Warm-Up Activity: Trust Ball Toss

Time: 5 minutes
Materials: Soft tossable ball

Instructions:

• Have students form a circle, either sitting or standing.
• Explain the rules:
  1. When you catch the ball, share one hope or expectation for our safe space.
  2. Toss the ball to another classmate when you’re done speaking.
• Model one example share and toss, highlighting clear speaking and active listening.
• Continue until every student has had a turn.
• Encourage students to listen respectfully and offer nods or thumbs-up to the speaker.

This quick game builds trust, sets a positive tone, and gives everyone a chance to voice their hopes for our safe space.

Group Agreements Brainstorm

Time: 15 minutes • Group Size: 4–5 • Materials: Worksheet, Chart Paper, Colored Markers

Purpose

In this activity, you’ll work in small groups to create ideas—called agreements—that will help everyone feel safe, respected, and included in our circle. Be honest, be kind, and listen to each other!

Step 1: Form Your Group

• Find 3–4 classmates and sit together with your materials.
• Decide who will be your group’s note-taker and who will share (your “speaker”).

Step 2: Discuss and Write

Take turns answering each question. The note-taker writes all ideas. Aim for at least 2–3 ideas per question.

1. Speaking Kindly: What can we say or do to make sure everyone feels heard and respected when it’s their turn to talk?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

2. Showing Respect: How can we show respect when someone else is sharing—through words, actions, or body language?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

3. Keeping It Private: What rule will remind us to keep our circle’s stories and feelings confidential (what’s said in the circle stays in the circle)?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

4. Including Everyone: How can we make sure no one feels left out and everyone has a place in our safe space?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

Step 3: Choose Your Top Agreements

• Look at all your ideas and pick the 2–3 strongest agreements that will help keep our circle safe and supportive.
• Write them clearly below:

2. _________________________________________________________________




3. _________________________________________________________________

Step 4: Prepare to Share

• Your speaker will share your group’s top agreements when we come back together.
• Listen carefully to other groups—take note of ideas you like!

Next, we’ll reconvene and create our final class agreements together on chart paper. Get ready to share!

Cool-Down Activity: Feelings Check-Out

Time: 10 minutes
Materials: Index Cards, Pencils, Feelings Chart (optional)

Purpose

Help students process and express their emotions privately after the session. The teacher uses the responses to gauge the group’s emotional climate and plan future support.

Instructions

1. Distribute one index card and a pencil to each student.
   
   
2. Explain that this is a private reflection: they can choose to draw, write, or both to show how they feel after today’s session.
   
   
3. Offer these prompts for guidance:
   • Draw a picture of your current mood.
     
     
   • Write one word (or a short phrase) that describes how you feel.
     
     
4. Give students 3–5 minutes to complete their cards quietly.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
5. After time is up, invite students to either:
   • Share with a partner (only if they feel comfortable), or
   • Fold their card and drop it in a feelings box for the teacher’s eyes only.
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
6. Thank students for their honesty and remind them that anything shared stays confidential within our class community.

Follow-Up

• Review the cards to identify any common concerns or emotions.
• Use insights to plan check-in activities or one-on-one support as needed.
• Celebrate positive feelings and address any worries in the next session.