Kindergarten: Belonging Unit
A 5-week exploration of identity and belonging
Unit Overview
This Belonging unit helps children understand themselves, their families, and their communities. They explore what makes them unique, how they fit into their families, and how they belong to various groups.
Through engaging activities, stories, and discussions, children develop a sense of identity and belonging while building foundational literacy, numeracy, and social skills.
Essential Questions
- Is it important to belong?
- What makes me special?
- How is my family special?
- How do I belong at school?
- How do I belong in my community?
- How do we belong together?
Unit Description
The Belonging unit is designed to help kindergarten students develop a positive sense of self and understand how they belong to various groups including family, school, and community. Through a variety of hands-on activities, children will explore what makes them unique, their family structures, their school environment, their local community, and how they all belong together.
Unit Structure
This unit is organized into five thematic weeks:
Week 1
All About Me
Exploring personal identity and uniqueness
Week 2
My Family
Understanding family structures and traditions
Week 3
My School
Exploring the school environment and community
Week 4
My Community
Learning about local community and helpers
Week 5
Belonging Together
Celebrating diversity and unity in our classroom
Each week includes daily lesson plans, featured activities, recommended children's literature, and cross-curricular connections to provide a comprehensive learning experience.
Weekly Overview
Week 1: All About Me
Exploring personal identity and uniqueness
Children explore their own identities, including their names, physical characteristics, likes and dislikes, and what makes them special and unique.
Week 2: My Family
Understanding family structures and traditions
Children learn about different types of families, family members, roles within families, and family traditions and celebrations.
Week 3: My School
Exploring the school environment and community
Children explore their school environment, the people who work there, classroom rules and routines, and how to be a good friend and classmate.
Week 4: My Community
Learning about local community and helpers
Children learn about their local community, community helpers, places in the community, and how people in a community work together.
Week 5: Belonging Together
Celebrating diversity and unity in our classroom
Children explore how people belong to multiple groups, how we can help others belong, and celebrate the diversity and unity of their classroom community.
Teaching Tips
- Create a welcoming environment: Set up a "Belonging Corner" with photos of each child and their families to reference throughout the unit.
- Morning meetings: Begin each day with a community circle where children can share and connect with one another.
- Family involvement: Invite family members to share traditions, stories, or skills with the class.
- Diverse literature: Use books that represent diverse families, cultures, and communities.
- Classroom jobs: Assign meaningful roles to help children feel they contribute to the classroom community.
Resource Library
Books for Belonging Unit
- "All Are Welcome" by Alexandra Penfold
- "The Day You Begin" by Jacqueline Woodson
- "Families, Families, Families!" by Suzanne Lang
- "The Name Jar" by Yangsook Choi
- "Last Stop on Market Street" by Matt de la Peña