Lesson Plan
Stressors to Solutions Outline
Students will identify personal and shared classroom stressors and collaboratively create positive class agreements to reduce disruptions and foster respect.
Giving students a voice in setting norms builds ownership, empathy, and accountability, improving classroom climate and reducing behavioral issues.
Audience
8th Grade Students
Time
40 minutes
Approach
Guided discussion and collaborative poster creation
Materials
Chart Paper, Colored Markers, Sticky Notes, Voices Heard Presentation, Class Concern Circle Guide, Classroom Agreement Poster Template, and One-Word Exit Ticket Template
Prep
Prepare Materials
5 minutes
- Print or display the Voices Heard Presentation and review slide content.
- Review the Class Concern Circle Guide to familiarize yourself with discussion prompts.
- Print enough copies of the Classroom Agreement Poster Template.
- Prepare the One-Word Exit Ticket Template and have sticky notes ready.
- Hang chart paper in a visible location and arrange markers for student use.
Step 1
Introduction & Objectives
5 minutes
- Greet students and explain that today they’ll identify what’s bothering them and build agreements together.
- Display the first slide of the Voices Heard Presentation to outline goals and agenda.
- Emphasize how class agreements support everyone’s learning and well-being.
Step 2
Identify Classroom Stressors
10 minutes
- Distribute sticky notes and ask each student to write one stressor they experience in class.
- Students post notes on chart paper labeled “Stressors.”
- Quickly group similar notes and highlight common themes for discussion.
Step 3
Class Concern Circle
10 minutes
- Arrange students in a circle and refer to the Class Concern Circle Guide.
- Invite volunteers to share a stressor, explaining how it affects their learning or comfort.
- Encourage peers to use active-listening prompts (e.g., “I hear you,” “That makes sense”).
Step 4
Develop Class Agreements
10 minutes
- Based on identified themes, brainstorm positive behaviors to address common stressors.
- Record suggestions on fresh chart paper using the Classroom Agreement Poster Template.
- Refine wording as a group and vote on the top five agreements to finalize.
Step 5
One-Word Exit Ticket
5 minutes
- Hand out the One-Word Exit Ticket Template.
- Ask students to write one word that describes how they feel about the new agreements or the process.
- Collect tickets as students leave and review responses to gauge understanding and emotion.
Slide Deck
What’s Bothering You?
Voices Heard Presentation
Welcome students. Explain that today we’ll use this presentation to guide our discussion on what’s bothering you in class and how we can work together to improve our learning environment.
Why Your Voice Matters
• Class agreements created by you foster ownership and respect.
• Shared norms build a positive learning environment.
• Your input helps us solve real classroom issues.
Highlight why student voices matter: when you help set class norms, you take ownership and accountability for our community.
Lesson Objectives
• Identify personal & shared classroom stressors
• Practice empathy through active listening
• Collaboratively create positive class agreements
Review today’s objectives so students know what to expect.
Today’s Agenda
- Identify Stressors
- Class Concern Circle (Guide)
- Develop Agreements (Poster Template)
- One-Word Exit Ticket (Template)
Outline the flow of the 40-minute session.
Active Listening
• Listen without interrupting
• Use prompts: “I hear you,” “That makes sense,” “Tell me more.”
• Acknowledge others’ feelings
Introduce active listening skills to set expectations for respectful sharing.
Identifying Stressors
- Write one classroom stressor on a sticky note.
- Post it on the chart labeled “Stressors.”
- Notice common themes as we go.
Explain the sticky note process step-by-step.
Developing Class Agreements
• Review grouped themes
• Suggest positive behaviors to address each theme
• Refine wording together and vote on the top five
Guide students through brainstorming and refining agreements.
Let’s Get Started!
Grab a sticky note and write one thing that’s bothering you in class.
Prompt students to begin and circulate to support those who need help.
Discussion
Class Concern Circle Guide
Purpose:
Provide a safe, structured space for students to share classroom stressors, practice active listening, and build empathy before crafting class agreements.
Time: 10 minutes
Setup:
- Arrange chairs in a circle so everyone can see each other.
- Place the “Stressors” chart nearby to reference themes.
Discussion Norms:
- Listen without interrupting.
- Use “I hear you,” “That makes sense,” or “Tell me more” to show understanding.
- Speak from your own experience using “I” statements.
- Respect confidentiality—what’s shared in the circle stays in the circle.
- Keep comments brief so everyone has a chance to share.
Discussion Steps & Prompts:
- Invitation to Share
• Teacher: “Who would like to start by sharing one stressor they posted and how it affects their learning?”
- Follow-Up Questions
• “Can you tell us more about why that situation is challenging for you?”
• “How does that feeling or situation show up during class?”
• “What emotions do you notice when that happens?”
- Class Perspective
• “How might this stressor impact others in our class?”
• “Why do you think it’s important we address this together?”
- Empathy & Support
• “Does anyone relate to this stressor? How have you managed it?”
• “What ideas or supports could help the speaker feel more comfortable?”
- Transition to Agreements
• Teacher: “Thank you for sharing and listening. We’ve identified several stressors—let’s use these insights to brainstorm positive class agreements.”
Teacher Notes:
- Monitor talk time and gently move the discussion along.
- Encourage quieter students by inviting them directly with open‐ended prompts.
- Summarize key concerns aloud before moving to the next speaker.
Next up: Developing Class Agreements with the Classroom Agreement Poster Template
Project Guide
Classroom Agreement Poster Template
Instructions: Use this poster to display the class’s top five agreements. For each agreement, describe why it’s important and how we’ll uphold it. Add a visual that represents our agreements, and have everyone sign to show their commitment.
| Agreement | Why It Matters | How We’ll Do It |
|---|---|---|
| 1. _________ | _________________ | ___________________ |
| 2. _________ | _________________ | ___________________ |
| 3. _________ | _________________ | ___________________ |
| 4. _________ | _________________ | ___________________ |
| 5. _________ | _________________ | ___________________ |
Visual Representation
Use this space to draw pictures, symbols, or icons that remind us of our agreements.
Student Signatures
By signing below, we commit to following these agreements and supporting each other.
Cool Down
One-Word Exit Ticket
Instructions: Think of one word that best describes how you feel about today’s process or our new class agreements. Write that word below.