Lesson Plan
Intro To Boundary Benefits
Students will understand the importance of healthy boundaries in friendships by playing a tag game, reading a short story, and reflecting in pairs to practice setting and respecting limits.
Teaching healthy boundaries helps students build trust, respect others’ personal space, and develop stronger, more respectful friendships—key relationship skills per CASEL.
Audience
5th Grade Class
Time
40 minutes
Approach
Interactive game, story reading, and partner reflection.
Prep
Teacher Preparation
10 minutes
- Review the Why Boundaries Matter Slide Deck.
- Read and familiarize yourself with the Too Much, Too Soon Short Story.
- Study the rules in the Boundary Tag Game Instructions and prepare any needed markers or cones for play.
- Print or project the Pair-And-Share Reflection Guide and plan student pairings.
Step 1
Introduction
5 minutes
- Display the first slide of the Why Boundaries Matter Slide Deck.
- Ask: “What is a boundary?” and record student responses.
- Highlight how boundaries keep friendships respectful and safe.
Step 2
Boundary Tag
10 minutes
- Explain the rules using the Boundary Tag Game Instructions.
- Students play; when tagged as a “boundary breaker,” they name one healthy boundary before rejoining.
- Debrief: What did you notice about respecting space?
Step 3
Story Time
10 minutes
- Introduce the Too Much, Too Soon Short Story.
- Read aloud or have students read in pairs.
- Discuss: How did the character’s boundaries get crossed? What could they have done differently?
Step 4
Pair-and-Share Reflection
10 minutes
- Hand out the Pair-And-Share Reflection Guide.
- Students pair up to discuss a time they felt a boundary was respected or crossed.
- Each partner summarizes the other’s story for the class.
Step 5
Wrap-Up Exit Ticket
5 minutes
- Ask each student to write on a sticky note one boundary they will practice this week.
- Collect and briefly share a few examples with the group.
Slide Deck
Why Boundaries Matter
Setting healthy boundaries helps us keep our friendships strong, respectful, and fun!
Welcome students! Today we’ll learn why boundaries matter in friendships. Explain that boundaries are like rules we set so everyone feels safe and respected. Encourage excitement for the activities ahead.
What Are Boundaries?
Boundaries are limits that tell others how we want to be treated. They help us feel safe and respected.
Ask: “Can someone tell me an example of a boundary?” Explain that boundaries can be physical (space, touch) or emotional (feelings, words).
Benefits of Healthy Boundaries
• Builds trust
• Shows respect
• Keeps us safe
• Strengthens friendships
Go through each benefit. Pause after each bullet and ask students to give a real-life example of that benefit.
Boundary Examples
• Asking for space when you need it
• Saying “no” to jokes that hurt
• Asking before touching someone’s things
• Telling a friend when you’re upset
Share a quick story: “Imagine someone grabs your pencil without asking.” Ask: “Is that a boundary crossing? How could we fix it?”
Let’s Play: Boundary Tag
We’ll play Boundary Tag to practice setting and respecting limits. If you’re tagged, name a healthy boundary before rejoining.
Introduce the Boundary Tag game rules: each time someone is tagged they name a boundary and then rejoin. Emphasize fun and learning.
Exit Ticket
Write one boundary you will practice this week on a sticky note.
Hand out sticky notes. As students write, circulate and read a few to the class, highlighting good boundary examples.
Game
Boundary Tag Game Instructions
Objective: Practice recognizing, stating, and respecting healthy boundaries through an active tag game.
Materials Needed:
- Cones or markers to define play area
- A soft token (e.g., beanbag) or ribbon to designate the current Tagger(s)
- Open space (gym or playground)
Setup (2 minutes):
- Use cones to mark a rectangular play area.
- Choose 1–2 students to start as Taggers and give each a ribbon or token.
- Explain that when someone is tagged, they become a “boundary breaker” and must pause to name a healthy boundary before rejoining.
Rules (10 minutes):
- Runners move freely within the play area, avoiding Taggers.
- Taggers try to lightly tag runners on the shoulder.
- When a runner is tagged, they:
a. Freeze in place.
b. State one example of a healthy boundary (e.g., “Please ask before borrowing my pencil!”).
c. Show they understand by saying “Boundary respected!”
d. Return the ribbon/token to the Tagger and rejoin the game as a runner. - The Tagger continues tagging until time is up or you switch roles.
- After 5 minutes, choose new Taggers so everyone has a turn.
Debrief Questions (5 minutes):
- What healthy boundaries did you hear your classmates name?
- How did it feel to think of a boundary when you were tagged?
- Why is it important to tell friends our boundaries?
- How can we practice these boundaries outside of games?
Variation:
- Team Boundary Tag: Create two teams. When tagged, runners sit on the “boundary bench” until they name a boundary, then swap sides.
- Silent Boundary Tag: Runners show a boundary card (from a set) instead of speaking it aloud to practice nonverbal communication.
Reading
Too Much, Too Soon
Mia and Jordan had been best friends since third grade. They laughed together at recess and shared snacks at lunch. One day, Jordan grabbed Mia’s backpack without asking, rummaged inside, and pulled out her favorite pencil. "Here, use mine," Jordan said, tossing a scribbled pencil at her.
Mia felt a knot in her stomach. She liked Jordan, but she didn’t like being surprised like that. Later, while they played tag, Jordan tagged Mia really hard—so hard that Mia stumbled and fell. Jordan just laughed and raced off.
After class, Mia said, "Jordan, I don’t like it when you take my things without asking or tag me so hard." Jordan stopped, looked worried, and said, "I’m sorry, Mia. I didn’t realize it bothered you. I just thought it was fun." Mia nodded, "Next time, please ask first and tap gently." Jordan smiled, "Deal. I’ll ask before borrowing and tag softly."
Mia felt relieved. Setting a clear boundary made their friendship feel safer and more fun.
Reader Questions
- How did Jordan cross Mia’s boundaries in this story?
- What did Mia say to let Jordan know her boundary had been crossed?
- How did Jordan respond when Mia spoke up?
- Think of a time someone didn’t respect your boundary. What happened, and what could you say or do next time?
Discussion
Pair-and-Share Reflection Guide
Objective
Students will practice sharing experiences about boundaries—both respected and crossed—and learn active listening by summarizing a classmate’s story.
Materials
- This Reflection Guide
- Pens or pencils
- (Optional) Chart paper to record key takeaways
Directions (10 minutes)
- Form Pairs: Find a partner—Pair A and Pair B.
- Take Turns Sharing:
- Partner 1 shares first while Partner 2 listens without interrupting.
- Then Partner 2 shares while Partner 1 listens.
- Use the Prompts Below to guide your sharing.
- Summarize your partner’s story to the class when prompted.
Reflection Prompts
1. When has someone respected one of your boundaries?
• Who was involved?
• What boundary did they respect?
• How did that make you feel?
2. When has someone crossed one of your boundaries?
• What happened?
• How did you respond in that moment?
• What did you wish you could have said or done?
3. Imagine you could go back to that moment.
• What would you say to set a clear boundary?
• How do you think the other person might react?
Sharing Out (3 minutes)
- After both partners have shared, each student chooses one story (their partner’s) to summarize for the class in 1–2 sentences.
- Use these starters:
- “My partner shared that….”
- “They felt…because…”
Teacher Follow-Up Questions
- What similarities did you notice in how people feel when boundaries are respected or crossed?
- How can we help friends set and respect boundaries every day?
- Why is it sometimes hard to speak up when a boundary is crossed?
Wrap-Up: Highlight one strong boundary-setting phrase you heard today and invite students to practice it this week.