Here you’ll find a variety of lesson plans, with one for each age group. Feel free to mix and match the activities that work best for your students. There’s also an alternative lesson plan at the end for even more flexibility.
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2nd Grade Lesson Plan - Age 7
Learning Objectives
Identify specific coping skills to manage personal frustration
Describe the qualities of an inclusive friend
Demonstrate how to recover after making a mistake or falling down
Materials
Book and/or Read Along Video
Optional Q&A Video
Procedure (45 minutes + 20 minutes optional Q&A - Note read along time is not included)
Watch the read along video of the book or read the book out loud. The read along is about 1 hour and 15 minutes and could be broken up in 15-20 minute intervals per day until complete.
(10 mins) Engage in a thematic opening discussion about friendship and resilience. Ask the students: How do you feel when you try something new and it doesn't go well? What does it mean to be 'inclusive' when playing at recess? If you were going on a big adventure, what are three things you would pack to help you stay brave?
(20 mins) Create a 'Coping Tool Bag' using paper bags or cardboard. Students will draw and cut out 'Inclusion Glue', a 'Coping Ax', and 'Friendship Rope' from paper. On the back of each tool, they should write one specific action they can take, such as 'Take three deep breaths' or 'Ask someone sitting alone to play'.
(15 mins) Group roleplay activity where students practice using their tools. In small groups, provide a scenario like 'Someone feels left out of a game' and have students 'apply' their Inclusion Glue. Discuss: Which tool was the hardest to use? Why is it important to keep going even when we fall flat on our faces? How can helping a friend help us feel better too?
(20 mins) Watch the author's Q&A interview video. Lead a discussion prompting students to come up with new questions they would like to ask the author. Example questions to start: 'What inspired you to write this?', 'How did you choose the characters?
3nd Grade Lesson Plan - Age 8
Learning Objectives
Analyze how resilience helps characters overcome physical and emotional obstacles
Define inclusion and provide examples of inclusive behavior in a school setting
Create a visual representation of personal support systems
Materials
Book and/or Read Along Video
Optional Q&A Video
Procedure (50 minutes + 20 minutes optional Q&A - Note read along time is not included)
Watch the read along video of the book or read the book out loud. The read along is about 1 hour and 15 minutes and could be broken up in 15-20 minute intervals per day until complete.
(10 mins) Initial thematic discussion. Ask the students: What is the difference between being 'lost' and just being 'lonely'? How can we help someone else find their way if they are having a hard time? What are some 'tools' we use in real life to stay calm when things get dark or scary?
(25 mins) Friendship Rope Mapping. Students will draw themselves in the center of a piece of paper and use pieces of yarn (Friendship Rope) to connect themselves to friends, family, or mentors. For each connection, they write one way that person helps them stay 'included' or 'safe'.
(15 mins) Reflection circle. Students share one person from their map and one way they can be a 'Hedgehog' friend (someone unexpected who helps) to others. Ask: How does it feel when someone helps you without being asked? Why do we sometimes feel like we are in a 'dark cave' when we are lonely? What is the best way to invite someone new into your group?
(20 mins) Watch the author's Q&A interview video. Lead a discussion prompting students to come up with new questions they would like to ask the author. Example questions to start: 'What inspired you to write this?', 'How did you choose the characters?'
4th Grade Lesson Plan - Age 9
Learning Objectives
Evaluate the metaphorical meaning of the tools mentioned in the story
Develop a personal 'Adventure Plan' for managing social anxiety
Collaborate with peers to solve hypothetical 'tough situations'
Materials
Book and/or Read Along Video
Optional Q&A Video
Procedure (55 minutes + 20 minutes optional Q&A - Note read along time is not included)
Watch the read along video of the book or read the book out loud. The read along is about 1 hour and 15 minutes and could be broken up in 15-20 minute intervals per day until complete.
(10 mins) Thematic discussion on resilience. Ask the students: Have you ever felt like you 'fell flat on your face' in front of others, and how did you handle it? Why do you think the story uses tools like an ax or glue instead of just talking? What makes an adventure 'exciting' versus 'scary'?
