Belonging: Mosaic activity

• Students will examine what belonging means to them.
• Students will identify similarities and differences in people and groups, and describe ways to include others to make them feel they belong

Australian Curriculum (Version 8.4)

Years 3 and 4 Health and Physical Education

• Describe how respect, empathy and valuing difference can positively influence relationships (ACPPS037)
• Research own heritage and cultural identities, and explore strategies to respect and value diversity (ACPPS042) 

Years 5 and 6 Health and Physical Education 

• Practise skills to establish and manage relationships (ACPPS055)
• Identify how valuing diversity positively influences the wellbeing of the community (ACPPS060)

Australian Curriculum (Version 9)

Years 3 and 4 Health and Physical Education

• Select, use and refine personal and social skills to establish, manage and strengthen relationships (AC9HP4P04)
• Describe how valuing diversity influences wellbeing and identify actions that promote inclusion in their communities (AC9HP4P05) 

Years 5 and 6 Health and Physical Education

• Describe and demonstrate how respect and empathy can be expressed to positively influence relationships (AC9HP6P04)
• Describe and implement strategies to value diversity in their communities (AC9HP6P05)

For this activity, you will need: 

• A4 paper (plain or coloured, 1 per person)
• Scissors and glue
• Writing equipment
• Colouring equipment (optional)
• Attachment A: Exemplar Belonging Mosaic.

Read the statement below

For this activity we’re going to be thinking about bullying and some things we can do to make it less likely to happen. As part of this we’re going to focus on belonging.

Belonging means everyone has a place in our class and in our school.

Here, belonging is about feeling like you are a part of the class and the school – Where it doesn’t matter if we are different from each other. Everyone is nice, kind, and helps each other. 

For students in Years 3 and 4:

Students who feel their teachers and friends value and like them are more likely to feel they belong. Let us think about how a new student might feel and ways to support them to have a greater sense of belonging

For students in Years 5 and 6:

 In the future, you will be moving into the high school years. We know that having positive relationships with your teachers and classmates in primary school and early in high school contributes to a greater sense of belonging in a new environment.

For all year levels:

At the end of this lesson, you will be able to say what belonging means to you and describe ways to include others to make them feel they belong.

Read the statement below:

In school, belonging is about feeling safe and supported to be yourself. When we all know that everyone is different but we can still be ourselves, we all feel like we belong.  

People are different in many ways. We can like different foods, drinks and favourite colours. We have different family traditions and learn in different ways. This is what makes everyone special. It would be pretty boring if we were all the same. 

Belonging is like a superpower against bullying. It brings us together and makes us strong. It helps us to understand and help each other.

When someone is different to you, or likes different things, or does things in different ways, it is important to be kind and to include them. That’s what makes the world interesting and fun. We can learn new things from each other. 

For students in Years 3 and 4:

Can you remember what your first day in a new class felt like?

When a new student arrives, can you imagine or anticipate how they feel on the first day – when they walk into the school or a classroom or have lunch – and don’t know anyone?

What could you/we do to help the new student feel like they belong: In our class? In our school?

For students in Years 5 and 6: 

Imagine it’s your first day at high school. You notice another Year 7 student is on their own and looking a bit lost or unsure. What could you do to welcome them and help them to fit in?

You notice some classmates are teasing another student, and the student seems uncomfortable, upset or unhappy. What could you do to help the student? What might happen if you do something? What might happen if you don’t do anything?

Remind students: 

Everyone is different and that’s a good thing. Everyone belongs in our school and in our class. It feels good to belong. When we belong, it keeps us connected. When we are connected, we have a powerful protection against bullying.

Make a class mosaic to create a powerful visual statement about belonging.

Explain to the class that they are going to work together to create their own Belonging Mosaic to build a whole-class Belonging Mosaic. The completed mosaic will visually show that even though each student’s mosaic may be different, each has its own place within the class mosaic.

Reflecting on the class discussion, ask the students “next time you see someone on their own or someone new joins our class, what is one action you can commit to, to promote a sense of belonging at school? This is what you will be writing or drawing on your personal mosaic.”

1. Cut coloured paper into 3cm wide strips (4 strips per student).
2. Cut A4 pieces of paper in half to create A5 sheets (1 piece of A5 per student in a colour different to their strips).
3. Fold A5 paper in half and cut 4 slits from the folded edge to about 1.5cm from the edge (to create a frame). It’s ok if the cut lines are a bit wavy or uneven.
4. Open the frame and thread (weave) the strips of paper over and under through the frame.
5. Students write or draw on the strips or frame their action to promote a sense of belonging at school.
6. Join each student’s mosaic together for the class display with the title “Belonging Mosaic: Our class embraces diversity”.
7. Facilitate a whole-class discussion reflecting on difference and belonging, as shown by the Belonging Mosaic.

• Coloured strips and frames can be pre-cut for students to use as individuals or in groups.
• Teacher can create one (or a series of) whole-class Belonging Mosaic frame/s, where students write/draw their symbol for belonging on a colourful paper strip, which is then woven into the class mosaic frame/s. 
• Students can offer peer support to other students.