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Who’s in Your Circle?

Lesson Plan

Building Your Relationship Map

Students will identify and map key relationships in their lives—peers, family, and mentors—to build awareness of their support networks and practice empathy. By organizing personal circles, they strengthen connection skills aligned with CASEL’s relationship competencies.

Understanding one’s support network fosters empathy, trust, and effective communication. Mapping relationships helps students appreciate the roles others play in their lives, boosting social awareness and connection skills.

Audience

6th Grade Class

Time

50 minutes

Approach

Hands-on mapping and guided reflection

Materials

Prep

Review and Prepare Materials

10 minutes

Step 1

Introduction: What Are Your Circles?

10 minutes

  • Project the first slides from Circles of Connection.
  • Define three relationship categories: Inner Circle (closest trusted people), Middle Circle (people you know and rely on), Outer Circle (broader connections).
  • Ask volunteers to give examples of people in each circle.
  • Emphasize CASEL’s relationship skill: recognizing and valuing connections.

Step 2

Activity: Relationship Mapping

20 minutes

  • Distribute the Relationship Mapping Worksheet and pencils.
  • Model filling out one circle on chart paper: write your name at center, add names to each surrounding circle.
  • Students complete their own maps, identifying at least 2–3 people per circle category.
  • Circulate to support and prompt deeper thinking (e.g., “Why did you place this person here?”).

Step 3

Discussion: Share & Reflect

10 minutes

  • Divide students into groups of 4–5 and give each group the Share & Reflect Discussion Prompts.
  • Each student chooses one person from their inner circle to describe: their role and why they matter.
  • Encourage active listening and ask follow-up questions to foster empathy.
  • Highlight common themes across maps (e.g., mentorship, teamwork).

Step 4

Cool-Down: Appreciation Shout-Out

10 minutes

  • Hand out one Appreciation Shout-Out Card to each student.
  • Ask students to write a thank-you note or shout-out to someone they placed in any circle, noting what they appreciate about that person.
  • Collect cards and share (anonymously or personally) in the next class or display on a “Circle of Appreciation” board.
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Slide Deck

Circles of Connection

Building Your Relationship Map

• Identify who’s in your inner, middle, and outer circles
• Practice empathy and gratitude
• Strengthen your relationship skills (CASEL)

Welcome students! Today we’ll explore the people who support us by placing them in concentric circles. Use this slide deck to guide them through definitions, examples, and activities.

Lesson Objectives

By the end of this lesson, students will:

• Define inner, middle, and outer circles of relationships
• Create a personal relationship map
• Share and reflect on why certain people matter
• Write an appreciation message

Explain the purpose: we’re mapping relationships to see who supports us and how we can support others.

CASEL: Relationship Skills

• Establishing and maintaining healthy relationships
• Communicating clearly and effectively
• Practicing empathy and active listening
• Showing respect for others

Introduce CASEL’s Relationship Skills competency.
Highlight the importance of building and maintaining healthy relationships.

Defining Your Circles

Inner Circle (closest trusted people)
Middle Circle (people you know and rely on)
Outer Circle (broader connections)

Walk through each circle definition and invite volunteers to give examples.

Example Relationship Map

[Insert diagram of three concentric circles]

Center: Your Name
Inner: Mom, Best Friend, Coach
Middle: Neighbor, Classmate, Club Leader
Outer: Library Staff, Distant Cousin, Online Pen Pal

Show your own sample map on chart paper. Explain your choices verbally.

Activity: Create Your Map

  1. Take a Relationship Mapping Worksheet.
  2. Write your name in the center.
  3. Add 2–3 people to each circle.
  4. Think about why you placed them there.

Explain the upcoming activity and distribute the worksheets. Circulate and support as they work.

Discussion: Share & Reflect

• Who did you choose for your inner circle and why?
• How does that person support you?
• What did you learn about your classmates’ maps?

After mapping, group students and guide discussion with these prompts.

Cool-Down: Appreciation Shout-Out

  1. Grab an Appreciation Shout-Out Card.
  2. Write a thank-you note to someone in your map.
  3. We’ll share or display these messages.

Explain the cool-down. Distribute shout-out cards and collect them at the end.

Reflection & Closing

• Review one new insight you gained today.
• How will you nurture these relationships moving forward?
• Remember: strong connections help us learn and grow.

Recap key takeaways and encourage students to continue appreciating their network.

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Activity

Relationship Mapping Worksheet

Use this worksheet to visualize who supports you and reflect on each relationship.

1. Draw Your Circles
• Draw three concentric circles below. Label them:

  • Center: Your Name
  • Inner Circle: 2–3 closest, most trusted people
  • Middle Circle: 2–3 people you know and rely on
  • Outer Circle: 2–3 broader connections

(Teacher tip: model the template first on chart paper or the board.)












2. Populate Your Map
• In your inner circle, write the names of 2–3 people you trust most.
• In your middle circle, write the names of 2–3 people you turn to or collaborate with.
• In your outer circle, write the names of 2–3 people you know but see less often.












3. Reflect on Your Choices
For each person you listed, answer in 1–2 sentences:

  • Who is this person?
  • Why did you place them in this circle?

• Person 1: ________________________________________
Why here? ______________________________________________________________








• Person 2: ________________________________________
Why here? ______________________________________________________________








• Person 3: ________________________________________
Why here? ______________________________________________________________








4. Think Deeper
• Do you notice any patterns (e.g., most people are classmates, family, mentors)?
• How might you strengthen connections in each circle moving forward?












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Discussion

Share & Reflect Discussion Prompts

Group Setup (4–5 students)

  • Sit in a circle so everyone can see and hear each other.
  • One student reads each prompt aloud; then take turns sharing.

Part 1: Inner Circle Spotlight

Each student shares about one person from their Inner Circle:

  1. Who is the person you chose?
  2. What role do they play in your life (friend, family, mentor, etc.)?
  3. Why did you place them in your Inner Circle?
  4. How do they support or encourage you?







Part 2: Deepening the Conversation

After each share, ask one of these follow-up questions to the speaker:

  • Can you tell us about a specific moment when they helped you?
  • What qualities do you admire most in this person?
  • How do you feel after spending time with them?
  • In what ways have you shown gratitude to them?







Part 3: Group Reflection

Discuss together:

  • What patterns or common themes did you notice across your group?
  • Did anyone’s map surprise you or give you a new perspective?
  • How might you strengthen connections in your Middle and Outer Circles?
  • What is one concrete action you can take this week to appreciate someone in your circles?







Next Steps:
Select one idea from your group reflection to try before our next class. Write it down and be prepared to share your experience!

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Cool Down

Appreciation Shout-Out Card

To: ________________________________

From: ______________________________

I appreciate you because…







A memorable moment we shared:







What makes you special:







A kind wish or encouragement for you:







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Who’s in Your Circle? • Lenny Learning