Lesson Plan
Resilience Launch Plan
Students will define resilience and list three bounce-back strategies they can apply this week to foster a growth mindset and coping skills.
Teaching resilience equips students to overcome setbacks, build grit, and maintain a positive outlook when facing challenges in and out of school.
Audience
7th Grade
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Interactive discussion, reflection, and strategy selection
Prep
Teacher Prep
5 minutes
- Review the lesson flow in Resilience Launch Plan
- Preview and load Bounce-Back Slides
- Print one copy per student of Do Now Setback Snapshot, Strategy Menu Sheet, and Exit Ticket Strategy Pick
- Prepare projector or board for slide presentation
- Think of one personal example of overcoming a setback to share
Step 1
Do Now: Setback Reflection
5 minutes
- Distribute Do Now Setback Snapshot
- Prompt: “Think of a recent setback you experienced—big or small.”
- Students write a brief description of what happened and how they felt
- Collect snapshots or have students hold onto them for reference
Step 2
Instruction: Understanding Resilience
10 minutes
- Project Bounce-Back Slides
- Define resilience: the ability to recover from setbacks
- Introduce key concepts: growth mindset, grit, coping strategies
- Model one strategy by sharing your personal example
- Ask 2–3 students to share definitions or examples
- Clarify any questions about terminology
Step 3
Guided Activity: Strategy Selection
10 minutes
- Hand out Strategy Menu Sheet
- Explain: “Choose three strategies you think will help you bounce back this week.”
- Circulate as students review options (e.g., positive self-talk, break tasks into steps, seek help)
- Students write each chosen strategy and a short plan for using it
- Encourage pairing up to discuss choices briefly
Step 4
Close: Share and Commit
5 minutes
- Distribute Exit Ticket Strategy Pick
- Prompt: “Select one strategy you commit to using in the next setback.”
- Students write their name, chosen strategy, and one action step
- Volunteers share commitments aloud (2–3 students)
- Collect exit tickets for teacher review
Slide Deck
Bounce-Back Basics
Today we will:
- Define resilience
- Learn key concepts: growth mindset & grit
- Explore coping strategies
- Choose 3 techniques to use this week
Welcome students. Introduce yourself and today’s topic. Explain the objective: define resilience and identify three bounce-back strategies to use this week. Briefly review the lesson flow.
Do Now: Setback Reflection
Think of a recent setback you experienced—big or small.
• Write a brief description of what happened.
• Describe how you felt.
(Be ready to use this later in class.)
Prompt students to take out their Do Now snapshot sheets. Give clear instructions and circulate to support reflection.
What Is Resilience?
Resilience is the ability to recover from setbacks, learn from mistakes, and keep going.
Key ideas:
• “Bounce back” after challenges
• Grow stronger through experience
Introduce the formal definition of resilience. Emphasize recovery, learning from challenges. Use a visual of a bouncing spring or athlete getting up.
Growth Mindset & Grit
Growth Mindset:
• Belief that abilities can improve with effort
• “I can learn from mistakes.”
Grit:
• Passion and perseverance over time
• Sticking with goals despite obstacles
Explain growth mindset and grit. Give students real-life examples: practicing a skill, persisting in tough assignments.
Bounce-Back Strategies
Choose from these strategies:
• Positive self-talk (“I can do this.”)
• Break tasks into smaller steps
• Seek help or advice
• Take a short break
• Reflect on what went well
• Set a new plan or goal
Present a list of coping strategies. Briefly describe each so students know their meaning.
Example: Using a Strategy
My setback: Tripping up on a big project deadline.
Strategy: Break tasks into smaller steps
Result:
• Scheduled mini-deadlines
• Finished on time with less stress
Share your personal example of using one strategy. Highlight how it worked and what you learned.
Guided Activity: Strategy Selection
- Take your Strategy Menu Sheet.
- Choose three strategies you think will help you bounce back.
- Write each strategy and a short plan for how you’ll use it this week.
- Pair up and briefly discuss your choices.
Hand out the Strategy Menu Sheet. Guide students through choosing their three strategies and planning usage.
Close: Share & Commit
- On your Exit Ticket, select one strategy to commit to using next time.
- Write your name, chosen strategy, and one action step.
- Volunteers share their commitment (2-3 students).
- Turn in your ticket.
Explain the exit ticket. Encourage a genuine commitment. Collect tickets at the end.
Warm Up
Do Now: Setback Reflection
Think of a recent setback you experienced—big or small. Answer the questions below:
- Describe the setback you experienced:
- How did you feel when this happened?
- What is one thing you learned or a way you might bounce back next time?
Worksheet
Strategy Menu Sheet
Select Your Strategies
Put a star (*) next to three strategies you will try this week:
- Positive self-talk (“I can do this.”)
- Break tasks into smaller steps
- Seek help or advice
- Take a short break
- Reflect on what went well
- Set a new plan or goal
Plan Your Strategies
For each strategy you selected, write the strategy name and a short plan for how you’ll use it this week.
- Strategy Name: ____________________________
Plan: - Strategy Name: ____________________________
Plan: - Strategy Name: ____________________________
Plan:
Cool Down
Exit Ticket: Strategy Pick
Name: ____________________________
- Which one bounce-back strategy will you commit to using the next time you face a setback?
Strategy: _________________________________________________
- Describe how you will use this strategy step-by-step when you encounter a challenge.
Plan: - Why do you believe this strategy will help you bounce back and grow from setbacks?
Reason: