Mindful Thinking: Restructuring Negativity

John Crocker

Tier 1

Lesson Plan

Mindful Thinking: Restructuring Negativity

Identify and disrupt negative thinking

This lesson focuses on helping students identify automatic negative thoughts and use cognitive restructuring techniques to transform these into more positive, coping thoughts. This is crucial for students experiencing anxiety and depression as it empowers them with tools to manage their thoughts and emotions effectively, fostering resilience and mental well-being.

Audience

Grade 9 students with anxiety/depression

Time

40 min

Approach

Collaborative Learning, Experiential Learning, Active Learning

Materials

Worksheet: Identifying Negative Thoughts, Discussion: Cognitive Restructuring Techniques, Exit Ticket: Reflecting on Thought Patterns, and Pens and paper

Step 1

Introduction

5 mins

Welcome students and introduce the topic of automatic negative thoughts and cognitive restructuring.
Define cognitive restructuring as a technique used to identify and challenge negative thought patterns and replace them with positive, constructive thoughts.
Explain the importance of recognizing and changing negative thought patterns.

Step 2

Group Activity: Identifying Negative Thoughts

10 mins

Distribute the 'Identifying Negative Thoughts' worksheet.
In small groups, have students brainstorm common negative thoughts they experience.
Encourage sharing and discussion within groups.

Step 3

Discussion: Cognitive Restructuring

10 mins

Facilitate a discussion using the 'Cognitive Restructuring Techniques' discussion guide.
Introduce the steps of cognitive restructuring: identifying the negative thought, challenging its validity, and replacing it with a positive coping thought.
Describe how to evaluate negative thinking by questioning its validity, considering evidence for and against it, and exploring alternative perspectives.
Guide students on creating a positive coping thought by focusing on realistic and constructive outcomes.
Provide examples of positive coping thoughts, such as "I can handle this," "I am capable of finding a solution," and "This feeling will pass."
Encourage students to share personal strategies they use.

Step 4

Individual Practice: Cognitive Restructuring

10 mins

Have students individually practice restructuring one negative thought from the worksheet.
Encourage them to write down a positive coping thought to replace the negative one.

Step 5

Closure and Exit Ticket

5 mins

Distribute the exit ticket for students to reflect on what they learned.
Collect exit tickets and provide a brief summary of the lesson's key points.

0 educators
use Lenny to create lessons.

No credit card needed

Worksheet

Identifying Negative Thoughts Worksheet

This worksheet helps students identify their automatic negative thoughts and practice cognitive restructuring.

List three common negative thoughts you experience.

Think about situations that trigger these thoughts.

Choose one negative thought and write a positive coping thought to replace it.

Consider how you can view the situation differently.

Discussion

Cognitive Restructuring Techniques

This discussion will explore techniques for challenging and changing negative thoughts, including an introduction to the steps involved in cognitive restructuring.

What are some common negative thoughts you have noticed in yourself or others?

Encourage students to share openly and relate to each other's experiences.

How can we challenge these negative thoughts?

Discuss strategies like questioning the evidence, considering alternative perspectives, and focusing on positive outcomes.

Can you share a time when you successfully changed a negative thought into a positive one?

Encourage personal stories to illustrate the effectiveness of cognitive restructuring.

Quiz

Reflecting on Thought Patterns Exit Ticket