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Together We Grow

Lesson Plan

Together We Grow Lesson Plan

Students will build classroom community through collaborative mapping activities and reflect on personal strengths and set one actionable goal to foster self-awareness and peer connections.

Creating a supportive classroom culture helps students feel valued, strengthens peer relationships, and encourages personal growth. Reflecting on strengths and goals boosts motivation and self-confidence.

Audience

6th Grade

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Interactive group mapping and individual reflection exercises

Materials

Prep

Prepare Materials

10 minutes

Step 1

Warm-Up: Name & Strength

5 minutes

  • Arrange students in a circle.
  • Each student says their name and shares one personal strength (e.g., "I’m Alex and I’m a good listener").
  • Teacher models first to set a positive tone.

Step 2

Community Mapping Activity

10 minutes

  • Distribute the Community Mapping Template to each student.
  • In pairs or triads, students interview one another to find shared interests, hobbies, or skills and record connections on their map.
  • After 7 minutes, invite a few groups to highlight interesting connections they discovered.

Step 3

Self-Reflection & Goal Setting

10 minutes

  • Hand out the Self-Reflection Worksheet and Goal-Setting Chart.
  • Students individually reflect on their top strength, one area for growth, and why it matters.
  • Guide students to set one specific, measurable goal for the next month and note action steps.
  • Teacher circulates to support goal clarity and provides feedback.

Step 4

Closing Circle & Assessment

5 minutes

  • Reconvene in a whole-class circle.
  • Invite 3–4 volunteers to share one insight from their reflection or their chosen goal.
  • Teacher affirms contributions, highlights common themes, and collects worksheets for review.
  • Note student goals to revisit progress in future lessons.
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Slide Deck

Together We Grow

Building Community & Reflecting on Our Strengths

Welcome students and introduce yourself. Explain that today’s lesson will help us get to know each other better and think about our own strengths and goals. Emphasize respect and openness.

Today's Objectives & Agenda

Objectives:

  • Build a supportive classroom community
  • Identify and share personal strengths
  • Set one actionable growth goal

Agenda (30 minutes):

  1. Warm-Up: Name & Strength (5 min)
  2. Community Mapping Activity (10 min)
  3. Self-Reflection & Goal Setting (10 min)
  4. Closing Circle & Share (5 min)

Walk through each objective and agenda item, showing the timeline on the board or chart paper. Let students know when they should transition between activities.

Warm-Up: Name & Strength

  • Arrange in a circle.
  • Each student says: “I’m [Name] and I’m good at [Strength].”
  • Teacher models first to set tone.

Have students form a circle. Model your own name and strength first (e.g., “I’m Ms. Lee, and I’m a good listener”). Encourage clear speaking and active listening. Keep it moving to maintain energy.

Community Mapping Activity

  1. Give each student a Community Mapping Template.
  2. In pairs/triads, students interview each other to find shared interests or skills.
  3. Record each connection on the map.
  4. After 7 min, share 1–2 interesting findings with the class.

Distribute the Community Mapping Template. Group students into pairs or triads. Circulate to prompt deeper connections (e.g., “Tell me more about your shared hobby”). After 7 minutes, invite 2–3 groups to share surprising connections.

Sample Community Map

[Image or drawing of a completed community map showing names, shared interests, and connecting lines]

Show a sample completed map on document camera or chart paper. Point out how lines connect students and note the variety of interests. This visual will help students as they work independently.

Self-Reflection & Goal Setting

  1. Complete the Self-Reflection Worksheet:
    • My top strength
    • One area to grow
    • Why it matters
  2. Use the Goal-Setting Chart to:
    • Write one specific, measurable goal
    • List action steps to reach it

Hand out the Self-Reflection Worksheet and Goal-Setting Chart. Encourage students to think honestly about their strengths and one area they want to grow. Provide examples of clear, measurable goals (e.g., “I will read 10 pages every day”).

Closing Circle & Share

  • Reconvene whole class.
  • Invite 3–4 volunteers to share:
    • One insight from reflection OR
    • Their growth goal and next step
  • Teacher affirms and notes goals to revisit.

Bring students back to a circle. Ask volunteers to share either a reflection insight or their chosen goal. Keep the sharing positive and constructive. Affirm each contribution and note down goals for your records.

Next Steps & Reminder

  • Keep your goal in a visible spot (locker, desk, bedroom).
  • I’ll check in on our goals next month.
  • Remember: We grow stronger together!

Encourage students to place their goal chart somewhere they can see it daily. Explain that you will check in on progress in future lessons and celebrate growth.

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Worksheet

Community Mapping Template

Name: ____________________________ Date: ________________

Instructions:
In your pair or triad, interview each classmate to uncover shared interests, hobbies, or skills. Then:

  1. Place your name in the center of the blank area below.
  2. Add each partner’s name around yours.
  3. Draw lines connecting your circle to theirs.
  4. On each line, write one shared interest or skill.

Your Community Map:














Reflection:

  1. What was the most surprising connection you discovered?





  2. How might this shared interest or skill help you work together in class?





  3. Who did you learn something new about today, and what did you learn?





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Worksheet

Self-Reflection Worksheet

Name: ____________________________ Date: ________________

Instructions: Reflect thoughtfully on your strengths and areas for growth. Answer the questions below:

  1. My top strength is:




  2. Why do I consider this my top strength?






  3. One area I would like to grow or improve is:






  4. Why is improving this area important to me and our classroom community?






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Worksheet

Goal-Setting Chart

Name: ____________________________ Date: ________________

My SMART Goal:
Write one Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound goal for the next month.






Why this goal matters to me and our classroom community:






Action Steps & Timeline

Step #Action Step DescriptionTarget DateCheck-In (✓)
1________________________________________________________________________________☐



2________________________________________________________________________________☐



3________________________________________________________________________________☐



Progress Check-Ins

  1. Date: ____________ Progress Notes:






  2. Date: ____________ Progress Notes:






  3. Date: ____________ Progress Notes:






Reflection & Next Steps

  1. What went well?






  2. What challenges did I face?






  3. What will I do differently moving forward?






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Together We Grow • Lenny Learning