Getting to Know You

Objective

To foster a sense of community and belonging in the classroom by encouraging students to share their personal interests and values through the creation of their own coat of arms.

Duration

30 minutes

Materials

• Coat of arms worksheets (pre-printed)
• Colouring pencils, markers, or crayons
• Whiteboard and markers
• A timer
• Optional: stickers or stamps for added decoration

Standards

This lesson aligns with the following IE Curriculum Frameworks:

• Social, Personal and Health Education (SPHE) - developing self-awareness and respect for others
• Art and Design - creativity and expression through personal artwork

Preparation

1. Classroom Setup: Arrange the seating in a circle to promote community interaction. Ensure each student has enough space to work on their coat of arms.
2. Materials Distribution: Prepare enough coat of arms worksheets and art supplies for each student.
3. Introduction Board: Prepare a whiteboard with two sections labeled "My Interests" and "My Values".

Lesson Procedure

Introduction (5 minutes)

• Greeting: Start with a warm welcome to create a friendly atmosphere.
• Purpose: Explain that the activity aims to get to know each other better and to help everyone feel more connected.
• Brief Explanation: Introduce the concept of a coat of arms as a personal symbol that represents one's values and interests. Give a few examples based on common interests (sports, music, nature).

Coat of Arms Activity (15 minutes)

1. Worksheet Distribution: Hand out the coat of arms worksheets.
2. Instructions: Explain the different sections of the coat of arms (e.g., top section for hobbies, left section for family values, right section for favourite animals, bottom section for future dreams).
3. Work Time: Allow 10 minutes for students to fill out their worksheets and decorate their coat of arms. Encourage them to be as creative as possible and think about what makes them unique.

Sharing Circle (8 minutes)

• After the artwork is complete, invite students to share their creations with the class.
• Ask each student to explain one section of their coat of arms, promoting listening and respect for each other's interests.
• Use the whiteboard to write down key themes or shared interests as students share—this helps reinforce community bonds.

Closing (2 minutes)

• Reflection: Conclude the lesson with a brief reflection on what they learned about each other. Ask a few questions like: "What surprised you about a classmate?" or "What do you have in common with someone else?"
• Encouragement: Encourage students to keep their coat of arms as a reminder of what makes them special and to display it in their space at home.

Assessment

• Observe the engagement during the activity and sharing session.
• Assess understanding based on students' ability to articulate one aspect of their coat of arms.
• Collect the worksheets at the end of the class to review creativity and effort.

Extensions

• As a follow-up, consider having students write a short paragraph about one classmate (chosen randomly) based on what they learned during the sharing session. This can be done in the next class, fostering ongoing community building.

Notes for Teachers

• Be responsive to the emotional needs of students during sharing; some may feel shy or unsure. Offer positive reinforcement and create a supportive environment by highlighting the unique contributions of each student.
• Adapt the lesson for the varying attention spans and creativity levels in the classroom, ensuring every student feels successful and included.