Lesson Plan
Where Do We Belong Lesson Plan
Students will identify elements of their identity and roles within various communities to understand and articulate where they belong, fostering self-awareness and empathy.
This lesson builds self-awareness and strengthens classroom community as students recognize shared traits, celebrate differences, and develop respect and empathy for peers.
Audience
4th Grade
Time
45 minutes
Approach
Interactive discussions, role mapping, and reflective journaling.
Materials
- Chart Paper and Markers, - Identity Reflection Worksheet, - Community Role Cards, - Personal Belonging Journal Template, and - Stickers or Emojis
Prep
Prepare Materials
10 minutes
- Print enough copies of Identity Reflection Worksheet for each student
- Cut and shuffle Community Role Cards
- Prepare chart paper and markers at the front of the room
- Print and bind Personal Belonging Journal Template
- Gather stickers or emojis for journal reflections
Step 1
Introduction and Warm-Up
5 minutes
- Display a large chart paper titled "Belonging" at the front of the room
- Ask students: “What does belonging mean to you?”
- Record student responses around the title
- Highlight common themes and note any unique ideas
Step 2
Identity Reflection
10 minutes
- Distribute the Identity Reflection Worksheet
- Instruct students to list aspects of their identity (e.g., hobbies, family roles, cultural traditions)
- Encourage honest, thoughtful responses
- Circulate to support and prompt deeper thinking
Step 3
Community Role Mapping
10 minutes
- Organize students into small groups of 3–4
- Give each group a set of Community Role Cards
- Ask groups to sort cards into communities they belong to (e.g., classroom, sports team, family)
- Prompt discussion on why they chose each community and how it makes them feel
Step 4
Whole-Class Sharing
10 minutes
- Invite each group to share one insight or surprising finding
- Add key points to the Belonging chart paper
- Facilitate connections between groups’ ideas
- Emphasize both shared and unique elements of belonging
Step 5
Personal Belonging Journal
5 minutes
- Distribute the Personal Belonging Journal Template
- Ask students to reflect on today’s discussion and write one personal takeaway
- Have students decorate their page with stickers or emojis
- Collect journals for review or allow students to keep them
Step 6
Closure and Exit Ticket
5 minutes
- Review chart paper highlights: ask “What surprised you?” and “What connected you to someone new?”
- Collect an exit ticket: one sentence describing where they feel they most belong and why
- Thank students for sharing and reinforce classroom belonging
Slide Deck
Where Do We Belong?
Fourth Grade • 45-minute Lesson
• Explore identity
• Map community roles
• Reflect on belonging
Welcome, everyone! Today we’re exploring the question “Where Do We Belong?” Our goals: identify parts of our identity, map our community roles, and reflect on where and why we belong. We’ll move through four quick activities and wrap up with a journal entry and exit ticket.
Warm-Up: What Is Belonging?
• Think: What does “belonging” mean?
• Share one word or short phrase
• We’ll record ideas together
Introduce the concept of belonging. Ask: “What does belonging mean to you?” Invite 3–4 volunteers to share one word or phrase. Record responses on a chart titled “Belonging.” Highlight common themes and unique answers.
Activity 1: Identity Reflection
- Take out your Identity Reflection Worksheet.
- List ≥5 identity aspects.
- Be honest and thoughtful.
- You have 8 minutes.
Transition: Distribute the Identity Reflection Worksheet. Explain they have 8 minutes to list at least five aspects of their identity (hobbies, family roles, traditions, etc.). Circulate to support deeper thinking.
Partner Share: Identity
• Turn & talk: Share one identity aspect.
• Explain why it matters to you.
• Listen respectfully.
Now have students turn to a partner. Each student shares one identity aspect and explains why it’s important. After 4 minutes, invite a couple of pairs to share one highlight with the class.
Activity 2: Community Role Mapping
- In groups, get Community Role Cards.
- Sort cards by community type.
- Discuss why each fits you.
- Note feelings for each role.
