Lesson Plan
Shining Stars Lesson Plan
Students will understand the concept of positive reinforcement and identify examples of good choices, learning how recognizing positive behaviors can foster a supportive and joyful classroom.
Fostering a classroom culture where good choices are celebrated helps students feel valued, encourages positive interactions, and builds a more inclusive and productive learning environment for everyone.
Audience
3rd Grade Class
Time
60 minutes
Approach
Through discussion, examples, and interactive activities, students will explore positive reinforcement.
Materials
Whiteboard or projector, Catching Kindness Slides, Good Choice Gallery Walk instructions, Markers or pens, Sticky notes or small pieces of paper, and My Positive Power Tracker Worksheet
Prep
Prepare Materials
15 minutes
- Review the Shining Stars Lesson Plan and all linked materials: Catching Kindness Slides, Good Choice Gallery Walk, and My Positive Power Tracker.
- Ensure whiteboard or projector is ready for the slide deck.
- Print enough copies of the My Positive Power Tracker Worksheet for each student.
- Gather markers, pens, and sticky notes/small pieces of paper for the activity.
Step 1
Introduction: What Makes a Choice Shine?
10 minutes
- Begin by asking students: "What does it mean to make a 'good choice' in our classroom?" Allow for a few student responses.
- Introduce the concept of positive reinforcement: "Today, we're going to talk about how noticing and celebrating good choices can make our classroom shine even brighter! When we see someone make a good choice and tell them, it makes them feel good and encourages everyone to keep making those great choices."
- Display the first slide of the Catching Kindness Slides to introduce the lesson title and objective.
Step 2
Exploring Positive Reinforcement (Slides & Discussion)
15 minutes
- Navigate through the Catching Kindness Slides, leading a discussion on each slide.
- Use slides to provide clear examples of positive reinforcement in action (e.g.,
use Lenny to create lessons.
No credit card needed
Slide Deck
How Can We Make Good Choices Shine Bright?
Let's Explore Positive Choices!
Today, we'll discover how noticing and celebrating good choices can make our classroom a happier, more supportive place!
Welcome students and introduce the day's topic. Ask a few students what a 'good choice' means in the classroom. This activates prior knowledge and sets the stage for positive reinforcement.
What is Positive Reinforcement?
It's like giving a high-five or a cheer for a good job!
- Positive: Adding something good (like praise!)
- Reinforcement: Making it more likely to happen again!
When we notice and praise good choices, we help them shine even brighter!
Explain what positive reinforcement means in simple terms. Use an analogy if helpful, like a plant growing bigger when you water it. Encourage students to think about how they feel when someone notices their good actions.
Shining Examples of Good Choices
What does a 'good choice' look like in our classroom?
- Sharing materials with a friend
- Helping clean up without being asked
- Listening carefully when others speak
- Encouraging a classmate who is struggling
- Staying focused on your work
Give concrete examples relevant to a 3rd-grade classroom. Ask students for their own ideas of good choices they've seen.
Why Does it Matter?
When we celebrate good choices, it...
- Makes people feel happy and proud!
- Helps everyone understand what a 'good choice' is.
- Encourages more good choices from everyone!
- Builds a kind and supportive classroom community.
Discuss the impact of positive reinforcement on individuals and the classroom community. Emphasize how it creates a ripple effect.
Catching Kindness in Action!
We can all be 'kindness catchers'!
- Keep an eye out for good choices around you.
- Think about how you can notice and acknowledge them.
- A simple 'Great job!' or 'Thank you for helping!' can make a big difference.
Introduce the idea of 'catching kindness' and noticing good choices in others. This sets up the 'Good Choice Gallery Walk' activity.
Activity
Good Choice Gallery Walk
Objective:
Students will observe and identify examples of good choices, practicing how to acknowledge positive behaviors in a creative and interactive way.
Materials:
- Sticky notes or small pieces of paper
- Markers or pens
- Pre-prepared posters or sections of the whiteboard/wall labeled with different "Good Choice" categories (e.g., "Helping Others," "Focused Learning," "Kind Words," "Problem Solving").
Instructions:
-
Introduce the Gallery Walk (5 minutes):
- Explain to students that they are going to become "Good Choice Detectives." Their mission is to think about and identify good choices they see or experience in the classroom, at home, or even in stories.
- Show them the posters/sections around the room, explaining each category.
-
Brainstorm and Write (10 minutes):
- Distribute 3-5 sticky notes or small pieces of paper to each student.
- Instruct students to write down one good choice on each sticky note. Encourage them to be specific. (e.g., instead of "being nice," write "sharing my crayons with Alex").
- Remind them to think about the different categories they saw on the posters.
- Example prompts:
- Think about a time you saw someone help another person. What did they do?
- When do you show focused learning?
- What kind words have you heard or used recently?
-
Gallery Walk (15 minutes):
- Have students stand up and quietly walk around the room.
- Instruct them to stick their good choice sticky notes onto the poster/section that best fits the choice they wrote.
- As they walk, they should read the good choices other classmates have posted. Encourage them to notice how many different ways people make good choices.
-
Share and Discuss (10 minutes):
- Bring the class back together.
- Ask students to share some of the interesting good choices they saw during the gallery walk. What patterns did they notice? Were there any surprises?
- Discuss how seeing all these good choices makes the classroom feel.
- Reiterate that everyone has the power to make good choices and to notice them in others.
Extension (Optional):
- Keep the "Good Choice" posters up and encourage students to add new sticky notes throughout the week when they notice more shining examples.
Worksheet
My Positive Power Tracker
Name: ____________________________
Date: ____________________________
Objective:
To help you notice and celebrate your own good choices and the positive actions of others!
Part 1: My Super Choices!
Think about the good choices you made today or this week. What did you do that helped you or others shine bright? Write down at least three of your
Activity
Good Choice Gallery Walk
Objective:
Students will observe and identify examples of good choices, practicing how to acknowledge positive behaviors in a creative and interactive way.
Materials:
- Sticky notes or small pieces of paper
- Markers or pens
- Pre-prepared posters or sections of the whiteboard/wall labeled with different "Good Choice" categories (e.g., "Helping Others," "Focused Learning," "Kind Words," "Problem Solving").
Instructions:
-
Introduce the Gallery Walk (5 minutes):
- Explain to students that they are going to become "Good Choice Detectives." Their mission is to think about and identify good choices they see or experience in the classroom, at home, or even in stories.
- Show them the posters/sections around the room, explaining each category.
-
Brainstorm and Write (10 minutes):
- Distribute 3-5 sticky notes or small pieces of paper to each student.
- Instruct students to write down one good choice on each sticky note. Encourage them to be specific. (e.g., instead of "being nice," write "sharing my crayons with Alex").
- Remind them to think about the different categories they saw on the posters.
- Example prompts:
- Think about a time you saw someone help another person. What did they do?
- When do you show focused learning?
- What kind words have you heard or used recently?
-
Gallery Walk (15 minutes):
- Have students stand up and quietly walk around the room.
- Instruct them to stick their good choice sticky notes onto the poster/section that best fits the choice they wrote.
- As they walk, they should read the good choices other classmates have posted. Encourage them to notice how many different ways people make good choices.
-
Share and Discuss (10 minutes):
- Bring the class back together.
- Ask students to share some of the interesting good choices they saw during the gallery walk. What patterns did they notice? Were there any surprises?
- Discuss how seeing all these good choices makes the classroom feel.
- Reiterate that everyone has the power to make good choices and to notice them in others.
Extension (Optional):
- Keep the "Good Choice" posters up and encourage students to add new sticky notes throughout the week when they notice more shining examples.