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Mirror, Mirror Within

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Kayla Fisher

Tier 3
For Schools

Lesson Plan

Solo Reflection Roadmap

Students will use guided prompts and journaling to explore self-identity, articulate internal dialogue, and develop a personal action plan to enhance long-term self-awareness.

Deep self-reflection builds emotional insight and aligns with CASEL’s self-awareness competency, preparing seniors to understand their motivations, values, and inner voices for lifelong growth.

Audience

12th Grade Student

Time

40 Minutes

Approach

Guided reflective writing and prompts

Materials

  • Solo Reflection Roadmap, - Inner Dialogue Guide, - Facilitator’s Reflection Prompts, - Mirror Journal, and - Reflection Action Plan

Prep

Review and Organize Materials

5 Minutes

  • Review Solo Reflection Roadmap to understand session flow
  • Familiarize yourself with the guiding questions in Inner Dialogue Guide
  • Read through Facilitator’s Reflection Prompts
  • Ensure a quiet, comfortable space with Mirror Journal ready
  • Prepare a digital or printed copy of Reflection Action Plan

Step 1

Opening Check-In

5 Minutes

  • Welcome the student and explain the purpose: deepening self-awareness through writing
  • Briefly review the steps on the Solo Reflection Roadmap
  • Invite the student to share one word describing how they feel right now (optional verbal share)

Step 2

Guided Inner Dialogue

10 Minutes

  • Use the first section of the Inner Dialogue Guide
  • Read aloud or have the student read prompts from Facilitator’s Reflection Prompts
  • Encourage the student to respond quietly in their mind, noticing recurring themes or emotions
  • Check in at mid-point: “What stands out so far?”

Step 3

Mirror Journal Deep Write

15 Minutes

  • Provide the student with the Mirror Journal
  • Instruct them to free-write on these sections:
    • “I am...” (identity/values)
    • “I feel...” (current emotions)
    • “I believe...” (core beliefs)
  • Prompt them to revisit insights from the inner dialogue exercise
  • Offer silence and space; observe and only prompt if they get stuck

Step 4

Action Plan Development

5 Minutes

  • Introduce the Reflection Action Plan
  • Guide the student to select one insight and set a small, achievable goal (e.g., daily check-ins, affirmations)
  • Have them write:
    • The action step
    • When and how often they’ll practice it
    • How they’ll track progress

Step 5

Closing Reflection

5 Minutes

  • Ask the student to name one key insight and one next step verbally
  • Reinforce the importance of ongoing reflection
  • Suggest they revisit their Mirror Journal weekly
  • Thank them for their openness and conclude the session
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Slide Deck

Inner Dialogue Guide

This guide will help you explore the voices in your mind through prompts and questions. Take your time, be honest, and note what arises without judgment.

Introduce the Inner Dialogue Guide. Welcome the student, explain that this slide deck will support the Guided Inner Dialogue part of the Solo Reflection Roadmap. Emphasize using warm, inviting colors (#F4A6A6 → #DB6868) to foster safety.

What Is Inner Dialogue?

Inner dialogue is the ongoing conversation you have with yourself. It shapes how you see the world and influences your choices.

Why it matters:
• Reveals hidden beliefs
• Guides reactions to challenges
• Builds self-awareness

Define inner dialogue. Use simple language and examples. Reference CASEL’s self-awareness competency.

Prompt 1: Observing Thoughts

  1. Close your eyes and tune into your mind.
  2. What thoughts come up most often? List 3–5.
  3. Do any thoughts repeat or feel loud?

Write them down exactly as you experience them.

Guide the student to write quietly for 2–3 minutes. Encourage noticing recurring thoughts.

Prompt 2: Naming Emotions

  1. For each thought you listed, identify the emotion it brings.
  2. Where do you feel it in your body? (e.g., chest, stomach)
  3. On a scale of 1–10, how strong is each feeling?

Note what surprises you.

Encourage the student to connect thoughts with feelings. Ask them to draw or map sensations if helpful.

Prompt 3: Examining Beliefs

  1. Review your thoughts and emotions.
  2. What core belief underlies each? (e.g., “I must be perfect”)
  3. Ask:
    • Is this belief helpful?
    • Where did it come from?

Challenge any belief that holds you back.

Explain that beliefs can be empowering or limiting. Ask the student to question each belief’s origin.

Reflective Check-In

Take a moment to look back:
• What patterns do you notice in your thoughts, feelings, and beliefs?
• Which discovery feels most significant?

Jot down 1–2 insights before moving on.

Use this mid-point check to see patterns. Encourage sharing if comfortable.

Next Steps

You’ve uncovered valuable insights about your inner dialogue.

