Start here
Start with
something small.
Start with something small at school. Ask how a lunchtime game works, help set up a club activity or invite someone to try a task with you. Notice what makes joining easy or awkward. Ask people what would help. Choose something you feel ready to try, with support nearby. Afterward, think about whether you felt included and whether others had a fair chance to join. You can try a different approach next time.
- Setting
- Middle school
- Useful when
- Starting out or leading now
- Resource type
- Core guide
Try it out
Put it
to work.
1 / Find a way to join in
Try this next
- Choose one school activity you'd like to try or help with.
- Ask a student or trusted adult how to join and what a first task could be.
- Try one small step and tell someone what made it easier or harder.
Talk it through
- Is there a game, club or activity at school you'd like to join?
- What would someone need to know before joining your game or activity?
- How could you offer help without making them feel awkward?
2 / Speak up and be heard
Choose one thing you want someone to understand. Explain what's happening and ask for a change that would help. You can practice with someone you trust or write your thoughts down first. When it's safe, listen to the other person's answer and ask about anything you don't understand. You don't have to fix everything in one conversation. Make sure you know who can help with what comes next.
Try this next
- Write or say what's difficult. Give one example.
- Practice asking for what you need with someone you trust.
- Choose who to talk to and a good time. Before you finish, ask what happens next.
Talk it through
- What happened that you want someone to understand?
- What could you ask for that would help?
- Who could help you practice or come with you when you talk?
3 / Make a plan together
Decide together what you want to make or do, then split it into a few clear jobs. Check that each person agrees to their part and has the help and materials they need. If you're inviting others, tell them when and where to come and what they can do. Keep the plan somewhere everyone can find it. Leave time for an adult to help with arrangements students can't make alone.
Try this next
- Name the project and write down three or four jobs it needs.
- Agree who will do each job and when the group will check in.
- Show your plan or invitation to the adult helping you. Ask if anything is missing.
Talk it through
- What are we trying to finish together?
- Which job does each person want to try? What help do they need?
- What would someone need to know if we invited them to join us?
4 / Look back and choose what comes next
Think back to one thing you tried. What did you do, how did others take part and what changed along the way? Look at the finished work or ask someone what they noticed. Include the difficult parts as well as the parts you liked. Then pick one thing to practice next time, such as asking a clearer question or checking a plan earlier. Choose something small enough to try soon.
Try this next
- Pick a recent activity. Say what happened without giving yourself a score.
- Ask someone who was there what they noticed. Did you notice the same things?
- Pick one small thing to try and decide when you could do it.
Talk it through
- What's one thing you did during the activity?
- What surprised you or went differently than you expected?
- What's one thing you'd like to practice next time?
Choose one next step.
Pick one thing you can try. Check any requirements with the people responsible before you act.
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