Belonging and Community

305 Activities

Build emotional intelligence, empathy, and a strong sense of self. Through social-emotional learning and community-building activities, learners develop confidence and connection by exploring relationships, identity, and leadership.

Activities

Get to Know You Bingo (Grades 3-5)

Belonging and Community, Stories and Perspectives

Get to Know You Bingo (Grades 3-5)

Mizzen Education, Inc.

3 - 5

45 Minutes

Students play Bingo with a difference: Numbers have been replaced with personality traits and fun facts. By the end of the game, group members will know one another a little better.

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Stop Bullying Stoplight

Belonging and Community, Stories and Perspectives

Stop Bullying Stoplight

Mizzen Education, Inc.

K - 5

45 Minutes

In this activity, students discuss bullying, how to recognize and respond to it, and how to prevent it. Then, they create a bullying spotlight providing guidelines to help end bullying.

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Play 20 Questions

Belonging and Community, Stories and Perspectives

Play 20 Questions

Mizzen Education, Inc.

K - 2

45 Minutes

In this activity, children play a version of the popular game 20 Questions. Children work in groups of 3 or 4, with 1 child thinking of either an animal or vegetable while the rest of the group asks up to a total of 20 questions to determine what it is. Finally, children reconvene as a whole group for a discussion.

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Meet the Food Groups

Whole Body, Whole Self, Belonging and Community

Meet the Food Groups

Mizzen Education, Inc.

3 - 5

45 Minutes

In this activity, students learn about the 5 major food groups. They begin by discussing their favorite foods. Next, they form teams to learn about individual food groups and share their knowledge by writing and performing a short skit or act of a play. Finally, they gather together and perform the play for one another.

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Creating the Best Place

Belonging and Community, We The People

Creating the Best Place

Mizzen Education, Inc.

3 - 5

45 Minutes

Build on students' sense of place by having students work together to plan and consider ideas for improving a neighborhood. In this activity, they share drawings or other models, and then recognize that people may have different ideas for the neighborhoods in which they want to live.

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Flip It

Belonging and Community, Stories and Perspectives

Flip It

kid-grit

3 - 5

10 Minutes

In this closing activity, students think about differences intentionally as they recognize that they can change their actions, habits, and mindsets. By letting students solve their challenges, they build and fortify their resiliency skills.

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Hot Potato (Grades 6-8)

Belonging and Community, Leadership and Teamwork

Hot Potato (Grades 6-8)

Mizzen Education, Inc.

6 - 8

45 Minutes

In this activity, students build collaborative speaking and listening skills by asking and answering questions while passing a “hot potato” object as quickly as possible.

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Animal Interviews

Belonging and Community, Stories and Perspectives

Animal Interviews

Mizzen Education, Inc.

K - 5

45 Minutes

In this activity, students transform into an animal of their choice and use their imagination to answer interview questions.

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What Makes Me, Me?

Belonging and Community, Whole Body, Whole Self, Stories and Perspectives

What Makes Me, Me?

kid-grit

3 - 5

10 Minutes

This activity aims for students to examine, learn, and accept that being unique is a wonderful thing. The pressure to fit in and be like everyone else often starts at an early age. In this activity, students learn how to notice when they are different and appreciate themselves for their differences and unique qualities.

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Take a Vote! Choose a Group Mascot

We The People, Belonging and Community

Take a Vote! Choose a Group Mascot

Mizzen Education, Inc.

K - 2

45 Minutes

Students explore the purpose and process of voting. They begin by defining key terms such as vote and election. They develop the concept of voting by listening to a children’s picture book. Then, they use what they have learned to make a campaign poster for an animal to become the group mascot. If time allows, the group holds a secret ballot election for the mascot.

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One-Way Paper Talk

Belonging and Community, Leadership and Teamwork

One-Way Paper Talk

After-School All-Stars

6 - 8

5 Minutes

This short activity illustrates the importance of two-way communication in collaborative work and relationships.

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In My Shoes (Grades 9-12)

Stories and Perspectives, Belonging and Community

In My Shoes (Grades 9-12)

Mizzen Education, Inc.

