Lesson Plan
Trust Foundations Blueprint
Students will explore trust by defining its core aspects, engaging in guided discussions, and completing a collaborative challenge to strengthen empathy, communication, and cooperation.
Trust is foundational for a positive classroom community. This lesson helps 5th graders recognize trust-building behaviors, practice teamwork, and deepen peer relationships.
Audience
5th Grade
Time
45 minutes
Approach
Interactive discussion, hands-on activity, and reflection.
Materials
- Trust in Action Slides, - Trust Circle Challenge Activity Pack, - Building Trust Talk Discussion Guide, and - Exit Ticket Templates
Prep
Review and Setup
10 minutes
- Review Trust in Action Slides.
- Print enough copies of Trust Circle Challenge Activity Pack for each group.
- Familiarize yourself with prompts in Building Trust Talk Discussion Guide.
- Prepare Exit Ticket Templates for each student.
Step 1
Warm-Up Activity
5 minutes
- Have students form a circle and toss a soft ball around.
- When a student catches the ball, they share one word they associate with “trust.”
- Continue until every student has shared, then briefly recap common themes.
Step 2
Defining Trust
10 minutes
- Display the first slides in Trust in Action Slides covering trust’s definition and examples.
- Ask volunteers to restate definitions in their own words.
- Facilitate a brief discussion: “What actions show reliability? Honesty? Respect?”
Step 3
Building Trust Talk
10 minutes
- Pair students and distribute Building Trust Talk Discussion Guide.
- Guide pairs through prompts: share a time they trusted someone and why.
- Invite each pair to report one insight or tip for building trust.
Step 4
Trust Circle Challenge
15 minutes
- Organize students into groups of 4–5 and give each group the Trust Circle Challenge Activity Pack.
- Explain roles (leader, communicator, builder) and objectives from the pack.
- Groups complete the challenge, focusing on clear communication and mutual support.
- Circulate to observe teamwork and prompt reflection as needed.
Step 5
Cool-Down & Assessment
5 minutes
- Hand out Exit Ticket Templates.
- Students write two sentences: “What does trust mean to me?” and “One way I can build trust with classmates.”
- Collect tickets to assess understanding.
- Ask students to show a quick thumbs-up/neutral/thumbs-down for how confident they feel about trusting their peers.
Slide Deck
Trust in Action
Exploring Trust in Our Classroom
Welcome everyone! Introduce the lesson: Today we’ll explore what trust means and how we can build it together in our classroom.
Graphic suggestion: Add a simple handshake or group-of-students icon in the bottom corner to visually welcome the class.
Today's Goals
• Define trust
• Identify trust-building actions
• Share personal experiences
• Practice teamwork with the Trust Circle Challenge
• Reflect on how to strengthen trust
Read through the goals aloud. Emphasize collaboration and reflection.
Graphic suggestion: Place a checklist or lightbulb icon next to the bullet list to highlight each goal.
What is Trust?
Trust is believing someone will act honestly, reliably, and respectfully. It means feeling safe to share our thoughts and knowing others will support us.
Explain the definition clearly and invite students to paraphrase.
Graphic suggestion: Use a shield or heart icon beside the definition to symbolize safety and caring.
Core Element: Reliability
• Keeping promises (returning library books on time)
• Following through on tasks (completing group work)
• Being on time (arriving at meetings prepared)
Discuss examples of reliability in everyday life.
Graphic suggestion: Include a stopwatch or clock icon to represent reliability and timeliness.
Core Element: Honesty
• Telling the truth about mistakes
• Admitting when you don’t understand
• Giving sincere compliments and feedback
Discuss why honesty matters in a classroom community.
Graphic suggestion: Add an open book or speech bubble icon to represent truth-telling and openness.
Core Element: Respect
• Listening without interrupting
• Valuing others’ opinions
• Using kind words and actions
Lead discussion on respect as a trust-builder.
Graphic suggestion: Use a handshake or two people icon to show mutual respect.
Why Trust Matters
• Creates a safe space to share ideas
• Improves teamwork and cooperation
• Reduces misunderstandings and conflicts
Highlight why trust strengthens relationships and learning.
Graphic suggestion: Show interlocking puzzle pieces or network nodes to illustrate connection.
Discussion Prompt
• Think: Recall a time you trusted someone.
