lenny

Bright Tomorrow Plan

user image

Lesson Plan

My Safety Shield Lesson Plan

Students will identify personal strengths to boost self-esteem, collaboratively build a personalized safety plan, and articulate feelings to establish healthy coping strategies.

Building self-esteem and having a clear safety plan are critical to preventing crisis, fostering resilience, and ensuring that students know where to turn when they experience distress.

Audience

5th Grade Student

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Guided conversation and hands-on planning

Materials

Self-Esteem Worksheet, * Personal Safety Plan Template, * Feelings Thermometer Visual, * Coping Skills Cards, and * A comfortable, private meeting space

Prep

Review Materials and Setup

10 minutes

Step 1

Introduction and Rapport Building

5 minutes

  • Greet the student warmly and check in on how they feel today.
  • Explain the session’s purpose: building self-esteem and a safety plan.
  • Review confidentiality, boundaries, and that the student’s feelings are valid.
  • Ensure the student feels comfortable and knows they can pause at any time.

Step 2

Self-Esteem Exploration

10 minutes

  • Provide the Self-Esteem Worksheet.
  • Ask the student to list three personal strengths and describe moments they felt proud.
  • Use open-ended questions: “What qualities make you unique?” “When have you overcome a challenge?”
  • Offer positive reinforcement and validate their responses.

Step 3

Safety Plan Development

10 minutes

Step 4

Wrap-Up and Affirmations

5 minutes

  • Summarize the student’s strengths, coping tools, and safety contacts.
  • Encourage the student to keep the safety plan accessible at home and school.
  • Provide verbal affirmation: “You are capable and supported.”
  • Schedule a follow-up check-in and share additional resources if needed.
lenny
0 educators
use Lenny to create lessons.

No credit card needed

Lesson Plan

Bright Tomorrow Plan

Students will identify personal strengths to boost self-esteem, collaboratively build a personalized safety plan, and articulate feelings to establish healthy coping strategies.

Building self-esteem and having a clear safety plan are critical to preventing crisis, fostering resilience, and ensuring that students know where to turn when they experience distress.

Audience

5th Grade Student

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Guided conversation and hands-on planning

Materials

Prep

Review Materials and Setup

10 minutes

Step 1

Introduction and Rapport Building

5 minutes

  • Greet the student warmly and check in on how they feel today.
  • Explain the session’s purpose: building self-esteem and a safety plan.
  • Review confidentiality, boundaries, and that the student’s feelings are valid.
  • Ensure the student feels comfortable and knows they can pause at any time.

Step 2

Self-Esteem Exploration

10 minutes

  • Provide the Self-Esteem Worksheet.
  • Ask the student to list three personal strengths and describe moments they felt proud.
  • Use open-ended questions: “What qualities make you unique?” “When have you overcome a challenge?”
  • Offer positive reinforcement and validate their responses.

Step 3

Safety Plan Development

10 minutes

Step 4

Wrap-Up and Affirmations

5 minutes

  • Summarize the student’s strengths, coping tools, and safety contacts.
  • Encourage the student to keep the safety plan accessible at home and school.
  • Provide verbal affirmation: “You are capable and supported.”
  • Schedule a follow-up check-in and share additional resources if needed.
lenny

Slide Deck

Bright Tomorrow Plan

One session to explore self-esteem, build your personal safety plan, and learn coping strategies for tough moments.

Welcome the student warmly. Introduce yourself and explain that today’s session is called the “Bright Tomorrow Plan.” Mention that you’ll talk about self-esteem, create a safety plan, and learn ways to cope when things feel hard.

Creating a Safe Space

• Everything we discuss is private
• You can pause or stop at any time
• There are no wrong answers
• You’re in control of your story

Emphasize confidentiality and boundaries. Explain that what they share stays between you unless they’re in danger. Encourage honesty and let them know they can take breaks any time.

What Is Self-Esteem?

Self-esteem is how much we value ourselves and believe in our abilities. When we feel good about who we are, we can handle challenges better.

Define self-esteem in kid-friendly terms. Ask: “How does it feel when you think positively about yourself?” Build rapport by connecting to their interests.

Discovering Your Strengths

  1. List 3 things you’re good at
  2. Describe when you felt proud of each strength
  3. Talk about how these qualities help you

Hand out the Self-Esteem Worksheet. Guide the student to list at least three strengths and describe times they felt proud. Offer examples if needed.

Building Your Safety Plan

• Warning signs: thoughts, feelings, behaviors
• Calming steps: things that help you feel better
• People you trust: adults and friends you can call

Introduce the Personal Safety Plan Template. Walk through each section: warning signs, calming actions, and trusted contacts. Encourage student input at every step.