(30 mins) Creating 'Inclusion Glue' Sensory Bottles. Students use recycled jars or bottles to create 'calm down' jars representing the Inclusion Glue. While assembling, they discuss the recipe for a good friend. Ask: If you could add one 'ingredient' to a friendship, what would it be? How does staying calm help us solve problems in 'dark caves'? What happens to a group of friends when the 'glue' is missing?
(15 mins) Problem-Solving Workshop. In pairs, students receive a 'tough situation' scenario and must decide which tool (Ax, Glue, or Rope) is best suited to fix it and explain why. Discuss: Can one tool work for every problem? Why or why not? How do our friends act as our 'safety rope'?
(20 mins) Watch the author's Q&A interview video. Lead a discussion prompting students to come up with new questions they would like to ask the author. Example questions to start: 'What inspired you to write this?', 'How did you choose the characters?'
5th Grade Lesson Plan - Age 10
Learning Objectives
Analyze the symbolic significance of Bruno's journey and his encounters
Synthesize emotional regulation strategies into a creative 'Survival Guide'
Debate the impact of inclusion on community building
Materials
Book and/or Read Along Video
Optional Q&A Video
Procedure (60 minutes + 20 minutes optional Q&A - Note read along time is not included)
Watch the read along video of the book or read the book out loud. The read along is about 1 hour and 15 minutes and could be broken up in 15-20 minute intervals per day until complete.
(10 mins) Critical thinking discussion. Ask the students: Why is the concept of 'packing' important for our mental health? In what ways can a 'cave' represent a challenge we face at school? How does meeting someone different, like a hedgehog, change our perspective on a journey?
(35 mins) The 'Adventurer’s Survival Guide' Project. Students create a multi-page mini-booklet. Page 1: The Coping Ax (strategies for cutting through anger). Page 2: Inclusion Glue (strategies for bringing people together). Page 3: The Friendship Rope (identifying a support network). Ask: What is the most difficult 'tough situation' a 5th grader faces? How can these tools be adapted for real-life middle school transitions? What does it look like to 'pack' your emotions?
(15 mins) Group Gallery Walk. Students display their guides and leave 'positive sticky notes' on each other's inclusion strategies. Discussion: What was the most creative use of a 'tool' you saw? How can we apply these strategies as a class to make sure no one gets 'lost in a cave' this year?
(20 mins) Watch the author's Q&A interview video. Lead a discussion prompting students to come up with new questions they would like to ask the author. Example questions to start: 'What inspired you to write this?', 'How did you choose the characters?'
Alternative Lesson Plan - Ages 7-10
Learning Objectives
Explore the themes of resilience and social connection through multi-sensory activities
Practice identifying emotions associated with being lost or found
Collaborate on a group 'Inclusion Mural'
Materials
Book and/or Read Along Video
Optional Q&A Video
Procedure (60 minutes + 20 minutes optional Q&A - Note read along time is not included)
Watch the read along video of the book or read the book out loud. The read along is about 1 hour and 15 minutes and could be broken up in 15-20 minute intervals per day until complete.
(10 mins) Ask the students: What does the word 'adventure' mean to you? How do you feel when you are trying to make a new friend? What can we do to help someone who feels like they have fallen down?
(35 mins) The Giant Inclusion Mural. Spread a long piece of butcher paper across the floor. Students work together to draw a 'map' of an adventure that includes a cave, a forest, and a path. Throughout the map, they must draw 'stations' where characters use their Coping Ax, Inclusion Glue, and Friendship Rope. Ask: Where should the 'Safe Zone' be on our map? How many different ways can we draw people helping each other? What colors represent 'inclusion' to you?
(15 mins) Guided Reflection. Students stand around the mural and describe their contributions. Ask: How did we have to work together (use Inclusion Glue) just to make this mural? What happens to the adventure if someone gets left out of the drawing? How can we remember to 'pack' these tools in our brains every day?
(20 mins) Watch the author's Q&A interview video. Lead a discussion prompting students to come up with new questions they would like to ask the author. Example questions to start: 'What inspired you to write this?', 'How did you choose the characters?'