Lesson Plan
Include Everyone!
Students will learn to identify and practice inclusive behaviors towards all classmates, especially those who may only be in the classroom part-time, fostering a welcoming and supportive learning environment.
It's important for every student to feel like they belong. When we include everyone, we make our classroom a stronger, kinder, and more understanding place for all.
Audience
5th Grade
Time
15 Minutes
Approach
Through discussion and scenario practice, students will learn practical ways to be inclusive.
Materials
Whiteboard or Projector, Include Everyone! Slide Deck, Inclusion Scenarios Activity, and My Inclusive Action Plan Cool Down
Prep
Review Materials
5 Minutes
- Review the Include Everyone! Slide Deck to familiarize yourself with the content.
- Print or prepare to project the Inclusion Scenarios Activity.
- Print one copy of the My Inclusive Action Plan Cool Down per student.
- Ensure whiteboard or projector is ready for display.
Step 1
Warm-Up & Introduction (3 minutes)
3 Minutes
- Begin by asking students: "What does it mean to be a good friend?" Allow for a few quick responses.
- Introduce the concept of 'inclusion' as making everyone feel welcome and like they belong, especially those who might sometimes miss class due to other learning opportunities (e.g., special education, enrichment programs).
- Explain that today's lesson will help them think about how to include everyone in their classroom, all the time.
Step 2
Guided Discussion & Slide Deck (7 minutes)
7 Minutes
- Display the Include Everyone! Slide Deck.
- Go through the slides, facilitating discussion on each point.
- Slide 2: What is Inclusion? Emphasize making everyone feel like they belong.
- Slide 3: Why Include Everyone? Discuss the benefits for the whole class.
- Slide 4: Different Faces, Different Places Acknowledge that some students might be in and out.
- Slide 5: How Can We Be Inclusive? Brainstorm ideas together.
- Use the Script: Include Everyone! for detailed talking points and questions.
Step 3
Inclusion Scenarios Activity (3 minutes)
3 Minutes
- Project or hand out the Inclusion Scenarios Activity.
- Read one or two scenarios aloud.
- Have students briefly discuss in small groups or pairs how they would respond inclusively to the scenario.
- Ask for a few volunteers to share their ideas with the whole class.
Step 4
Cool Down & Wrap Up (2 minutes)
2 Minutes
- Distribute the My Inclusive Action Plan Cool Down.
- Ask students to quickly write down one way they will practice inclusion this week.
- Collect the cool-down tickets as an exit ticket.
- Thank students for their thoughtful participation and reiterate the importance of making everyone feel like they belong.
Slide Deck
Include Everyone!
Making sure everyone feels welcome and belongs!
Welcome students and introduce the topic of inclusion. Ask them what 'belonging' means to them.
What is Inclusion?
Inclusion means making sure every single person feels welcome, respected, and like they belong in our classroom and community.
It's about embracing differences and celebrating what makes each of us unique.
Define inclusion simply. Emphasize making ALL students feel valued.
Why Include Everyone?
When everyone feels included:
- We all learn better.
- Our classroom is a happier place.
- We build stronger friendships.
- Everyone gets a chance to shine!
Discuss why it's important for everyone to feel included. Prompt students for their ideas on why it matters.
Different Faces, Different Places
Sometimes, classmates might be in our room for part of the day and in another classroom for other parts.
This doesn't make them any less a part of our class! They still belong, and we want them to feel that way every single moment they are with us.
Address the specific focus of the lesson: students who are sometimes in and out of the classroom. Explain it's not about being 'different' but about different learning paths.
How Can We Be Inclusive?
- Greet them! A simple "Hi!" or "Welcome back!" can make a big difference.
- Invite them! Ask them to join your group for an activity or sit with you at lunch.
- Listen to them! Pay attention when they share ideas.
- Understand them! If they miss something, offer to help catch them up (if appropriate).
- Celebrate them! Acknowledge their contributions and successes.
Brainstorm practical ways to be inclusive. Encourage students to think about their actions and words.
Be a Welcoming Classroom!
Every student in our class deserves to feel like they belong.
Let's make sure we are always reaching out and making our classroom a place where everyone feels included!
Conclude by reiterating the main message and transitioning to the activity.
Script
Script: Include Everyone!
Warm-Up & Introduction (3 minutes)
Teacher: "Good morning, everyone! Let's start with a quick thought. What does it mean to be a really good friend? What are some things good friends do for each other?"
