Lesson Plan
Including Others Lesson Plan
Students will be able to identify and demonstrate ways to include others in games, groups, and friendships, fostering a more welcoming and supportive environment.
Learning to include others helps create a positive classroom culture, builds stronger friendships, and ensures everyone feels valued. It's a crucial life skill for harmonious relationships.
Audience
3rd-6th Grade Students
Time
45 minutes
Approach
Storytelling, discussion, and hands-on practice.
Materials
Whiteboard or projector, Markers, Speakers/projector for video, Inclusion Song for Kids Lyrics, The Invisible Boy by Trudy Ludwig (physical book or digital version), Including Others Slide Deck, Inclusion Circle Activity Guide, Inclusion & Friendship Reflection Worksheet, Friendship Inclusion Game, and Our Inclusive Community Project Guide
Prep
Teacher Preparation
15 minutes
- Review the Including Others Lesson Plan and all generated materials (Slide Deck, Worksheet, Discussion prompts, Activity, Game, Project Guide).
- Ensure access to a whiteboard or projector.
- Prepare speakers/projector for the "Inclusion Song for Kids" video.
- Have a physical copy or digital access to "The Invisible Boy" by Trudy Ludwig.
- Print copies of the Inclusion & Friendship Reflection Worksheet for each student.
- Set up materials for the Inclusion Circle Activity Guide.
- Familiarize yourself with the Friendship Inclusion Game and Our Inclusive Community Project Guide.
Step 1
Warm-Up: What Does Friendship Look Like?
5 minutes
- Begin by asking students: "What does a good friend do?" or "What does it feel like to be included?"
- Write down student responses on the board. Introduce the idea that today we'll focus on how true friends make others feel welcome and included. Use Including Others Slide Deck Slide 1-2.
Step 2
Video & Discussion: Inclusion Song
8 minutes
- Play the "Inclusion Song for Kids" video (3 minutes).
- After the video, lead a brief discussion using prompts from the Including Others Slide Deck Slide 3-4:
- "What message did the song send about including others?"
- "Why is it important to make sure everyone feels like they belong?"
Step 3
Read Aloud: The Invisible Boy
12 minutes
- Read aloud "The Invisible Boy" by Trudy Ludwig.
- While reading, pause to ask questions about the character, Brian, and how he feels.
- After reading, facilitate a short discussion using Including Others Slide Deck Slide 5-6:
- "How did Brian feel when he was 'invisible'?"
- "What made Brian start to feel 'visible'?"
- "What can we learn from the other characters who helped Brian?"
Step 4
Activity: Inclusion Circle
10 minutes
- Introduce the "Inclusion Circle" activity. Explain that students will brainstorm practical ways to invite others into games or groups. Provide the Inclusion Circle Activity Guide.
- Divide students into small groups (3-4 students).
- Give each group a large piece of paper or a section of the whiteboard. Instruct them to draw a circle and write their ideas for inclusion inside.
- After a few minutes, have groups share their best ideas with the class. Record some of these on a central board. Use Including Others Slide Deck Slide 7-8.
Step 5
Worksheet: Inclusion & Friendship Reflection
8 minutes
- Distribute the Inclusion & Friendship Reflection Worksheet.
- Instruct students to complete the worksheet independently, reflecting on the lesson and how they can apply inclusive behaviors in their own lives. Use Including Others Slide Deck Slide 9.
Step 6
Cool-Down: One Word Takeaway
2 minutes
- Ask students to share one word that describes what they learned about inclusion today or how they commit to being more inclusive. Use Including Others Slide Deck Slide 10.
Slide Deck
Friendship: Including Others
What makes a good friend?
How does it feel to be included?
Let's explore how true friends make everyone feel welcome!
Welcome students and introduce the topic of friendship. Ask engaging questions to activate prior knowledge. Transition to the main theme of inclusion.
Listen closely to the lyrics and think about the message!
Play the "Inclusion Song for Kids" video. Encourage students to listen for key messages about making others feel welcome. Prepare for a short discussion afterwards.
Reflecting on the Song
What message did the song send about including others?
Why is it important to make sure everyone feels like they belong?
Facilitate a discussion based on the video. Connect the song's message to their own experiences.
Story Time: The Invisible Boy
By Trudy Ludwig
Sometimes, it feels like no one notices you... but what happens when someone does?
