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Social Maze Navigation

Marguerita Maiorana

Tier 1
For Schools

Lesson Plan

Social Maze Navigation Lesson Plan

Students will be able to identify qualities of healthy friendships, practice effective communication skills, and develop strategies for fostering a sense of belonging in a new social environment.

Starting high school can be exciting but also challenging, especially when navigating new social circles. This lesson provides essential tools for building positive relationships and feeling more connected.

Audience

9th Grade Students

Time

50 minutes

Approach

Interactive activities, group discussions, and reflective exercises.

Materials

Smartboard or projector, Slide Deck: Social Maze Navigation, Markers or pens, Worksheet: Friendship Map, Activity: Communication Charades Cards, and Discussion Guide: Belonging Brainstorm

Prep

Prepare Materials

15 minutes

  • Review the Slide Deck: Social Maze Navigation and familiarize yourself with the content.
  • Print copies of the Worksheet: Friendship Map (one per student).
  • Print and cut out the cards for the Activity: Communication Charades Cards.
  • Review the Discussion Guide: Belonging Brainstorm prompts.
  • Ensure technology (projector/smartboard) is set up and working.
  • Arrange classroom for group work, if possible.

Step 1

Warm-Up: Social Snapshot

5 minutes

  • Display the first slide of the Slide Deck: Social Maze Navigation.
  • Ask students to silently reflect on a time they felt included and a time they felt excluded in a new social situation. (No sharing required at this point, just reflection.)
  • Introduce the lesson by explaining that high school brings new social opportunities and challenges, and today's lesson will equip them with tools to navigate the 'social maze'.

Step 2

Understanding Friendship Qualities

15 minutes

  • Present slides on qualities of healthy friendships from the Slide Deck: Social Maze Navigation.
  • Distribute the Worksheet: Friendship Map.
  • Instruct students to work individually for 5 minutes to list qualities they value in friends and qualities they bring to friendships.
  • Have students pair-share their maps for 5 minutes, discussing similarities and differences.
  • Facilitate a brief whole-class discussion, asking a few students to share key takeaways.

Step 3

Communication Skills Activity

15 minutes

  • Introduce the importance of communication in building friendships using the Slide Deck: Social Maze Navigation.
  • Divide students into small groups (3-4 students).
  • Explain the Activity: Communication Charades Cards. Each group will receive cards with different communication scenarios (e.g., active listening, asking open-ended questions, expressing feelings). Students will act out the scenario and the group will guess the skill.
  • Circulate among groups to observe and provide guidance. Debrief briefly with the whole class about what they learned from the activity.

Step 4

Fostering Belonging Discussion

10 minutes

  • Transition to the concept of belonging using the Slide Deck: Social Maze Navigation.
  • Lead a class discussion using prompts from the Discussion Guide: Belonging Brainstorm. Topics could include: 'What does it feel like to belong?', 'What makes a school community welcoming?', 'What can you do to help others feel included?'
  • Encourage students to share their experiences and ideas, emphasizing that belonging is a two-way street.

Step 5

Cool-Down: One Word Wonder

5 minutes

  • Ask students to think of one word that describes how they can contribute to a more inclusive high school social environment or one new social skill they want to practice.
  • Have students share their word aloud or write it on an exit ticket. (No material provided, this is a quick verbal cool-down.)
  • Conclude by reinforcing the idea that navigating social situations is a skill that develops over time, and they have the tools to build positive connections.
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Slide Deck

Navigating the High School Social Maze

Welcome to High School! A new adventure with new social landscapes. Today, we'll explore how to navigate this maze and build awesome connections.

Reflect Silently:

  • When have you felt included in a new social setting?
  • When have you felt a bit lost or excluded?

Welcome students. Begin by asking them to silently reflect on the prompt. Emphasize that this is for personal reflection and they won't be sharing aloud yet. This helps set a reflective tone.

What Makes a Great Friendship?

Healthy friendships are like strong bridges – they need good foundations!

Qualities of a Healthy Friend:

  • Trustworthy
  • Supportive
  • Respectful
  • Good Listener
  • Honest
  • Empathetic

What qualities do YOU bring to a friendship?

Introduce the idea that healthy friendships are built on certain qualities. Engage students by asking them what comes to mind when they think of a 'good friend'.

Mapping Your Friendships

Let's explore what you value and what you offer.

Individual Work (5 min):

  • On your Worksheet: Friendship Map, list qualities you look for in a friend.
  • Then, list qualities you bring to a friendship.

Pair-Share (5 min):

  • Discuss your maps with a partner. What similarities and differences did you find?

Explain the Worksheet: Friendship Map. Give clear instructions for individual work and then pair-share. Circulate and check for understanding.

Speak Up! The Power of Communication

Communication is the secret sauce for strong connections. It's how we:

  • Understand each other
  • Express our thoughts and feelings
  • Resolve disagreements

Good communication builds bridges, not walls!

