Web of Belonging Facilitation Script

Introduction & Warm-Up (10 minutes)

Teacher: Good morning, everyone! Today we’re going to explore how we connect with each other in our school community. By the end of this hour, you’ll each have your own Belonging Map and we’ll build a giant Connection Web together. I’m excited to get started!

Teacher: Let’s look at slide 2 from the Web of Belonging Slide Deck. Here are our Lesson Objectives:
• Create a personal Belonging Map
• Identify connections with peers, teachers, clubs, and activities
• Participate in a collaborative Connection Web Game
• Reflect on how our relationships build trust, respect, and belonging

Teacher: Now, slide 3 – Why Belonging Matters. A strong community helps us feel supported, confident, and engaged. When we trust each other and respect our differences, we learn better and enjoy school more.

Teacher: To kick things off, we’ll do a quick icebreaker. We’ll go around the circle. When it’s your turn, share your name and one thing you enjoy about school. For example, “I’m Alex, and I enjoy art class,” or “I’m Mia, and I love the lunch pizza.” I’ll start: I’m [Teacher Name], and I enjoy reading mystery novels. Let’s begin with [Student A] and go clockwise.




(Continue until each student shares.)

Belonging Map Activity (20 minutes)

Teacher: Wonderful! Now let’s move to slide 4 – What Is a Belonging Map? It’s a diagram that puts you at the center and shows all the people, groups, and activities you connect with.

Teacher: Please take a Belonging Map Worksheet and some colored markers or pencils. Draw yourself in the center of the page. Then add branches for friends, teachers, clubs, classes, or activities you’re part of. Use colors, symbols, and labels to make your map unique. There’s no right or wrong way to do this.

Teacher: I’ll set the timer for 20 minutes. If you need ideas, think about your soccer team, your favorite teacher, the Drama Club, or even study groups.







(After 10 minutes)
Teacher: You’re doing great! Remember, you can use the Belonging Map Answer Key for examples if you get stuck.




(After 5 minutes)
Teacher: Five minutes left, everyone. Add any final branches or details.

Connection Web Game (15 minutes)

Teacher: Fantastic maps, everyone! Let’s form a circle and get our Connection Web Game Kit — including our ball of yarn. Each of you should be seated so we can pass the yarn easily.

Teacher: Here’s how it works (slide 8). I’ll start: I’ll hold the yarn, say, “I’m connected to the Drama Club,” then toss the ball—while keeping hold of the loose end—to someone else who also has that connection on their map. That person will hold the yarn end, name one of their connections, and toss to someone new. We’ll keep going until we have a web that links us all.

Teacher: Ready? I’ll begin: “I’m connected to my music class.”











(Continue until web is formed.)

Teacher: Look at this web! Notice how each strand shows a shared interest or relationship. This is our community in action.

Group Discussion (10 minutes)

Teacher: Let’s sit down and talk about what just happened. Look at slide 10 – Discussion Prompts.

Teacher: First question: What surprised you about your own map or someone else’s when we played the game?

(Student Response)
Teacher Follow-up: Can you tell us more about that? How did that make you feel?

Teacher: Next, did you discover a new connection with someone today? Who would like to share?

Teacher Follow-up: What did you learn about that person or activity?

Teacher: Finally, how can we build on these connections every day at school?

Teacher Follow-up: Great idea! Who can add to that?

Reflection & Closing (5 minutes)

Teacher: For our final step, please write one key takeaway from today on a sticky note or chart paper. It could be a new connection you found, a feeling you experienced, or a goal you have for strengthening our community.




(Collect and display takeaways.)

Teacher: Thank you all for your honesty and energy today. Remember, trust, respect, and belonging grow when we connect with each other. Keep your map somewhere visible, and look for ways to add new branches in the days ahead. Let’s make our school community stronger together!

Teacher: Any questions before we wrap up?

Belonging Map Worksheet

Name: ________________________ Date: ________________________

Instructions

1. In the center of this page, draw a circle and write your name inside it.
   
   
   
   
   
   
2. From your circle, draw branches outward and label each branch with a person, group, or activity you belong to.
3. After drawing your map, complete the lists below to ensure you’ve captured a variety of connections.