9 - 12

45 Minutes

In this activity, students write a fictional first-person narrative from someone else's perspective. Students may choose someone they know personally or research a subject from the past or present.

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Get to Know You Bingo (Grades 3-5)

Belonging and Community, Stories and Perspectives

Get to Know You Bingo (Grades 3-5)

Mizzen Education, Inc.

3 - 5

45 Minutes

Students play Bingo with a difference: Numbers have been replaced with personality traits and fun facts. By the end of the game, group members will know one another a little better.

Discover Activity

Stop Bullying Stoplight

Belonging and Community, Stories and Perspectives

Stop Bullying Stoplight

Mizzen Education, Inc.

K - 5

45 Minutes

In this activity, students discuss bullying, how to recognize and respond to it, and how to prevent it. Then, they create a bullying spotlight providing guidelines to help end bullying.

Discover Activity

Play 20 Questions

Belonging and Community, Stories and Perspectives

Play 20 Questions

Mizzen Education, Inc.

K - 2

45 Minutes

Discover Activity

Meet the Food Groups

Whole Body, Whole Self, Belonging and Community

Meet the Food Groups

Mizzen Education, Inc.

3 - 5

45 Minutes

Discover Activity

Creating the Best Place

Belonging and Community, We The People

Creating the Best Place

Mizzen Education, Inc.

3 - 5

45 Minutes

Discover Activity

Flip It

Belonging and Community, Stories and Perspectives

Flip It

kid-grit

3 - 5

10 Minutes

Discover Activity

Hot Potato (Grades 6-8)

Belonging and Community, Leadership and Teamwork

Hot Potato (Grades 6-8)

Mizzen Education, Inc.

6 - 8

45 Minutes

In this activity, students build collaborative speaking and listening skills by asking and answering questions while passing a “hot potato” object as quickly as possible.

Discover Activity

Animal Interviews

Belonging and Community, Stories and Perspectives

Animal Interviews

Mizzen Education, Inc.

K - 5

45 Minutes

In this activity, students transform into an animal of their choice and use their imagination to answer interview questions.

Discover Activity

What Makes Me, Me?

Belonging and Community, Whole Body, Whole Self, Stories and Perspectives

What Makes Me, Me?

kid-grit

3 - 5

10 Minutes

Discover Activity

Take a Vote! Choose a Group Mascot

We The People, Belonging and Community

Take a Vote! Choose a Group Mascot

Mizzen Education, Inc.

K - 2

45 Minutes

Discover Activity

One-Way Paper Talk

Belonging and Community, Leadership and Teamwork

One-Way Paper Talk

After-School All-Stars

6 - 8

5 Minutes

This short activity illustrates the importance of two-way communication in collaborative work and relationships.

Discover Activity

In My Shoes (Grades 9-12)

Stories and Perspectives, Belonging and Community

In My Shoes (Grades 9-12)

Mizzen Education, Inc.

9 - 12

45 Minutes

In this activity, students write a fictional first-person narrative from someone else's perspective. Students may choose someone they know personally or research a subject from the past or present.

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Collections

Opening and Closing Activities for K-2

Stories and Perspectives, Belonging and Community

10 Activities

Opening and Closing Activities for K-2

kid-grit

K - 2

2 Hours

This playlist of opening and closing activities encourages youth to explore their big and small emotions while sharing positive thoughts about themselves and their friends. The opening activities offer simple strategies to help them feel calm and prepared for the day, gently setting the stage for a strong and centered start. Closing activities invite students to reflect on moments of kindness, connection, and courage through song, movement, gratitude, and reflection. Whether mimicking animals, writing thank-you notes, or sharing songs from home, they’ll consider what made them feel seen, strong, or calm. Each experience helps them carry something positive forward until they gather again next time!

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Back to School: Community Building Activities

Leadership and Teamwork, Belonging and Community

10 Activities

Back to School: Community Building Activities

Mizzen Education, Inc.

K - 12

Build community at the start of any program with this collection of activities that give children and youth fun ways to get to know each other!

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10 Activities Exploring Black History Month

Belonging and Community, We The People

8 Activities

10 Activities Exploring Black History Month

Mizzen Education, Inc.

