Classroom Family Blueprint Teacher Guide
1st Grade SEL • Lesson Plan
Classroom Family Blueprint
Duration: 60 Minutes
Theme: Classroom Family
Core Focus Relationship Skills
Key Objective Students define "family" and practice 4 kind peer actions.
Materials Needed Scavenger Hunt Sheet, Puzzle Cutout page, glue, scissors.
Lesson Pacing & Steps
Part 1: The Circle of Kindness (Circle Time)
15 Mins
Gather scholars on the rug in a circle. Introduce the concept of a "classroom family" where everyone feels safe, loved, and valued.
Part 2: Classroom Family Hunt (Scavenger Hunt)
20 Mins
Students walk safely around the room using high-fives and waves to locate classmates who match criteria on their checklist sheets.
Part 3: Friendship Puzzle (Cut & Paste)
20 Mins
Independent or partner work where scholars identify helpful vs. unhelpful choices and construct their physical friendship house puzzle.
Part 4: Family Promise (Closing Circle)
5 Mins
Gather back on the rug for a final reflection and chant to seal the classroom community pact.
Part 1 Script: "What is a Classroom Family?"
Say: "Good morning, scholars! Welcome to 1st grade! Look around our circle. Look at all these bright, wonderful faces. We are going to spend almost every day this year together. That means we aren't just a class—we are a classroom family! Who can raise a quiet hand and tell me what a family does?"
Teacher Tip: Allow 2-3 scholars to share. Guide answers toward: helping, sharing, loving, listening, and celebrating each other.
Say: "Exactly! A family supports each other. In this room, we help when someone falls, we share our crayons, and we listen when a friend is speaking. Today, we are going to learn more about each of our classroom family members!"
Classroom Family Builders • Teacher Lesson Plan Page 1 of 2
First Day of School • Activity Guide
Facilitation Blueprint
Focus: Activities & Debrief
Audience: 1st Grade Educators
Facilitating the "Classroom Family Hunt"
Step 1 (Model): Pick a student and model asking a question. "Excuse me, do you like pizza?" If they say yes, show students how to write that friend's name (or a smiley face) in the pizza box.
Step 2 (Movement Rules): Explain our Safe Movement Rules: (1) Walk with quiet turtle feet, (2) One high-five to say hello, (3) Ask nicely, and (4) Say "Thank you, friend!"
Step 3 (Support): Walk around and support scholars who may feel shy or struggle with writing names. Encourage them to draw a symbol or a smiley face instead of spelling the whole name if they are stuck.
Facilitating the "Friendship Puzzle"
Concept: Scholars sort positive actions (to glue onto their "Class Family House") and negative actions (to leave off or cross out).
Instructions: Explain that our family home is built only with kindness. Read each card aloud to the whole group, having them give a "thumbs up" for family builders, and a "thumbs down" for family breakers before they cut and paste.
Customizing for All Scholars
For Emerging Readers
Read prompt questions aloud as a class before starting. Utilize the emoji guides on the worksheet so students can identify boxes visually.
For Shy/Quiet Scholars
Partner them up with a gentle, enthusiastic buddy for the Scavenger Hunt to act as a supportive co-investigator.
Closing Circle Debrief Questions (5 Mins)
- "What is one brand-new thing you learned about a classmate today?"
- "Why is it important that our classroom feels like a supportive family?"
- "What is one kindness promise you want to make to our family today?"
Classroom Family Builders • Teacher Lesson Plan Page 2 of 2
Classroom Family Hunt Worksheet
First Day Activity
Classroom Family Hunt!
Walk safely, smile, and find a friend for each box!
My Name:
Today's Date:
💡
How to Play: Ask a classmate a question! If they say YES!, write their name (or draw their happy face) in that box. Say thank you!
Box 1
🐱🐶
Has a Pet at Home
Ask: "Do you have a pet?"
Box 2
🍕😋
Loves Eating Pizza
Ask: "Do you like pizza?"
Box 3
🎨🖍️
Loves to Draw & Color
Ask: "Do you love to color?"
Box 4
🛝☀️
Likes to Play Outside
Ask: "Do you like recess?"
Box 5
📚🦁
Loves Hearing Stories
Ask: "Do you like story time?"
Box 6
🎶💃
Loves to Sing or Dance
Ask: "Do you like music?"
We are all a team!
Classroom Family Builders • Scavenger Hunt
Classroom Family Puzzle Activity
First Day Craft
Our Classroom Family House
Let's build a safe, loving house with our friendly choices!
My Name:
Today's Date:
👉 Instructions: Cut out the 4 "Family Builder" tiles from Page 2. Glue them inside the empty bricks of our family house below! Leave the unfriendly tiles behind.
Kindness Foundation
Brick 1
Glue First Builder Tile Here
Brick 2
Glue Second Builder Tile Here
Brick 3
Glue Third Builder Tile Here
Brick 4
Glue Fourth Builder Tile Here
Classroom Family Builders • Friendship Puzzle Board Page 1 of 2
Scissors Page
Friendship House Tiles
Cut out the 6 tiles below. Choose the 4 Kind Actions that build our class family!
🤝
Helping a Friend Up
If a classmate falls on the playground, we offer a kind hand.
Family Builder
🗣️🚫
Yelling & Screaming
Shouting at classmates when we are upset or angry.
Family Breaker
🖍️🎨
Sharing Our Crayons
Letting others use materials when they need them.
Family Builder
💬❤️
Using Kind Words
Saying "thank you", "nice job", and encouraging our friends.
Family Builder
🤫🚫
Keeping All the Toys
Refusing to share and keeping play items all to yourself.
Family Breaker
👂✨
Listening to Others
Keeping ears open and bodies calm when someone is talking.
Family Builder
Classroom Family Builders • Friendship Cut-Outs Page 2 of 2