Part A: Friends and Peers

List at least 5 friends or classmates you connect with:

1. ________________________
   
   
   
2. ________________________
   
   
   
3. ________________________
   
   
   
4. ________________________
   
   
   
5. ________________________
   
   
   

Part B: Teachers and Staff

List at least 3 teachers or staff members you interact with:

1. ________________________
   
   
   
2. ________________________
   
   
   
3. ________________________
   
   
   

Part C: Clubs and Activities

List at least 3 clubs, teams, or extracurricular activities you participate in or enjoy:

1. ________________________
   
   
   
2. ________________________
   
   
   
3. ________________________
   
   
   

Part D: Other Connections

List 2 more connections of your choosing (e.g., family members, neighborhood friends, online groups):

1. ________________________
   
   
   
2. ________________________
   
   
   

Reflection Questions

1. Choose one connection from above and explain why it is important to you:
   
   
   
   
   
   
2. How could you strengthen one of these connections this week? Be specific:
   
   
   
   
   
   

Use colors, symbols, and different line styles to make your map unique!

Belonging Map Answer Key

This answer key provides sample responses and a rubric to help you evaluate students’ Belonging Maps, list completions, and reflections.

1. Sample Belonging Map Description

Below is an example of a completed Belonging Map that includes branches for all categories. Use this to guide students who are unsure of what to include.

• Center: “Me (Student Name)”
• Friends & Peers branch: Alex, Jordan, Taylor, Morgan, Riley
• Teachers & Staff branch: Ms. Lee (English), Mr. Gomez (Math), Coach Rivera (PE)
• Clubs & Activities branch: Drama Club, Soccer Team, Math Team
• Other Connections branch: Older sibling (Emma), Neighborhood book club
• Visuals: Branches in different colors, small icons (soccer ball, theater mask)

(Encourage students to create their own symbols and colors.)

2. Sample List Entries

Part A: Friends and Peers (5 entries)

1. Alex – sits next to me in science class
2. Jordan – partner in art club projects
3. Taylor – math study group member
4. Morgan – lab partner in biology
5. Riley – lunch table group

Part B: Teachers and Staff (3 entries)

1. Ms. Lee – English teacher, advisor for book club
2. Mr. Gomez – Math teacher, coach for math team
3. Coach Rivera – PE teacher, soccer coach

Part C: Clubs and Activities (3 entries)

1. Drama Club – perform in school plays
2. Soccer Team – plays after school
3. Math Team – competitions on Fridays

Part D: Other Connections (2 entries)

1. Older sibling Emma – attends another middle school
2. Neighborhood book club – meets on Saturdays

(Entries may vary; credit any real person, group, or activity that the student genuinely participates in or cares about.)

3. Sample Reflection Responses

1. Choose one connection and explain why it is important to you:
"My connection to the Drama Club is important because I feel confident on stage and my friends there support me when I’m nervous."

2. How could you strengthen one of these connections this week? Be specific:
"I will strengthen my connection with my math study group by inviting a classmate I don’t know well to join us for practice next Tuesday after school."

(Look for clear, specific plans and evidence of thoughtful reflection.)

4. Grading Rubric

Use the following point system (total 20 points) or adapt it to your own grading scale.

A. Map Drawing & Creativity (3 points)

• 2 pts: Central circle labeled, at least four distinct branches drawn
• 1 pt: Use of colors, symbols, or icons to personalize the map

B. List Completion (13 points total)

• Part A: Friends & Peers — 1 pt each (up to 5 pts)
• Part B: Teachers & Staff — 1 pt each (up to 3 pts)
• Part C: Clubs & Activities — 1 pt each (up to 3 pts)
• Part D: Other Connections — 1 pt each (up to 2 pts)

C. Reflection Questions (4 points total)

• Q1: Explanation of importance — 0–2 pts
  • 2 pts: Clear, detailed reason tied to personal experience
  • 1 pt: General reason without much detail
• Q2: Specific action plan — 0–2 pts
  • 2 pts: Concrete, measurable step described
  • 1 pt: Vague or general intention without specifics

Total: 3 + 13 + 4 = 20 points

5. Feedback & Next Steps

• For students missing categories, prompt them: “Can you think of another club or an online group you engage with?”
• Encourage more detail in reflections by asking follow-up questions: “What exactly will you say or do to invite that classmate?”
• Highlight creative maps and share as examples (with student permission) to inspire peers.

Use this answer key to guide your feedback, help students deepen their awareness of community connections, and strengthen their sense of belonging.

Connection Web Game Kit

Purpose: Facilitate a collaborative, hands-on activity that visualizes shared connections in the classroom and strengthens group belonging.