Feelings Thermometer

Use this thermometer to match how you feel with a helpful action:
• Low stress → deep breaths
• Medium stress → draw or listen to music
• High stress → reach out to a trusted adult

Display the Feelings Thermometer Visual. Explain the scale from calm to very upset. Ask the student to identify where they feel right now and brainstorm a matching action.

Coping Strategies

Choose 3 strategies to keep in your toolkit:
• Mindful breathing
• Journaling or drawing
• Walking or stretching
• Talking with someone you trust

Lay out the Coping Skills Cards. Have the student pick 3 cards they’d like to try when they’re upset. Discuss any ideas they have for new coping strategies.

Wrap-Up & Next Steps

• Remember your top strengths
• Keep your safety plan handy
• Use your coping toolkit
• You are capable and supported

Summarize strengths, safety steps, and coping skills the student selected. Encourage them to keep their safety plan where they can see it. Schedule a follow-up check-in and share any additional resources.

lenny

Worksheet

Self Esteem Worksheet

Directions

Fill in the sections below to explore your strengths and proud moments.

1. My Strengths

List three personal strengths—things you’re good at or qualities you like about yourself.

Strength 1: _________________________________



Strength 2: _________________________________



Strength 3: _________________________________


2. Proud Moments

For each strength above, describe a specific time when you felt proud of using that strength.

Strength 1 moment:






Strength 2 moment:






Strength 3 moment:





lenny
lenny

Worksheet

Safety Plan Template

Directions

Use this template to build your own personal safety plan. Fill in each section below with ideas that help you stay safe and feel supported. You can use the Feelings Thermometer Visual to notice your level of distress and the Coping Skills Cards to choose strategies that work for you.

1. Warning Signs

What thoughts, feelings, or behaviors tell you that you might be in distress?

Thoughts:


Feelings:


Behaviors:


2. My Coping Strategies

List things you can do by yourself to help you feel calmer when warning signs appear.

Strategy 1:


Strategy 2:


Strategy 3:


3. Supportive People

Who can you reach out to when you need help or someone to talk to? Include at least three trusted adults or friends.

  1. _________________________________


  2. _________________________________


  3. _________________________________


4. Safe Places & Activities

Where can you go, or what can you do, to feel more at ease? List spots or activities that comfort you.

Place/Activity 1:


Place/Activity 2:


Place/Activity 3:


5. Professional Resources & Hotlines

Write down phone numbers or websites for help if you ever feel unsafe with yourself. You can use these anytime.

Resource 1:


Resource 2:


Resource 3:


lenny
lenny

Activity

Coping Skills Cards

Directions

Print and cut out these cards. When you start to feel upset or overwhelmed, pick one or more cards to try. Keep them in your pocket, backpack, or on your desk.

1. Deep Breathing
Take 5 slow breaths: breathe in for 4 counts, hold for 2, breathe out for 6.

2. Positive Self-Talk
Say something kind to yourself: “I am strong,” “I can handle this.”

3. Draw or Color
Grab paper and colored pencils. Sketch how you feel or doodle something fun.

4. Listen to Music
Put on your favorite song. Pay attention to the melody and lyrics.

5. Stretch or Walk
Stand up and stretch your arms, neck, and legs. Or take a short walk.

6. Journal
Write or draw about what’s on your mind. No need for neatness—just express yourself.

7. Talk to a Friend
Call, text, or speak in person with someone you trust.

8. Use a Stress Ball
Squeeze a stress ball or soft object to release tension.

9. Mindful Observation
Look around and name 5 things you see, 4 things you hear, 3 things you feel, 2 things you smell, 1 thing you taste.

10. Count Slowly
Count backward from 20 to 1, focusing on each number.

lenny
lenny

Worksheet

Feelings Thermometer Visual

Directions

Use the thermometer below to check in with how you feel right now. Circle or mark the level that matches your feelings. Then write an action you can take from your Coping Skills Cards or your safety plan.

Level 0 – Very Calm: I feel peaceful, relaxed, and in control.


Level 1 – Calm: I feel okay, nothing's bothering me.


Level 2 – Slightly Tense: I notice some stress but can handle it.


Level 3 – Noticeable Stress: My thoughts are busy; I feel uneasy.


Level 4 – Upset: I feel frustrated, worried, or sad.


Level 5 – Very Upset: I feel overwhelmed and want relief fast.

My Current Level: _____ (circle one)







My Action Plan

What can I do at this level? Choose one coping strategy or safety step:

Action I Will Take:





Additional Notes (who to call, where to go, how to feel safe):










lenny
lenny
Bright Tomorrow Plan • Lenny Learning