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Why School Feels Like Home

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Lesson Plan

Why School Feels Like Home

Students will explore the meaning of school climate, identify qualities that make school feel like home, and collaborate to design a poster highlighting ways to foster a positive environment.

A welcoming school climate promotes belonging, empathy, and mutual respect, boosting engagement and academic success for all 3rd graders.

Audience

3rd Grade

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Discussion and creative group work to build community.

Materials

Chart Paper, Markers, School Climate Discussion Cards, and Positive Environment Poster Template

Prep

Teacher Preparation

10 minutes

Step 1

Warm-Up Discussion

5 minutes

  • Gather students in a circle on the carpet.
  • Show a blank chart titled “What Makes School Feel Like Home?” and ask students to share one word or idea.
  • Record responses on the chart paper to build a class-generated definition.

Step 2

Defining School Climate

7 minutes

  • Distribute the School Climate Discussion Cards to pairs.
  • In pairs, students read their card and discuss whether it helps school feel welcoming, then share with the class.
  • Teacher highlights key themes: kindness, safety, respect, and teamwork.

Step 3

Group Poster Creation

12 minutes

  • Divide class into small groups of 3–4.
  • Provide each group with a copy of the Positive Environment Poster Template.
  • Groups brainstorm 3–4 concrete actions that make school feel like home (e.g., smiling, helping a friend).
  • Students illustrate and label their poster with those actions using markers.

Step 4

Reflection & Commitment

6 minutes

  • Groups present their posters to the class, explaining each action.
  • Display all posters around the room as a positive-pledge gallery.
  • Ask each student to choose one action they promise to do this week and place a star sticker by it on the gallery display.
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Slide Deck

Why School Feels Like Home

A lesson on school climate and how we can all help create a welcoming environment.

Introduce the lesson, briefly explain the purpose and tie into students’ experiences. Highlight that school climate is like the feeling of home.

Today's Objectives & Agenda

  • Understand what school climate means
  • Discuss examples of a welcoming environment
  • Create posters with ideas for a positive school climate
  • Reflect and pledge to one action

Review the objectives with students. Point to the agenda so they know what to expect in the 30-minute session.

Warm-Up: What Makes School Feel Like Home?

Share one word or idea that makes you feel at home at school. I will record your responses on chart paper.

Gather students in a circle. Record their one-word ideas on a visible chart labeled “What Makes School Feel Like Home?”. Encourage quick, one-word answers.

Defining School Climate

School climate is how it feels to be at school.

Key ideas: safety, respect, kindness, teamwork.

Summarize student responses from the warm-up. Introduce the definition of school climate and highlight the themes of safety, respect, kindness, and teamwork.

Activity: School Climate Discussion Cards

• Work with a partner
• Read your School Climate Discussion Card
• Discuss: Does this scenario make school feel welcoming? Why or why not?
• Share your thoughts with the class

Distribute one discussion card to each pair. Circulate to support discussions, prompt deeper thinking, and then invite pairs to share with the class.

Group Poster Creation

• In groups of 3–4, use the Positive Environment Poster Template
• Brainstorm 3–4 actions that make school feel like home (e.g., smile, help a friend)
• Illustrate and label your poster with these actions

Form small groups. Distribute the poster template and markers. Encourage students to be creative and think of concrete actions. Monitor progress and ask open-ended questions.

Reflection & Commitment

  1. Present your poster to the class
  2. Display posters for a Positive-Pledge Gallery
  3. Choose one action and place a star sticker next to it

Let's keep our school feeling like home!

Invite each group to present. After presentations, help students choose one personal action and place their star sticker on the gallery. Reinforce the idea of committed actions.

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Worksheet

School Climate Discussion Cards

Cut out each card and work with a partner to read the scenario. Then discuss:

  1. Does this scenario make school feel welcoming? Why or why not?
  2. What could someone do to make it more welcoming if it isn’t?

Card 1:

“During art time, Maria forgets her markers. Carlos notices and shares his extra set so she can join in.”





Card 2:

“Jake trips over his backpack in the hallway and other students giggle instead of helping him up.”





Card 3:

“A new student, Amina, looks lost. Sofia greets her and shows her where to hang her coat and find her desk.”





Card 4:

“At recess, a group of students are playing tag but no one invites Luis to join. He stands alone watching.”





Card 5:

“During lunch, Sam teases Raj about his different lunch food. Other students laugh but no one stops Sam.”





Card 6:

“Emily sees a spilled glue bottle and wipes it up, even though it wasn’t her mess, so no one slips.”





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Activity

Positive Environment Poster Template

Group Members: ______________________________________
Poster Title: ______________________________________

Actions That Make Our School Feel Like Home













Draw and Decorate

Draw pictures showing classmates practicing these actions to help our school feel like home!











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lenny