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Sixth Grade
LESSON
Eleven
Lacking Belonging, Losing Significance
60 min
This lesson is currently under review with Nest Educational Advisors. Please check back later for updates.
In this lesson, students explore the effects of isolation, alienation, and polarization and how these feelings can lead to harmful behaviors or even violence. Through journaling, group work, and class discussions, students engage with scenarios that demonstrate how a lack of belonging and significance impacts individuals and communities. By examining the emotional and social consequences of disconnection, students gain a deeper understanding of the importance of inclusion, empathy, and support. This lesson prepares students to recognize warning signs of social isolation and encourages proactive thinking about community-building and intervention.
Materials
Handouts
quicklinks
how to prepare for this lesson
At the start of class, teachers should have the following prepared:
- Teacher should have groups of three or four predetermined to save time.
- Students should have journals out
- Pre-print 6.11 Character Stories Handouts (double-sided). Handout includes three character stories.
Additional Resources
Sources
- This lesson includes adapted materials from the British Red Cross’ Tackling Loneliness Materials.
- Psychology Today. (2023, April). The new psychology of belonging. Psychology Today.
- Gubbels, J., et al. (2024). Association between community connectedness and mental health outcomes: A cross-sectional study. BMC Public Health.
- Rayce, S. B., Kreiner, S., Damsgaard, M. T., Nielsen, T., & Holstein, B. E. (2018). Measurement of alienation among adolescents: Construct validity of three scales on powerlessness, meaninglessness, and social isolation. Journal of Patient-Reported Outcomes