Getting Connected

Unit: Building Classroom Community

Lesson 1 of 3: Getting to Know Each Other

Duration: 45 minutes
Year Level: 3
Class Size: 30 students
Learning Area: Humanities and Social Sciences (HASS) – Social Sciences

Lesson Overview

This lesson introduces students to the concept of community within their classroom. Through carefully designed icebreaker activities, students explore their classmates' interests, backgrounds, and hobbies. This fosters early connections and builds a positive sense of belonging — foundational for a supportive learning environment.

Victorian Curriculum Alignment

Curriculum Strands: Humanities and Social Sciences (HASS) – Year 3

Personal and Social Capability: developing teamwork, empathy, and communication skills essential for participating in a community.
Civics and Citizenship: Understand roles and responsibilities in groups, recognise the importance of belonging.
HASS Content Descriptions:
- ACHASSK061 — "The similarities and differences between people in the local community and the reasons for these."
- ACHASSI057 — "Pose questions to investigate people, events, places and issues."
- ACHASSI058 — "Locate and collect information and data from a range of sources."

General Capabilities

Personal and Social Capability: Social Awareness and Management skills applied through classroom activities and discussion.
Intercultural Capability: Recognising diverse backgrounds and interests within the class group.

Learning Objectives

By the end of the lesson, students will be able to:

Identify shared interests and unique personal backgrounds of their classmates.
Demonstrate respectful listening and speaking skills in group discussions.
Develop an initial sense of classroom community and belonging.
Use questioning strategies to learn more about others.

Resources Needed

Name tags or stickers
"Getting to Know You" Bingo cards (with interests, hobbies, background prompts)
Chart paper and markers
Small balls or soft toys for group activities
Prepared questions for guided discussion
Timer or stopwatch

Lesson Structure

1. Introduction (5 minutes)

Welcome students and briefly introduce the idea of community and why it’s important to know about each other.
Explain the day’s goals: To learn about friends in the classroom through fun activities.
Set classroom expectations for respectful listening and sharing.

2. Icebreaker Activity 1: Name and Interest Toss (10 minutes)

Purpose: Help students remember names and share interests.

Arrange students in a circle.
Toss a soft ball to a student; when caught, student says their name and one hobby or interest.
That student tosses the ball to another to continue.
Encourage students to listen carefully and remember classmates’ names and interests.

Teacher Tip: Model your own introduction first and demonstrate active listening by connecting interests (e.g., “I like football too!”).

3. Icebreaker Activity 2: "Getting to Know You" Bingo (15 minutes)

Purpose: Encourage interaction through discovery of classmates’ interests, backgrounds, and experiences.

Provide each student with a Bingo card containing prompts such as “Has a pet dog,” “Likes to read books,” “Speaks another language,” “Has visited another state,” etc.
Students circulate to find peers who match these descriptions, writing their names down (one name per square).
Encourage students to ask follow-up questions to learn more.

Variations:

To suit diverse learners, include visual icons beside text on the Bingo card.
Teachers circulate providing support or English/as needed assistance.

4. Group Reflection and Sharing Circle (10 minutes)

Purpose: Consolidate learning about classmates and reflect on the diversity and commonalities.

Gather students in a seated circle.
Guide a discussion with questions such as:
- What surprised you about your classmates?
- Did you find someone who shares the same hobbies as you?
- Why is it important to learn about each other?
Record key points on chart paper visible to students, highlighting themes of diversity and community.

5. Closing Activity: Classroom Community Pledge (5 minutes)

Purpose: Establish positive group norms for building community across the unit.

Collaboratively create a simple pledge or list of ‘community promises,’ e.g.:
- We listen when others speak.
- We are kind to each other.
- We celebrate our differences.
Write and display the pledge in the classroom for ongoing reference.

Assessment

Observation: Teacher notes student participation, listening, and respectful behaviours during activities.
Formative: Informal feedback during sharing circle showing understanding of community concepts.
Reflection: Students may be asked to complete a simple "My profile" card noting three things they learned about a classmate.

Differentiation and Inclusion

Provide sentence starters for students who need language support (e.g., “My favourite hobby is...,” “I come from...,” “I like...”).
Use pairing strategies (peer buddies) to support shy or EAL students.
Allow students to respond verbally, through drawings, or gestures as suits their communication style.

Extension Ideas

Create a class mural or digital slideshow featuring student interests and backgrounds.
Start a class “Friendship Book” where students write or draw about a new friend each week.
Introduce simple Auslan signs for greetings or names, touching on cultural diversity (aligning with Victorian Curriculum Languages if desired).

Reflection for Teachers

At the end of the session, consider what worked well in encouraging participation and connection. Reflect on any students who may need extra support in feeling included and plan strategies for upcoming lessons.

This lesson combines active social engagement with curriculum-aligned content aimed at building a strong classroom community according to Victorian Curriculum standards for Year 3 Humanities and Social Sciences and Personal and Social Capability .

Teaching Instructions