Mapping Belonging Lesson Plan Mapping Our Belonging
Tier 1 Classroom Lesson Plan
DURATION
30 Minutes
Objective
Students will reflect on their identities and relationships by creating a Belonging Map that highlights their groups, interests, and communities—and share one insight with a peer.
Why This Matters
Promotes self-awareness, empathy, and a stronger classroom community by helping students recognize their own and others’ social connections, fostering respect and belonging.
Prep & Materials
Belonging Map Template
Reflection Prompts Handout
Colored pens/pencils
Chart paper or whiteboard
5 mins prep time to review prompts and print materials
Instructional Approach
5m
Introduction to Belonging
Kick off the mapping journey.
Ask: "What does ‘belonging’ mean to you?"
Record key ideas on chart paper or whiteboard.
Explain the Belonging Map concept: showing groups and communities that matter.
Distribute Belonging Map Template .
15m
Create Your Belonging Map
Student individual work time.
Students fill in templates using colored tools.
Prompt: family, friends, clubs, hobbies, neighborhoods, online groups.
Encourage drawing symbols or pictures for each group.
Use Reflection Prompts to guide deeper thinking.
5m
Partner Sharing
Building peer connections.
Pair up students to show and explain one group or interest.
Partners practice active listening with one follow-up question.
5m
Whole-Class Reflection
Synthesis and closing.
Invite 2–3 volunteers to share highlights.
Discuss similarities and differences in connections.
Reinforce how diverse connections strengthen the community.
Mapping Belonging Slides Mapping Our Belonging
6th Grade | 30 Minutes | Tier 1 Activity
TEACHER NOTE: Welcome students and introduce the objective: explore connections and build community.
What Is Belonging?
A sense of acceptance , support , and connection .
Being part of groups that matter to you.
"What groups or communities make you feel like you belong?"
TEACHER NOTE: Record student responses on chart paper. Emphasize acceptance and support.
Create Your Belonging Map
Place “YOU” at the center of your template.
List groups: family, friends, clubs, hobbies, neighborhoods, online communities.
Draw symbols or pictures for each group.
Use color to make it personal!
TEACHER NOTE: Distribute the Map Template. Explain the "You" center and branching out.
Deeper Exploration
Which group makes you feel most supported?
Is there a group you’d like to join or explore more?
How do your different communities shape who you are?
What surprises you about your connections?
TEACHER NOTE: Display these while they work. Reference the handout for individual writing.
Partner Sharing
1
Pair up with a classmate.
2
Show your map and explain one group or interest.
3
Use a prompt to dive deeper into your story.
4
Ask one follow-up question to your partner.
TEACHER NOTE: Remind them to practice active listening.
Bringing It Together
What did you learn about yourself?
What surprised you about someone else’s map?
How do our diverse connections strengthen our classroom?
TEACHER NOTE: Invite 2-3 volunteers. Highlight similarities to build empathy.
Thank You!
Our differences and connections make us stronger together.
TEACHER NOTE: Reinforce the value of every student's network.
Belonging Map Template Belonging Map
Mapping the communities that shape who you are.
Name:
Date:
Instructions
1
Write YOU in the center circle of your map.
2
Around "YOU," draw circles for groups or communities (family, sports, clubs, etc.).
3
Label each circle and add a small symbol or picture that represents it.
YOU
Use the empty space to draw circles, lines, and symbols that connect your world.
Belonging Reflection Prompts Belonging Reflections
Exploring the stories behind your map.
Name:
Date:
Instructions: Reflect on the Belonging Map you created. Answer each question in a few sentences. There are no right or wrong answers—just your honest thoughts.
1. Which group on your Belonging Map makes you feel the most supported, and why?
2. Is there a group you’d like to join or explore more? What interests you about it?
3. How do your different communities (e.g., family, friends, clubs) shape who you are?
4. What surprised you as you created your Belonging Map?
5. What is one way you can show appreciation or support to a group on your map? Belonging Warm Up Belonging Warm-Up
A Moment of Connection
Name: _________________ Date: __________
Quick Write
Name one group or community you’re part of. Why does it matter to you?
Partner Check: Share your group with a neighbor. Listen actively and ask one follow-up question!
Belonging Warm-Up
A Moment of Connection
Name: _________________ Date: __________
Quick Write
Name one group or community you’re part of. Why does it matter to you?
Partner Check: Share your group with a neighbor. Listen actively and ask one follow-up question!
Belonging Cool Down Belonging Exit Ticket
Name: _________________
1. What is one new insight you gained about your groups or communities today?
2. What is one specific action you will take this week to strengthen a connection from your map?
Belonging Exit Ticket
Name: _________________
1. What is one new insight you gained about your groups or communities today?
2. What is one specific action you will take this week to strengthen a connection from your map?
Belonging Exit Ticket
Name: _________________
1. What is one new insight you gained about your groups or communities today?
2. What is one specific action you will take this week to strengthen a connection from your map?
Belonging Group Discussion Group Discussion Facilitator Guide
Mapping Our Belonging | Tier 1 Support
10 MINS
Discussion Guidelines
Listen Actively: Face speaker, make eye contact, don't interrupt.
Respect Differences: Affirm unique maps and perspectives.
"I" Statements: Speak from personal experience (e.g., "I noticed...").
Build On Ideas: "That reminds me of..." or "I agree because..."
1. Exploring Your Map
"Looking at your Belonging Map, which group surprised you most, and why?"
Follow-Ups: "Can you give an example of support from this group?" | "What symbol did you choose and why?"
2. Connecting with Others
"When your partner shared their map, what similarity did you notice between your maps?"
Follow-Ups: "How does finding common ground feel?" | "What does this tell us about our class?"
3. Shaping Identity
"How do your different communities shape who you are at school?"
Follow-Ups: "How do you bring that part of yourself to class?" | "What should we know more about?"
4. Strengthening Belonging
"What is one idea for the class to help everyone feel more included and supported?"
Follow-Ups: "How could we do this this week?" | "Who could you partner with?"
5. Action Commitment
Have students share the specific action from their Cool-Down.
Follow-Ups: "How will you remind yourself?" | "What support do you need?"
Closing: Thank students for sharing. Highlight how these insights will guide the community moving forward.
