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How Does Our School Feel To You?

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Lesson Plan

School Climate Exploration Plan

Students will be able to define school climate and identify factors that contribute to a positive or negative school environment.

Understanding school climate helps students recognize their role in creating a supportive and inclusive community, improving their daily school experience and overall well-being.

Audience

6th Grade

Time

50 minutes

Approach

Interactive discussion, individual reflection, and group activity.

Materials

Our School's Vibe Visuals (slide-deck), One Word Wonders School Snapshot (warm-up), and Climate Conversations Starter Pack (discussion)

Prep

Review Materials

15 minutes

Step 1

Warm-Up: One Word Wonders

10 minutes

  • Distribute or display the One Word Wonders School Snapshot.
    - Instruct students to think of one word that describes how our school 'feels' to them and write it down or share it aloud.
    - Facilitate a brief sharing session, asking a few students to explain their word.
    - Transition to introduce the concept of 'school climate'.

Step 2

Introduction to School Climate

15 minutes

  • Present the Our School's Vibe Visuals slide deck (Slides 1-3).
    - Explain what school climate is using relatable examples.
    - Discuss the different aspects of school climate (safety, relationships, teaching & learning, environment).
    - Encourage questions and initial thoughts from students.

Step 3

Discussion: Climate Conversations

15 minutes

  • Divide students into small groups.
    - Distribute or display prompts from the Climate Conversations Starter Pack.
    - Instruct groups to discuss the prompts and share their thoughts on what makes a positive school climate and how peer networks contribute.
    - Circulate among groups to facilitate discussion and answer questions.

Step 4

Share Out and Wrap-Up

10 minutes

  • Bring the class back together.
    - Ask each group to share one key takeaway from their discussion.
    - Summarize the main points about school climate and the role of students.
    - Emphasize the importance of positive peer networks.
    - Assign a reflective journal entry or follow-up question if desired.
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Slide Deck

Our School's Vibe Visuals

Understanding School Climate and Peer Networks

How does our school feel to you?

Welcome students to the lesson! Ask them to settle in. Briefly introduce the topic of the day, 'School Climate', and ask if anyone has heard of this term before or has an idea what it might mean. Connect it to the warm-up activity they just completed.

What is School Climate?

It's the overall feeling of our school environment.

It's about:

  • How safe we feel
  • How well we get along with others
  • How much we learn and grow
  • The physical space around us

It's the 'vibe' of our school!

Explain to students that 'school climate' is like the personality or atmosphere of our school. It's how people feel when they are here. It's about safety, respect, connections, and learning. Just like the weather can be sunny or stormy, a school's climate can be positive or negative. Emphasize that everyone contributes to the school climate.

Building Blocks of Our Vibe

What makes up our school climate?

  • Safety: Do you feel safe here?
  • Relationships: How do students and staff interact?
  • Teaching & Learning: Are classes engaging and supportive?
  • Environment: Is our school a welcoming and well-maintained place?

Break down the key factors that make up school climate. Talk about 'Safety' (physical and emotional), 'Relationships' (friends, teachers, staff), 'Teaching & Learning' (how classes are, if learning is fun), and 'Environment' (how clean, welcoming, and organized the school is). Ask students to think about how each of these plays a role in their daily experience.

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Warm Up

One Word Wonders: Our School Snapshot

Instructions: Think about our school. How does our school feel to you? In one word, describe the overall atmosphere or 'vibe' of our school.

My one word for our school is:


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Discussion

Climate Conversations Starter Pack

Instructions: In your small groups, discuss the following questions. Be ready to share your group's ideas with the class.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are some things that make you feel happy and comfortable at school?





  2. What are some things that might make a student feel unhappy or uncomfortable at school?





  3. How do your friends (your peer network) influence how you feel about school? Give an example.





  4. If you could change one thing to make our school climate even better, what would it be and why?





  5. What is one thing you can do to contribute to a positive school climate starting today?





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