Lesson Plan

Connection Canvas Guide

Guide students to map their social networks, reflect on connection strengths, and practice dialogue strategies to deepen relationships.

Developing relationship skills enhances students’ emotional support, collaboration, and wellbeing by making connections more intentional and meaningful.

Audience

Time

Approach

Materials

Prep

Review and Prepare Materials

10 minutes

Step 1

Introduction and Warm-Up

5 minutes

Step 2

Mapping Your Network Activity

15 minutes

Step 3

Reflection and Group Discussion

10 minutes

Step 4

Deepening Dialogues Practice

8 minutes

Step 5

Wrap-Up and Next Steps

2 minutes

Slide Deck

Mapping Your Network

Welcome students to the Mapping Your Network activity. Introduce today’s goal: to visually map your social connections and understand their strength.

Why Map Your Network?

Explain why mapping matters: It builds self-awareness around relationships and helps students see where they might want to invest more energy.

Circles of Connection

Introduce the concentric-circle model. Emphasize that closeness varies and that everyone has different layers of connection.

How It Works: Three Steps

Provide a high-level overview of the mapping process before diving into each step.

Step 1: Identify People

Walk students through Step 1. Encourage them to brainstorm names quickly without overthinking.

Step 2: Add Details

Explain Step 2. Clarify what ‘frequency’ and ‘quality’ mean in this context.

Step 3: Label Strength

Describe the strength labels and give examples of each.

Your Turn: Start Mapping

Launch the independent mapping activity. Set a 15-minute timer and circulate to support students as they work.