• Use these notes to free-write in your Mirror Journal.
• Pick one key insight to shape your Reflection Action Plan.

Ready to dive deeper? Let’s continue.

Prepare the student for transitioning to the Mirror Journal Deep Write and Action Plan. Remind them that these insights will fuel their next steps.

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Script

Facilitator’s Reflection Prompts

These word-for-word prompts guide you through each step of Solo Reflection Roadmap. Use a calm, warm tone, speak slowly, and pause for thinking/writing.

1. Opening Check-In (5 minutes)

“Hi there! I’m so glad you’re here. Today, we’re going to do a deep dive into your inner world—using writing and reflection to build self-awareness. Here’s our plan: 1) Opening Check-In, 2) Guided Inner Dialogue, 3) Mirror Journal Deep Write, 4) Action Plan Development, and 5) Closing Reflection.

To begin: In one word, how are you feeling right now?”
[pause 10–15 seconds]
“If you’d like, tell me why you chose that word.”
[pause for share]

“Thank you. Let’s move on.”

2. Guided Inner Dialogue (10 minutes)

“Now we’ll explore what’s happening in your mind. You can listen to me or read along in the Inner Dialogue Guide. Close your eyes if it helps you focus.

Prompt 1: Observing Thoughts
“Close your eyes and tune in to your mind. Notice the thoughts that come up most often. On your paper, list three to five of them exactly as they appear.”
[pause 2 min]

“Okay, eyes open. What stands out so far?”
[pause for response]

Prompt 2: Naming Emotions
“For each thought you listed, notice the emotion it brings. Write the emotion next to the thought, note where you feel it in your body, and rate its intensity from 1 to 10.”
[pause 2 min]

“What surprised you when naming those emotions?”
[pause]

Prompt 3: Examining Beliefs
“Review your thoughts and emotions. Ask yourself: ‘What core belief underlies this?’ Write each belief. Then ask: ‘Is it helpful? Where did it come from?’ If any belief feels limiting, note that too.”
[pause 2 min]

“Take a moment to look back. What patterns do you see across your thoughts, feelings, and beliefs? Which discovery feels most significant?”
[pause 1 min]

“Great work. Let’s dive deeper in your journal.”

3. Mirror Journal Deep Write (15 minutes)

“Here’s your Mirror Journal. You’ll see three prompts:
• I am…
• I feel…
• I believe…

Set a timer for 15 minutes and free-write on each. Use the insights you’ve just uncovered. Write continuously—don’t worry about spelling or grammar. If you get stuck, just write ‘I notice I’m stuck because…’ and keep going.”
[pause as needed—observe quietly]

“When you have about two minutes left, I’ll give you a heads-up.”

4. Action Plan Development (5 minutes)

“Now let’s turn one key insight into action. Open your Reflection Action Plan. Choose one insight from your journal and answer:

  1. What’s one small, achievable action you can take?
  2. When and how often will you do it?
  3. How will you track your progress?

For example: ‘I will practice a daily gratitude affirmation at 8 a.m. for one week, marking a ✅ on my phone calendar.’”
[pause 3 min]

“Nice work—this concrete step will make reflection a habit.”

5. Closing Reflection (5 minutes)

“Before we finish, share one key insight you discovered today and one next step you’ll take.”
[pause for share]

“Thank you for your openness and honesty. Remember, this is just the start. Revisit your Mirror Journal weekly and track your action plan. I appreciate your vulnerability—see you next time!”

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Journal

Mirror Journal

Use this space to free-write your reflections. Let your thoughts flow without worrying about grammar or spelling.

I am…

What words or phrases capture who you are right now? Describe your identity, values, and the roles you hold.












I feel…

Name the emotions you’re experiencing at this moment. Note their intensity and where you sense them in your body.












I believe…

Identify the core beliefs that guide your thoughts and actions. Which beliefs empower you? Which might hold you back?












Connecting Insights

(Optional) How do these journal responses relate to the patterns you noticed in your Inner Dialogue Guide exercise?












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Cool Down

Reflection Action Plan

Use this template to turn one key insight from your session into a concrete, achievable action. Fill in each section to make your plan clear and trackable.

1. Key Insight

What is the one insight from your Mirror Journal or Inner Dialogue exploration that feels most important?




2. Action Step

Describe one small, specific action you will take based on this insight.




3. When & How Often

When will you do this action, and how often? (e.g., every morning, three times a week)




4. Tracking Method

How will you track or record your progress? (e.g., checkmark in calendar, journal entry, app reminder)




5. Review Date

Choose a date in the future to review how this action step is going.




6. Why This Action Matters

Explain briefly why this step is meaningful and how it connects to your self-awareness journey.






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