Respect: Everyone, Everywhere

Laura-Ashley Shury

Tier 1

Lesson Plan

Respect: Everyone, Everywhere

Students will be able to define respect, identify different types of respect (for self, others, and the environment), and describe how respectful actions contribute to a positive community.

Understanding and practicing respect is crucial for developing healthy relationships, resolving conflicts peacefully, and creating inclusive environments where everyone feels valued and safe. This lesson provides foundational skills for positive social interactions and emotional well-being.

Audience

5th-8th Grade Students

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Through reading, discussion, and practical application, students will explore the multifaceted nature of respect.

Materials

Whiteboard or projector, Respect Reading, Respectful Actions Worksheet, and Pens/pencils

Prep

Teacher Preparation

15 minutes

Review the Respect Reading and consider any specific vocabulary that might be challenging for ELL students. Prepare to offer simplified explanations or visual aids.
- Print copies of the Respectful Actions Worksheet for each student. Consider preparing differentiated versions for students with IEPs (e.g., fewer questions, sentence starters).
- Ensure whiteboard or projector is ready for discussion points.
- Review all generated materials as needed.

Step 1

Warm-up: What is Respect?

5 minutes

Begin by writing the word "RESPECT" on the board.
- Ask students: "When you hear the word 'respect,' what comes to mind? What does it look like, sound like, or feel like?"
- Facilitate a brief whole-class discussion, charting student responses on the board. Emphasize that there are no wrong answers.

Step 2

Reading & Discussion: Different Kinds of Respect

10 minutes

Distribute the Respect Reading to each student.
- Instruct students to read the text silently or in pairs. For ELLs or students who benefit from auditory support, consider reading the text aloud or providing an audio version.
- After reading, lead a discussion using the following prompts:
- "What are the different types of respect mentioned in the reading?"
- "Why is it important to respect yourself? What does that look like?"
- "How does respecting others make our school or community a better place?"
- "Can you think of ways we show respect for our environment?"

Step 3

Activity: Respectful Actions

10 minutes

Distribute the Respectful Actions Worksheet.
- Explain that students will think about specific actions that demonstrate respect in different situations.
- Instruct students to complete the worksheet individually. Provide support and clarification as needed, especially for students with IEPs or ELLs.
- Circulate the room to offer assistance and check for understanding.

Step 4

Wrap-up: One Word Summary

5 minutes

Ask students to think of one word that summarizes what they learned or felt about respect today.
- Go around the room and have each student share their word. Write some of these words on the board.
- Conclude by reiterating that respect is a powerful tool for building positive relationships and a better world for everyone.

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Slide Deck

What is Respect?

What comes to mind when you hear the word 'respect'?

What does respect look like, sound like, or feel like?

Welcome students and prepare them for a discussion about respect. Start by writing 'RESPECT' on the board. Ask the opening question and encourage all students to share their initial thoughts. Chart responses on the board, emphasizing that all contributions are valid.

Exploring Different Kinds of Respect

We're going to read about different ways we show and receive respect.

Think about:

What are the different types of respect?
Why is self-respect important?
How does respecting others help our community?
How can we show respect for our environment?

Introduce the reading. Explain that the text will explore different aspects of respect. Provide clear instructions for reading (silently, pairs, or whole-class read-aloud for support). After reading, facilitate the discussion using the provided prompts, ensuring all students have a chance to participate. Encourage students to refer back to the text for answers.

Putting Respect into Action

Now, let's think about how we can show respect in our daily lives.

Complete the 'Respectful Actions Worksheet' to brainstorm specific examples of respect in action.

Transition to the worksheet activity. Explain the task clearly and distribute the worksheets. Remind students to think about specific actions. Offer individual support and clarification, especially for students who might need extra help. Circulate the room to monitor progress and provide assistance.

Respect: A Powerful Tool

What one word summarizes what you learned or felt about respect today?

Remember, respect builds positive relationships and a better world for everyone.

For the wrap-up, ask students to reflect on the lesson and choose one word that summarizes their learning or feelings about respect. Go around the room and have each student share their word. Write down some of their words on the board to create a shared summary. Conclude by reinforcing the positive impact of respect.

Reading

What is Respect? An Introduction

Respect is a big word with a simple meaning: treating people, places, and things with care and consideration. It's about recognizing the worth and value of everything around us, including ourselves.

Respect for Yourself

Having self-respect means you value who you are. It means you take care of your body, mind, and feelings. When you respect yourself, you make good choices, stand up for what you believe in, and don't let others treat you poorly. It also means believing in your abilities and knowing that you deserve kindness and happiness.

Example: Eating healthy foods, getting enough sleep, trying your best in school, and saying "no" to things that make you uncomfortable.

Respect for Others

Respecting others means treating everyone with politeness, kindness, and understanding, even if they are different from you. It means listening to what they have to say, valuing their ideas, and being thoughtful about your words and actions. When you show respect to others, you help build strong friendships and a friendly community where everyone feels welcome.

Example: Listening when someone else is talking, waiting your turn, using kind words, and helping a friend in need.

Respect for the Environment

Our environment includes our planet, our homes, our schools, and our communities. Showing respect for the environment means taking care of these places and the living things in them. It means keeping things clean, being mindful of nature, and making choices that help keep our world healthy for everyone.

Example: Recycling, not littering, taking care of school property, and protecting plants and animals.

In summary, respect is a powerful way to make the world a better place. When we choose to be respectful, we create a more positive, understanding, and supportive environment for ourselves and everyone around us.

Worksheet

Respectful Actions Worksheet

Think about what respect looks like in different parts of your life. For each situation, write down two specific actions that show respect.

Part 1: Self-Respect

At Home: How can you show respect for yourself at home?
At School: How can you show respect for yourself at school?

Part 2: Respect for Others

With Friends: How can you show respect to your friends?
With Teachers/Adults: How can you show respect to your teachers and other adults?
With People Who Are Different From You: How can you show respect to someone with different ideas, backgrounds, or abilities?

Part 3: Respect for the Environment

In the Classroom: How can you show respect for your classroom?
In Your Community: How can you show respect for your local community or the planet?

Reflection Question

Why do you think it is important to show respect in all these different ways? (Longer response)