Lesson Plan
Affirm Your Awesome
Students will learn and practice positive self-affirmations to build self-esteem and a growth mindset.
Positive affirmations help students develop a strong sense of self-worth, improve resilience, and encourage a positive outlook on challenges and learning. This is especially important for individual support to address specific student needs.
Audience
4th Grade Individual Student
Time
15 minutes
Approach
Through guided discussion and practical exercises.
Materials
Whiteboard or paper, Markers or pencils, Affirm Your Awesome Slide Deck, Affirmation Practice Worksheet, My Affirmation Journal, and Affirm Your Awesome Script
Prep
Review Materials
5 minutes
- Review the Affirm Your Awesome Lesson Plan and all linked materials: Affirm Your Awesome Slide Deck, Affirmation Practice Worksheet, My Affirmation Journal, and Affirm Your Awesome Script.
- Ensure a quiet, comfortable space for individual instruction.
- Gather whiteboard/paper and markers/pencils.
Step 1
Warm-Up: How Do You Feel?
2 minutes
- Begin by asking the student to share one word that describes how they are feeling today. No need for explanation, just one word.
- Transition by explaining that our feelings can change, and we have tools to help us feel positive.
- Use Affirm Your Awesome Script for guidance.
Step 2
Introduction to Affirmations
3 minutes
- Using the Affirm Your Awesome Slide Deck (Slide 1-2), introduce the concept of affirmations: positive statements we say to ourselves.
- Explain why they are important (build confidence, help with tough feelings, celebrate successes).
- Discuss a few examples together.
- Use Affirm Your Awesome Script for guidance.
Step 3
Practice Together: Affirmation Worksheet
5 minutes
- Distribute the Affirmation Practice Worksheet.
- Guide the student through creating their own affirmations based on prompts (e.g.,
Step 4
Reflection: My Affirmation Journal
4 minutes
- Introduce the My Affirmation Journal.
- Ask the student to choose one affirmation they created and write about why it's important to them or how they can use it during their day.
- Encourage them to decorate or personalize their journal entry.
- Use Affirm Your Awesome Script for guidance.
Step 5
Cool-Down: Share Your Power Affirmation
1 minute
- Ask the student to share one
Step 6
Follow-Up
Ongoing
- Encourage the student to continue using their affirmations daily.
- Suggest placing their favorite affirmation somewhere visible (e.g., on their mirror, locker, or in a notebook).
- Check in during future sessions about their experience with affirmations.
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Slide Deck
Affirm Your Awesome!
Building Your Inner Cheerleader!
Welcome the student to the session. Start by asking them what they think the words 'affirm' or 'affirmations' might mean to them. This helps gauge their prior knowledge and opens the conversation naturally.
What Are Affirmations?
Positive statements you say to yourself!
- They help you feel good.
- They remind you of your strengths.
- They help you believe in yourself!
Explain that an affirmation is like a positive thought or statement you say to yourself. It's about being kind to yourself with words, just like you would to a friend. Ask: "Why do you think it might be helpful to say kind things to yourself?"
Examples of Awesome Affirmations
- "I am capable."
- "I am a good friend."
- "I can learn new things."
- "I am resilient."
- "I am unique and special."
Share these examples, reading them aloud. Encourage the student to repeat them if they feel comfortable. Point out that affirmations can be about anything positive: strengths, kindness, ability to learn, or even just having a good day. Ask: "Which of these sounds most like something you could say to yourself?"
Your Turn! Create Your Own Affirmations
What positive things can you say about yourself?
Let's brainstorm some ideas together!
Transition to the activity. Explain that they will now get to create their own personalized affirmations. Emphasize that there are no wrong answers and these are their powerful words.
My Power Affirmation
Choose one affirmation that makes you feel strong and positive. Share it!
How will you use it today or this week?
For the cool-down, ask the student to pick their favorite affirmation they created or one that stood out to them. Have them say it aloud if they're comfortable, and explain why they chose it. End on a positive, encouraging note, reminding them they can use these affirmations anytime.
Script
Affirm Your Awesome Script
Warm-Up: How Do You Feel? (2 minutes)
"Hi [Student Name]! Thanks for joining me today. To start, can you share just one word that describes how you are feeling right now? No need to explain, just one word!"
"Thank you for sharing that. It’s interesting how our feelings can change throughout the day, isn’t it? Today, we're going to talk about a super cool tool that can help us feel strong and positive, no matter what kind of day we’re having."
Introduction to Affirmations (3 minutes)
(Display Affirm Your Awesome Slide Deck - Slide 1)
"Look at our title today: 'Affirm Your Awesome!' What do you think that might mean? What comes to mind when you hear the word 'affirm'?"
(Allow time for student response, guide them towards the idea of saying something is true or confirming something positive.)
(Display Affirm Your Awesome Slide Deck - Slide 2)
"That’s a great idea! An affirmation is a positive statement you say to yourself. It's like having your own personal cheerleader inside your head, always telling you amazing things!"
"Why do you think it might be important or helpful to say positive things to ourselves?"
(Discuss student responses, emphasizing building confidence, helping with tough feelings, and celebrating successes.)
"Exactly! When we use affirmations, we help our brains think more positively about ourselves and what we can do. It's a way to train our minds to focus on our strengths and possibilities."
(Display Affirm Your Awesome Slide Deck - Slide 3)
"Here are some examples of affirmations. Let's read them together: 'I am capable.' 'I am a good friend.' 'I can learn new things.' 'I am resilient.' 'I am unique and special.'"
"Which of these sounds most like something you could say to yourself?"
Practice Together: Affirmation Worksheet (5 minutes)
(Display Affirm Your Awesome Slide Deck - Slide 4)
"Now it's your turn to create some awesome affirmations! I have a special Affirmation Practice Worksheet for you. We'll go through it together."
*(Distribute the Affirmation Practice Worksheet. Read each prompt aloud and give the student time to think and write. Offer gentle guidance and encouragement. For example, for
Worksheet
My Awesome Affirmations
Affirmations are positive statements you say to yourself. They help you feel strong, confident, and ready for anything! Let's create some affirmations just for you.
1. What are you good at? Think about school, hobbies, or helping others.
I am good at...
2. What makes you a good friend or a kind person?
I am a kind person because...
3. What is something new you want to try or learn, even if it's hard at first?
I can learn...
4. What makes you special and unique? There's only one YOU!
I am special because...
5. Write one affirmation that makes you feel strong and happy today!
My affirmation is:
Journal
My Affirmation Journal
Choose one of the affirmations you created today that makes you feel really good. Write about why you chose it, how it makes you feel, and how you can use this affirmation to help you throughout your day or week. You can also draw a picture that goes with your affirmation if you like!