Welcome Circle Slides Week 1 • Session 1
First Grade SEL
Welcome to the
We Belong Club!
You are safe. You are special. You belong here!
Circle Greeting: Share your name and your favorite color!
Big Idea of the Day
We Belong Club
What Does Belonging Mean?
Belonging feels like a warm hug for your heart!
You Are Welcomed
Friends are happy when you are here!
You Are Known
Your feelings and ideas matter to us!
You Are Safe
You can be exactly who you are!
❤️ In this room, everyone has an open seat at our table!
Our Special Superpowers
Each Piece Counts
We Are Like a Big Puzzle!
If every piece was the same, we couldn't make the picture!
Different things we love to do
Different games and songs we like
Special ways we help each other
You Fit Right In!
When you bring your true self to our circle, our group becomes whole and bright!
🧩 No one else in the whole world is just like you!
Our Group Agreements
Safe & Kind
Our 3 Club Promises
How we help everyone feel like they belong
PROMISE 1
Listen with Care
Eyes watching, ears listening when a friend shares.
PROMISE 2
Kind Words Only
We cheer each other on and use gentle words.
PROMISE 3
All Are Welcome
We make room in games, circles, and conversations.
Thumbs up if you promise to keep our club safe and kind! 👍
Hands-On Activity
Session 1
Make Your Puzzle Piece!
Let's create our giant club belonging puzzle!
1
Draw You
Draw a smiling self-portrait in the middle!
2
Share Favs
Color what you love (games, foods, animals)!
3
Connect
We link our pieces together into one circle!
Closing Cheer: "I belong, you belong, we belong!"
Puzzle Piece Activity Session 1 Activity • We Belong Club
My Belonging Puzzle Piece
Name
Date
Directions: Fill each section of your puzzle piece. When everyone is done, we will connect all of our pieces to show that everyone belongs in our club!
Connects to Friend ✂️ Cut along dashed line
1. This is Me!
Draw a happy picture of yourself in our circle:
My name is: _____________________
2. Things I Love
Draw your favorite game, toy, or animal:
I love: ___________________________
3. My Special Strength
What is something you are awesome at doing?
I am good at: ___________________
4. My Belonging Power
How can you make someone feel welcomed?
I can: ____________________________
Our Club Motto "Different and bright, together we fit just right!"
Session 1 • Puzzle Piece Wall
Welcome Facilitator Guide Week 1 Facilitation Guide • 1st Grade SEL Group
Session 1: You Belong Here
30 Min
•
4-6 Students
Session Objectives
Define belonging as feeling welcomed, known, and valued.
Identify at least 1 personal interest and 1 helpful strength.
Establish 3 group agreements for a safe, caring circle.
Materials Needed
Session 1 Slides displayed on screen or printed.
Puzzle Piece Activity sheets (1 per student) & crayons.
Soft talking ball or plush mascot for circle share.
Poster board or tape to connect finished puzzle pieces.
1
Circle Welcome & Ball Pass (5 Minutes)
Opening Ritual
Counselor Prompt: "Welcome friends to our We Belong Club! In this circle, you are always safe, loved, and wanted."
Roll the soft ball to each child. Student states: "My name is [Name], and my favorite color is [Color]!" Group replies in unison: "Welcome, [Name]!"
2
Big Idea: What is Belonging? (8 Minutes)
Slide Discussion
Show Slide 2 & 3 . Use the puzzle metaphor: "If a puzzle had all the exact same pieces, could we make a picture? No! Our differences make our group complete."
Guided Questions: "How does your body feel when someone smiles and invites you to sit with them?" (Warm, relaxed, happy). "What does it mean to listen with our whole heart?"
3
Our 3 Club Promises (4 Minutes)
Co-Regulation
Review Slide 4 : 1) Listen with Care, 2) Kind Words Only, 3) All Are Welcome. Have students give a double thumbs-up or stamp their hand in the air to commit.
4
Puzzle Piece Creation & Connection (10 Minutes)
Worksheet
Distribute Puzzle Piece Activity sheets. Support students in drawing their self-portrait and favorite things. Have students tape or link pieces side-by-side onto the poster board. Celebrate the finished mural!
5
Closing High-Five & Cheer (3 Minutes)
Exit Ritual
Put hands into the circle center. Counselor leads call-and-response: "I belong! You belong! We belong!" On "We belong!", all raise hands up with a gentle cheer.
Differentiation & Accommodations
For reluctant speakers: Allow student to point to a color card or hold the plush mascot before speaking. Counselor can scribe responses on the puzzle piece.
Look-Fors & SEL Data
Notice if students maintain eye contact or turn their body toward peers sharing. Note students who struggle to identify positive self-attributes for 1:1 check-in.
