materials
• Use kind words
Review each behavior and invite students to share examples from recess or group work.
Why is Inclusion Important?
When we include everyone, we make our classroom a happy place where everyone feels safe.
Discuss how inclusion helps classmates feel safe and happy. Ask: How do you feel when someone includes you?
Think-Pair-Share
Turn to your partner and tell them one way you can include someone today.
Introduce a quick Think-Pair-Share: give students 1 minute to think, 1 to share.
Spot the Helper
Next, we'll play “Spot the Helper!”
Look at the scenarios and pick out the inclusive actions.
Transition into the Spot the Helper warm-up activity.
Warm Up
Spot the Helper Warm-Up
Overview: Students will read short scenarios to identify inclusive "helper" actions, building awareness of kindness and inclusion.
Materials: Spot the Helper Cards
Instructions (3 minutes):
- Shuffle the cards and place them face down in the center.
- Invite a volunteer to pick a card and read the scenario aloud.
- Ask the class:
- Who is the helper in this scenario?
- What did they do to include or support someone?
- Discuss why this action makes classmates feel welcome and valued.
- Return the card, reshuffle, and repeat with 2–3 more cards.
Sample Cards:
- Alex sees Sam playing alone at recess and invites Sam to join the group.
- Mia notices a friend forgot crayons and offers to share hers.
- Jay helps pick up books that a classmate dropped.
- Zoe asks a shy classmate to join her group during reading time.
- Liam holds the door open for others entering the classroom.
Activity
Inclusion Role-Play Activity
Overview: In small groups, students will act out both exclusive and inclusive versions of everyday scenarios to deepen understanding of how their words and actions impact others.
Materials: Inclusion Role-Play Scenario Cards
Instructions (8 minutes):
- Divide the class into groups of 3–4 students.
- Give each group one Inclusion Role-Play Scenario Card.
- Read & Discuss: Groups read their scenario and identify what happened in the exclusive version (who was left out and why).
- Act It Out (Exclusive): Groups practice a quick 30-second skit showing the exclusive behavior.
- Brainstorm Inclusive Actions: Together, students list ways to change the scenario so everyone feels welcome (e.g., inviting someone, using kind words).
- Act It Out (Inclusive): Groups rehearse and perform the inclusive version of the skit, highlighting the new positive actions.
- Share & Reflect: Invite 2–3 groups to perform for the whole class. After each skit, ask:
- How did the inclusive version make people feel?
- Which action was most helpful for including everyone?
Follow-Up Questions:
- What words or gestures helped someone feel included?
- How can you practice these actions during recess or center time?
Cool Down
Cool-Down: Inclusion Promise
Overview: Students make a personal commitment to include others in their daily activities and build a habit of kindness.
Materials: Inclusion Promise Poster
Instructions (5 minutes):
- Display the Inclusion Promise Poster at the front of the room.
- Lead the class in a choral promise:
“I will include others by ______.” - Invite each student to complete the sentence aloud with one specific action they will do this week (e.g., “I will include others by asking someone new to play,” “I will include others by sharing my crayons,” etc.).
- After sharing, have students write or draw their promise on a small card or in their journals.
- Collect the cards or have students post them on a classroom promise board where everyone can see and be reminded of their commitment.
- Close by encouraging students to look at the board each morning and think of one way they can keep their promise.
Students’ Promises: