Lesson Plan
Safe Space Blueprint
Guide 5th graders to identify and articulate factors influencing their sense of safety and belonging through an anonymous poll, slide discussion, and reflection.
Understanding what makes students feel safe and welcomed fosters trust, empathy, and a positive classroom community, ensuring every voice contributes to a supportive school climate.
Audience
5th Grade Class
Time
60 minutes
Approach
Anonymous poll, slide presentation, and guided circle discussion.
Materials
Safety Snapshot Poll, Feeling Secure Presentation, Circle of Trust Discussion Guide, Chart Paper or Whiteboard, Sticky Notes, and One Word Exit
Prep
Review and Prepare Materials
15 minutes
- Review lesson flow and objectives in Safe Space Blueprint
- Preview slides in Feeling Secure Presentation
- Print one copy of the Safety Snapshot Poll per student
- Print or display the Circle of Trust Discussion Guide
- Ensure chart paper or whiteboard is posted and provide sticky notes
- Gather art supplies for Session 2 (construction paper, markers, magazines, scissors, glue)
Step 1
Warm-Up: Safety Snapshot Poll
10 minutes
- Distribute the Safety Snapshot Poll to each student anonymously
- Explain the 1–5 scale (1 = Not safe/welcomed; 5 = Very safe/welcomed)
- Give students 5 minutes to rate how safe and welcomed they feel in various areas
- Collect polls for later review
Step 2
Introduction: Feeling Secure Presentation
10 minutes
- Display the Feeling Secure Presentation
- Walk through definitions of safety, belonging, and welcoming behaviors
- Invite 2–3 volunteers to share a quick thought on what makes them feel secure
- Transition by explaining today’s goal: explore these ideas in our circle discussion
Step 3
Discussion: Circle of Trust
25 minutes
- Arrange students in a circle and set discussion norms using Circle of Trust Discussion Guide
- Pose guiding questions (e.g., What actions make you feel respected? Can you share a time you felt safe?)
- Encourage listening without interrupting and “I” statements
- Record common themes and keywords on chart paper or whiteboard
- Highlight repeated ideas (kindness, inclusion, support)
Step 4
Preview Session 2: Classroom Climate Collage
5 minutes
- Explain that in Session 2 students will use art supplies to create a visual collage of our safety and belonging themes
- Ask students to think of images, words, or symbols that represent what we discussed today
- Form groups or invite volunteers to begin brainstorming ideas for their collage
Step 5
Cool-Down: One Word Exit
10 minutes
- Distribute exit cards with the prompt: “In one word, how does our school environment make you feel today?” using One Word Exit
- Give students 3 minutes to write and drop cards into a collection box
- Invite 2–3 volunteers to share their word and explain why
- Quickly scan remaining cards and thank students before dismissal
Slide Deck
Feeling Secure in Our School
An exploration of what makes our school a safe and welcoming place.
Welcome everyone! Today we explore what makes our school feel safe and welcoming. Introduce yourself, share excitement, and explain that we’ll define key ideas and discuss examples.
Today's Objectives
- Define safety, belonging, and welcoming behaviors
- Explore examples of supportive actions
- Prepare to discuss and share ideas
Read the objectives aloud and explain how each connects to our lesson.
What is Safety?
Safety means feeling free from harm—physically and emotionally.
Examples:
• Knowing teachers will help you
• Having clear rules that keep everyone safe
Explain that safety covers both physical and emotional well‐being. Ask for quick examples of times students felt safe at school.
What is Belonging?
Belonging means feeling accepted and valued as part of the group.
Examples:
• Friends invite you to play
• People listen when you speak
Highlight that belonging is about feeling a part of the group. Invite 2–3 volunteers to share when they felt they truly belonged.
Welcoming Behaviors
Welcoming behaviors help others feel included.
Examples:
• Smiling and greeting new students
• Using kind words and including everyone
Point out that small gestures make a big difference. Ask students for other examples of welcoming behaviors.
How We Show We Care
Think of moments when someone:
• Offers help
• Stands up for you
• Shares or includes you
Encourage students to think of personal moments. Capture ideas on board for later reference.
Scenario 1
A new student joins lunch and sits alone. You notice and invite them to your table.
Question: How does this action impact safety and belonging?
Have students turn to a partner and discuss. After 1–2 minutes, ask a few pairs to share their thoughts.
Scenario 2
During class, you hear someone teasing another student. A friend speaks up and asks them to stop.
Question: Why is speaking up important for a welcoming environment?
Invite volunteers to discuss why it’s important to speak up when someone is hurting. Connect to our definitions.
Your Turn to Reflect
Think-Pair-Share:
What makes you feel most safe and welcomed at our school?
Take a minute to write your ideas.
Give students a minute to write their ideas silently. Then open the floor for sharing—capture 3–4 responses.
Looking Ahead
Next, we'll dive deeper into our own school experiences:
- Circle of Trust discussion
- Classroom Climate Collage activity
Get ready to share and create!
Explain the flow of our next activities: discussion in a circle, then a creative collage. Build excitement.
Warm Up
Safety Snapshot Poll
Please rate how safe and welcomed you feel in each school area by circling a number (1 = Not safe/welcomed; 5 = Very safe/welcomed).
