My Behavior Compass Lesson Plan
My Behavior Compass
Lesson Plan • 5th Grade
30 min
The Purpose
This lesson helps students understand the power of their words and actions, including respect, in creating a positive classroom. It encourages them to recognize and prevent bullying, promoting a culture of kindness and mutual respect for all through reflection and discussion.
Learning Objective
Students will identify the impact of unkind words and bullying behaviors, commit to using respectful language, foster an inclusive environment, and participate in a guided class discussion.
Preparation
- Review the Slide Deck to familiarize yourself with the content flow.
- Print copies of the Behavior Compass Journal for each student.
- Review the Discussion Guide prompts for the middle section.
- Ready the whiteboard or projector for displaying slides.
Required Materials
Projector/Board
Slide Deck
Student Journals
Discussion Guide
Instructional Steps
1
Introduction & Warm-Up
5 min
- Welcome students and introduce the day's topic: focusing on kindness and respect in our classroom.
- Display Slide 1 of the Slide Deck.
- Ask: "What does a kind and respectful classroom look and sound like?" Allow brief responses.
- Transition: "Today, we're going to think about how our words and actions guide our classroom journey like a compass guides a traveler."
2
What is Respect?
5 min
- Display Slide 2. Lead a brief discussion on what respect means in 5th grade.
- Ask: "What does it mean to respect your classmates? Your teachers? How can we show respect even when we disagree?"
- Emphasize that respect means valuing everyone, even if they are different from us.
3
Understanding Impact of Our Choices
5 min
- Display Slides 3 & 4. Overview how words/actions (kind/respectful vs unkind/disrespectful) impact people.
- Prompt: "How does it feel when someone uses kind words or includes you? How about when someone is disrespectful or excludes others?"
- Transition to the deeper class discussion using the Discussion Guide.
4
Class Discussion: Our Words, Our Classroom
5 min
- Facilitate discussion using the prompts from the Discussion Guide.
- Encourage active listening and respectful sharing.
- Emphasize that everyone's input is valuable in creating a kinder space.
5
Individual Reflection (Journaling)
5 min
- Distribute the Journal to each student. Display Slide 5.
- Explain: Students reflect on their own words/actions from the past week.
- Remind them this is for personal growth. Encourage honest reflection.
6
Wrap-Up & Goal Setting
5 min
- Display Slide 6. Ask volunteers to share one general idea for improving kindness/respect.
- Reiterate importance of self-awareness.
- Collect journals or instruct students to keep them as a reminder of their goals.
My Behavior Compass Slide Deck
My Behavior Compass
Navigating Towards Kindness & Respect
5th Grade Social-Emotional Learning
What Does Respect Look Like?
Respect means valuing others and their feelings. It's how we show that everyone in this room matters.
It looks like:
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Listening when someone else is speaking
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Being polite ("please" and "thank you")
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Valuing different opinions and ideas
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Taking care of classroom materials
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Including everyone in games & work
Our Compass: Pointing Towards Kindness & Respect
Every choice we make sets our classroom's direction.
Our words and actions guide us and those around us.
Which way are you pointing today?
The Power of Our Words & Actions
Kind & Respectful
- Including everyone in games
- Using respectful language
- Speaking up against unkindness
- Offering help and support
Unkind & Disrespectful
- Excluding classmates on purpose
- Spreading rumors or teasing
- Ignoring someone who needs help
- Being rude or dismissive
Kindness & Respect Check-in
Open your My Behavior Compass Journal.
- Think about your words and actions this week.
- How did you show kindness or respect?
- Where could you improve to be more inclusive?
Charting a New Course
"Your words have power—use them to uplift!"
Tomorrow is a new day.
How will you contribute to a kinder classroom tomorrow?
My Behavior Compass Journal
My Behavior Compass Journal
Guiding Our Journey Towards Kindness & Respect
Student Name
Date
Our words and actions are like a compass, guiding us and everyone around us. Take some time to reflect on your journey this past week, especially regarding kindness and respect.
1 Navigating My Week with Kindness & Respect
Think about the past week in our classroom. Describe two times you used kind words, showed empathy, respected someone else's opinion, or included someone who might have felt left out. How did these actions make you feel, and how do you think they impacted the classroom?
2 Charting a Kinder & More Respectful Course
Was there a time this week when you saw or heard unkind or disrespectful words, or witnessed someone being left out or treated unfairly? How did that behavior impact the learning environment? What did you learn from it, and what could have been done differently to show more kindness?
3 My New Direction: A Kindness & Respect Goal
My Kindness & Respect Goal
What is ONE specific way you want to improve your use of kind words, your actions towards others, or your demonstration of respect?
How I Will Achieve It
What specific steps will you take to make this change? Write down your plan.
My Behavior Compass Discussion Guide
Discussion Guide
My Behavior Compass • 5th Grade
Teacher Resource
Discussion Objective
To foster understanding and shared commitment to kind and respectful language and an inclusive classroom through open dialogue.
Facilitation Tips
Encourage students to use "I statements" (e.g., "I feel respected when...")
Model active listening by paraphrasing student contributions before moving to the next point.
Keep the environment safe: remind students not to name specific classmates when discussing unkind behavior.
Validate all respectful participation to reinforce the culture of kindness.
Guiding Questions
01
Thinking about "The Power of Our Words & Actions" slide:
Can you think of a time when someone's kind and respectful words made a big difference to you or someone else? What happened?
Look for: Impact on mood, sense of belonging, confidence.
02
The Impact of Unkindness:
What does it feel like when unkind or disrespectful words are used in our classroom? How does it affect your learning or your friendships?
Look for: Distraction from work, sadness, fear of speaking up.
03
Inclusion & Safety:
Bullying can make people feel left out and sad. What are some specific actions we can all take to make sure everyone feels included and safe and respected in our classroom?
Look for: Inviting others to play, sitting with someone new, saying hello.
04
Courageous Action:
It can be hard to speak up against unkindness or disrespect. What are some brave ways we can support each other and stand up for what's right when we see someone being treated unfairly?
Look for: Telling a teacher, saying "that's not okay," checking on the victim.
05
Class Commitment:
How can we, as a class, encourage each other to always choose kinder words and actions? What could be our class motto for kindness and respect?
Look for: Collaborative phrases, accountability partners.