Title: Getting to Know Each Other

Grade Level: 2nd and 3rd Grade

Objective: By the end of this lesson, students will be able to introduce themselves, learn about their classmates, and develop a sense of belonging within the classroom community.

Materials: - Chart paper - Markers - Index cards or small pieces of paper - Pencils or markers - Construction paper - Glue sticks - Scissors

Procedure:

1. Introduction (10 minutes):
   • Begin the lesson by welcoming the students back to school and explaining the importance of getting to know each other.
   • Discuss the benefits of building a strong classroom community, such as making new friends, feeling comfortable, and working together effectively.
2. Name Game (15 minutes):
   • Have the students sit in a circle.
   • Start by introducing yourself and saying your name aloud.
   • Pass a soft object, such as a ball or stuffed animal, to a student and ask them to say their name before passing it to another student.
   • Continue until each student has had a turn to introduce themselves.
3. Classmate Interview (20 minutes):
   • Divide the students into pairs.
   • Provide each pair with index cards or small pieces of paper and pencils or markers.
   • Instruct the students to interview each other by asking questions such as:
     • What is your favorite color?
     • What is your favorite subject in school?
     • What is your favorite hobby?
   • Encourage students to write down their partner’s responses on the index cards.
   • After the interviews, have the pairs share their partner’s responses with the whole class.
4. Classmate Collage (30 minutes):
   • Give each student a piece of construction paper, glue stick, and scissors.
   • Instruct the students to cut out pictures or words from magazines or draw pictures that represent themselves.
   • Encourage them to be creative and include things they enjoy, their hobbies, or their favorite things.
   • Once they have collected their images, have the students glue them onto their construction paper to create a collage.
   • Allow time for students to share their collages with the class, explaining the meaning behind their choices.
5. Classroom Rules and Expectations (15 minutes):
   • Discuss the importance of having rules and expectations in the classroom to create a positive learning environment.
   • Brainstorm a list of rules as a class, focusing on respect, responsibility, and cooperation.
   • Write the rules on chart paper and display them in the classroom for future reference.
6. Conclusion (5 minutes):
   • Recap the activities done during the lesson and emphasize the importance of getting to know each other.
   • Encourage students to continue building positive relationships throughout the school year.

Extension Activity: - Create a class “All About Me” book: Have each student create a page with their name, picture, and a few facts about themselves. Compile the pages into a book and read it aloud as a class, allowing students to learn more about their classmates.

Assessment: - Informally assess students’ participation and engagement during the activities. - Review the index cards or small pieces of paper from the Classmate Interview activity to ensure students actively listened and recorded their partner’s responses accurately.