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Growing Self-Esteem

Liana Sheinkin

Tier 3

Lesson Plan

Growing Self-Esteem Session 1 Lesson Plan

Students will identify three personal strengths, reflect on past successes, and practice positive self-talk to boost confidence.

Providing tangible strength cards and structured reflection helps the student recognize her abilities and build resilience through positive reinforcement.

Audience

4th Grade Students

Time

30 minutes

Approach

One-on-one discussion, hands-on card selection, journaling, and self-talk practice.

Materials

Session 1 Reflection Journal, Strengths Card Set, Positive Self-Talk Worksheet, and Timer

Prep

Prepare Materials

10 minutes

  • Print copies of Session 1 Reflection Journal, Positive Self-Talk Worksheet, and Strengths Card Set
  • Gather the Strengths Card Set and Timer
  • Review the student’s IEP notes and planned discussion prompts

Step 1

Introduction & Rapport Building

5 minutes

  • Greet the student warmly and review the session’s purpose: discovering her strengths to boost confidence
  • Use simple, encouraging language to ensure she feels comfortable sharing

Step 2

Strength Identification Activity

10 minutes

  • Lay out the Strengths Card Set face down and invite the student to pick three cards that resonate
  • Ask open-ended questions (e.g., “Why does this strength matter to you?”) and validate her responses with specific praise

Step 3

Reflective Journaling

8 minutes

  • Provide the Session 1 Reflection Journal
  • Prompt her to write or draw examples of when she’s used each chosen strength
  • Offer supportive feedback and help with spelling or ideas as needed

Step 4

Positive Self-Talk Practice

5 minutes

  • Introduce the Positive Self-Talk Worksheet
  • Model one entry (e.g., Strength: “I am a good listener.” Self-talk: “I help others feel heard.”)
  • Guide her to complete one strength–self-talk pair

Step 5

Closing & Encouragement

2 minutes

  • Recap the three strengths and celebrate her effort
  • Encourage her to say one positive self-talk statement each morning until the next session
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Slide Deck

Growing Self-Esteem: Session 1

Welcome! In this session, we will:
• Identify three of your personal strengths
• Reflect on when you’ve used them
• Practice saying positive things about yourself

Welcome student, introduce yourself warmly and explain that today we will discover her personal strengths to help her feel more confident.

Session Objectives

  1. Identify three strengths that describe you
  2. Write or draw examples of those strengths
  3. Create positive self-talk statements

Review the session’s three objectives. Ask the student if she has any questions before starting.

Strengths Identification Activity

• Use the Strengths Card Set to pick your top 3 strengths
• For each card, discuss why you chose it
• Remember: there are no right or wrong answers!

Show the Strengths Card Set. Invite her to choose three cards that resonate. Ask open-ended questions (“Why did you pick this one?”) and praise her answers.

Reflective Journaling

• For each chosen strength, write or draw one example of when you used it
• Think of a time you felt proud of yourself

Hand over the Session 1 Reflection Journal. Encourage drawing or writing. Offer help with spelling or ideas.

Positive Self-Talk Practice

Strength: “________”
Self-talk: “____________________________”

Example:
Strength: “I am a good listener.”
Self-talk: “I help others feel heard.”

Introduce the Positive Self-Talk Worksheet. Model one entry and then guide her to complete one of her strengths.

Sharing & Feedback

• Share your journal drawing/writing
• Read your self-talk aloud
• Celebrate what you did well

Review her journal and worksheet entries. Offer specific praise for effort and courage to share.

Closing & Encouragement

• Recap your three strengths
• Choose one self-talk statement to say each morning
• See you next time to build even more confidence!

Encourage her to say one of her self-talk statements every morning. Remind her that using these statements will help her feel confident.

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Worksheet

Session 1: Positive Self-Talk Worksheet

In today’s session, you discovered three strengths that describe you. For each strength below, write the strength and then write a positive self-talk statement that reminds you how great you are!

Strength #1: _________________________________________






Self-Talk #1: _________________________________________





Strength #2: _________________________________________






Self-Talk #2: _________________________________________





Strength #3: _________________________________________






Self-Talk #3: _________________________________________





Choose one of your self-talk statements above to say each morning. Write it here and practice it every day!

Morning Self-Talk Statement: ___________________________


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Journal

Session 1 Reflection Journal

Today, we explored your unique personal strengths. Use this space to reflect deeply on what you learned and how you can use these strengths moving forward.

1. What are your three strengths and why does each one matter to you?





2. Describe a time when you used one of your strengths. What happened, and how did it make you feel?










3. For a second strength, write or draw three ways you have used it.





4. Think about the third strength. How could you use it when something feels hard at school? Write or draw your ideas.










5. Which strength are you most proud of, and why?





6. Write one positive statement you can say to yourself each morning to remind you of your strengths.



Remember: Take your time and be kind to yourself as you write or draw. There are no right or wrong answers—this is about discovering YOU!

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Worksheet

Strengths Card Set

Print this page and cut along the grid lines to create individual cards. During the Growing Self-Esteem Session 1 Lesson Plan, lay the cards face down, have the student pick three that speak to her, and discuss why she chose each one.

CaringBraveCreativeHelpful
PatientLeaderFriendlyHonest
ThoughtfulRespectfulReliableEncouraging
CuriousDeterminedArtisticProblem Solver
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