Lesson Plan
Our Behavior Compass
Students will be able to identify and demonstrate appropriate classroom and school behaviors, understanding their importance for a positive learning environment.
Understanding and practicing appropriate behavior helps create a safe, respectful, and effective learning space for all students. It promotes focus, teamwork, and overall well-being in school.
Audience
Elementary School Students
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Interactive discussion, visual aids, and a practical activity.
Materials
Our Behavior Compass Slide Deck, Behavior Scenario Cards, and Behavior Choices Worksheet
Prep
Lesson Preparation
15 minutes
- Review the Our Behavior Compass Slide Deck for content and flow.
* Print and cut out the Behavior Scenario Cards (one set per small group).
* Make copies of the Behavior Choices Worksheet (one per student).
* Ensure all necessary materials are easily accessible.
Step 1
Warm-Up: What Does Good Behavior Look Like?
5 minutes
- Begin with the Behavior Brainstorm Warm-Up to activate prior knowledge.
* Ask students to share examples of good behavior they've seen at school.
* Briefly discuss why these behaviors are important using the Our Behavior Compass Slide Deck (Slide 2).
Step 2
Direct Instruction: Our Behavior Compass
10 minutes
- Use the Our Behavior Compass Slide Deck (Slides 3-6) to introduce and discuss key appropriate behaviors in different school settings (classroom, hallway, playground, etc.).
* Emphasize how these behaviors create a positive environment for everyone, including classmates who might learn differently.
* Facilitate a short discussion, asking students for their own examples or observations related to each behavior.
* Refer to the Teacher Script for guiding questions and discussion points.
Step 3
Activity: Behavior Scenario Cards
10 minutes
- Divide students into small groups.
* Distribute the Behavior Scenario Cards and the Behavior Choices Worksheet to each group.
* Explain the activity: each group will read a scenario and discuss what the appropriate behavior would be, recording their ideas on the worksheet.
* Circulate to provide support and encourage participation, especially for students who may need additional prompts or visual cues. Remind students that all ideas should be respectful, even if they differ.
* Prompt groups to consider the
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Slide Deck
Welcome! Our Behavior Compass
Guiding Us to a Great Day!
- What helps us have a good day at school?
- How do we make sure everyone feels safe and happy?
Welcome students and set a positive tone. Introduce the idea of good behavior being like a compass that guides us. Explain that today's lesson will help everyone understand how to navigate school successfully.
Warm-Up: What Does Good Behavior Look Like?
Think, Pair, Share!
- What are some good behaviors you see at school?
- Why are these behaviors important?
- How do they help our classroom and school?
Start with the Warm-Up activity as outlined in the lesson plan. Encourage students to share their ideas about good behavior. Acknowledge and affirm their contributions. Connect their ideas to the concept of a 'compass' that helps us choose the right path.
In the Classroom: Learning Zone
Our Learning Superpowers!
- Listen Actively: Ears open, eyes on the speaker.
- Raise Your Hand: Share your ideas respectfully.
- Work Quietly: Focus on your tasks.
- Help Each Other: Be kind and offer support.
Why are these important for learning?
Introduce the idea of different school zones having different 'compass settings.' Begin with the classroom. Discuss specific behaviors and why they are important for learning. Ask students for examples of each.
In the Hallway: Smooth Sailing
Moving With Care!
- Walk, Don't Run: Keep everyone safe.
- Quiet Voices: Respect other classrooms.
- Stay to the Right: Follow the flow.
How does this help everyone get where they need to go?
Transition to hallways. Discuss the importance of being quiet and walking safely. Emphasize that these behaviors keep everyone safe and avoid disturbing other classes. Connect to students with sensory sensitivities.
On the Playground: Fun and Fair Play
Play Nice, Play Fair!
- Share Equipment: Everyone gets a turn.
- Include Everyone: Invite others to play.
- Use Kind Words: Solve problems peacefully.
- Follow Rules: Stay safe and have fun!
What happens if we don't play fair?