Emphasize that communication is key to building and maintaining relationships. Introduce the idea of practicing communication skills.

Communication Charades!

Time to put your communication skills to the test!

Activity: Communication Charades Cards:

  1. Get into small groups.
  2. Pick a card and act out the communication scenario (e.g., active listening, asking an open-ended question).
  3. Your group guesses the skill!
  4. Discuss briefly how that skill helps build connections.

Explain the Communication Charades Activity. Ensure students understand the rules and objectives. Monitor groups and provide support as needed.

Finding Your Place: The Feeling of Belonging

Beyond friendships, there's a powerful feeling of belonging.

What does it mean to truly feel like you belong somewhere?

How does a sense of belonging impact your high school experience?

Transition from communication to the broader concept of belonging. Ask students to think about what 'belonging' truly means to them.

Building a Welcoming Community

Let's talk about it!

Discussion Guide: Belonging Brainstorm:

  • What makes a group or school community feel welcoming?
  • What can you do to help others feel included?
  • How can we overcome challenges to belonging in a new environment?

Facilitate the discussion using the Discussion Guide. Encourage diverse perspectives and create a safe space for sharing. Highlight that students can actively contribute to a welcoming environment.

Your Social Superpowers!

You have the power to:

  • Choose healthy friendships.
  • Communicate effectively.
  • Help create a welcoming high school.

One Word Wonder: What one word describes how you'll contribute to an inclusive high school, or one social skill you'll practice?

Conclude the lesson by reinforcing key takeaways and encouraging students to apply what they've learned. The 'one word wonder' is a quick exit ticket idea.

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Worksheet

Friendship Map: Navigating Your Social World

Starting high school means new faces and new friendships! This worksheet will help you think about what you value in friends and what kind of friend you want to be.

Part 1: Qualities I Look For in a Friend

Think about the friends you have now or friends you hope to make. What qualities are most important to you in a friendship? (e.g., trustworthy, funny, good listener, supportive, honest)
















Part 2: Qualities I Bring to a Friendship

Now, think about yourself! What positive qualities do you offer to your friends? What makes you a good friend? (e.g., loyal, a good secret-keeper, adventurous, understanding, good advice-giver)
















Part 3: Reflection

How do the qualities you look for in a friend compare to the qualities you bring to a friendship? Are there any areas you'd like to work on to be an even better friend?











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Activity

Communication Charades: Act It Out!

Objective: Practice different communication skills that help build strong social connections.

Instructions:

  1. Divide into small groups (3-4 students).
  2. Take turns picking a card. DO NOT SHOW YOUR CARD TO YOUR GROUP!
  3. Act out the communication skill or scenario described on your card.
  4. Your group will guess what communication skill you are demonstrating.
  5. Once they guess correctly, briefly discuss why that skill is important for building healthy friendships in high school.

Communication Charades Cards (Cut these out!)

Card 1: Active Listening

Scenario: A friend is telling you about a problem they had today. You are listening carefully, nodding, making eye contact, and showing you understand without interrupting.




Card 2: Asking an Open-Ended Question

Scenario: You want to learn more about a new classmate. You ask a question that requires more than a "yes" or "no" answer (e.g., "What do you like to do for fun?").




Card 3: Expressing Your Feelings (I-Statements)

Scenario: A friend did something that upset you. You use an "I-statement" to tell them how you feel without blaming them (e.g., "I felt frustrated when my ideas were ignored.").




Card 4: Offering Encouragement/Support

Scenario: A friend is nervous about trying out for a team or performing in a play. You offer words of encouragement and tell them you believe in them.




Card 5: Initiating a Conversation

Scenario: You see someone sitting alone at lunch or in class. You walk over and start a friendly conversation.




Card 6: Showing Empathy

Scenario: A friend is sad because they didn't do well on a test. You show that you understand their feelings and offer comfort (e.g., "That sounds really tough, I'm sorry to hear that.").




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Discussion

Belonging Brainstorm: Finding Your Place in High School

Objective: Explore what it means to belong and how to create a more inclusive school community.

Introduction: Starting high school means finding your footing in a new place. A big part of feeling comfortable and happy is feeling like you belong. Let's discuss what that truly means and how we can all contribute to it.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What does it feel like to belong? Describe the emotions and sensations you experience when you feel truly accepted and connected to a group or community.





  2. Think about places where you do feel a strong sense of belonging (e.g., family, a sports team, a club, a group of friends). What makes those environments so welcoming and inclusive?








  3. What are some things that can make it difficult to feel like you belong, especially in a new environment like high school? (e.g., shyness, cliques, fear of judgment)








  4. What can individuals do to help themselves feel more connected and find their place in high school? (e.g., join clubs, talk to new people, ask for help)








  5. What can we (as students, as a class, as a school) do to create a more welcoming and inclusive environment for everyone? How can we help others feel like they belong?










  6. How important do you think a sense of belonging is for overall well-being and success in high school? Why?





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