As part of our ongoing Family Teams gatherings, students read The Big Umbrella by Amy June Bates and Juniper Bates and thought more deeply with thier teams on concept of belonging: “What does belonging look like, sound like, feel like?”  Together they brainstormed several provocation questions:

• What are ways we include others and show respect and empathy?
• How does it feel for you when others include you?
• How does ‘belonging’ feel like for you?
• How do you make others feel like they belong?
• What are ways we can connect with our classmates, friends, teachers, other adults in the school, our family, and others in our community?

From the brainstorm,  teams came up with a “To make others feel like they belong, I can… “ statement that was added on a heart at the top of our large, communial umbrella that is now on display. Students then made a paper version of themselves that went under the Big Umbrella.  This project symbolizes that we include everyone at Blair and that there is ALWAYS ROOM!