Kindness Connectors Slides Week 2 • Session 2
We Belong Club
Becoming
Kindness Connectors!
Today we learn how to build bridges and invite others in!
How is your heart feeling today?
☀️ Sunny ⛅ Calm 🌧️ Gentle Rain
Kindness Radar
Look Around You
Spotting the "Left-Out" Clues
How do we know someone might need a friend?
Sitting Alone
Sitting on a bench or wall by themselves.
Watching Play
Looking at the game and wishing to join in.
Quiet Face
Head down or looking shy and unsure.
👀 When you notice, your kindness radar lights up!
Our Connector Words
Say It Out Loud
3 Magic Invitation Lines
Simple phrases that make a friend's heart smile
"Want to play with me?"
Great for recess, tag, swings, or building blocks!
"We have room for you!"
Great when 2 or 3 of you are playing a game together!
"You can sit right here!"
Great at the lunch table, library, or reading rug!
Let's practice saying them together with a big friendly smile!
Try It Out!
Role-Play Time
What Would You Do?
Let's act out our kindness connector moves!
A
Recess Playground
Leo is standing near the slide kicking pebbles. His head is looking down.
👉 What move will you make? What will you say?
B
Center Time
Maya is holding a book and looking for an open spot on the reading rug.
👉 What move will you make? What will you say?
👏 Even small words can make a huge difference in someone's day!
Today's Mission
Take Action
Our Connector Challenge!
Fill your worksheet & invite 1 friend today
1. Draw & Write
Draw your bridge of kindness on your worksheet.
2. Real Playground Move
Notice one classmate today and invite them to join!
"We are Kindness Connectors: Nobody sits alone!"
Invite Friend Worksheet Session 2 Activity • We Belong Club
Kindness Connector Mission Sheet
Name
Date
Mission: Use your kindness radar to spot classmates who need a friend, and practice your welcoming words!
1
Kindness Radar: Check the "Left-Out" Clues
Check all clues you can spot:
Sitting alone on a bench
Looking shy or head down
Watching a game alone
2
Draw Your Invitation in Action
Draw you inviting a classmate to join in!
Step A: What I Say
Trace or write your favorite invitation line:
"Do you want to play with me?"
"We have room for you!"
"Come sit with us right here!"
Or my own words:
Step B: We Play Together!
Draw you and your new play buddy smiling:
We are playing: __________________________________
Connector Pledge
"I will look for someone who needs a friend and make room!"
Student Signature
Kindness Facilitator Guide Week 2 Facilitation Guide • 1st Grade SEL Group
Session 2: Kindness Connectors
30 Min
•
4-6 Students
Session Objectives
Identify non-verbal body cues that indicate someone feels left out.
Rehearse at least 2 verbal invitation scripts with peers.
Develop emotional resilience for when a peer chooses solo play.
Materials Needed
Session 2 Slides (Kindness Connectors deck).
Invite Friend Worksheet (1 copy per student) & pencils/crayons.
Role-play props (optional: 2 toy cars, soft ball, or picture book).
Feelings weather check-in chart or visual emoji cards.
1
Weather Check-In & Review (5 Minutes)
Opening Ritual
Counselor Prompt: "Welcome back, Kindness Connectors! Look at Slide 1. What is your heart weather today? Sunny, calm, or gentle rain?"
Validate each emotion: "Whatever weather you have today, you belong in our club." Review the 3 promises created in Session 1.
2
Kindness Radar: Left-Out Clues (7 Minutes)
Slide Discussion
Display Slide 2 . Model the body language: slumped shoulders, looking at shoes, standing on the edge of the kickball game.
Key Discussion: "Sometimes friends want to play but feel too shy to ask. How does it feel when someone notices you and opens the circle?"
3
Invitation Practice & Role-Play (8 Minutes)
Kinesthetic Practice
Teach the 3 Magic Lines on Slide 3 & 4 . Pair students up for quick 1-minute role-plays:
Scenario A: Peer is sitting on the bench. Student approaches, smiles, and says: "Do you want to play tag with me?"
Scenario B: Two friends are building blocks. Student notices classmate looking on and says: "We have room for you!"
4
Mission Sheet Drawing (7 Minutes)
Worksheet
Students complete the Invite Friend Worksheet . Encourage them to draw the specific playground game they love to share (swings, sandbox, chalk).
5
Closing & Secret Recess Mission (3 Minutes)
Exit Ritual
Secret mission assignment: "Look for one person at recess or center time today who is alone and offer a warm hello or invite." Group chant: "Nobody sits alone!"
Handling "No, thank you"
Remind students: If someone says "No thanks," it doesn't mean they don't like you! Sometimes friends need quiet recharge time. Your offer still showed kindness!
