Lesson Plan

Safe Space Agreements Lesson Plan

Students will collaborate to generate, discuss, and commit to 5–7 respectful, inclusive classroom agreements that foster trust and ensure every voice is heard.

Establishing shared norms builds a supportive environment, increases student ownership, and promotes respect and empathy, setting the tone for open dialogue and positive interactions all year.

Audience

10th Grade

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Brainstorm, cluster, negotiate, and finalize agreements collaboratively.

Materials

Chart Paper, - Markers (Various Colors), - Sticky Notes (Two Colors), - Timer, and - Safe Space Agreements Worksheet

Prep

Prepare Materials

10 minutes

Print one copy of Safe Space Agreements Worksheet per student.
Gather chart paper or reserve whiteboard space.
Collect markers and two colors of sticky notes.
Review the objectives and familiarize yourself with the Safe Space Agreements Lesson Plan.

Step 1

Introduction

5 minutes

Welcome students and explain the purpose: to create agreements that ensure everyone feels safe and respected.
Share the lesson objective and outline the process steps briefly.

Step 2

Brainstorm Agreements

10 minutes

Distribute the Safe Space Agreements Worksheet.
Students work in pairs to brainstorm behaviors and norms; record each idea on a sticky note (one idea per note).
Encourage 3–5 ideas per pair.

Step 3

Share and Cluster

8 minutes

Invite pairs to post their sticky notes on chart paper or the whiteboard.
As a class, cluster similar ideas into themes or categories.
Label each cluster with a concise heading.

Step 4

Finalize Agreements

5 minutes

Review each cluster and collaboratively refine wording.
As a class, select and agree on the top 5–7 key agreements.
Write the finalized agreements clearly on chart paper or the board.

Step 5

Commitment

2 minutes

Have each student sign their name under the final list on the chart paper or worksheet.
Display the agreements prominently in the classroom for ongoing reference.

Slide Deck

Safe Space Agreements

10th Grade | Tier 1 Classroom

Building a supportive environment together

Welcome everyone! Introduce today’s focus: creating classroom agreements to ensure respect, trust, and inclusivity. Emphasize that this is a collaborative process — every voice matters.

Learning Objective

Students will collaborate to generate, discuss, and commit to 5–7 respectful, inclusive classroom agreements that foster trust and ensure every voice is heard.

Read the objective aloud. Highlight the key terms: collaborate, respectful, inclusive, every voice heard. Make sure students understand what success looks like.

Why Safe Space Agreements?

• Builds a supportive classroom community
• Increases student ownership of norms
• Promotes respect, empathy, and open dialogue
• Sets a positive tone for the year ahead

Connect purpose to real experiences: ask students when they’ve felt unheard or uncomfortable. Explain how shared norms prevent those situations.

Our Process

Brainstorm Agreements
Share & Cluster Ideas
Finalize & Refine
Commit & Display

Walk through each of the four steps briefly, then dive into Step 1. Encourage students to follow along and ask questions.

Step 1: Brainstorm Agreements

• Work in pairs
• Use sticky notes (one idea per note)
• Generate 3–5 behaviors or norms that promote safety and respect

Distribute the Safe Space Agreements Worksheet and sticky notes. Remind pairs to record one idea per note and aim for 3–5 ideas.

Step 2: Share & Cluster

• Post sticky notes publicly
• Group similar ideas into themes
• Label each cluster with a concise heading

Invite pairs to post notes on chart paper or the board. Facilitate clustering by asking which ideas are similar and what theme they share.

Step 3: Finalize Agreements

• Review each cluster
• Refine wording as a class
• Select the top 5–7 key agreements

Guide the class to review clusters and refine wording. Use class discussion to prioritize the most essential agreements, aiming for 5–7 final statements.

Step 4: Commitment

• Students sign their names under the agreements
• Display prominently in the classroom for ongoing reference

Have each student sign under the finalized agreements. Explain that these will be displayed all year and revisited as needed to maintain our safe space.

Worksheet

Safe Space Agreements Worksheet

This worksheet supports the Safe Space Agreements Lesson Plan.

Name: Alisha Wellington Date: 9/3/25 Partner: __________________

1. Brainstorm Agreements

In pairs, brainstorm behaviors or norms that will help create a safe, respectful classroom. Record 3–5 ideas below (one idea per section):

Idea 1:good behavior

g

o

o

Idea 2:listen to your teacher and stay out of trouble

Idea 3:clean up after yourself

Idea 4:KEEP all hand and feet to YOURSELF

Idea 5:be respectful to your classmates and teachers

2. Cluster Themes

After posting and clustering ideas as a class, note the headings of each major theme:

Cluster 1 Heading:keeping all hands and feet to yourself

Cluster 2 Heading:respect your classmates and teachers

Cluster 3 Heading:clean up after yourself

Cluster 4 Heading:stay out of trouble and dont hang around the wrong crowd

3. Final Classroom Agreements

As a class, we will refine wording and select the top 5–7 agreements. Write each final agreement below:

Agreement 1:

Agreement 2:

Agreement 3:

Agreement 4:

Agreement 5:

Agreement 6 (optional):

Agreement 7 (optional):

4. Commitment

By signing below, I commit to honoring these agreements and contributing to a safe, respectful learning community.

Name (printed): Alisha Wellington

Signature: Alisha Wellington

Date: 9/3/25