Lesson Plan
Know Thyself: Building a Foundation of Self-Awareness
Teachers will identify and practice at least three strategies to build their own and their students' self-awareness, focusing on recognizing emotions and personal strengths.
Developing self-awareness is crucial for educators to manage their own emotions and effectively guide students in understanding theirs. This lesson provides practical strategies for emotional literacy, identifying strengths, and fostering a growth mindset, leading to more resilient and connected classrooms.
Audience
Teachers
Time
120 minutes
Approach
Interactive workshop, discussion, and practical activities.
Materials
Deep Dive into Self-Awareness Slide Deck, "Emotions Wheel" Activity, "My Strengths" Worksheet, and Guided Mindfulness Script
Prep
Preparation Steps
20 minutes
- Review the Know Thyself: Building a Foundation of Self-Awareness Lesson Plan and all linked materials: Deep Dive into Self-Awareness Slide Deck, "Emotions Wheel" Activity, "My Strengths" Worksheet, and Guided Mindfulness Script.
- Print copies of the "Emotions Wheel" Activity for each participant.
- Print copies of the "My Strengths" Worksheet for each participant.
- Ensure projector and computer are set up for the Deep Dive into Self-Awareness Slide Deck.
- Arrange seating to facilitate small group discussions.
Step 1
Mindfulness Moment Check-in
15 minutes
Introduction (5 minutes)
- Welcome teachers and introduce the session's focus on self-awareness.
- Explain the importance of self-awareness for both personal well-being and effective teaching.
Guided Mindfulness (10 minutes)
- Lead participants through the Guided Mindfulness Script.
- Afterwards, facilitate a brief sharing session: "What did you notice during this moment of mindfulness?"
Step 2
Understanding Self-Awareness
25 minutes
What is Self-Awareness? (10 minutes)
- Use the Deep Dive into Self-Awareness Slide Deck (Slides 1-3) to define self-awareness and its components (emotional literacy, strengths, values).
- Facilitate a brief discussion: "Why is self-awareness particularly important for educators?"
Key Concepts (15 minutes)
- Introduce the key concepts of Emotional Literacy, Identifying Personal Strengths, Growth Mindset, Mindfulness, and Self-Efficacy using Deep Dive into Self-Awareness Slide Deck (Slides 4-8).
- Engage teachers in a think-pair-share activity: "How do these concepts connect to your daily experiences in the classroom?"
Step 3
Strategy Workshop: Emotions & Strengths
45 minutes
Exploring Emotions with the "Emotions Wheel" (20 minutes)
- Distribute the "Emotions Wheel" Activity.
- Guide teachers through the activity, encouraging them to identify and articulate a range of emotions they experience in their roles.
- Discuss in small groups: "How can we use a tool like the Emotions Wheel with students to help them build emotional literacy?"
Discovering "My Strengths" (25 minutes)
- Distribute the "My Strengths" Worksheet.
- Instruct teachers to complete the worksheet, reflecting on their personal and professional strengths.
- Facilitate a whole-group discussion: "How does recognizing your own strengths impact your teaching? How can we help students identify their unique strengths?"
Step 4
Application to Classroom Practice
20 minutes
Bridging Self-Awareness to Students (10 minutes)
- Use Deep Dive into Self-Awareness Slide Deck (Slides 9-10) to explore how teachers can integrate self-awareness practices into their classroom routines.
- Brainstorm practical examples as a group: morning check-ins, reflection journals, compliment circles.
Growth Mindset in Action (10 minutes)
- Discuss how fostering a growth mindset in students is linked to self-awareness, using Deep Dive into Self-Awareness Slide Deck (Slide 11).
- Share strategies for promoting a growth mindset in the classroom.
Step 5
Action Planning for Implementation
15 minutes
Individual Action Planning (10 minutes)
- Provide time for teachers to individually complete an
use Lenny to create lessons.
No credit card needed
Slide Deck
Deep Dive into Self-Awareness
Building a Foundation for Ourselves and Our Students
Today's Journey:
- Mindfulness Moment
- Understanding Self-Awareness
- Exploring Emotions & Strengths
- Classroom Application
- Action Planning
Welcome teachers and set the stage for the session. Briefly introduce the topic of self-awareness and its relevance to their role.