Coaching Social Hesitancy
For students afraid to invite peers, offer the "Wave & Smile" option first. Nonverbal welcoming is a powerful, low-pressure stepping stone to verbal invitation.
Circle Keepers Slides Week 3 • Celebration Session
We Belong Club
You Are a
Circle Keeper!
Today we celebrate our kindness, courage, and belonging!
Circle Warm-Up: Turn to your neighbor and say: "I am so glad you are here!"
Our 3-Week Journey
Look How We Grew!
Our Belonging Journey
Remember everything we learned together?
WEEK 1
You Belong Here
We discovered our unique spark and fit together like a puzzle!
WEEK 2
Kindness Connectors
We practiced magic words to invite others and never leave anyone out!
WEEK 3
Circle Keepers
We take belonging out into our classroom, playground, and world!
🌟 You are now certified Belonging Heroes!
Everyday Actions
Superpowers
Our 4 Belonging Superpowers
Tools you can use every single school day
Listening
Listening when a classmate talks.
Welcoming
Saying good morning with a warm wave.
Inviting
Saying "Come play tag with us!"
Cheering
Celebrating when friends do well.
Which superpower will you use at recess today?
Standing Together
Official Pledge
The Belonging Hero Pledge
Place your hand on your heart and repeat together:
"I promise to be a Circle Keeper.
I will make room for others.
I will speak with kindness.
In our classroom, everybody belongs!"
⭐ Hand on Heart ⭐
💖 You have made our school a friendlier place!
Award Time!
Celebration
Claim Your Belonging Badge!
Wear your badge and share cheer cards with friends!
Your Official Certificate
Sign your certificate to take home to your family!
Cheer Pocket Cards
Cut out friendly cheer cards to give out today!
🎉 Group Cheer: "We Belong! We Belong! Hooray!" 🎉
Belonging Hero Certificate We Belong Club • Official Award
Belonging Hero Award
Circle Keeper of the Year
This special honor is proudly presented to:
_______________________________________
For showing kindness, listening with care, and opening the circle so that every classmate feels welcomed, safe, and valued!
Date
We Belong
Group Leader
Cut out these 4 friendship cards to give to friends
Cheer Card
You Make Me Smile!
I am so happy you are in our class!
From: ____________
Cheer Card
You Belong Here!
There is always a spot for you to play!
From: ____________
Cheer Card
You Fit Right In!
Our group is better because of you!
From: ____________
Cheer Card
Kind Friend!
Thank you for being so super kind!
From: ____________
Celebration Facilitator Guide Week 3 Facilitation Guide • 1st Grade SEL Group
Session 3: Circle Keepers Celebration
30 Min
•
4-6 Students
Session Objectives
Reflect on personal and group growth across all 3 group meetings.
Recite the Belonging Hero Pledge committing to classroom inclusion.
Personalize cheer cards to foster peer connections in the wider school.
Materials Needed
Session 3 Slides (Circle Keepers deck).
Belonging Hero Certificate & Cheer Cards (1 per student), child-safe scissors.
Ball of yarn for the "Kindness Web" activity (optional).
Gold star stickers or celebratory stamps for completed certificates.
1
Web of Kindness Warm-Up (5 Minutes)
Opening Ritual
Counselor holds a ball of yarn, states a compliment to a student ("I love how you shared your ideas in our group" ), and rolls the yarn ball while holding the string end.
Each child repeats to another until an interlocking web is created. Point out: "Look at how we are all connected! We hold each other up."
2
Our Growth Retrospective (7 Minutes)
Slide Review
Show Slide 2 & 3 . Revisit the 4 Belonging Superpowers: Listening, Welcoming, Inviting, and Cheering.
Reflection Prompt: "Tell our circle about a time this week you used one of your superpowers. Who did you invite? What felt good about it?"
3
Official Pledge Ceremony (5 Minutes)
Unity Ritual
All students stand up tall. Place right hand over heart. Recite the Belonging Hero Pledge on Slide 4 together with pride and enthusiasm. Award each child an official gold star.
4
Certificate & Cheer Card Crafting (10 Minutes)
Hands-On Craft
Present each child with their Belonging Hero Certificate . Students sign their names, color their cheer cards, and cut them out along the dashed lines. Students exchange 1 card within the group and save 3 for their classroom!
5
Final Group Cheer & Graduation (3 Minutes)
Graduation
Gather for our grand finale chant: "We Belong! We Belong! Hooray!" Provide a gentle group cheer and remind students that the counselor's door is always open.
Teacher Collaboration Tip
Share student cheer cards with classroom teachers. Encourage them to cue the 3 magic words ("We have room for you!" ) during center rotations and recess transitions.
Family Connection Note
Send home the completed Certificate with a note prompting caregivers: "Ask your child to demonstrate their 'Kindness Radar' and show you how they invite friends to play!"