Lesson Plan
Squad Goals: Homeroom Harmony
Students will actively participate in an icebreaker activity and a guided discussion to identify shared interests and perspectives, fostering a more inclusive and bonded homeroom environment.
Building a strong homeroom community helps students feel safer, more connected, and more supported, which can positively impact their academic and social well-being. This lesson aims to bridge existing social gaps and encourage empathy.
Audience
7th and 8th Grade Homeroom Students
Time
20 minutes
Approach
Interactive activity and guided discussion.
Materials
Whiteboard or projector, Markers or pens, and Homeroom Harmony Activity
Prep
Review Materials
5 minutes
- Review the Squad Goals: Homeroom Harmony Slide Deck to familiarize yourself with the content and talking points.
- Print or prepare to display the Homeroom Harmony Activity for each student.
- Ensure you have markers or pens for the whiteboard/projector for jotting down ideas and responses.
- Consider any specific classroom management strategies needed for group discussions with this age group.
Step 1
Introduction & Hook
3 minutes
- Begin by welcoming students and introducing the day's activity with an engaging tone.
- Teacher Script: "Hey everyone! Today, we're going to shake things up a bit in our homeroom. Think of this as a chance to discover some surprising things about each other and build an even stronger 'squad' right here in our classroom. We're going to start with a quick activity to get our brains warmed up and learn something new about our classmates."
- Introduce the Homeroom Harmony Activity and explain the goal is to find common ground, not just with close friends, but with everyone in the room. (Refer to Squad Goals: Homeroom Harmony Slide Deck - Slide 1)
Step 2
Homeroom Harmony Activity
10 minutes
- Distribute the Homeroom Harmony Activity worksheet to each student.
- Teacher Script: "On this sheet, you'll see a grid with different categories. Your task is to walk around the room and find a classmate who fits each description. When you find someone, they'll sign that box. You can only have one signature per person per sheet, so try to find different people for different boxes! The goal is to fill up as many boxes as you can."
- Circulate the room to facilitate the activity, encourage participation, and answer any questions.
- Provide a clear time limit and announce when there are 2-3 minutes remaining. (Refer to Squad Goals: Homeroom Harmony Slide Deck - Slide 2)
Step 3
Group Share & Discussion
5 minutes
- Once the activity time is up, bring the students back together.
- Teacher Script: "Alright, bring it back! What did you discover? Was there anything surprising you learned about someone? Did you find any common interests with people you don't usually talk to?"
- Facilitate a brief discussion, asking students to share interesting discoveries or unexpected connections they made. Jot down a few key themes or interesting facts on the whiteboard.
- Emphasize the idea that everyone has unique qualities and shared interests, even if they aren't immediately obvious. (Refer to Squad Goals: Homeroom Harmony Slide Deck - Slide 3)
Step 4
Wrap-Up & Reflection
2 minutes
- Conclude the lesson by reinforcing the importance of an inclusive homeroom.
- Teacher Script: "Today was just a small step in getting to know each other better. Remember, our homeroom is like a team, and the stronger our connections are, the better we all do. Let's try to carry this spirit of discovery and openness into our daily interactions. Thanks for participating!"
- Briefly transition to the next activity or class. (Refer to Squad Goals: Homeroom Harmony Slide Deck - Slide 4)
Activity
Homeroom Harmony Activity: Find Someone Who...
Instructions: Walk around the room and find a different classmate who fits each description below. When you find someone, they will sign their name in the box. You can only get one signature from each person for your entire sheet! Try to meet new people and learn something cool about your classmates.
| Find Someone Who... | Signature |
|---|---|
| ...has a pet other than a dog or cat. | |
| ...loves to read graphic novels. | |
| ...has visited another state this year. | |
| ...plays a musical instrument. | |
| ...prefers savory snacks over sweet snacks. | |
| ...can speak more than one language. | |
| ...enjoys playing video games. | |
| ...has a birthday in the summer. | |
| ...likes to draw or create art. | |
| ...prefers getting up early. | |
| ...loves a specific sports team. | |
| ...has a favorite subject that isn't math or science. | |
| ...has a unique hobby. | |
| ...can teach you something new right now. | |
| ...is excited for an upcoming event. |
Slide Deck
Squad Goals: Homeroom Harmony
Let's build a stronger, more connected homeroom!
Today, we're going to:
- Discover surprising things about each other
- Find common interests with new people
- Make our homeroom an even better place to be!
Welcome students warmly. Explain the purpose of the activity in a positive, engaging way. Frame it as building a stronger community. Acknowledge that sometimes it's easy to stick with friends, but today is about expanding connections. Refer to the idea of 'squad goals' to make it relatable.
Homeroom Harmony Activity
Find Someone Who...
Your Mission:
- Walk around the room.
- Find a classmate who fits each description.