Introduce the book "The Invisible Boy." Explain that it's a story about a boy who feels overlooked and how he eventually finds his voice and connection. Encourage empathy.
Discussing The Invisible Boy
How did Brian feel when he was 'invisible'?
What made Brian start to feel 'visible'?
What can we learn from the characters who helped Brian?
Lead a discussion after reading the book. Focus on Brian's feelings and the actions of the characters who helped him feel visible. Emphasize the impact of small acts of kindness.
Activity: Inclusion Circle
Let's brainstorm ways to make everyone feel welcome!
- How can you invite someone new?
- What can you say or do?
- How can you include someone who looks shy?
Introduce the "Inclusion Circle" activity. Explain that students will brainstorm practical ways to invite others into games or groups. Provide clear instructions for group work.
Sharing Our Inclusion Ideas
What amazing ideas did your group come up with?
Let's build a class list of awesome inclusion strategies!
Have groups share their ideas with the class. Acknowledge and praise creative and thoughtful suggestions. Summarize the best ideas for the whole class.
Reflecting on Inclusion
Now, it's your turn to think about how you can be an amazing includer!
Complete the Inclusion & Friendship Reflection Worksheet.
Introduce the reflection worksheet. Explain that this is a chance for students to think independently about what they've learned and how they will apply it.
My Inclusion Commitment
Share ONE word that describes:
- What you learned about inclusion today?
- How you will commit to being more inclusive?
Conclude the lesson with a cool-down activity. Ask for a single word takeaway to summarize their learning and commitment. This provides a quick check for understanding and engagement.
Worksheet
Inclusion & Friendship Reflection Sheet
Name: __________________________ Date: __________________________
## Part 1: Thinking About Our Lesson
- In your own words, what does it mean to
Discussion
Inclusion Discussion Prompts
These prompts can be used throughout the lesson to facilitate meaningful conversations about inclusion and friendship.
Warm-Up / Introduction
- What does a good friend do?
- What does it feel like to be included in a game or group?
- What does it feel like when you are not included?
After "Inclusion Song for Kids"
- What message did the song send about including others?
- Why is it important to make sure everyone feels like they belong, even if they're different from you?
After "The Invisible Boy"
- How did Brian (the invisible boy) feel at the beginning of the story?
- What specific actions did the other characters take that helped Brian feel more visible and included?
- Can one person really make a difference in how someone else feels about belonging? Explain your answer.
- Have you ever felt like Brian? What helped you?
General Discussion & Application
- What are some easy ways to invite someone new to join your game or group?
- Imagine you see someone sitting alone. What could you say or do to make them feel welcome?
- Why might someone not include another person? How can we address those reasons?
- What are the benefits of having diverse friends (friends who are different from you)?
- How can our classroom be a place where everyone feels included and valued?
Deeper Reflection
- Is it always easy to include others? What challenges might we face, and how can we overcome them?
- Think about a time you included someone, or someone included you. How did it feel?
Activity
Inclusion Circle Activity: Making Everyone Welcome!
Objective
Students will brainstorm and share concrete strategies for inviting others into games and groups, fostering a more inclusive environment.
Materials
- Large sheets of paper or whiteboard space for each group
- Markers or colored pencils
- Timer (optional)
Instructions
- Introduction (2 minutes)
- Explain to students that true friendship means making sure everyone feels welcome and included. Today, they will become
Game
Friendship Inclusion Game: "Include Me!"
Objective
Students will actively practice and demonstrate inclusive actions through a fun, interactive game.
Materials
- Small slips of paper with different scenarios (see examples below)
- Hat or bowl to draw scenarios from
- Optional: Small rewards (stickers, praise) for good participation
Game Rules
- Form Groups: Divide the class into small groups of 4-5 students.
- Scenario Draw: Each group takes turns drawing a scenario slip from a hat or bowl.
- Act It Out / Discuss: The group reads the scenario aloud. They then have 1-2 minutes to either:
- Act out a short skit demonstrating how they would inclusively respond to the scenario.
- Discuss and clearly state what they would say and do to include the person in the scenario.
- Share with Class: After their preparation time, each group shares their skit or discussed solution with the rest of the class.
- Class Feedback: The class (and teacher) can offer positive feedback on the inclusive strategies demonstrated.
Scenario Examples (print and cut into slips)
--- CUT ALONG THE DOTTED LINE ---
-
Scenario 1: You and your friends are playing soccer at recess, and you see a new student standing alone, watching.
