Inclusivity: The Key to Pride Month
Schools are communities for students, educators and parents to come together and form a safe place of learning, accepting people of all races, ethnicities, religions, gender identities, sexual orientations, and many other differences that make us unique and special individuals; everyone is welcomed with open arms.
Pride Month serves as a time to not only spotlight the history and impact of the LGBTQ+ community but also work towards creating a diverse and inclusive environment inside and outside the classroom; a notion that is important to do all year round.
At Think Together we strive to create inclusive spaces for our students that promote a learning and understanding environment. To support students in becoming keen and objective learners, here are some engaging activities students can do inside and outside the classroom to promote inclusivity, belonging and kindness:
Kindergarten to 5th grade
Elementary students are always looking for the next sign of fun, so why not mix in some learning and make it even more meaningful! An idea for inclusive and creative arts and crafts could be to have students draw what their own family looks like. It’ll help them see that not every family is the same and they take many shapes and sizes. Creating their own version of what a pride flag is can help students express their own pride in themselves and what it means to be prideful. Reading them books that promote inclusivity and teach them about what Pride Month is and who it represents, is a good way to help them visualize and understand through literature.
6th grade to 8th grade
Middle school students are in a stage where they are just starting to figure out who the are and are going through changes they might not understand. A way that could help them feel comfortable and supported would be with creating a kindness wall that has positive affirmations for their peers to read and maybe be a rainbow in someone’s cloud. A “Take One, Give One” board is also another way that allows middle schoolers to spread kindness and support by taking a positive affirmation and either giving it to someone or leaving another behind to brighten someone else’s day.
9th grade to 12th grade
High school students can be more expressive and have a set of values and opinions that reflect who they are. High school is a bumpy rollercoaster with college being the next step, so it’s always important to remind students to love and accept themselves. A fun way to help students showcase this is by having them write a love letter to themselves. It helps them develop their creative writing skills and uplift their self-esteem. It could be a letter to their future self, past self, or a thank you for all they’ve accomplished. It’s also important to teach high school students how to be an ally for the community and have social awareness of who those around them. It can prevent bullying and encourage empathy and compassion for their peers.
Learn more about how to make the classroom and home a more inclusive environment with these links!