aidemia--modules-lessonstartideas_type	Give a creative idea how to begin a lesson
Which subject	Sociology
What age group	Reception / Kindergarten
What topic	BELONGING BY JEANNIE BAKER
Quantity	1
Any other preferences	ENVIRONMENT, ECOLOGY, SCIENCE, MATHEMATICS, ART AND CRAFT, ENGLISH, LANGUAGE, LITERATURE

Introduction to Sociology: Exploring Belonging Through Jeannie Baker's "Belonging"

Grade Level: Reception / Kindergarten
Subject: Sociology

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🌎 Welcome to our Belonging Journey!

🌼 Opening Activity: "What Makes Us Feel at Home?"

To kick off our lesson on belonging, let’s gather in a circle and have a feeling-sharing session! Ask the children to think about their homes and special places. Use the following prompts to guide the discussion:

1. What do you see at home that makes you smile?

   • Encourage them to share their thoughts—pictures, toys, or even family members!

2. Do you have a favorite spot to relax? Where is it and why do you love it?

   • This nurtures their personal experiences and emotions connected to belonging.

3. What do you enjoy doing with your family?

   • Prompt them to think of activities that create a sense of belonging.

📖 Story Time: "Belonging" by Jeannie Baker

After sharing feelings, gather the children around for a cozy storytime setup. Introduce Jeannie Baker's "Belonging" as a beautiful exploration of various homes, families, and communities. Here’s how to present it:

• Visual Engagement: Show the children the vibrant illustrations. Encourage them to describe what they see and how it might relate to their own lives.

• Interactive Reading: Pause at various points to ask questions like:

  • "What do you think this family is feeling?"
  • "How do you know this place is important to them?"

🎨 Craft Activity: Create Your Special Place

Once the story is complete, transition into a craft activity. Here’s what we’ll do:

Materials Needed:

• Coloured paper
• Crayons and markers
• Scissors (with adult supervision)
• Glue
• Natural materials (such as leaves and twigs)

Instructions:

1. Draw Your Special Place: Have each child draw and decorate their special place using coloured paper and crayons.

2. Add Special Features: Provide natural materials for them to glue onto their artwork, making it unique!

3. Share Your Creation: Encourage each child to share their artwork with the class, explaining what makes their special place feel like home.

🌟 Reflection: What Does Belonging Mean?

Conclude the lesson by gathering the children again in a circle. Ask them:

• What did you learn today about belonging?

Encourage open sharing, helping children articulate their thoughts and feelings. Reinforce the idea that everyone is part of different communities and that each of us belongs somewhere special.

🌱 Conclusion

By engaging with Jeannie Baker's narrative and creative activities, students will experience the emotions and concepts related to belonging. This groundwork lays the foundation for understanding their place within their families, friends, and wider communities.

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Further Explorations

• Link to Nature: If time allows, consider taking a short walk outside to observe their natural surroundings and discuss how different environments contribute to a sense of belonging.
• Cultural Box: Invite students to bring items from their home cultures to share, encouraging a broader perspective on belonging and community connections.

By creating a safe and interactive atmosphere, children will begin to understand belonging in both personal and communal contexts, laying the groundwork for future sociological explorations.