Materials (per class)

• 1 ball of yarn or string (approx. 30–40 ft)
• 1 roll of masking tape or sticky tack (to anchor ends to floor or chairs if desired)
• 1 set of numbered index cards (optional): assign each student a number to streamline turns
• 1 large chart paper or wall space to display the finished web
• Colored markers or sticky notes for reflection

Setup & Seating

1. Clear a central open area in the classroom.
2. Arrange chairs in a circle so everyone can see each other and easily pass the yarn.
3. Place the ball of yarn in the center or hand it to the teacher to kick off the game.
4. (Optional) Tape index cards with student numbers on chairs to help younger or shy students know their order.

Game Rules & Flow

1. Starting the Web
   • Teacher holds the yarn ball, names one connection from their Belonging Map (e.g., “I’m connected to the Drama Club”), then holds onto the tail end and tosses the ball—while keeping hold of the strand—to a student who shares that connection.
2. Passing the Yarn
   • That student names a different connection from their map (peer, teacher, club, activity) and tosses the ball (holding their new strand) to another student with the same link.
3. Building the Web
   • Continue until every student has caught and tossed the yarn, creating a web of strands that physically links all participants.
4. Anchoring & Observing
   • Anchor loose strands to the floor or chairs if the web becomes floppy.
   • Pause when the web is complete. Invite students to notice how the strands crisscross and hold the group together.

Facilitation Tips

• Encourage Specificity: Prompt students to name precise connections (e.g., “I play chess with Ms. Patel on Tuesdays”) rather than generic ones (e.g., “I like my teacher”).
• Support Quiet Students: If someone hesitates, offer a prompt: “Do you share a connection in the Science Club or lunch table group?”
• Highlight New Links: When a toss reveals an unexpected link (e.g., two students realize they both volunteer at the animal shelter), pause to celebrate that discovery.
• Maintain Engagement: Keep turns brisk. If a student can’t think of a new connection, they may pass once and a peer can help them identify one.
• Debrief Immediately: Once the web is complete, ask students to name one strand that surprised them, then transition to the Group Discussion.

Troubleshooting & Extensions

• If time runs short: Stop the game when two-thirds of the web is formed and discuss emergent patterns.
• For very large classes: Divide into smaller circles or use two yarn balls simultaneously to build side-by-side webs, then compare.
• Extension Activity: Have students trace their individual yarn paths on chart paper and write labels on each strand, then display the combined map in the hallway as a visual reminder of classroom community.

Belonging Discussion

Purpose: To deepen student reflection on community connections, build empathy, and generate actionable ideas for strengthening our classroom bonds.

Discussion Guidelines

• Respectful Listening: Everyone’s voice matters. Listen without interrupting.
  - Positive Language: Use “I” statements (e.g., “I noticed…,” “I felt…”).
  - Build On Ideas: Acknowledge and add to what others say (e.g., “That’s interesting because…”).
  - Confidentiality: What’s shared stays in our circle unless someone gives permission.

Discussion Prompts & Follow-Up Questions

1. What surprised you about your Belonging Map or the Connection Web Game?
   
   • Follow-Up: Can you share a specific branch or strand that stood out? How did it feel to realize that connection?

2. Did you discover a new connection with someone today?
   
   • Follow-Up: What did you learn about that person or activity? How might this change your next interaction?

3. How did it feel to see our web holding everyone together?
   
   • Follow-Up: Which strand in our web was the strongest or most surprising? Why?

4. In what ways can we use these connections to support each other in class?
   
   • Follow-Up: Can you think of a time this week when you’ll reach out to someone because of what you learned today?

5. Looking ahead, how will you add new branches to your Belonging Map?
   
   • Follow-Up: What’s one specific step you can take this week to build a new connection?

Facilitation Strategies

• Encourage Shy Students: Offer sentence starters (e.g., “One thing I noticed is…”). Pair them with a partner before sharing with the whole group.
  - Support ELLs & Diverse Learners: Provide vocabulary prompts (e.g., “connection,” “support,” “community”). Offer visual cues or translate key terms as needed.
  - Use Visual Aids: Project prompts from the Web of Belonging Slide Deck slide 10–12 or write them on chart paper.
  - Time Management: Allow 1–2 minutes per prompt. Use a talking piece (e.g., the yarn tail) to signal whose turn it is.
  - Acknowledge All Contributions: Thank each student for sharing. Highlight how every comment strengthens our community.

Extension Ideas

• Peer Action Plan: Have students identify a “connection partner” and set a goal to collaborate or check in with them this week.
  - Classroom Display: Post a photo of the yarn web and student takeaways on bulletin board to reinforce belonging daily.
  - Home Connection: Invite students to share their Belonging Map with family and ask for ideas to add branches outside of school.

Use this discussion to cement the sense of trust, respect, and belonging cultivated during the mapping and web activities. Encourage students to carry these insights forward into everyday interactions.