Culture Code Project Guide

Why We Use This Guide

We want to think of ideas to make our school friendlier and more fun. Work in your group to fill in each part below so everyone can understand and try your plan.

How to Use

1. Pick one thing to improve (for example: being more respectful, helping new students).
   
   
   
2. Fill out the template below for two ideas.
   
   
   
3. Be clear and detailed so your plan can work in our school.
   
   
   

Strategy Template

Use this template for each idea.

1. Idea Name (Example: Friendship Friday)

2. What You Want to Improve (Example: kindness at lunch)

3. Why This Is Important (Example: some students feel left out when they eat alone)

4. Steps – What We Will Do (Example: make posters, invite students, share games)

5. Who Will Help (Example: student leaders, teachers, lunch staff)

6. What We Need (Example: poster paper, markers, announcer time)

7. How We Know It Works (Example: 5 new friends sit together; smiles at lunch)

8. When We Will Do It (Example: next Friday during lunch)

Repeat the template above for your second idea.

Talk About Your Ideas

• As a group, choose which idea is easiest and most fun to try.
• Use the Group Presentation Rubric to practice your talk.
• Be ready to share your favorite idea with the class!

Good luck—your ideas will help make our school an even better place!

Case Studies in School Culture

Below are three short stories about our school. As you read, think about what went well and what could be better.

Case 1: The Welcome Crew

When Keisha joined Lincoln Middle School in October, she felt nervous. A group of students called the “Welcome Crew” showed her around and invited her to sit with them at lunch. This made Keisha feel happy and included.

Positive:

• Students welcomed a new friend.
• Leaders helped Keisha learn routines.

Needs Work:

• Some students teased Keisha in the halls.
• Teachers did not always step in to stop the teasing.

Case 2: The Hallway Mural

A group of friends wanted to paint a mural in the hall to celebrate everyone’s differences. They got approval from the principal, shared paint supplies, and invited many students to help. It felt fun and everyone encouraged each other.

One night, someone scratched the mural. The art team was sad. The next day, school leaders invited students to clean and repaint the mural together.

Positive:

• Students and leaders worked as a team.
• Quick, kind response to fix the mural.

Needs Work:

• Someone hurt others’ feelings by scratching the art.

Case 3: The Science Fair Team

In science class, Emma, Jayden, and Malik made a robot project. Emma and Jayden decided most ideas without asking Malik. He felt left out and stopped sharing his thoughts.

Their teacher, Ms. Alvarez, asked each student to say how they felt and what they wanted to do. They gave everyone a clear role and met every week. By fair day, they worked well together and were proud of their project.

Positive:

• Teacher helped the team talk and listen.
• Clear roles made teamwork stronger.

Needs Work:

• Malik felt excluded before the team meeting.

Use these stories to list two Good Ideas (things that went well) and two Needs Work (things to fix) on your chart paper.

Scenario Role-Play Scenarios

Use these four short scenes to practice being kind, fair, and helpful. In your group, choose roles, read the situation, and act it out for 2–3 minutes. After each scene, talk about the questions.

Scenario 1: The New Student Left Out

Roles:

• New Student (Mia)
• Group Leader (Jordan)
• Two Group Members (Taylor, Alex)
• Teacher (optional)

Situation: Mia is new and quiet. Jordan and friends plan a fun game but forget to invite Mia. She watches alone.

Focus: Including everyone, noticing feelings.

After Role-Play Questions:

1. How did Mia feel when she was left out?
2. What could Jordan do to include Mia?
3. How might a teacher help Mia feel welcome?

Scenario 2: The Rumor Whisper

Roles:

• Gossip (Riley)
• Target (Sam)
• Bystander (Casey)
• Teacher walking by

Situation: Riley starts a rumor about Sam. Casey hears it but isn’t sure whether to join in or stop it. A teacher walks past.

Focus: Stopping gossip, respectful choices.

After Role-Play Questions:

1. What did Riley say that hurt Sam?
2. What could Casey say or do to stop the rumor?
3. How can the teacher step in kindly?

Scenario 3: Team Project Trouble

Roles:

• Take-Charge Student (Emmett)
• Quiet Student (Nina)
• Helper (Priya)
• Teacher Check-In

Situation: Emmett assigns tasks without asking Nina for her ideas. Nina has good thoughts but stays silent.

Focus: Listening to everyone, fair teamwork.

After Role-Play Questions:

1. When did Nina feel left out?
2. How can Emmett and Priya help Nina share her ideas?
3. What can the teacher say to make the team work better?

Scenario 4: Club Idea Meeting

Roles:

• Club President (Jade)
• Worrier (Miguel)
• Supporter (Liam)
• Principal (Ms. Chen)

Situation: Jade wants a big event and tells Ms. Chen. Miguel worries it’s too hard. Jade feels nervous and defensive.

Focus: Giving feedback kindly, working together.

After Role-Play Questions:

1. How did Jade react when Miguel raised concerns?
2. What could Liam say to keep things friendly?
3. How can Ms. Chen help the group find a good plan?

Group Presentation Rubric

Use this rubric to check how well each group shares their culture code idea. For each criterion, circle the score that best fits.