The Empty Chair: Inclusion and Belonging SEL Lesson, Ages 7 to 11

A complete, ready-to-teach 60-minute lesson built around a free 4-minute animated film. Watch the film together, pause at three discussion points, then students complete worksheets at the level that suits them. The story Leo is new to Maple Class. Nobody is unkind to him, but for three days nobody includes him either, and the chair beside him stays empty. A paper bridge challenge changes everything, until Leo asks the question at the heart of the story: would you still want me in your group if I had not known how to build the bridge? What's included (18 pages) - Teacher guide with story summary, learning objectives, curriculum links, key vocabulary and characters - Full 60-minute lesson plan with timings and three pause points for discussion - Answer key - Levels and extension ideas - 12 differentiated worksheets at three levels: ages 7 to 8, 8 to 9 and 10 to 11 - A printable certificate to celebrate students Learning objectives - Recognise how it feels to be left out, even when nobody is being deliberately unkind - Understand that everyone deserves to belong, whatever they can contribute - Identify simple, practical ways to include and welcome others The film The 4-minute animated film is free to watch online. A link is in the teacher guide. Part of a series This lesson is one episode of Northbeam Kids: Stories That Shape Us, a series of animated stories with recurring characters, so students get to know Leo, Maya, Ben and Ms Harper across the year. Save with the bundle: all ten Northbeam Kids lessons are also available together in this shop.