(Allow 2-3 students to share responses. Listen for words like 'kindness,' 'listening,' 'sharing,' 'making others feel happy.')
Teacher: "Those are wonderful ideas! Today, we're going to talk about something super important that ties into being a good friend: inclusion. Inclusion means making sure everyone feels welcome and like they belong, especially those classmates who might not be in our classroom all the time. You know, some students might go to another class for a bit for extra support in reading, or maybe they go to an enrichment program. But no matter where they go, when they are here, they are part of our class, and we want them to feel that way!"
Guided Discussion & Slide Deck (7 minutes)
Teacher: "Let's dive into our slides to explore this more. Please turn your attention to the screen." (Advance to Include Everyone! Slide Deck - Slide 2)
Slide 2: What is Inclusion?
Teacher: "As it says, inclusion means making sure every single person feels welcome, respected, and like they belong in our classroom and community. It's about embracing differences and celebrating what makes each of us unique. Does anyone want to share an example of a time they felt truly included, or saw someone else being included?"
(Allow 1-2 responses.)
Slide 3: Why Include Everyone?
Teacher: (Advance to Slide 3) "Why do you think it's so important that everyone feels included? Look at these points. How do these make our classroom a better place?"
(Discuss each bullet point. For example, for 'We all learn better,' ask: "How does feeling included help you learn?")
Teacher: "Exactly! When we feel safe and happy, we're more ready to learn and participate. It makes our whole classroom a stronger team!"
Slide 4: Different Faces, Different Places
Teacher: (Advance to Slide 4) "This slide really hits on our focus for today. We have classmates who sometimes join us for certain subjects, or might leave for a part of the day to work on specific skills. When they come back, or when they're with us, we want them to immediately feel like they haven't missed a beat in our class community. How can we make sure they feel that continuous sense of belonging?"
(Listen for ideas like smiling, saying hello, asking about their day, inviting them to join.)
Slide 5: How Can We Be Inclusive?
Teacher: (Advance to Slide 5) "Here are some super practical ways we can all be inclusive. Let's go through these together. What does it mean to 'Greet them!'?" (Discuss) "What about 'Invite them!'?" (Discuss) "Why is 'Listen to them!' important?" (Discuss) "What does 'Understand them!' look like?" (Discuss) "And 'Celebrate them!'?" (Discuss)
Teacher: "These are simple actions, but they have a huge impact. It's about showing care and making sure no one ever feels invisible or left out."
Inclusion Scenarios Activity (3 minutes)
Teacher: "Now, let's put these ideas into action! I have a few short scenarios for you. I'm going to read them aloud, and I want you to quickly chat with a partner or in your small group about how you would respond in an inclusive way. Be ready to share your ideas!" (Distribute or project Inclusion Scenarios Activity)
(Read 1-2 scenarios. Give students about 1-2 minutes to discuss each, then call on a few groups to share.)
Cool Down & Wrap Up (2 minutes)
Teacher: "Fantastic ideas, everyone! To wrap up, I want you to think about one specific way you will practice inclusion this week. It could be one of the things we talked about, or something new that came to mind. You'll write it down on this 'My Inclusive Action Plan' ticket." (Distribute My Inclusive Action Plan Cool Down)
Teacher: "Thank you all for being so thoughtful today. Remember, our classroom is a community, and every single one of you makes it special. Let's continue to work together to make sure everyone feels valued and included!" (Collect cool-down tickets.)
Activity
Inclusion Scenarios Activity
Work with a partner or small group to discuss how you would act inclusively in each of these situations. Be ready to share your ideas with the class!
Scenario 1
It's time for group work on a fun science project. Sarah, who usually goes to a different classroom for math, just returned. She looks a little lost about what to do.
How can you make sure Sarah feels included and knows what's going on?
Scenario 2
During recess, you and your friends are planning a game of tag. You notice Alex, who sometimes comes to your class for reading, standing alone near the edge of the playground.
What can you do to include Alex in your group's activity?
Scenario 3
The teacher asks everyone to share their favorite part of the school day so far. Maya, who just arrived back from her speech therapy session, seems hesitant to speak up.
How can you create a welcoming space for Maya to share, and show her that her voice is valued?
Cool Down
My Inclusive Action Plan
Think about our discussion today. What is one specific way you will practice being inclusive with your classmates this week? Write it down below!
I will practice inclusion by:
Name: