Lesson Plan
Confidence Quest Lesson Plan
Students will learn and practice three strategies to build academic self-confidence—positive self-talk, growth mindset thinking, and self-reflection—and demonstrate their skills by reframing challenges and completing a reflection sheet.
Developing academic self-confidence and a growth mindset helps students embrace challenges, persist through setbacks, and take ownership of their learning for long-term success.
Audience
4th Grade
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Interactive discussion, modeling, scenario work, and personal reflection.
Materials
Growth Mindset Poster, - Positive Self-Talk Scenario Cards, - Confidence Strategies Worksheet, - Confidence Reflection Sheet, and - Chart Paper and Markers
Prep
Prepare Materials
10 minutes
- Print and cut apart all cards from Positive Self-Talk Scenario Cards
- Make copies of the Confidence Strategies Worksheet (one per small group)
- Print one Confidence Reflection Sheet per student
- Display the Growth Mindset Poster prominently in the room
- Gather chart paper and markers for group brainstorming
Step 1
Introduction & Hook
5 minutes
- Gather students and point to the Growth Mindset Poster
- Ask: “What does it mean to believe in yourself?” and record responses on chart paper
- Introduce today’s goal: building academic confidence through three strategies
Step 2
Activity 1: Positive Self-Talk Scenarios
10 minutes
- Divide students into small groups and give each group a set of Positive Self-Talk Scenario Cards
- In groups, read each scenario and identify the negative self-talk phrase
- On the Confidence Strategies Worksheet, rewrite that phrase into positive self-talk
- Rotate cards until each group has practiced 4–5 scenarios
Step 3
Activity 2: Self-Reflection
10 minutes
- Distribute the Confidence Reflection Sheet to each student
- Prompt students to write:
• One personal strength they’re proud of
• A current challenge they can tackle using positive self-talk or growth mindset
• A plan for what they’ll do when they feel unsure - Circulate to support and encourage detail
Step 4
Share & Wrap-Up
5 minutes
- Invite 3–4 volunteers to share one strength and their challenge plan
- Summarize key strategies: positive self-talk, embracing mistakes, reflecting on strengths
- Encourage students to post their reflection sheets at their desks as reminders
Slide Deck
Confidence Quest
Building Academic Self-Confidence
4th Grade, 30-Minute Session
Welcome students as they enter. Introduce yourself and today’s lesson. Tell them we’re going on a Confidence Quest to become strong, confident learners.
Today’s Goal
Students will learn and practice three strategies to build academic self-confidence:
• Positive Self-Talk
• Growth Mindset Thinking
• Self-Reflection
Explain that our goal today is to learn three strategies that help us believe in ourselves when learning gets tricky. Write student responses on chart paper.
What Is Academic Self-Confidence?
• Believing in your ability to learn
• Trying new challenges with courage
• Bouncing back when things don’t go as planned
Ask: “What does it mean to believe in yourself?” Point to the Growth Mindset Poster and highlight key words as students share.
Strategy 1: Positive Self-Talk
When you catch a thought like “I’m not good at this,” reword it to something helpful:
• Negative: “I can’t do this.”
• Positive: “I can try my best and learn from mistakes.”
Define positive self-talk. Model a negative phrase (“I can’t do this”) and then turn it into positive self-talk (“I will keep trying until I learn”).
Activity 1: Positive Self-Talk Scenarios
• In small groups, pick a scenario card.
• Find the negative self-talk phrase.
• On your worksheet, rewrite it into positive self-talk.
• Rotate cards and practice 4–5 scenarios.
Divide into groups of 3–4. Show students where the Positive Self-Talk Scenario Cards and Confidence Strategies Worksheet are. Set a timer for 10 minutes.
Strategy 2: Growth Mindset Thinking
• Embrace challenges as opportunities to learn.
• View mistakes as feedback, not failures.
• Replace “I can’t” with “I can’t…yet.”
Refer back to the Growth Mindset Poster. Explain that mistakes help us grow, and saying “I can’t do this…yet” shows a growth mindset.
Strategy 3: Self-Reflection
Use self-reflection to build confidence:
- Write one personal strength you’re proud of.
- Identify a challenge you can tackle.
- Plan what you’ll do when you feel unsure.
Introduce the Confidence Reflection Sheet. Show an example of a strength and a challenge planning response.
Activity 2: Reflection Sheet
• Distribute your Confidence Reflection Sheet.
• Complete all three prompts on your own.
• Use your positive self-talk and growth mindset.
Hand out one sheet per student. Encourage neat, detailed answers. Circulate to support and ask probing questions.
Share & Wrap-Up
• Volunteers share one strength & challenge plan.
• Review strategies:
• Positive Self-Talk
• Growth Mindset Thinking
• Self-Reflection
• Post your reflection sheet as a reminder!
Invite 3–4 volunteers to share one strength and their plan. Emphasize each strategy and encourage students to display their sheets at their desks.
Activity
Positive Self-Talk Scenario Cards
Cut these cards apart and distribute to small groups. Each card describes a common classroom challenge and includes a sample negative thought. Students will:
- Identify the negative self-talk phrase.
- Rewrite it into positive self-talk on their Confidence Strategies Worksheet.
Card 1
You’re working on a tough math problem and think, “I’ll never get this right.”
Card 2
You’re reading a new chapter and feel, “This is too hard for me.”
Card 3
You raised your hand in class but stumbled over your answer and thought, “Everyone’s laughing at me.”
Card 4
You can’t remember your spelling words during a quiz and think, “I’m just not smart.”
Card 5
You tried an art project and it didn’t look like you imagined, so you say, “I’m useless at art.”
Card 6
You ask for help and worry, “They’ll think I’m dumb.”
Card 7
You didn’t finish your work on time and feel, “I always mess things up.”
Card 8
You made a mistake in a science experiment and think, “I’ll never understand science.”
Worksheet
Confidence Strategies Worksheet
Use your Positive Self-Talk Scenario Cards to complete the chart below. For each scenario, write the negative self-talk phrase you find and then rewrite it as positive self-talk.
- Scenario Card # ________
Negative Self-Talk:
Positive Self-Talk:
- Scenario Card # ________
Negative Self-Talk:
Positive Self-Talk:
- Scenario Card # ________
Negative Self-Talk:
Positive Self-Talk:
- Scenario Card # ________
Negative Self-Talk:
Positive Self-Talk:
- Scenario Card # ________
Negative Self-Talk:
Positive Self-Talk:
- Scenario Card # ________
Negative Self-Talk:
Positive Self-Talk:
- Scenario Card # ________
Negative Self-Talk:
Positive Self-Talk:
- Scenario Card # ________
Negative Self-Talk:
Positive Self-Talk:
Tip: You don’t need to complete all eight—focus on 4–5 cards, then discuss your favorite rewrites with your group.
Journal
Confidence Reflection Sheet
Use what you’ve learned about positive self-talk, growth mindset thinking, and self-reflection to complete the prompts below. Write in complete sentences and add details.
1. My Personal Strength
What is one thing you are proud of or good at? How does this strength help you in school?
2. My Current Challenge
Describe a challenge you are facing in your learning right now. What negative thought might pop into your head? How can you reframe it with positive self-talk or a growth mindset?
3. My Confidence Plan
When you feel unsure or stuck on this challenge, what steps will you take? Write a short plan and include a positive phrase you will tell yourself.
Tip: If you need ideas, look back at the Growth Mindset Poster or your Positive Self-Talk Scenario Cards.
Warm Up
Growth Mindset Poster
Your Brain Is a Muscle
- Every time you try, learn, and practice, you make your brain stronger!
Embrace Challenges
- Challenges help you grow—step out of your comfort zone and discover new skills.
Learn from Mistakes
- Mistakes are powerful feedback. Ask, “What can I learn?” instead of “Why did I fail?”
The Power of “Yet”
- Replace “I can’t do this” with “I can’t do this…yet.” Progress takes time and effort.
Celebrate Effort & Persistence
- Effort, practice, and perseverance lead to success. Every step forward counts!
Hang this poster where you can see it every day. Let these reminders help you build confidence and keep growing!
Cool Down
Confidence Quest Wrap-Up
Use this exit ticket to reflect on today’s lesson and set a confidence goal for your next learning challenge.
1. What I Learned Today
Describe one thing you learned about building academic self-confidence.
2. My Favorite Strategy
Which strategy—positive self-talk, growth mindset thinking, or self-reflection—will you use most? Why?
3. My Confidence Goal
Set a goal for how you will practice confidence in your next activity or lesson.
4. How I’ll Celebrate Progress
What will you do to recognize and celebrate when you use positive self-talk or a growth mindset?
Tip: Remember the reminders on the Growth Mindset Poster as you set your goal!