Lesson Plan
Connection Quest Session 1 Lesson Plan
Students will set community norms, get to know each other through an icebreaker activity, and explore the concept of empathy by defining it and reflecting on why kindness matters.
Building a positive classroom environment at the start of the series helps teens feel valued and safe. Introducing empathy lays the foundation for strong connections and inclusive communities.
Audience
Time
Approach
Materials
Prep
Prepare Materials
15 minutes
Step 1
Welcome & Series Introduction
10 minutes
Step 2
Establish Norms
10 minutes
Step 3
Icebreaker Activity: Question Cards
15 minutes
Step 4
Empathy Discussion
15 minutes
Step 5
Reflection & Closing
10 minutes
Slide Deck
Welcome to Connection Quest
Today's Objectives
Your 5-Session Journey
Establish Our Norms
Icebreaker: Question Cards
What Is Empathy?
Empathy Reflection
Reflection & Closing
Script
Discussion
Activity
Game
Warm Up
Cool Down
Worksheet
Slide Deck
Welcome to Connection Quest
Series Goals
Why Kindness & Empathy?
Your 5-Session Journey
What You’ll Gain
Let’s Get Started (Session 1)
Lesson Plan
Connection Quest Session 3 Lesson Plan
Students will celebrate individual differences by creating mixed-media identity collages, share their artwork with peers, and build empathy through understanding diverse perspectives.
Art-based self-expression helps students explore and honor what makes them unique. Sharing and viewing peers’ collages fosters appreciation, empathy, and a more inclusive classroom culture.
Audience
Time
Approach
Materials
Prep
Prepare Art Materials
15 minutes
Step 1
Warm-Up Discussion: Celebrating Differences
10 minutes
Step 2
Art Activity: Identity Collage
30 minutes
Step 3
Gallery Walk & Sharing
10 minutes
Step 4
Reflection & Closing
10 minutes
Slide Deck
Session 3: Celebrating Differences
Today's Objectives
Warm-Up: Celebrating Differences
Art Activity: Identity Collage
Gallery Walk & Sharing
Reflection & Closing
Lesson Plan
Connection Quest Session 4 Lesson Plan
Students will practice kindness and teamwork through high-energy, movement-based games that require noticing, supporting, and complimenting peers, then reflect on how physical actions can express empathy.
Active games engage students’ energy and bodies in kindness practice, reinforcing that empathy and support can be communicated through actions as well as words, building stronger peer connections.
Audience
Time
Approach
Materials
Prep
Set Up Play Area & Prompts
10 minutes
Step 1
Warm-Up: Active Kindness Stretch
5 minutes
Step 2
Game 1: Kindness Tag
15 minutes
Step 3
Game 2: Compliment Relay
20 minutes
Step 4
Reflection & Closing
20 minutes
