YOU BELONG HERE Violence Prevention Curriculum

Second Grade

LESSON

Six

Rooting Ourselves in Respect and Belonging

55 Minutes

This lesson is currently under review with Nest Educational Advisors. Please check back later for updates.

Lesson Overview

Students will create Identity Roots for the classroom Tree of Care, exploring concepts of Belonging, Identity, and Diversity. They'll reflect on these ideas through "The Day You Begin" and brainstorm ways to create belonging in their classroom community. Finally, students will discover connections through differences in the game Common Ground.

Lesson Objectives

  • Understand the concepts of identity and diversity
  • Analyze how respecting all people contributes to a kind community.
  • Develop ways of connecting with others to create an experience of belonging for everyone.
Materials
Handouts
quicklinks

how to prepare for this lesson

On Slide 10, students will create their Identity Roots to add to the Tree of Care using the Identity Roots handout. Print enough copies for each student. Students will also need brown crayons or colored pencils to shade in their roots. If available, use Crayola Colors of the World crayons as an additional way for students to display their identities through skin color.

On Slide 13, students will brainstorm ways to create a sense of belonging in their classroom community. Write students’ ideas on the brown construction paper. Be sure to use a thick and dark enough marker so that the writing is visible. These pieces of paper will represent the soil of the Tree of Care. If time allows, have students place the soil above and around their Identity Roots on the Tree of Care. If not, you can add the soil to the bulletin at a later time, before the final lesson.

On Slide 14, students will participate in an activity called Common Ground. Yarn or string is used to show the interconnectedness of everyone in the classroom community. This game can be played without the yarn/string, but it works well to show students the metaphor of interconnectedness. There will need to be enough space for students to stand in a circle.

Please ensure to pre-check videos before class, as internet policies may vary among schools, to ensure accessibility.

lesson clips

Additional Resources

  • Book: The Day You Begin, by Jacqueline Woodson