My Personal Space Bubble Lesson Plan Lesson Plan
My Personal Space Bubble
20
Minutes
Objective
Students will define personal space, understand its importance, and identify strategies for respecting boundaries to reduce task avoidance and increase comfort.
Audience
Exceptional Children (Special Education Tier 1). Focus on clear visuals, interactive movement, and social-emotional learning.
Why This Matters
Understanding personal space is crucial for positive social interactions and preventing anxiety. When students feel their boundaries are respected, they are less likely to engage in task avoidance or feel the need to escape uncomfortable proximity.
Materials Needed
• Projector/Slide Deck
• Scenario Cards
• Bingo Boards & Markers
• Bubble Rules Worksheets
• Markers/Pens
Prep Checklist
Review the Slide Deck visuals
Print & cut Charades Scenario Cards
Prepare Boundary Bingo boards
Print "My Bubble Rules" Worksheets
Set up classroom for movement
Familiarize with Cool Down prompts
Instructional Steps
1
Introduction: What's Your Bubble?
3 MIN
Hook: Ask "Have you ever felt like someone was too close? Or maybe you were too close to them?"
Introduce the Personal Space Bubble using Slides 1-2.
Concept: Everyone has an invisible bubble. It's important to respect it.
2
Defining Personal Space
5 MIN
Use Slides 3-5 to define the concept visually.
Discuss the "Why": Comfort, Focus, Respect.
Brainstorm scenarios: Friend vs. Stranger vs. Standing in line.
Connection: Explain that feeling "crowded" can make us want to avoid our work.
3
Social Distance Charades
5 MIN
Divide into pairs/small groups.
Groups act out scenarios (Just Right, Too Close, Too Far).
Class guesses the scenario and the "Bubble Rating."
Reinforce: Proper space helps us stay engaged.
4
Boundary Bingo
5 MIN
Call out situations related to space rules.
Students mark cards when they hear a situation they've learned about.
Use this as a fast-paced check for understanding.
5
Worksheet & Wrap-up
2 MIN
Students complete "My Bubble Rules" drawing activity.
Quick Recap: Bubbles = Comfort = Better Learning.
Administer Thumbs Up/Down check.
Personal Space Slide Deck My Personal Space Bubble
An Invisible Zone Just For You!
Teacher Notes: Welcome students and introduce the idea of an invisible bubble around everyone.
What Is Personal Space?
An invisible bubble all around you.
The space you need to feel comfortable.
Everyone's bubble is a little different!
Teacher Notes: Ask students to imagine a bubble around them. How big is it? When does it feel comfortable?
Why Is It Important?
Keeps you and others comfortable
Helps you focus on your work
Shows respect to others
Helps you feel safe
Everyone feels better when their space is respected!
Teacher Notes: Discuss why it's important to have and respect personal space. Connect to feeling calm and focusing.
Different Situations
Friends
Maybe a SMALL bubble.
In Line
A MEDIUM bubble.
New People
A BIGGER bubble.
Always check how others feel too!
Teacher Notes: Give examples: standing in line vs. talking to a close friend. Emphasize that context matters.
Personal Space Helps Us!
When we respect bubbles, everyone feels calm.
Helps you concentrate on learning and playing.
Keeps you from feeling like you want to leave or hide.
Teacher Notes: Explain how respecting personal space can prevent arguments and help students concentrate, avoiding the need to escape tasks.
Social Distance Charades Activity Social Distance Charades
Action Activity
How to Play
1
Introduction: Explain that we will act out situations without talking. Classmates guess if the space is "Just Right," "Too Close," or "Too Far."
2
Model It: Stand very close to a student while pretending to talk, then step back. Ask which felt better.
3
Perform: Give groups a scenario card. They act it out non-verbally.
4
Discussion: After each act, discuss how the person felt and how respecting space helps us focus.
Scenario Cards (Cut along lines)
Scenario 1
Two friends whispering a secret.
Close space Just Right
Scenario 2
Someone standing too close in the lunch line.
No space Too Close
Scenario 3
Sitting next to someone in the library.
Quiet work Just Right
Scenario 4
Standing too far away to talk to a friend.
Huge gap Too Far
Scenario 5
Bumping into someone while getting papers.
Accidental Needs Apology
Scenario 6
Giving a classmate a quick high-five.
Brief touch Just Right
Scenario 7
Leaning over a shoulder to see a paper.
Over bubble Too Close
Scenario 8
Working side-by-side on a project.
Collaborating Just Right
Boundary Bingo Game Boundary Bingo
Personal Space Game
Teacher Instructions
Give each student a bingo board and markers.
Explain: "I'll call out a personal space situation. If it matches a square on your board, cover it!"
First to get 4 in a row (horizontal, vertical, diagonal) wins.
Discuss each scenario briefly: "Is this okay? How does it feel?"
Master Call List
An arm's length away
Standing too close
Whispering a secret
Sharing a table
Bumping into someone
Asking to sit down
Looking over shoulder
Waiting in line
Giving a high-five
Group project
Feeling focused
Feeling safe
Board A
An arm's length
Standing too close
Whispering secret
Sharing table
Bumping someone
FREE SPACE
Asking to sit
Looking over shoulder
Waiting in line
High-five
Group project
Feeling focused
Feeling safe
Respecting others
Feeling happy
Calm body
Board B
Sharing table
Looking over shoulder
An arm's length
Asking to sit
Waiting in line
FREE SPACE
Standing too close
Bumping someone
High-five
Whispering secret
Feeling safe
Group project
Calm body
Feeling focused
Respecting others
Feeling happy
Board C
Bumping someone
High-five
Sharing table
Feeling safe
Whispering secret
FREE SPACE
Waiting in line
An arm's length
Looking over shoulder
Standing too close
Asking to sit
Group project
Feeling focused
Respecting others
Feeling happy
Calm body
Board D
Asking to sit
Group project
Bumping someone
Waiting in line
Looking over shoulder
FREE SPACE
My Bubble Rules Worksheet My Bubble Rules
Name:
Date:
Part 1: Draw Your Bubble
Draw yourself inside your invisible personal space bubble. What does it look like?
Feels Good
Two things that make your bubble feel comfortable:
Uncomfortable
Two things that make your bubble feel crowded:
Part 4: My Bubble Rule
Write one rule you want everyone to follow about personal space:
Personal space helps me focus and feel safe!
Thumbs Up Thumbs Down Cool Down Thumbs Up, Thumbs Down
Cool Down & Check-in
Teacher Instructions
Read each statement aloud. Students give a Thumbs Up if they agree or think it's a good example of personal space, and a Thumbs Down if they disagree or think it's not a good example.
1
It's okay to stand right next to someone's desk and read their paper without asking.
Expected Response
2
When I'm talking to a friend, it's good to stand an arm's length away.
Expected Response
3
If someone is too close, it can make it hard for me to focus on my work.
Expected Response
4
Everyone has the same exact size personal space bubble.
Expected Response
5
Respecting someone's personal space shows that you care about their comfort.
Expected Response
6
When someone invades my personal space, I might want to move away or stop what I'm doing.
Expected Response
End of Lesson: My Personal Space Bubble
