My Space Your Space Lesson Plan My Space, Your Space
Lesson Plan
Duration
30 min
Objective
Students will be able to define and demonstrate 'hands to self' and understand the concept of personal space to ensure a safe and respectful classroom.
Why This Matters
Understanding personal space and keeping hands to oneself is crucial for creating a positive, safe, and focused learning environment where all students feel comfortable and respected.
Teacher Preparation
Review the lesson plan and all generated materials.
Print and cut out the Personal Space Bubble Visual and Hands to Self Scenario Cards .
Prepare a space in the classroom for students to move freely during activities.
Have markers and chart paper ready for brainstorming.
Estimated Prep: 15 minutes
Materials Needed
Whiteboard or chart paper
Markers
Personal Space Bubble Visual
Hands to Self Scenario Cards
Personal Space Activity Guide
Cool Down Worksheet
Instructional Sequence
5 min
Introduction: What is My Space?
Interactive Discussion
Greet students and introduce the topic: "Today we're going to talk about something super important for our classroom – keeping our bodies safe and showing respect for everyone's space!"
Ask: "What do you think 'hands to self' means?" (Allow for student responses).
Display the Personal Space Bubble Visual . Explain that everyone has an invisible 'bubble' around them, their personal space.
10 min
Exploring Hands to Self
Modeling & Discussion
Explain: "'Hands to self' means we keep our hands, feet, and other body parts to ourselves. We don't touch others, their belongings, or things that aren't ours without asking first."
Model appropriate 'hands to self' behavior. Ask students to show 'hands to self'.
Use the Hands to Self Scenario Cards . Show a card and ask: "Is this 'hands to self'? Why or why not?" Discuss each scenario as a class.
10 min
Personal Space Activity
Movement Game
Lead the class in the Personal Space Activity Guide .
Explain: "We are going to play a game where we practice our personal space bubbles. When the music plays, walk around the room. When the music stops, freeze! Make sure you aren't touching anyone else's bubble."
5 min
Wrap-up and Review
Reflection & Drawing
Bring students back together. Review the importance of 'hands to self' and personal space.
Ask: "Why is it important to keep our hands to ourselves?" and "How does it feel when someone is in your personal space without asking?"
Distribute the Cool Down Worksheet for students to draw or write one thing they learned.
My Space Your Space Slides My Space, Your Space
Keeping Our Hands to Ourselves
Respect
Safety
Kindness
Welcome students and introduce the lesson's main idea.
What is 'Hands to Self'?
Keeping our body parts to ourselves.
No touching friends without asking.
Using gentle hands when we ask first.
Think!
Why do we keep our hands to ourselves?
My Invisible Bubble
Makes us feel safe and happy.
Don't pop other people's bubbles!
Hands to Self: Yes or No?
Let's look at some pictures and decide if they show 'hands to self'!
YES!
NO!
Bubble Walk!
1. Stand up and find a safe spot.
2. When music plays, walk carefully.
3. Keep your bubble safe!
4. When it stops... FREEZE!
Why is This Important?
Stay Happy
Stay Safe
Better Learning
Great job today!
Personal Space Bubble Visual My Personal Space Bubble
Invisible
It's a secret bubble only you can feel!
Moves with You
It goes wherever your body goes.
Keeps You Safe
It helps you feel comfortable.
Draw Your Bubble!
Draw a picture of yourself inside your favorite colored bubble.
My Face
My Bubble
Colors!
Hands to Self Scenario Cards Hands to Self Scenario Cards
Cut along the dotted lines. Use these cards for class discussion.
Scenario 1
"Two friends are sitting next to each other on the carpet. One friend gently pats the other on the back."
Is this "Hands to Self"? Why?
Scenario 2
"A student is excited and jumps up and down, accidentally bumping into a classmate."
Is this "Hands to Self"? Why?
Scenario 3
"During playtime, a child takes a toy from another child without asking."
Is this "Hands to Self"? Why?
Scenario 4
"A student walks carefully around a group of friends who are playing, making sure not to touch them."
Is this "Hands to Self"? Why?
Scenario 5
"A child is upset and pushes another child because they are angry."
Is this "Hands to Self"? Why?
Scenario 6
"A friend asks, 'Can I give you a hug?' and the other friend says, 'Yes!' They give a quick hug."
Is this "Hands to Self"? Why?
Personal Space Activity Guide Bubble Walk Guide
Personal Space Movement Activity
Objective
Students will practice maintaining their personal space while moving in a group.
Materials
Open classroom space
Music (optional)
Activity Instructions
1
Introduce the "Bubble Walk"
Explain to students that they are going to pretend they each have a giant, invisible bubble around them – their personal space bubble. The goal is to walk around the room without popping anyone else's bubble and without letting anyone pop theirs.
2
Demonstrate
"Watch me! I am walking slowly. I am looking where I'm going. My arms are down so they don't pop my friends' bubbles."
Model how to walk slowly and mindfully. Emphasize looking where they are going.
3
Start the Activity
Start the music (if using). Students begin to walk around the designated open space. Encourage them to use the whole room!
4
"Freeze!" Command
Periodically stop the music or call out "Freeze!" Students stop immediately and check their space. Remind them: bodies should not be touching!
Reflection & Discussion
"Was it easy or hard to keep your bubble safe?"
"What did you do to make sure you didn't touch anyone?"
"How did it feel when you successfully kept your space?"
Cool Down Worksheet Cool Down
My Space, Your Space
Name:
1
What did you learn today about keeping your hands to yourself or respecting personal space?
Draw a picture or write about it above!
2
What is one way you can show "hands to self" in our classroom? My Space Your Space Script Teaching Script
My Space, Your Space: Keeping Our Hands to Ourselves
Section 1
Introduction: What is My Space? (5 min)
"Good morning, everyone! Today, we have a super important topic to talk about that helps make our classroom a happy and safe place for everyone. We're going to talk about something called 'hands to self' and 'personal space.' "
"First, let's think about 'hands to self.' What do you think that means? When you hear 'hands to self,' what comes to your mind?"
Allow students to share their ideas. Guide them towards the idea of keeping body parts to oneself.
"Great ideas! 'Hands to self' means we keep our hands, feet, and even our heads to ourselves. We don't touch our friends, their things, or things that aren't ours without asking first. It helps keep everyone safe and feeling good."
Slide 3 & Visual Activity
Display the Personal Space Bubble Visual .
"Imagine you have an invisible bubble all around you, just like this one! This is your personal space bubble . It's like your own special spot that moves with you wherever you go. Everyone has one! Our bubble helps us feel safe. We should try our best not to pop anyone else's bubble!"
Section 2
Exploring Hands to Self (10 min)
"Why do you think it's important to keep our hands to ourselves? How might it make a friend feel if we don't?"
Scenario Cards
Read Scenario 1 from the cards: "Two friends are sitting next to each other on the carpet. One friend gently pats the other on the back."
"Is this 'hands to self'? Why or why not?" (Facilitate discussion for each scenario, emphasizing asking for permission).
Section 3
Bubble Walk Activity (10 min)
"Now, let's get our bodies moving! We're going to do an activity called the 'Bubble Walk.' Find an open spot. When the music plays, walk around, but keep your bubble safe! When the music stops... FREEZE! "
Refer to the Personal Space Activity Guide for full instructions. Play/stop music as needed.
Section 4
Wrap-up and Review (5 min)
"You were all excellent bubble walkers! Why is it so important to keep our hands to ourselves? How does it feel when someone gets too close without asking?"
Cool Down Worksheet
Distribute the worksheet for students to complete.
"On your sheet, draw or write one thing you learned today. Thank you for being such respectful classmates!"
