Inclusion Lab Facilitator Guide Inclusion Lab
Facilitator Guide
Time: 30 Minutes
Audience: 5th Grade
Objective
Students will identify the emotional impact of social exclusion and develop practical, positive coping strategies to manage feelings of being left out.
Why This Matters
As 5th graders navigate increasingly complex social dynamics, the experience of being left out becomes more common. This lesson builds emotional resilience and empathy, helping students manage their own social health while fostering a more inclusive classroom culture.
Materials Needed
Role-play scenario cards
Discussion Guide
"Inclusion Toolkit" worksheet
Slide deck (optional)
Instructional Steps
5m
Part 1: The Emotional Hook
Begin by asking students to think of a time they felt "outside the circle" (left out). Use a thumb-o-meter (thumbs up for often, sideways for sometimes, down for rarely) to gauge class experience.
"Today we are researchers in the Inclusion Lab. We're going to look closely at what it feels like to be excluded and, more importantly, how we can build 'resilience bridges' to get through those tough moments."
15m
Part 2: Scenario Spotlights
Divide students into small groups (3-4 members).
Hand out one Scenario Card to each group.
Groups have 5 minutes to prepare a short skit (1-2 minutes). One person must play the excluded character, and others play the group.
Perform skits for the class. Pause the action at the moment of exclusion to ask the audience: "What is that person thinking right now? What are they feeling?"
5m
Part 3: The Lab Debrief
Transition into the group discussion. Focus on the Coping Strategies . Use the Discussion Guide to pivot from "how it feels" to "what we can do."
Key pivot question: "If you are the person on the outside, what is the very first healthy thing you can do for yourself?"
5m
Part 4: Lab Summary
Summarize the 'Lab Findings'. Remind students that exclusion happens to everyone, but it doesn't define them. Encourage them to use their "Toolkit" when they feel that sting of being left out.
Pro Tips for Facilitation
Safety First:
Remind students that role-playing exclusion is for practice. We use "actor names" instead of real names to keep it safe and supportive.
Focus on Action:
Students often stay stuck on "it's not fair." Gently push them toward: "It might not be fair, but what is the best thing for YOU right now?"
Role-Play Scenario Cards Scenario Spotlight Cards
Cut along the dotted lines and prepare your role-play!
SCENARIO 1
The Weekend Plans
Setting: The lunch table
A group of friends is loudly planning a weekend outing to the movies and a sleepover. They are talking about what snacks they'll bring, but one friend sitting right there is not being invited.
Characters: 3-4
Topic: Exclusion
SCENARIO 2
The Invisible Teammate
Setting: Group project time in class
During a science project, two students are taking charge of all the work. Every time the third student tries to share an idea or help, the others talk over them or ignore them completely.
Characters: 3
Topic: Being Ignored
SCENARIO 3
Recess Roulette
Setting: The playground
A game of tag is happening on the field. A student walks up and asks, "Can I play?" The leader of the game looks at them and says, "No, the teams are already full," even though other kids just joined.
Characters: 3+
Topic: Playground Exclusion
Practice using "Actor Names" to keep role-play focused on the situation!
Inclusion Lab Discussion Guide Debrief Guide
Inclusion Lab Discussion
Use these questions to transition from the experiential role-play to practical strategy-building. Encourage students to use "feeling words" and think about the physical sensations of being left out.
1 How did the characters in the role-play scenarios feel when they were left out?
Facilitation Tips:
Encourage students to use descriptive words (e.g., invisible, heavy, lonely, frustrated, embarrassed).
Ask: "Where do you feel that feeling in your body?" (e.g., stomach, chest).
Ask: "What was the 'excluded' person thinking while the others were talking?"
2 What are some healthy ways we can cope with the feeling of being left out?
Guide students to think about these categories:
Self-Talk
"It's their loss," or "I am still a good friend even if I'm not here right now."
Take Action
Find a new group, start a different game, or go to the library/peaceful spot.
Voice It
Tell a trusted adult or talk to the friends later when feelings aren't so high.
Perspective
Remind yourself that exclusion often says more about the group than you.
3 Why is it important to include others and practice empathy?
Key Themes to Elicit:
Community: How does exclusion change the "vibe" of our whole classroom?Growth: Meeting new people and hearing different ideas makes us smarter and kinder.The Golden Rule: Treating others how we want to be treated creates a safety net for everyone.
Lesson Closing
"We can't always control if we are invited, but we can always control how we treat ourselves when we feel left out."
Inclusion Toolkit Worksheet Inclusion Toolkit
Coping Strategies & Resilience
Name:
Date:
1. Label the Feeling
When someone is left out, they might feel many different emotions. Write 3 words that describe how a person might feel in that moment.
2. Build Your Toolkit
Based on our class discussion, what are two things you can do or say to yourself when you feel excluded?
Strategy A (Something you can DO):
Strategy B (Something you can SAY to yourself):
3. The Inclusion Promise
Think of a time you see someone else being left out. What is one small way you can include them or show you care?
EVERYONE BELONGS IN OUR LAB
Inclusion Lab Slides Inclusion Lab
Coping with Exclusion
How to handle the sting of being left out
The "Outside" Feeling
Have you ever felt like everyone else was inside a circle, and you were standing on the outside?
"It's a feeling everyone has at some point, but it doesn't have to define your day."
Today's Lab Mission
Investigate
Role-play situations where people feel left out.
Discuss
Share how it feels and why it happens.
Build
Create a toolkit of positive coping strategies.
Lab Procedure: Role-Play
1
Get your Scenario Card and group.
2
Practice your skit (3 minutes). Use Actor Names !
3
When we perform, we will PAUSE to talk about feelings.
Ground Rules
Stay respectful
Focus on the emotions
We're here to learn together
Your Inclusion Toolkit
Mindset Tools
What you tell yourself matters.
"It's not about me, it's about the group's choice."
"I am still a person worth hanging out with."
"This feeling won't last forever."
Action Tools
What you do makes a difference.
Find a new game or activity.
Invite someone else who looks lonely.
Talk to a friend or teacher about it.
"We can't always control if we are invited, but we can always control how we treat ourselves when we feel left out."
Go be inclusive researchers!