What is Self-Awareness?
Knowing Yourself
- Understanding your emotions, strengths, weaknesses, values, and motivations.
- It's the foundation for personal growth and effective interactions.
Why it Matters for Teachers:
- Better emotional regulation.
- Improved decision-making.
- Stronger relationships with students and colleagues.
Start with a thought-provoking question. Encourage initial responses to gauge prior understanding. Define self-awareness as the conscious knowledge of one's own character, feelings, motives, and desires. Emphasize it's a journey, not a destination.
Two Sides of the Same Coin
Internal Self-Awareness:
- How clearly you see your own values, passions, aspirations, and reactions.
- "Who am I?"
External Self-Awareness:
- Understanding how others view you.
- Crucial for leading a classroom and collaborating with peers.
- "How do others see me?"
Explain the two main components: internal and external self-awareness. Internal is about understanding oneself, external is about understanding how others see you. Relate this to how teachers perceive themselves and how students perceive them.
Key Concept 1: Emotional Literacy
Naming and Understanding Feelings
- Definition: The ability to identify, understand, and express emotions effectively.
- Why it's vital:
- Helps manage stress and reactions.
- Builds empathy and connections.
- Supports positive classroom climate.
Introduce Emotional Literacy. Explain it's more than just identifying emotions; it's understanding their nuances and impact. Provide examples of how this plays out in a classroom setting.
Key Concept 2: Identifying Personal Strengths
What Makes You Shine?
- Definition: Recognizing your inherent talents, abilities, and positive qualities.
- Benefits:
- Boosts self-efficacy and confidence.
- Allows you to leverage your best self.
- Provides a positive example for students.
Move to Identifying Personal Strengths. Encourage teachers to think beyond academic or professional skills to include character strengths, interpersonal skills, and unique talents. This builds confidence and provides a model for students.
Key Concept 3: Growth Mindset
Embrace the Power of "Yet"
- Definition: Believing that your abilities and intelligence can be developed through dedication and hard work.
- Impact on Teaching & Learning:
- Encourages perseverance.
- Frames challenges as opportunities.
- Fosters a love of learning.
Discuss Growth Mindset. Contrast it with a fixed mindset. Emphasize that intelligence and abilities can be developed through dedication and hard work. Connect this to resilience and learning from mistakes.
Key Concept 4: Mindfulness
Being Present
- Definition: Paying attention in a particular way: on purpose, in the present moment, and non-judgmentally.
- Practices for the Classroom:
- Short breathing exercises.
- Body scans.
- Mindful listening.
Explain Mindfulness. It's about being present and observing without judgment. Briefly discuss how even short mindfulness practices can have a significant impact on stress reduction and focus.
Key Concept 5: Self-Efficacy
Your Belief in Your Ability
- Definition: The belief in one's capacity to succeed in specific situations or accomplish a task.
- How it empowers:
- Increases motivation.
- Leads to greater effort and persistence.
- Essential for both teachers and students.
Introduce Self-Efficacy. This is about belief in one's capacity to execute behaviors necessary to produce specific performance attainments. It's about feeling capable. Discuss how supporting student self-efficacy starts with teacher self-efficacy.
Bringing Self-Awareness to Your Students
Modeling and Teaching
- Emotional Check-ins: Start the day with a quick feeling word or emoji share.
- "I notice... I wonder..." statements to encourage observation.
- Reflection Journals: Provide prompts for students to write about their thoughts and feelings.
Transition to applying these concepts to the classroom. Encourage teachers to think about how they can model and teach self-awareness to their students. Give concrete examples.
Everyday Classroom Practices
Integrating Self-Awareness Seamlessly
- "Strengths Spotting": Acknowledge and name student strengths regularly.
- Mindful Moments: Short breathing breaks before tests or transitions.
- Conflict Resolution: Guide students to identify their emotions and needs.
Continue with more practical ideas. Emphasize that these don't need to be separate lessons but can be integrated into existing routines.
Growth Mindset: A Self-Awareness Tool
From "I Can't" to "I Can't Yet"
- Encourage reflection on mistakes as learning opportunities.
