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Our School, Our Pact

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Lesson Plan

Our School, Our Pact

Students will collaborate to create a class pledge or action plan to promote a positive and inclusive school culture, understanding their role in fostering a safe environment.

Fostering a bully-free zone is crucial for student well-being and academic success. This lesson empowers students to be active participants in creating a supportive community where everyone feels respected and safe.

Audience

9th Grade Students

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Collaborative brainstorming, drafting, and commitment to a shared pact.

Materials

Prep

Review Materials and Set Up Room

10 minutes

Step 1

Welcome Circle and Curriculum Review

5 minutes

  • Begin with a brief welcome and an icebreaker to get students engaged (e.g., "Share one word that describes how you want our school to feel.").
    - Introduce the lesson objective: students will work together to create a class pledge or action plan to make their school a bully-free zone.
    - Explain the importance of creating a positive school culture and how their contributions are vital. Use the Key Learnings Slide Deck to guide this introduction.

Step 2

Brainstorm a Class Action Plan or Pledge

10 minutes

  • Lead a guided brainstorming session on what a bully-free zone looks and feels like. Ask questions like:
    - "What are some behaviors that contribute to a positive school environment?"
    - "What actions can we take, individually and as a class, to prevent bullying?"
    - "What values should our pact or action plan reflect?"
    - Record student ideas on the large paper or whiteboard. Encourage all students to contribute. Distribute the Pact-Building Worksheet for individual reflection and idea generation before sharing with the class.

Step 3

Create the Final Pact or Project

8 minutes

  • Based on the brainstormed ideas and individual reflections, guide the class in drafting a concise class pledge or action plan. This can be done collaboratively on the whiteboard or by asking small groups to synthesize ideas from their Pact-Building Worksheet into statements.
    - Focus on actionable statements and positive language. Ensure the pact reflects the key concepts of school culture, collective responsibility, advocacy, and positive action.

Step 4

Present and Commit to the Pact

5 minutes

  • Have a student volunteer or the class read the final class pact or action plan aloud.
    - Facilitate a class commitment, where each student verbally agrees to uphold the pact or signs the written document.
    - Emphasize that this is a living document and their ongoing commitment is essential. Briefly discuss how the Pact-Building Worksheet helped them think through their contributions.

Step 5

Closing Celebration Circle

2 minutes

  • Conclude with a brief closing circle. Ask students to share one thing they are committed to doing to support the bully-free zone.
    - Distribute the Certificate of Completion to each student, acknowledging their participation and commitment to creating a positive school culture.
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Slide Deck

Welcome to Our Pact!

Today, we're building a bully-free zone together.

Your voice matters in creating a safe and positive school culture!

Welcome students and introduce the lesson's main goal. Encourage them to think about their ideal school environment.

What is School Culture?

It's how we all feel and behave at school.

A positive culture means respect, safety, and belonging for everyone.

Explain the concept of school culture and why it's important for everyone to feel safe and included. Ask students what 'school culture' means to them.

Collective Responsibility

We all share the responsibility to make our school safe.

Every action, big or small, contributes to our shared environment.

Discuss how everyone plays a role in preventing bullying. Give examples of collective responsibility, like speaking up or supporting others.

Advocacy: Your Voice, Your Power

Speaking up for yourself and for others is powerful.

Be an upstander, not just a bystander.

Talk about advocacy – standing up for oneself and others. Encourage students to think about how they can be advocates.

Positive Actions Build Community

Kindness, support, and empathy are our tools.

Let's choose actions that uplift and include everyone.

Emphasize taking positive action. Brainstorm quick examples of positive actions students can take.

Building Our Community Pact

Today, we will create a class pledge or action plan.

This pact will guide us in fostering a truly bully-free zone.

Explain that today they will contribute to a class pact. Reiterate that this is about building a stronger, more supportive community.

Drafting Our Shared Promise

What actions will we commit to?

What words will define our bully-free zone?

Review the brainstormed ideas and discuss how to turn them into actionable statements for the pact. Encourage thoughtful contributions.

Our Pact: A Commitment

Our collective commitment makes our school stronger.

Let's make this promise together!

Guide students to finalize the pact. Celebrate their collaboration and commitment.

Together, We Make a Difference!

Thank you for creating a positive impact!

Let's live our pact every day.

Conclude by thanking students for their participation and reminding them of the ongoing importance of their pact.

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Project Guide

Pact-Building Worksheet: Creating Our Bully-Free Zone

Your Vision for a Positive School

Think about what makes you feel safe, respected, and included at school. What does a truly positive school environment look like and feel like?













Individual Actions: What Can You Do?

What are specific actions you can take, starting today, to contribute to a bully-free zone? Think about how you interact with classmates, respond to difficult situations, and support others.



















Collective Actions: What Can We Do as a Class?

As a class, what shared responsibilities or actions can we commit to? How can we support each other and ensure everyone feels safe?



















Drafting Our Class Pact/Action Plan Statements

Using your ideas from above, draft 2-3 powerful statements that could be part of our class's bully-free zone pact or action plan. Focus on clear, positive, and actionable language.



















Reflect and Commit

Why is it important for you to commit to this pact? What do you hope will change in our school by taking these actions?













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