We Belong Together Lesson Plan We Belong Together Web
Lesson Plan • Pre-K to 1st Grade
45
Minutes
Why This Matters
Fostering a sense of belonging and mutual support from an early age helps children thrive socially and emotionally, creating a positive classroom environment where everyone feels valued.
Objective
Students will understand the concept of community and how each individual is a valued part of a larger group, visualizing their connections through a collaborative activity.
Materials Needed
Whiteboard or chart paper
Markers
Large ball of yarn
We Belong Together Slides
Activity & Discussion Guides
Project Worksheets
Teacher Prep
Time: 15 Minutes
Gather yarn and markers.
Review the Slide Deck for lesson flow.
Read Community Connections Activity instructions for smooth facilitation.
Prepare the Discussion Guide prompts.
Print copies of the Project Worksheet .
Lesson Instructions
5m
Warm-Up: What is a Group?
Begin by asking students what it means to be part of a group. Give examples like families, sports teams, or a class. (Refer to Slide 1 ). Encourage students to share their ideas and experiences.
10m
Introducing the Community Web
Explain that today we will create a special "web" to show how we are all connected in our classroom community. (Slide 2 )
Introduce the idea that everyone in the classroom is an important part of our community, just like threads in a web are connected. (Slide 3 )
20m
Community Connections Activity
Facilitate the Yarn Web Activity . Gather students in a circle.
Start by holding the yarn and sharing something special about yourself.
Gently toss the yarn to a student while keeping hold of your end.
Continue until everyone is part of the web. (Slide 4 )
Emphasize that the web gets stronger with each connection.
8m
Classroom Community Discussion
Lead a discussion using the Discussion Guide . Ask questions about how it felt to be part of the web and what they noticed about their connections. (Slide 5 ). Reinforce that everyone contributes to the community's strength.
2m
Cool-Down: Reflecting on Our Web
Ask students to quietly reflect on one thing they appreciate about their classroom community. (Slide 6 ). Transition to the next activity or end the lesson.
We Belong Together Slides What is a Group?
What groups do you belong to?
Family
Friends
Teams
What makes being part of a group special?
Teacher Notes
Ask students what it means to be part of a group. Encourage them to think about different groups they belong to. What makes a group special?
Our Classroom Community Web
We are all connected!
Today we will make a special web to show our connections.
Teacher Notes
Explain that today we will create a special 'web' to show how we are all connected in our classroom community. Introduce the idea of a classroom community.
Each Thread Matters!
Every one of you is a special thread.
When we connect, we make a strong web!
Teacher Notes
Emphasize that every student is like a unique thread, and when we weave them together, we create something strong and beautiful.
Community Connections
We'll create a web of friendship!
1
Hold the yarn
2
Share something special
3
Gently toss to a friend
Teacher Notes
Explain the instructions for the yarn activity. The teacher starts, shares, and tosses. Ensure everyone gets a turn and holds onto their part of the yarn.
Our Discussion
?
How did it feel to be part of the web?
?
What did you notice about our connections?
Teacher Notes
Lead the discussion from the 'Our Classroom Community Discussion Guide'. Ask about feelings and observations during the activity.
Reflecting on Our Web
Think about one thing you appreciate about our classroom community.
How can we keep our web strong?
Teacher Notes
Ask students to reflect on one thing they appreciate about their classroom community. This serves as a cool-down.
Community Connections Activity Guide Community Connections
Teacher Activity Guide • The Yarn Web
Objective
To visually represent the interconnectedness and belonging within the classroom community through a collaborative hands-on activity.
Materials
A large ball of soft yarn
A safe, open floor space
Your classroom community
Facilitation Steps
1
Gather in a Circle
Have all students sit in a large circle on the floor. The teacher should also be part of the circle to model inclusion.
2
Teacher Starts
Hold the end of the ball of yarn. Share something you like or something special about yourself.
Example: "My favorite thing to do on a sunny day is read a book outside."
3
Pass the Yarn
Keep a firm hold of the end of the yarn and gently toss the ball to a student across the circle.
4
Student Shares
The student who catches the yarn shares something about themselves. They must hold onto a piece of the yarn from where they caught it before tossing it to the next person.
5
Forming the Web
Continue until every student has shared and is holding a piece of the yarn, creating a beautiful, interconnected web in the middle of the circle.
6
Observe & Reflect
Once complete, ask students to observe the web. What do they see? How are we all connected? Discuss how the web gets stronger with each connection.
Facilitation Tips
Use a soft yarn to ensure safety when tossing.
Remind students to "toss like a gentle puff of air."
If a student is shy, suggest they share their favorite color.
Ensure the yarn stays relatively taut but not tight.
Classroom Community Discussion Guide Our Classroom Community
Discussion Guide • Reflection & Belonging
Objective:
To encourage reflection on interconnectedness and the value of each individual within the classroom community.
Pre-K K 1st Grade
1
Feeling the Connection
"How did it feel when you were holding onto the yarn and making our web?"
Encourage sensory and emotional words like "safe," "happy," "connected," or "scary."
"What did you notice about how everyone was connected?"
Look for observations about the physical shape of the web.
2
Importance of Each Person
"What would happen if one person let go of their string? What would happen to our web?"
Help students see how the whole web changes if one person isn't participating.
"Does everyone in our class make our community special? How?"
Celebrate the uniqueness of each student in the circle.
3
Being a Good Community Member
"What are some ways we can show kindness and help each other in our classroom community?"
Collect concrete examples like sharing, listening, or helping clean up.
"How can we make sure everyone feels like they belong, just like every string belongs in our web?"
Discuss inclusion and noticing when someone is left out.
4
Beyond the Classroom
"Can you think of other communities you belong to outside of school?"
Examples: family, neighborhood, sports team, religious group.
"How is our classroom community similar to those other communities?"
Focus on the common thread of people caring for each other.
Facilitator Note: For Pre-K and early Kindergarten, use visual aids or gestures (like holding hands or forming a physical circle) to reinforce the concept of connection. Listen actively and validate all student responses to model the very community behavior you are discussing.
My Community Web Worksheet My Community Web
Name
Date
Draw a picture of YOU in the middle. Then, draw the people in your community all around you! Use lines to show how you are connected.
Draw You!
Family
School
Neighborhood
Friends
How do I help?
Think about one way you make your communities special. What do you do to help or share joy?