- Teach brain plasticity and how effort builds intelligence.
- Praise effort and process, not just outcomes.
Reinforce the connection between growth mindset and self-awareness. Encourage teachers to share their own experiences with growth mindset challenges and successes.
Your Self-Awareness Journey Continues
Reflect and Grow
- Self-awareness is a lifelong practice.
- Even small steps make a big difference.
- What is one thing you will commit to practicing this week for your own self-awareness or in your classroom?
Conclude with the idea of ongoing reflection and continuous improvement. Encourage teachers to commit to one small action.
Activity
Emotions Wheel Activity
Understanding Your Inner World
The Emotions Wheel is a tool to help you identify and articulate the wide range of feelings you experience. Often, we get stuck on primary emotions (like happy, sad, angry), but there's a richness to our emotional landscape that deeper understanding can unlock.
Instructions:
- Start in the Center: Begin by identifying a general emotion you are feeling (e.g., Happy, Sad, Angry, Scared, Disgusted, Surprised).
- Move Outward: As you move from the center of the wheel, explore more specific emotions related to that general feeling. For example, if you start with "Sad," you might move to "Lonely," then to "Isolated" or "Abandoned."
- Reflect: Consider a recent situation in your teaching or personal life. Using the Emotions Wheel, try to pinpoint the most specific emotion you felt during that situation. Why do you think you felt that way?
Your Turn to Reflect:
Think about a challenging moment you experienced in the last week (in or out of the classroom). Use the Emotions Wheel to identify the core emotion, and then a more specific emotion you felt.
Core Emotion:
More Specific Emotion:
What led to this feeling, and how did it impact you?
How might you use an "Emotions Wheel" with your students to foster their emotional literacy?
Worksheet
My Strengths Worksheet
Unlocking Your Potential
Everyone has unique strengths that make them effective and valuable. Recognizing these strengths not only boosts your confidence but also helps you leverage your natural talents in your teaching and daily life.
Part 1: Personal Strengths
Think about who you are outside of your professional role. What are you naturally good at? What do you enjoy doing? What qualities do friends and family admire about you?
List 3-5 Personal Strengths:
Choose one personal strength and explain how it influences your interactions or outlook.
Part 2: Professional Strengths
Now, consider your role as an educator. What are you particularly skilled at in the classroom or with your colleagues? What aspects of teaching come easily to you, or where do you feel most effective?
List 3-5 Professional Strengths:
Choose one professional strength and describe a time when you effectively used it in your classroom or school.
Part 3: Reflection & Application
-
How does being aware of your own strengths impact your confidence and effectiveness as a teacher?
-
What strategies could you use to help your students identify and appreciate their own unique strengths?
Script
Guided Mindfulness Script
A Moment to Center
(Teacher: Speak slowly and gently, with pauses between each instruction. Allow ample time for participants to follow each suggestion.)
"Welcome. Let's take a few moments to bring our attention to the present. This is a chance to pause, reset, and connect with ourselves."
"Find a comfortable position, either sitting or standing. If you're sitting, feel your feet on the floor and your body supported by the chair. If you're standing, feel your feet rooted to the ground."
"Allow your eyes to gently close, or if you prefer, soften your gaze downward."
"Now, bring your attention to your breath. There's no need to change anything; just notice the natural rhythm of your breathing. Feel the air as it enters and leaves your body."
(Pause for 15-20 seconds)
"Notice the gentle rise and fall of your chest or abdomen with each breath. Your breath is always here, a steady anchor in the present moment."
(Pause for 15-20 seconds)
"As you continue to breathe, expand your awareness to include any sounds around you. Without judgment, just notice what you hear. Perhaps sounds from outside the room, or within the room. Let them simply be, without needing to label or react."
(Pause for 15-20 seconds)
"If your mind wanders, which it naturally will, that's perfectly okay. Simply acknowledge the thought, and then gently guide your attention back to the sensation of your breath."
(Pause for 15-20 seconds)
"Now, take a slightly deeper breath in, and a slow, gentle exhale out."
"When you're ready, slowly open your eyes and bring your attention back to the room."
"Take a moment to notice how you feel. What did you observe in this quiet moment?"