Discuss playground behavior. Focus on sharing, taking turns, and playing fairly. Highlight conflict resolution skills. Mention that it's important to include everyone.
Our Behavior Compass: Guiding Our Choices
Every Day, Every Where!
- Good choices make school a great place.
- Your behavior compass helps you decide!
- Let's practice making great choices!
Conclude by reiterating that good behavior helps everyone, including themselves. Remind them that their 'behavior compass' helps them make good choices. Transition to the activity.
Script
Teacher Script: Our Behavior Compass
Warm-Up: What Does Good Behavior Look Like? (5 minutes)
(Slide 1: Welcome! Our Behavior Compass)
"Good morning/afternoon, everyone! Today, we're going to talk about something really important that helps us all have a fantastic day at school. Think of it like having a special compass, but instead of guiding us north or south, it guides our actions!"
(Slide 2: Warm-Up: What Does Good Behavior Look Like?)
"Let's start with a quick 'Think, Pair, Share.' I want you to think for a moment: What are some good behaviors you've seen here at school? Maybe in our classroom, in the hallway, or on the playground? Think about what made that behavior 'good.'"
Pause for 15-30 seconds to allow students to think.
"Now, turn to a partner next to you and share your ideas. What did you think of? Why do you think that behavior is important?"
Allow 1-2 minutes for students to share with partners. Circulate and listen in.
"Alright, let's hear some of your wonderful ideas! Who would like to share one example of good behavior and tell us why it's important?"
Call on 2-3 students. Affirm their responses. Connect their ideas to creating a positive environment.
"Fantastic examples! You're already showing me you have a great behavior compass! Today, we're going to explore this compass even more, looking at how our behavior helps make our school a great place for everyone, including ourselves."
Direct Instruction: Our Behavior Compass (10 minutes)
"Just like a real compass has different directions, our behavior compass helps us in different parts of the school."
(Slide 3: In the Classroom: Learning Zone)
"First, let's think about In the Classroom. This is our learning zone! What behaviors help us learn best?"
Read the bullet points on the slide.
"* Listen Actively: What does it mean to listen actively? (Ears open, eyes on the speaker, quiet body.) Why is this superpower important for learning? (So we don't miss important information, we show respect to the speaker.)"
"* Raise Your Hand: Why do we raise our hand instead of just shouting out? (Allows everyone a chance to speak, keeps the class calm.)"
"* Work Quietly: Why is it helpful to work quietly? (Helps others concentrate, allows everyone to focus on their own work.)"
"* Help Each Other: How can we help our classmates in a kind way? (Offer encouragement, explain things if asked, but don't just give answers.) This is especially important when we know some friends might need things explained in a different way, or need a little more time."
"These are our learning superpowers! They help everyone in the classroom feel ready to learn."
(Slide 4: In the Hallway: Smooth Sailing)
"Now, imagine we're leaving our classroom and heading into the Hallway. What's important there?"
Read the bullet points on the slide.
"* Walk, Don't Run: Why is this rule so important? (Safety! We don't want anyone to get hurt.)"
"* Quiet Voices: Why do we use quiet voices in the hallway? (Other classes are learning, we don't want to disturb them. Some friends might be sensitive to loud noises.)"
"* Stay to the Right: Why do you think we have this rule? (Helps everyone move smoothly, like cars on a road.)"
"These behaviors help us move safely and respectfully through our school."
(Slide 5: On the Playground: Fun and Fair Play)
"And what about outside, On the Playground? This is where we have fun, but we still need our behavior compass!"
Read the bullet points on the slide.
"* Share Equipment: Why is sharing important on the playground? (Everyone gets a turn, no one feels left out.)"
"* Include Everyone: How can you invite someone to play? (Ask, 'Do you want to play with us?') Why is it important to include everyone? (Makes others feel welcome and happy.)"
"* Use Kind Words: What should we do if there's a problem on the playground? (Talk it out, get a teacher if you can't solve it. No pushing or yelling!)"
"* Follow Rules: Why do we have playground rules? (To keep everyone safe and make sure it's fun for all.)"
