Building Healthy Classrooms

Lesson 1: Understanding Classroom Culture

Year Level: Year 4

Duration: 60 minutes

Class Size: 30 students

Learning Area: Health and Physical Education

Unit: Building Healthy Classrooms

Victorian Curriculum Alignment: Health and Physical Education Level Years 3-4

Learning Objectives

Students will:

Understand the concept of classroom culture and its impact on their learning environment.
Identify and describe the key characteristics of a positive classroom culture, including respect, inclusivity, and collaboration.
Recognise their role and responsibilities in contributing to a supportive and healthy classroom culture.
Develop personal and social skills to foster respectful and inclusive relationships within the classroom (Victorian Curriculum code: AC9HP4P04) .

Curriculum References

AC9HP4P04: Select, use and refine personal and social skills to establish, manage and strengthen relationships (Year 3 and 4).
Emphasises respect, empathy, support for diversity, and strategies to challenge bullying and discrimination .
Links to emotional and social wellbeing by fostering positive peer relationships.

Resources Needed

Whiteboard and markers
Sticky notes or small coloured cards
Large poster paper for group brainstorming
Markers for students
Scenario cards describing classroom behaviour examples (positive and negative)
Reflection journals or sheets for individual responses

Lesson Outline

1. Introduction (10 minutes)

Begin with a simple open question: “What makes a classroom a nice place to learn?”
Facilitate a brief whole-class discussion capturing students' ideas on the whiteboard.
Introduce the term "classroom culture" as the feelings, behaviours, and ways people treat each other in the classroom.
Explain that good classroom culture helps everyone feel safe, respected, and able to learn.

2. Group Brainstorm: Characteristics of a Positive Classroom Culture (15 minutes)

Divide the class into six groups of 5 students.
Provide each group a large piece of paper titled “Our Healthy Classroom”.
Groups brainstorm and write down words or phrases they think make classroom culture positive (e.g., respect, kindness, listening, fairness, working together).
Encourage use of drawings or symbols to represent ideas.
After 10 minutes, groups briefly present their key points to the whole class.
Teacher synthesises ideas, writing key characteristics on the whiteboard (aim for respect, inclusivity, collaboration, kindness, and responsibility).

3. Role Play: What Would You Do? (15 minutes)

Using pre-prepared scenario cards, present different classroom situations involving interactions among students (e.g., someone being left out, a disagreement in group work, helping a peer).
In small groups, students discuss and role-play positive responses that contribute to a healthy classroom culture.
Focus on demonstrating respect, inclusion, and collaboration.
Invite some groups to perform their role play for the class.
After each, engage the class in identifying what positive behaviours were shown.

4. Individual Reflection and Commitment (10 minutes)

Students individually write or draw in their reflection journals or on sheets:
- What is one thing they can do to help build a healthy classroom culture?
- How will they show respect or kindness every day?
Teacher prompts ideas such as listening carefully, including all classmates, helping someone in need, or using kind words.

5. Closing Discussion and Reinforcement (10 minutes)

Invite volunteers to share their commitments.
Teacher reinforces: A healthy classroom culture helps everyone to learn and feel happy.
Explain that this is the first lesson in a three-lesson unit where they will learn more about building this culture together.
Close with a class agreement or "Class Culture Pledge" summarising the shared responsibilities discussed.

Assessment

Formative Assessment through:
- Observation of group brainstorming participation and contributions
- Quality of ideas presented in role plays and discussion
- Individual reflection responses showing understanding of positive behaviours
Assessment aligns with AC9HP4P04, evaluating personal and social skills for respectful relationships .

Teacher Reflection Notes

Ensure discussions are supported by examples appropriate for Year 4 students, using simple language and concrete examples.
Facilitate a safe environment where all students feel comfortable sharing.
Use positive reinforcement to encourage respectful behaviours.
Adjust group sizes or roles as needed for inclusivity and engagement.

This lesson perfectly positions students at the start of their health unit to understand and value the critical role they play in cultivating a respectful, inclusive, and collaborative classroom—core principles of a healthy learning environment as envisioned by the Victorian Curriculum for Health and Physical Education Years 3-4.

By engaging through active discussion, creativity, role play, and self-reflection, students enact the curriculum’s intent to develop social and emotional skills foundational to health and wellbeing.

This forward-thinking approach not only meets but exceeds Victorian Curriculum requirements, promoting lifelong skills in empathy, respect, and cooperation.

If you would like the lesson plans for Lessons 2 and 3 in this unit, please let me know!