Are We Connected?

Building Community Through Expectations & Engagement

Overview

The Are We Connected? Lab is a flexible, interactive classroom experience designed to foster connection, communication, and clarity in the first days of school — or anytime a classroom culture refresh is needed.

This activity helps students explore expectations, build collaborative norms, and make meaningful connections with peers — all while reinforcing digital and social-emotional awareness. It’s part of the L.E.A.P.P. Forward Curriculum and integrates seamlessly with advisory, homeroom, or social studies classes.

Purpose & Objectives

Students will:

• Explore and define classroom norms

• Practice respectful communication and group discussion

• Build trust and empathy through structured partner or group activities

• Reflect on digital footprints, online behavior, and their roles in the classroom community

How It Works

• 💬 Students rotate through connection stations or discussion prompts

• 🧩 Each task challenges them to solve a mini-puzzle or reflect on a real-world classroom scenario

• 📲 Students make connections between expectations and actions, both online and in-person

• 🧠 Educators gain insights into students’ needs, social comfort level, and group dynamics

Deliverables & Components

✔️ Teacher Resource Guide (PowerPoint) - with setup tips, flexible station ideas, and extensions

✔️ Editable Student Handout (Word) - includes open-ended response prompts

✔️ Editable Answer Key (Word) - for quick reference or display

✔️ ”Read Me First” Guide + PDF Preview - for easy onboarding

What Makes It Unique

• 🌱 Rooted in SEL & restorative practices

• 🔁 Reusable throughout the year (back-to-school, after breaks, conflict resolution)

• 🧠 Promotes student voice and self-awareness

• 🎯 Aligned with Achievement and Progress in the L.E.A.P.P. framework

Bonus Classroom Hooks

• Add a “Connection Challenge” leaderboard for friendly collaboration

• Post mystery reflection cards around the room for extra credit clues

• Use responses to co-create a digital classroom pledge or code of conduct

Feedback from Teachers

“This activity helped me understand my students’ personalities and values so much faster. It opened the door to meaningful conversations from Day One.”

— Middle School teacher, Texas

Use Cases

• ✅ Back-to-school icebreaker or first-week anchor activity

• ✅ SEL integration during advisory/homeroom

• ✅ Mid-year culture check-in

• ✅ Substitute-friendly classroom lesson

Available On

🛒 Teacher Pay Teachers - Are We Connected? Lab

📬 Contact Me for Custom Class Versions