Organize students into groups of 3–4. Hand each group a set of Community Role Cards. Instruct them to sort cards into communities they belong to (classroom, family, sports, clubs, etc.) and discuss how each role makes them feel.
Whole-Class Sharing
• Group share: One insight or surprise.
• We’ll add ideas to our chart.
• Notice similarities & differences.
Bring everyone back together. Ask each group to share one insight or surprising finding. Record key points on the “Belonging” chart. Emphasize both shared and unique elements.
Reflect: Personal Belonging Journal
- Open your Personal Belonging Journal Template.
- Write one personal takeaway.
- Decorate with stickers/emojis.
- Keep or submit for review.
Distribute the Personal Belonging Journal Template. Ask students to write one personal takeaway from today’s lesson and decorate with stickers or emojis. They can keep the journal or submit it for review.
Closure & Exit Ticket
• Reflect: What surprised you? Who did you connect with?
• Exit ticket: Where do you most belong & why?
Review the main highlights from our chart. Ask: “What surprised you?” and “Who did you connect with today?” Then distribute an exit ticket: one sentence describing where they feel they most belong and why. Collect exit tickets as students leave.
Thank You!
Great job exploring belonging today!
Remember: Our differences make us stronger.
Thank students for their thoughtful participation and emphasize that each person’s sense of belonging makes our classroom stronger.
Worksheet
Identity Reflection Worksheet
Name: ____________________________ Date: ____________________
Directions
Think about the different parts of who you are—your hobbies, family roles, traditions, interests, and personality traits. Use the prompts below to list at least five aspects of your identity. For each one, explain why it matters to you.
-
Identity Aspect 1: ________________________________
Why this matters: -
Identity Aspect 2: ________________________________
Why this matters: -
Identity Aspect 3: ________________________________
Why this matters: -
Identity Aspect 4: ________________________________
Why this matters: -
Identity Aspect 5: ________________________________
Why this matters:
Optional: Add two more aspects
-
Identity Aspect 6: ________________________________
Why this matters: -
Identity Aspect 7: ________________________________
Why this matters:
Reflection Questions
-
Which identity aspect was easiest to think of? Why?
-
Which identity aspect surprised you or was the hardest to write? Why?
-
How do these parts of your identity help you feel like you belong in your classroom or community?
Use this worksheet to help you share and discuss your identity in our next activity.
Activity
Community Role Cards
Print and cut along the dotted lines to create individual role cards. In small groups, sort these cards into the communities you belong to (e.g., classroom, family, sports team, clubs, neighborhood) and discuss how each role makes you feel.
Soccer Team Member
Classroom Helper
Band Member
Family Chef
Reading Buddy
Math Club Member
Big Sibling
Library Volunteer
Neighborhood Friend
Art Club Member
Student Council Representative
Science Club Member
Church Youth Participant
Peer Tutor
Playground Leader
Gardening Club Member
Dance Team Member
Animal Shelter Volunteer
Chess Club Member
Gaming Group Member
Use these cards to explore and map your various community roles.
Journal
Personal Belonging Journal Template
Name: ____________________________ Date: ____________________
Today we explored where we belong in our classroom and community. Use this journal to reflect on your feelings, experiences, and ideas for building belonging—for yourself and others.
1. A Moment of Belonging
Think of a specific time when you felt like you truly belonged. Describe what happened, who was there, and why it felt meaningful to you.
2. Feelings and Thoughts
How did you feel in that moment? What thoughts were running through your mind? Be honest and detailed.
3. Connection to Identity and Community
How does that experience connect to parts of your identity (your hobbies, culture, family, or roles)? How did your community (classmates, family, club) contribute to that feeling?
4. Helping Others Belong
Imagine someone in our class or community who might feel left out. What could you say or do to help them feel they belong? List at least two specific actions.
5. Personal Action Plan
Based on today’s lesson, write one goal or promise you make to strengthen your own sense of belonging or to help others feel they belong.
Feel free to decorate this page with stickers, doodles, or emojis! Your reflections are important—keep this journal as a reminder of the ways we all belong together.