- They sign their name in the box.
- One signature per person, per sheet!
- Try to fill as many boxes as you can!
Time: 10 Minutes
Distribute the 'Homeroom Harmony Activity' worksheet. Clearly explain the rules: one signature per person per sheet, find different people for different boxes. Emphasize moving around and interacting with classmates beyond their usual friend group. Circulate and support students as they work. Give time warnings.
What Did You Discover?
Let's Share!
- What was something surprising you learned about a classmate?
- Did you find any common interests with people you don't usually talk to?
- How did it feel to connect with different people?
- Why is it important to know more about everyone in our homeroom?
Bring students back together. Facilitate a discussion with open-ended questions. Encourage sharing unexpected discoveries. Write down key themes or interesting connections on the whiteboard. Highlight that everyone has unique traits and shared interests. Connect this back to the idea of a diverse and strong community.
Building Our Homeroom Squad
Remember:
- Every person brings something unique to our homeroom.
- Finding common ground helps us build a stronger community.
- Let's keep the spirit of discovery going!
Conclude by reinforcing the positive impact of this activity on homeroom bonding. Encourage students to continue being open and making an effort to connect with all their classmates. Briefly transition to the next class or activity.
Script
Squad Goals: Homeroom Harmony Script
Introduction & Hook (3 minutes)
Teacher: "Good morning, everyone! (or Good afternoon!) Welcome to homeroom. I hope you're all ready for a little something different today. Sometimes, in our classrooms, we naturally gravitate towards the people we already know really well, right? And that's totally normal! But our homeroom is more than just a place to hang out with our besties; it's a community, a team, a 'squad' if you will!"
Teacher: "Today, we're going to shake things up a bit and do an activity designed to help us discover some surprising things about each other. Think of this as a chance to find common ground, new connections, and build an even stronger homeroom 'squad' right here. We're going to start with a quick activity to get our brains warmed up and learn something new about our classmates. Even those of us who think we know everyone really well might be surprised!"
(Display Squad Goals: Homeroom Harmony Slide Deck - Slide 1)
Homeroom Harmony Activity (10 minutes)
Teacher: "Alright, I'm going to hand out a sheet called the Homeroom Harmony Activity. On this sheet, you'll see a grid with different categories like 'Find someone who has a pet other than a dog or cat' or 'Find someone who loves to read graphic novels.'"
Teacher: "Your mission, should you choose to accept it – and you will because it's going to be fun! – is to walk around the room and find a different classmate who fits each description. When you find someone, they'll sign their name in that box. Here's the important rule: You can only get one signature from each person for your entire sheet! So, if Maya signs your 'plays a musical instrument' box, she can't sign any other box on your sheet. This encourages you to talk to lots of different people!"
Teacher: "The goal is to fill up as many boxes as you can! Don't just stick to your usual group. Challenge yourselves to talk to someone new. We have about 10 minutes for this activity. When you hear the signal, please come back to your seats. Any questions?"
(Allow students to move around and complete the activity. Circulate and encourage participation, especially among students who might be hesitant. Give a 2-minute warning.)
(Display Squad Goals: Homeroom Harmony Slide Deck - Slide 2)
Group Share & Discussion (5 minutes)
Teacher: "Alright, bring it back everyone! Let's settle down and come back to our seats. Awesome job moving around and talking to each other!"
Teacher: "Now for the really interesting part: What did you discover? Was there anything surprising you learned about someone that you didn't know before? Who wants to share something interesting from their sheet?"
(Call on a few students. Prompt them with follow-up questions if needed.)
Teacher: "Did anyone find a common interest with someone they don't usually talk to? Maybe you both love the same sports team, or you both have a summer birthday?"
(Facilitate a brief discussion. Write down a few key themes or interesting facts on the whiteboard if time allows.)
Teacher: "Why do you think an activity like this is important for our homeroom? What's the benefit of knowing more about everyone in our class, not just our closest friends?"
(Allow a few responses. Emphasize the idea that everyone has unique qualities and shared interests, even if they aren't immediately obvious, and how this builds a stronger community.)
(Display Squad Goals: Homeroom Harmony Slide Deck - Slide 3)
Wrap-Up & Reflection (2 minutes)
Teacher: "Fantastic job today, everyone! This was just a small step in getting to know each other better. Remember, our homeroom is like a team, and the stronger our connections are, the better we all do. When we understand and appreciate everyone, our homeroom becomes a more welcoming and fun place for all of us."
Teacher: "Let's try to carry this spirit of discovery and openness into our daily interactions. Maybe next time you're looking for someone to work with, or just striking up a conversation, you'll remember something new you learned today. Thanks for participating! You've all done a great job of building our homeroom squad!"
(Briefly transition to the next activity or class.)
(Display Squad Goals: Homeroom Harmony Slide Deck - Slide 4)