Our Inclusive Class!

Linda Campbell

Tier 1

Lesson Plan

Our Inclusive Class!

Students will be able to define disability inclusion and identify ways to promote it in their classroom and school community. They will develop empathy for others with different abilities.

Understanding and practicing disability inclusion creates a kinder, more supportive, and more effective learning environment for all students. It teaches respect for individual differences and celebrates the unique contributions everyone brings to the classroom.

Audience

4th Grade

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Discussion, activity, and reflection.

Materials

Our Inclusive Class! Slide Deck, Inclusive Actions Activity, and Cool Down: One Word, One Thought

Prep

Review Materials

10 minutes

Review the Our Inclusive Class! Lesson Plan, Our Inclusive Class! Slide Deck, Inclusive Actions Activity, and Cool Down: One Word, One Thought.

Step 1

Warm-Up: What Does Inclusion Mean?

5 minutes

Begin by asking students: "What does it mean to include someone?" Allow a few students to share their thoughts.
- Introduce the concept of disability inclusion, explaining that it means making sure everyone, including people with disabilities, feels welcome and can participate fully. (Refer to Our Inclusive Class! Slide Deck - Slide 1-2)

Step 2

Understanding Different Abilities

10 minutes

Show slides with examples of different types of disabilities (e.g., visual impairment, hearing impairment, mobility challenges, learning differences). (Refer to Our Inclusive Class! Slide Deck - Slide 3-5)
- Emphasize that disabilities are a natural part of human diversity and that people with disabilities are just like everyone else, with unique strengths and talents.
- Facilitate a short discussion: "How might a classmate with a visual impairment participate in our art class? What about someone with a mobility challenge on the playground?"

Step 3

Inclusive Actions Activity

10 minutes

Distribute the Inclusive Actions Activity worksheet. (Refer to Our Inclusive Class! Slide Deck - Slide 6)
- Instruct students to work individually or in small groups to brainstorm and write down specific actions they can take to be more inclusive in various school settings.
- After a few minutes, bring the class back together and have groups share some of their ideas. Discuss how these actions can make a difference.

Step 4

Cool Down: One Word, One Thought

5 minutes

Distribute the Cool Down: One Word, One Thought exit ticket. (Refer to Our Inclusive Class! Slide Deck - Slide 7)
- Ask students to write one word that describes how they feel about inclusion now and one thought about what they learned or how they can be more inclusive.
- Collect the cool-downs as students leave.

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Slide Deck

Our Inclusive Class!

What does it mean to include someone?

Welcome students and get them thinking about what 'inclusion' means. Encourage a few answers to warm them up.

What is Inclusion?

Inclusion means making sure everyone feels welcome, valued, and can participate fully! This includes people with different abilities and disabilities.

Why is this important for our class?

Explain what disability inclusion means in simple terms. Emphasize that it's about everyone feeling welcome and able to participate. Connect it to the lesson's goal.

Understanding Different Abilities: Visual Impairment

Some classmates might have a visual impairment, meaning they see things differently or not at all.

How can we help them feel included in activities like reading or art?

Introduce the idea of different types of abilities. Give a concrete example of a visual impairment and how we can support it.

Understanding Different Abilities: Mobility Challenges

Some classmates might use a wheelchair or other tools to move around.

How can we make sure they can get to all parts of our classroom or playground?

Provide another example, mobility challenges. Discuss how simple adjustments can make a big difference.

Understanding Different Abilities: Learning Differences

Some classmates might learn in different ways or at a different pace. This is called a learning difference.

How can we support each other when learning new things?

Introduce learning differences. Stress that everyone learns in their own way and we should celebrate that.

Inclusive Actions Activity

Let's brainstorm! What specific actions can YOU take to make our classroom and school more inclusive for everyone?

Think about:
- In the classroom
- On the playground
- During group work
- At lunch

Explain the activity and transition students to work on the Inclusive Actions Activity worksheet.

Cool Down: One Word, One Thought

On your exit ticket, write:
1. One word that describes how you feel about inclusion now.
2. One thought about what you learned or how you can be more inclusive.

Wrap up the lesson with a quick reflection. This is an exit ticket to gauge their understanding and commitment.

Worksheet

Inclusive Actions Activity

Think about different places in our school. What specific actions can you take to make sure everyone, including classmates with different abilities, feels welcome and can participate?

In the Classroom

How can you help a classmate who learns differently?
What can you do to make group work fair for everyone?
How can you include someone who might be shy or quiet?

On the Playground

What games can you suggest that everyone can play?
How can you make sure no one is left out during recess?

At Lunchtime

How can you make sure everyone has someone to sit with?
What can you do if you notice someone eating alone?

My Pledge for Inclusion

I promise to ____________________________________________________________________ to make our class and school a more inclusive place.

Cool Down

Cool Down: One Word, One Thought

Name: _____________________________

Date: _____________________________

1. One Word

Write one word that describes how you feel about inclusion after our lesson today.

2. One Thought

Write one thought about what you learned today or one way you can be more inclusive starting tomorrow.