K - 8

7 Hours 30 Minutes

Explore our curated playlist of activities for Black History month in Mizzen. These activities span the topics of social justice, civil rights, the civil war, abolitionist leaders and more. Allow Mizzen to help with planning Black History Month for students and get started with these activities today.

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Social and Emotional Learning Activities for 3rd-5th Grade at Home

Stories and Perspectives, Belonging and Community

10 Activities

Social and Emotional Learning Activities for 3rd-5th Grade at Home

Mizzen Education, Inc.

3 - 5

7 Hours 15 Minutes

This Playlist provides younger students various activities that teaches them the importance of understanding the emotions of their peers.

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Caring for Urban Forests

Belonging and Community, STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore, The Natural World

3 Activities

Caring for Urban Forests

City Parks Foundation

6 - 8

2 Hours

Our local ecosystems provide many ecosystem services that endow us with resources, opportunities for recreation and cultural expression, and support the safety quality of life for all living things, including humans. Street trees perform a number of ecosystem services for both humans and wildlife. They filter our air, provide passive cooling and heating, capture carbon, take up storm water (a vital aspect in cities prone to flooding due to climate change— see our Sustainable Cities module for more information on this topic), reduce noise, provide food, shelter, and provide abundant beauty.

In this module, students will learn about each type of ecosystem service: Provisioning, Regulating, Cultural, and Supporting, and research the ways they are being threatened in their local communities. They will also participate in air temperature to better understand the ecosystem services trees provide which are especially important in urban environments. This research will conclude with a service learning opportunity in which students will restore tree beds.

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Indicator Species

STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore, Belonging and Community, The Natural World

3 Activities

Indicator Species

City Parks Foundation

6 - 8

2 Hours

Indicator species are integral to evaluating the health of ecosystems. They are early indicators of changing environmental conditions that may prove detrimental to other species in the same region. Insects, including dragonflies, are climate sensitive species since much of their growth and development depends on temperature.

In this lesson, students will learn about dragonflies as indicators of climate change. They will become familiar with the life cycle of a dragonfly, learn to identify different species of dragonflies, and assess dragonfly biodiversity. At each of these learning milestones, students will engage in a discussion about how rapid changes in climate conditions can be detrimental not only to dragonflies but to the success and survival of wildlife around the world.

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Opening and Closing Activities for Grades 3-5

Stories and Perspectives, Belonging and Community

10 Activities

Opening and Closing Activities for Grades 3-5

kid-grit

3 - 5

2 Hours

This collection of opening and closing activities encourages students to explore their thoughts, feelings, and choices while building habits that support reflection and growth. Opening activities use emojis, discussion prompts, and movement to help students connect with their emotions and set a tone of respect, curiosity, and readiness for learning. Closing activities invite students to slow down, look inward, and practice calming techniques as they reflect on their experiences and explore ways to shift habits and mindsets. Together, these moments bookend the day with purpose and self-awareness!

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The kid-grit Pandemic Crisis Guide: Wellness for Students, Educators, and Families

Whole Body, Whole Self, Belonging and Community

6 Activities

The kid-grit Pandemic Crisis Guide: Wellness for Students, Educators, and Families

kid-grit

3 - 12

6 Hours 15 Minutes

Welcome to kid-grit's SEL activities! Based on our partners’ request we have created a soulful guide filled with lessons, reflections, questions, and extended activities in response to the pandemic crisis that is happening around the world. We developed these activities in hope that its content will provide relief and support for our students and their families, educators, staff, and administrators.

All the activities have been designed to engage students in areas of personal development, social-emotional learning, character education, 21st-century skill-based inquiry, and global consciousness. These activities are built to have students think critically and share perspectives — focusing on topics such as tolerance, personal development, crisis situations, building positive communities, self-regulation, empathy, using breathing as a form of stress release. Students will be challenged to think outside the box and drive their own learning — they will learn by doing. Students will take on new ways of problem-solving and, in the process, create their own prescription for healthier mindsets, building resilience and grit.

You can use these activities in any order that works for your program or school environment. However, we recommend beginning with the activity, “Educating Myself for Peace of Mind,” as a starter activity to set the stage for the activities to follow.

