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How Do We Build a Welcoming School Vibe?

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Lesson Plan

Crafting Our Classroom Community

Students will be able to define 'school climate' and identify key elements that contribute to a positive and inclusive school environment. Students will also reflect on their role in fostering a welcoming school vibe.

A positive school climate helps everyone feel safe, respected, and ready to learn. When we all contribute to a welcoming environment, school becomes a place where we can thrive and succeed together.

Audience

6th Grade Class

Time

45 minutes

Approach

Through discussion, reflection, and collaborative activity, students will explore school climate.

Materials

Welcome to Our School Family (slide-deck), What Makes Us Feel Safe and Happy? (discussion), Our Ideal School Blueprint (activity), Chart paper or whiteboard, Markers, and Index cards or small pieces of paper

Prep

Preparation Steps

15 minutes

Step 1

Introduction: What's the Vibe?

5 minutes

  • Begin by asking students: "How do you feel when you walk into our classroom each morning? What kind of 'vibe' do you get from our school?" (Refer to Welcome to Our School Family - Slide 1).
  • Introduce the concept of 'school climate' as the overall feeling or atmosphere of a school. Explain that it's made up of how people treat each other, how safe everyone feels, and how much students feel they belong.

Step 2

Exploring School Climate

15 minutes

Step 3

Building Our Ideal School

20 minutes

  • Introduce the Our Ideal School Blueprint activity.
  • Divide students into small groups and provide each group with chart paper and markers.
  • Instruct groups to brainstorm and design their 'ideal school' by listing or drawing elements that contribute to a positive school climate, based on the previous discussion and their own ideas.
  • Encourage groups to consider physical environment, rules, interactions between students and staff, and opportunities for student voice.
  • Have each group present their 'blueprint' to the class.

Step 4

Wrap-Up: Our Role in the Vibe

5 minutes

  • Conclude by reiterating that everyone plays a role in creating a positive school climate. (Refer to Welcome to Our School Family - Slide 5).
  • Ask students to share one thing they can do to contribute to a more welcoming school vibe starting today.
  • Assign an optional reflection on their role in maintaining a positive school climate (e.g., in a journal or as an exit ticket).
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Slide Deck

The School Vibe: What's It All About?

What feeling do you get when you come to school?

Is it...

  • Friendly?
  • Stressful?
  • Exciting?
  • Calm?

Ask students to consider their feelings when they enter the classroom or school. What atmosphere do they notice?

What is School Climate?

School Climate is the overall feeling or atmosphere of our school.

It's made up of:

  • Safety: Do you feel safe here?
  • Respect: Do people treat each other kindly?
  • Support: Do you feel like grown-ups and friends are there for you?
  • Engagement: Do you feel excited to learn and participate?

Introduce the term 'school climate' and explain its components: safety, respect, support, and engagement.

Adults Play a Role: Active Supervision

How do grown-ups help the 'vibe'?

Active Supervision means adults are:

  • Present: They are around and visible.
  • Engaged: They are paying attention and interacting.
  • Supportive: They are ready to help if you need it.

Discuss how active supervision, or adults being present and engaged, contributes to a positive school climate.

Students Play a Role: Your Power!

Guess what? You have a superpower!

Your actions, words, and attitude contribute to the school vibe!

  • How you treat others.
  • How you participate.
  • How you solve problems.

Every student helps create our school family!

Encourage students to think about how their actions impact the school climate. Emphasize that it's a shared responsibility.

Let's Build a Welcoming School Family!

A great school climate makes everyone feel:

  • Happy
  • Safe
  • Included
  • Ready to learn!

It's a team effort! What will you do to make our school family even better?

Summarize the main idea: everyone contributes to making the school a welcoming place.

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Discussion

What Makes Us Feel Safe and Happy? A Class Discussion

Discussion Questions:

  1. Think about a time you felt really good at school. What was happening? Who was involved?






  2. What does it look like when students are being respectful to each other? What does it sound like?






  3. How do teachers and other adults in the school help make you feel safe and supported? Can you give an example?






  4. Imagine a new student walks into our classroom. What are some things we could do or say to make them feel welcome and like they belong?






  5. Sometimes, things happen that make the school climate feel a little less welcoming. What are some of those things, and what can we do to make them better?






  6. How does having a good school climate help you learn better and have more fun at school?






Group Share & Reflection:

  • After discussing in small groups, share some of your group's key ideas with the whole class.
  • What was one surprising thing you heard during the discussion?
  • What is one thing you will try to do this week to improve our school's climate?
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Activity

Our Ideal School Blueprint: Designing a Welcoming Vibe!

Objective: To collaboratively design an ideal school environment that promotes a positive and inclusive school climate.

Instructions:

  1. Form Groups: Your teacher will divide you into small groups.

  2. Brainstorm (10 minutes): As a group, discuss what your ideal school would look, sound, and feel like. Think about:

    • Physical Space: What would the classrooms, hallways, and common areas be like? (e.g., colorful, quiet zones, comfortable seating)
    • People & Interactions: How would students and adults treat each other? What kind of conversations would you hear? (e.g., kind words, teamwork, active listening)
    • Rules & Expectations: What rules would help everyone feel safe, respected, and happy? (e.g., clear guidelines, fairness, student input)
    • Activities & Opportunities: What activities would be available to make everyone feel included and engaged? (e.g., clubs, sports, creative projects)

  3. Design Your Blueprint (15 minutes): On your chart paper or whiteboard, create a "blueprint" for your ideal school. You can:

    • Draw pictures or diagrams.
    • Write down key ideas and descriptions.
    • Use bullet points to list important features.
    • Be creative and make it visually appealing!

  4. Prepare to Share (5 minutes): Choose one person from your group to present your blueprint to the class. Explain your group's vision for a welcoming school vibe and why you included certain elements.

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