- Classroom: 1 ☐ 2 ☐ 3 ☐ 4 ☐ 5 ☐
- Hallway: 1 ☐ 2 ☐ 3 ☐ 4 ☐ 5 ☐
- Lunchroom: 1 ☐ 2 ☐ 3 ☐ 4 ☐ 5 ☐
- Playground:1 ☐ 2 ☐ 3 ☐ 4 ☐ 5 ☐
- Restrooms: 1 ☐ 2 ☐ 3 ☐ 4 ☐ 5 ☐
Which area makes you feel the least safe? Why?
Which area makes you feel the most safe? Why?
Your responses are anonymous. Thank you for your honest feedback!
Discussion
Circle of Trust Discussion Guide
Use this guide to facilitate an open, respectful conversation about what makes our school feel safe and welcoming. Refer back to our goals in the Safe Space Blueprint as you lead students through these questions.
1. Set-Up (2 minutes)
• Arrange chairs or carpet spots in a circle so everyone can see each other.
• Explain the circle format: one person speaks at a time, and everyone else listens.
2. Establish Discussion Norms (2 minutes)
- Listen respectfully—no interrupting.
- Speak from your own experience (use “I” statements).
- What’s shared in the circle stays in the circle.
- It’s ok to pass; you don’t have to share unless you want to.
3. Guiding Questions (10 minutes)
Pose each question and invite one or two volunteers to begin; then open to others.
- What actions make you feel most respected here at school?
- Can you describe a time when you felt especially safe at school?
- What does a welcoming classmate or teacher say or do to help someone feel included?
- Share a moment when you helped someone else feel safe or welcomed. How did that feel?
- If you could add one new rule or routine to make our class even safer and more welcoming, what would it be?
4. Facilitator Prompts and Follow-Ups
• “Can you say more about that?”
• “How do you think that action affects everyone in the class?”
• “What might we do if we notice someone isn’t feeling included?”
• “Who else has an idea or a question?”
5. Record and Reflect
• As students share, jot key words or themes on chart paper or the whiteboard.
• Look for repeated ideas (e.g., kindness, listening, helping) and underline them.
6. Transition to Next Activity
• Summarize the themes: “We heard that _____ and _____ help us feel safe.”
• Explain how students will use these ideas in the upcoming collage activity to visually represent what makes our school a safe, welcoming place.
Time check: Aim for about 15 minutes total. If time runs short, pick the top three questions or invite written responses to the remaining prompts.
Use the ideas from this circle to guide your creativity in the Classroom Climate Collage!
Activity
Classroom Climate Collage
Session Overview
- Time: 60 minutes
- Goal: Visually represent our class safety and belonging themes through creative collage.
Materials
- Construction paper or poster board
- Old magazines, newspapers, printed images
- Scissors and glue sticks
- Markers, colored pencils, crayons
- Chart paper or large display area
- Sticky notes for feedback
Instructions
- Review Themes (10 minutes)
- Gather as a class and revisit the common themes recorded on chart paper during the Circle of Trust Discussion Guide.
- Highlight 3–4 key words (e.g., kindness, inclusion, respect) that will guide your collage design.
- Form Creative Teams (5 minutes)
- Divide into groups of 3–4 students. Each team selects one key theme or a combination to focus on.
- Brainstorm and Plan (10 minutes)
- On a blank sheet or the collage base, sketch a rough layout: decide where images, words, and symbols will go.
- List words or quotes to include that best represent your theme.
- Create the Collage (25 minutes)
- Search magazines and printouts for images and words that illustrate your theme.
- Cut and arrange your selections on the paper. Experiment with layering and textures.
- Glue pieces down and use markers or colored pencils to add details, labels, or borders.
- Group Presentation & Gallery Walk (10 minutes)
- Each group places their collage on the display area.
- Walk around as a class, viewing all collages.
- Use sticky notes to leave positive “I notice…” and curious “I wonder…” comments on each display.
Reflection Questions (5 minutes)
- What elements did you choose to highlight, and why?
- How does your collage show the ways our school community supports safety and belonging?
- What new ideas did you learn from seeing other groups’ collages?
Extension: Combine the collages into a classroom mural or digital slideshow to share with the school community.
Cool Down
One Word Exit
This quick cool-down helps students reflect on today’s lesson in just one word. It’s an easy way to gauge how they’re feeling and what they’re taking away before they leave.
Time: 5–10 minutes
Materials:
- Exit cards or index cards (pre-printed or blank)
- Pens or pencils
- Collection box or envelope
Instructions
- Distribute Exit Cards
Hand out one exit card to each student (or have blank slips ready). - Pose the Prompt
Ask students to respond with a single word to one of these prompts (choose one):- “In one word, how does our school environment make you feel today?”
- “In one word, what is one thing you learned about feeling safe and welcome?”
- “In one word, what will you remember most from today’s discussion?”
- Write & Submit
Give students 2–3 minutes to think, write their word, and drop the card into the collection box.
- Share (Optional, 2–3 minutes)
Invite 2–3 volunteers to read their word aloud and briefly explain why they chose it. - Review & Reflect
After class, review all cards for themes, surprises, or concerns. Use insights to inform your next lesson or to follow up with students who may need extra support.
You can adjust the prompt or discussion time based on your class’s needs. Collecting and reflecting on these single-word responses helps you stay connected to students’ experiences and feelings.