• Pair: Share your story with a partner.
• Share: Volunteers report one takeaway to the class.
Introduce the think–pair–share protocol.
Graphic suggestion: A thought bubble leading to two speech bubbles to show the Think–Pair–Share flow.
Building Trust Talk
• Use Building Trust Talk Discussion Guide
• Prompt: What actions make you feel trusted?
• Share one tip with the class
Explain the next discussion in pairs using the discussion guide.
Graphic suggestion: Two silhouettes facing each other with a speech bubble between to represent dialogue.
Trust Circle Challenge
• Form groups of 4–5
• Roles: Leader, Communicator, Builder
• Goal: Complete the challenge by working together
• Focus on clear communication and support
Overview of the upcoming activity.
Graphic suggestion: A small group icon or circular arrows around figures to represent teamwork challenge.
Role Spotlight: Leader
• Guides the group through instructions
• Ensures everyone participates
• Checks on progress and time
Describe the Leader role.
Graphic suggestion: A person with a flag or megaphone icon to show leadership.
Role Spotlight: Communicator
• Shares ideas clearly
• Listens to group members
• Summarizes and confirms understanding
Describe the Communicator role.
Graphic suggestion: A speech bubble or conversation icon to illustrate communication.
Role Spotlight: Builder
• Executes the plan with hands-on work
• Follows directions carefully
• Asks for help when needed
Describe the Builder role.
Graphic suggestion: A hammer or building-blocks icon to show hands-on construction.
Reflection Prompts
• What went well in your group?
• How did you demonstrate trust?
• Which role did you enjoy most and why?
Prompt reflection on the activity.
Graphic suggestion: A question mark or thought bubble icon next to each prompt.
Exit Ticket & Next Steps
• Complete an exit ticket: “What does trust mean to me?” and “One way I can build trust with classmates.”
• Thumbs-up/neutral/thumbs-down: How confident are you in trusting peers?
• Prepare for our next lesson on empathy
Explain exit ticket and wrap up.
Graphic suggestion: A small exit ticket or checklist icon to cue the assessment step.
Activity
Trust Circle Challenge Activity Pack
Description: In this challenge, groups of 4–5 students work together to build the tallest freestanding tower in 10 minutes using simple materials. This activity strengthens communication, cooperation, and trust.
Materials (per group)
- 12 drinking straws
- 10 rubber bands
- 5 paper clips
- 1 small foam ball (to place on top of the tower)
- Timer or stopwatch
- Measuring tape
Group Roles
• Leader: Guides the group through each step, keeps track of time, and ensures everyone participates.
• Communicator: Clearly shares ideas, listens actively, and summarizes the group’s plan.
• Builder: Takes charge of constructing the tower, follows directions carefully, and asks for help when needed.
(Groups of 4–5 can assign multiple builders or communicators as needed.)
Instructions
- Form groups of 4–5 and assign roles.
- Distribute materials and explain the objective: build the tallest freestanding tower in 10 minutes that can support the foam ball.
- Leader starts the timer and guides the group in a brief planning discussion (2 minutes).
- Builders begin construction while Leader and Communicator support the process and check on timing.
- When time is up, all building stops. Use the measuring tape to record the height of each tower.
- Each group shares their tower height and one strategy that helped them work effectively.
Reflection Prompts
- What strategy or role helped your team work best together?
- How did you show trust in your group during this challenge?
- If you did this again, what would you do differently to build even more trust?
Discussion
Building Trust Talk Discussion Guide
Purpose: Help students share personal experiences of trust and identify key trust-building behaviors.
Partner Discussion (10 minutes)
- Think: Recall a time when you trusted someone. What did they do to earn your trust?
- Share: Take turns telling your story. While listening, note one action that showed reliability, honesty, or respect.
- Pair Reflection: Discuss with your partner one concrete tip you both can use to build trust in our classroom community.
Share-Out Guidelines (5 minutes)
- Each pair selects one person to share your trust-building tip with the class.
- Classmates listen actively and give a thumbs-up or clap to show support.
- After each share, classmates may ask one question or offer one positive comment.
Tips for Success:
- Use eye contact and nod to show you’re listening.
- Speak clearly and at a respectful volume.
- Value each other’s ideas and take turns speaking.