Lastly, the following three activities are relevant for any crisis, “Educating Myself for Peace of Mind, Stop the Madness! and Fight or Flight.” Feel free to utilize them anytime and replace any COVID-19 reference to the existing event in your community, or national news or global occurrence.

NOTE: If your students are enjoying a lesson and you want to extend the time, please feel free, dive into deeper learning and enjoy!

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Strengthen Social and Emotional Learning with Johnny Crowder

Whole Body, Whole Self, Belonging and Community

12 Activities

Strengthen Social and Emotional Learning with Johnny Crowder

Mizzen Education, Inc.

K - 12

Like learning algebra or how to ride a bike, social and emotional learning (SEL) calls for patience, compassion, and everyday practice. That’s what brain science and experience say, and it’s at the core of this playlist. Through activities that teach mindfulness meditation, how to identify your strengths and talents, and cultivating compassion through service, you’ll find practical experiences, resources, and tips for empowering youth while helping them navigate stress and build healthy relationships.

“I often wonder how much different my life would look if I was offered support earlier. Before I was struggling, before I withdrew, before I exhibited all sorts of behavioral health issues. The power of prevention is something we can’t waste. We need to use our own hindsight into what would have helped us when we were young to set this next generation up for the success we never had.” — Johnny Crowder

Johnny Crowder is a suicide/abuse survivor, TEDx speaker, touring musician, Certified Peer Recovery Specialist, and the Founder & CEO of Cope Notes, a text-based mental health platform that provides daily support to youth and adults in nearly 100 countries around the world.

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Opening and Closing Activities for K-2

Stories and Perspectives, Belonging and Community

10 Activities

Opening and Closing Activities for K-2

kid-grit

K - 2

2 Hours

Discover Collection

Back to School: Community Building Activities

Leadership and Teamwork, Belonging and Community

10 Activities

Back to School: Community Building Activities

Mizzen Education, Inc.

K - 12

Build community at the start of any program with this collection of activities that give children and youth fun ways to get to know each other!

Discover Collection

10 Activities Exploring Black History Month

Belonging and Community, We The People

8 Activities

10 Activities Exploring Black History Month

Mizzen Education, Inc.

K - 8

7 Hours 30 Minutes

Discover Collection

Social and Emotional Learning Activities for 3rd-5th Grade at Home

Stories and Perspectives, Belonging and Community

10 Activities

Social and Emotional Learning Activities for 3rd-5th Grade at Home

Mizzen Education, Inc.

3 - 5

7 Hours 15 Minutes

This Playlist provides younger students various activities that teaches them the importance of understanding the emotions of their peers.

Discover Collection

Caring for Urban Forests

Belonging and Community, STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore, The Natural World

3 Activities

Caring for Urban Forests

City Parks Foundation

6 - 8

2 Hours

Discover Collection

Indicator Species

STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore, Belonging and Community, The Natural World

3 Activities

Indicator Species

City Parks Foundation

6 - 8

2 Hours

Discover Collection

Opening and Closing Activities for Grades 3-5

Stories and Perspectives, Belonging and Community

10 Activities

Opening and Closing Activities for Grades 3-5

kid-grit

3 - 5

2 Hours

Discover Collection

The kid-grit Pandemic Crisis Guide: Wellness for Students, Educators, and Families

Whole Body, Whole Self, Belonging and Community

6 Activities

The kid-grit Pandemic Crisis Guide: Wellness for Students, Educators, and Families

kid-grit

3 - 12

6 Hours 15 Minutes

NOTE: If your students are enjoying a lesson and you want to extend the time, please feel free, dive into deeper learning and enjoy!

Discover Collection

Strengthen Social and Emotional Learning with Johnny Crowder

Whole Body, Whole Self, Belonging and Community

12 Activities

Strengthen Social and Emotional Learning with Johnny Crowder

Mizzen Education, Inc.

K - 12

Discover Collection

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Library

Categories Collaborators Explore All Activities All Collections

Community

Our Story Team Mizzen Events The Mizzen Minute

Engage

Newsroom Contact Us Privacy Policy

Account