-
Scenario 2: A group of classmates is working on a project, and one student seems confused and isn't participating much.
-
Scenario 3: You and your friends are talking about a movie you all saw, but one friend hasn't seen it and looks left out.
-
Scenario 4: During a class activity, one student is struggling to understand the instructions and looks frustrated.
-
Scenario 5: You and a few friends are planning a weekend activity, and you realize you haven't invited someone who usually hangs out with your group.
-
Scenario 6: Someone makes a comment that accidentally excludes a classmate because of their interests or background.
-
Scenario 7: Your friend group is deciding what game to play, and one person's suggestion is always overlooked.
-
Scenario 8: You are choosing partners for a game, and one student is always the last one picked.
--- CUT ALONG THE DOTTED LINE ---
Teacher Guidance
- Emphasize that there are many ways to be inclusive, and creativity is encouraged.
- Remind students to be respectful listeners and supportive of each other's ideas.
- After each scenario, reinforce the key inclusive behaviors demonstrated (e.g., direct invitation, offering help, asking questions, changing the activity).
- Encourage students to think beyond just inviting, but also how to make someone feel truly welcome once they've joined.
Project Guide
Our Inclusive Community Project Guide
Objective
Students will design and present a plan for making a specific community (classroom, playground, school, or even a local club) more inclusive for everyone.
Project Goal
To identify areas where people might feel excluded and create practical, creative solutions to foster a sense of belonging for all.
Materials
- Poster board, large paper, or digital presentation tools (e.g., Google Slides)
- Art supplies (markers, colored pencils, crayons, magazines for cutting)
- Access to computers for research or digital design (optional)
Project Steps
Step 1: Choose Your Community (10 minutes)
- Work individually or in small groups (2-3 students).
- Choose one community you want to make more inclusive. Examples:
- Our classroom
- The school playground
- The cafeteria
- A school club or team (e.g., art club, basketball team)
- Your neighborhood park
- Write down your chosen community here:
Step 2: Identify Exclusion (15 minutes)
- Think about your chosen community. Who might feel left out or invisible there? Why?
- Brainstorm specific situations where someone might feel excluded.
- Consider different reasons for exclusion (e.g., being new, different interests, shyness, physical differences).
- List at least 3 specific scenarios or reasons for exclusion in your chosen community:
Step 3: Brainstorm Solutions (20 minutes)
- Now, for each exclusion you identified, think of creative and practical solutions.
- How can you make everyone feel welcome, valued, and included?
- Think about actions, words, activities, or even physical changes to the environment.
- For each scenario above, propose at least one solution:
- Solution for Exclusion 1:
- Solution for Exclusion 2:
- Solution for Exclusion 3:
- Solution for Exclusion 1:
Step 4: Design Your
Reading
Inclusion Song for Kids Lyrics
(Tune: "The Wheels on the Bus")
The friends in our class say, "Come play with us!"
"Come play with us, come play with us!"
The friends in our class say, "Come play with us!"
Making everyone feel welcome!
The friends in our class share their toys with all,
Their toys with all, their toys with all.
The friends in our class share their toys with all,
Making everyone feel welcome!
The friends in our class ask, "What do you like?"
"What do you like, what do you like?"
The friends in our class ask, "What do you like?"
Learning what makes you special!
The friends in our class listen to your ideas,
To your ideas, to your ideas.
The friends in our class listen to your ideas,
Making everyone feel heard!
The friends in our class give a helping hand,
A helping hand, a helping hand.
The friends in our class give a helping hand,
Helping everyone succeed!
The friends in our class are kind and fair,
Kind and fair, kind and fair.
The friends in our class are kind and fair,
Making everyone belong here!
Reading
The Invisible Boy by Trudy Ludwig - Summary
(Note to teacher: This is a summary. For the full experience, it is highly recommended to read the physical book or an authorized digital version to your students.)
Synopsis:
The Invisible Boy tells the story of Brian, a quiet and artistic boy who often feels overlooked and invisible in his classroom. He struggles to find connections and participate, often drawing alone during group activities or feeling left out during conversations.
The book beautifully illustrates Brian's feelings of loneliness through its changing illustrations; at first, Brian is depicted in grayscale, blending into the background.
Things begin to change when a new student, Justin, arrives. During a class project, Brian draws a fantastic cartoon that no one notices. However, when Justin accidentally leaves his lunch at home, Brian quietly writes a note to Justin that says,