lenny

Boost Your Courage

user image

Lesson Plan

Boost Your Courage

Students will identify and share at least one personal strength and give positive peer feedback, boosting self-esteem and supportive connections.

Building self-esteem in early adolescence promotes emotional well-being, resilience, and positive peer relationships, creating a supportive classroom environment.

Audience

7th Grade Students

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Reflective writing and peer feedback circles.

Materials

Self-Esteem Reflection Worksheets, Positive Compliment Cards, Whiteboard or Flipchart, and Markers

Prep

Prepare Materials

5 minutes

Step 1

Introduction

5 minutes

  • Welcome students and explain the session goal: exploring self-esteem and building peer support.
  • Discuss why recognizing personal strengths matters.
  • Review ground rules for respectful listening and feedback.

Step 2

Personal Strength Identification

10 minutes

  • Distribute Self-Esteem Reflection Worksheets.
  • Ask students to silently list 3–5 personal strengths and note why each matters to them.
  • Circulate and assist students who need help articulating strengths.

Step 3

Peer Sharing

10 minutes

  • Pair students and hand out Positive Compliment Cards.
  • In pairs, each student reads one strength aloud while their partner writes a genuine compliment or affirmation on a card; then switch roles.
  • Encourage specificity and kindness in all feedback.

Step 4

Group Reflection and Wrap-Up

5 minutes

  • Invite volunteers to share how it felt to give and receive compliments.
  • Highlight key insights about the impact of positive feedback.
  • Encourage students to keep their worksheets and cards as reminders.
  • Thank everyone for their honesty and participation.
lenny
0 educators
use Lenny to create lessons.

No credit card needed

Slide Deck

Boost Your Courage

A 30-minute group therapy activity for 7th grade to explore self-esteem, share strengths, and support each other.

Welcome everyone! Introduce yourself and explain that today’s session is called “Boost Your Courage.” Mention that over the next 30 minutes, we’ll explore self-esteem and build a supportive classroom community.

Today’s Objectives

• Identify at least 3 personal strengths
• Reflect on why each strength matters
• Give and receive positive peer feedback
• Build a supportive classroom community

Read each objective aloud. Emphasize that these goals will help students feel more confident and connected.

Ground Rules

  1. Listen actively and without judgment
  2. Speak honestly and kindly
  3. Respect everyone’s sharing
  4. Keep what’s said here confidential

Discuss each ground rule briefly. Ask students for examples of respectful listening and kind feedback.

Personal Strength Identification

• Take a worksheet
• List 3–5 personal strengths (e.g., creativity, kindness)
• Write why each strength matters to you

Distribute the Self-Esteem Reflection Worksheets. Encourage students to think quietly and honestly as they list strengths.

Peer Sharing Activity

  1. Pair up with a classmate
  2. Read one strength aloud
  3. Your partner writes a genuine compliment on a Positive Compliment Card
  4. Switch roles and repeat

Explain the pairing process and demonstrate how to use a Compliment Card. Circulate to support and model specific compliments.

Group Reflection

• How did giving a compliment feel?
• How did receiving one feel?
• What did you learn about your strengths?

Invite 2–3 volunteers to share how it felt to give and receive feedback. Highlight the power of specific, heartfelt compliments.

Keep Your Reminders

Keep your reflection worksheet and Compliment Cards to remind yourself of your unique strengths and the positive feedback you received.

Encourage students to keep their worksheets and cards as reminders. Thank them for their honesty and participation.

lenny

Worksheet

Self-Esteem Reflection Worksheet

Instructions

Take a few quiet minutes to think about your personal strengths. Complete each section honestly. Keep this worksheet as a reminder of what makes you unique and valuable.

1. List Your Strengths

(List at least 3, up to 5 strengths)

  1. ________________________________


  2. ________________________________


  3. ________________________________


  4. ________________________________


  5. ________________________________


2. Why Each Strength Matters

(For each strength above, explain why it’s important to you)

  1. ____________________________________________________________________________





  2. ____________________________________________________________________________





  3. ____________________________________________________________________________





  4. ____________________________________________________________________________





  5. ____________________________________________________________________________





3. Reflection Questions

  1. How did it feel to identify and write down your strengths?





  2. Which strength surprised you the most, and why?





  3. How can you use these strengths in your daily life or at school?










  4. What’s one positive thing you can tell yourself every morning to boost your confidence?





Keep this worksheet and any compliments you receive as reminders of your unique qualities and the positive impact you have on others!

lenny
lenny

Activity

Positive Compliment Cards

Use these cards to write kind, specific compliments to your classmates. Encourage honesty and warmth!

Your Partner’s Name: ____________________


I appreciate you because…





Your strength in… helps me by…





You make a difference when…





From (Your Name): ____________________


Keep this card as a reminder of the positive impact you have on others and the kindness shared in our community!

lenny
lenny
Boost Your Courage • Lenny Learning