"Great job thinking about how to make the playground a fun and fair place for everyone!"
(Slide 6: Our Behavior Compass: Guiding Our Choices)
"So, you see, our behavior compass helps us make good choices every day, everywhere in school. When we choose appropriate behaviors, we help ourselves and all our friends have a happy, safe, and successful learning experience."
"Now, let's put our behavior compass to the test with an activity!"
Activity: Behavior Scenario Cards (10 minutes)
"I'm going to divide you into small groups. Each group will get some Behavior Scenario Cards and a Behavior Choices Worksheet."
"Here's what you'll do: In your group, you'll read each scenario. Then, you'll discuss what the appropriate behavior would be for that situation. Think about what we just talked about. You'll write down your group's ideas on the worksheet."
"Remember, it's okay to have different ideas, but always be respectful of what your teammates say. Work together to find the best solutions! I'll be walking around to help if you have any questions."
Distribute materials. Circulate, provide support, and guide discussions. For students with IEPs, offer sentence starters, visual aids, or pair them with a supportive peer. Prompt groups to think about why a behavior is appropriate.
Cool-Down: One Kind Choice (5 minutes)
"Great work, everyone! Let's bring it back together."
"Now, for our cool-down, I want each of you to think about one kind choice you can make today, or tomorrow, to show appropriate behavior. It could be in the classroom, in the hallway, or on the playground."
"You'll write or draw your idea on this One Kind Choice Cool Down paper. If you'd like, you can share your idea with a neighbor or the class."
Distribute the cool-down slips. Encourage drawing for students who prefer it. Call on a few students to share their reflections.
"Wonderful! Remember, your behavior compass is always with you. Keep making those good choices to make our school a fantastic place for everyone!"
Warm Up
Behavior Brainstorm Warm-Up
What does good behavior look like at school?
Think about our classroom, the hallways, and the playground.
Draw or write your ideas below! Then, be ready to share with a partner.
Why are these good behaviors important?
Activity
Behavior Scenario Cards
Cut these cards out and distribute one set per small group.
Scenario 1: The Loud Hallway
You are walking down the hallway with your friends, and you see another class working quietly. Your friends start talking loudly and running ahead.
What should you do?
Scenario 2: Sharing Trouble
It's recess, and you want to play with the jump rope, but your friend has been using it for a long time. They don't seem to want to share.
What should you do?
Scenario 3: Classroom Distraction
The teacher is explaining a new math concept, and you notice your classmate next to you is playing with a toy under their desk, making small noises.
What should you do?
Scenario 4: A Friend is Sad
You see a new student sitting alone at lunch. They look a little sad and aren't talking to anyone.
What should you do?
Scenario 5: Group Work Mix-Up
You are working in a group on a project, and one of your group members keeps interrupting others and telling them their ideas are not good.
What should you do?
Scenario 6: Cleanup Time
It's the end of an art project, and paint is spilled on the table. Everyone is starting to pack up, and no one is cleaning the mess.
What should you do?
Worksheet
Behavior Choices Worksheet
Name: __________________________
Group Members: __________________________
Work with your group to discuss each scenario. Write down what you think is the best, most appropriate behavior in each situation and why.
Scenario 1: The Loud Hallway
What is the appropriate behavior?
Why is this important?
Scenario 2: Sharing Trouble
What is the appropriate behavior?
Why is this important?
Scenario 3: Classroom Distraction
What is the appropriate behavior?
Why is this important?
Scenario 4: A Friend is Sad
What is the appropriate behavior?
Why is this important?
Scenario 5: Group Work Mix-Up
What is the appropriate behavior?
Why is this important?
Scenario 6: Cleanup Time
What is the appropriate behavior?
Why is this important?
Cool Down
One Kind Choice Cool Down
Name: __________________________
Think about everything we discussed today about appropriate behavior.
What is one kind choice you can make today or tomorrow to show good behavior in our school?
It could be in the classroom, in the hallway, or on the playground.
Draw or write your idea below!
I will choose to: