Our Special Circle Lesson Plan
Our Special Circle?
Lesson Plan • 1st Grade
20 Minutes
Why This Lesson?
This lesson helps students understand the importance of creating a safe and inclusive classroom community where everyone feels a sense of belonging.
Objective
Students will be able to explain the purpose of the Open Circle and participate in its opening and closing routines.
Materials
- Whiteboard or projector
- Our Circle Slide Deck
- "Our Circle" Song Chart
Preparation (5 Minutes)
Review the Our Special Circle? Lesson Plan, Our Circle Slide Deck, and “Our Circle” Song Chart to familiarize yourself with the content and flow.
Instructional Steps
1
Welcome & Opening
5 Minutes
Hook (2 minutes)
- Welcome students and invite them to gather in a designated circle area.
- Ask: "What makes a place feel special and safe?" Allow 1-2 student responses.
Introduce the Open Circle (3 minutes)
- Explain that the class will be creating a "special circle" called the Open Circle.
- Use Our Circle Slide Deck (Slide 1) to introduce the idea of the Open Circle as a place for everyone to feel safe, belong, and share ideas.
2
Introduction to the Circle
5 Minutes
Purpose of the Circle (2 minutes)
Using Our Circle Slide Deck (Slide 2), explain that the purpose of the Open Circle is to:
- Listen to each other.
- Share our thoughts and feelings.
- Learn from one another.
Key Concepts (3 minutes)
Display Our Circle Slide Deck (Slide 3) and briefly introduce key concepts:
- Community: We are a team.
- Safety: Kind and respectful.
- Routine: We know what to expect.
- Belonging: Everyone is important.
- Sharing: Listen when others speak.
3
Guided Practice: Sharing
5 Minutes
Practice Sharing (3 minutes)
- Introduce a simple sharing prompt (e.g., "Share one thing that makes you happy").
- Model how to share and how to listen respectfully.
- Have 2-3 students practice sharing, reminding them of listening skills.
Discuss Feelings (2 minutes)
Ask: "How did it feel to share and to listen to your classmates?"
4
Circle Agreements
3 Minutes
Setting Expectations (3 minutes)
- Using Our Circle Slide Deck (Slide 4), introduce simple agreements: "One voice at a time," "Listen with your whole body," "Pass if you don't want to share."
- Discuss why these agreements are important for a safe and special circle.
5
Closing Circle
2 Minutes
Review and Farewell (2 minutes)
- Review the purpose of the Open Circle.
- Lead students in singing the “Our Circle” Song Chart (optional).
- Thank everyone for participating and dismiss them from the circle.
Our Circle Slide Deck
Our Special Circle
A place for everyone to feel safe, belong, and share.
Teacher Note: Welcome, class! Today we are going to talk about creating a special place in our classroom, our "Open Circle." It's a place where we all feel safe, included, and ready to share our ideas.
What's Our Circle For?
We come together to:
- Listen to each other.
- Share our thoughts and feelings.
- Learn from one another.
Teacher Note: The Open Circle has a special purpose. It's not just sitting in a circle; it's about how we act and what we do when we're in the circle.
Circle Key Concepts
-
Community We are a team.
-
Safety We are kind and respectful.
-
Routine We know what to expect.
-
Belonging Everyone is important.
-
Sharing We listen when others speak.
Teacher Note: These are some big ideas, but they help us understand why our circle is so important.
Circle Agreements
1
One voice at a time.
2
Listen with your whole body.
3
Pass if you don't want to share.
Teacher Note: To make our circle a great place, we need some agreements. These are like rules that help us be our best selves in the circle.
Our Circle Song Chart
Our Circle Song
Let's sing and move together!
The More We Sit Together
Tune: "The More We Get Together"
The more we sit together,
Together, together,
Oh, the more we sit together,
The happier we’ll be!
For your friends are my friends,
And my friends are your friends.
Oh, the more we sit together,
The happier we’ll be!
Actions:
Hold hands
Sway side to side
Circle, Circle
Tune: "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star"
Circle, circle, big and round,
Listen closely, not a sound.
Share our thoughts and be so kind,
Friendly voices, we will find.
Circle, circle, safe and true,
Happy learning, me and you!
Actions:
Big circle with arms
Point to ears
Finger to lips
Heart shape
Point to self & others
