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Mirror of Positivity

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Lesson Plan

Mirror of Positivity

Students will learn to identify and practice positive self-talk by creating a “Positive Words Mirror” and reframing negative thoughts into empowering statements. Goals: generate self-affirmations, decorate a mirror template, and complete a reframing worksheet.

Building positive self-talk boosts confidence, resilience, and emotional well-being. This lesson equips students with practical strategies to shift from negative to empowering inner dialogue.

Audience

Elementary School Students

Time

1 hour

Approach

Hands-on mirror activity, guided reframing, and group reflection.

Materials

Prep

Prepare Materials

10 minutes

Step 1

Warm-Up: Positive Word Association

10 minutes

  • Invite students to sit in a circle.
  • Ask each student to share one positive word that describes them.
  • Record all responses on chart paper or the whiteboard as a class.

Step 2

Main Activity Part 1: Creating Positive Words Mirrors

20 minutes

  • Distribute the Positive Words Mirror Template to each student.
  • Instruct students to write at least five positive words that describe themselves around their mirror outline.
  • Encourage students to decorate their mirrors using markers and colors to make them personal and engaging.

Step 3

Main Activity Part 2: Reframing Negative Thoughts

15 minutes

  • Hand out the Reframing Negative Thoughts Worksheet.
  • Model one common negative thought (e.g., “I can’t do this”) and demonstrate how to reframe it into a positive statement (e.g., “I can try my best and learn from mistakes”).
  • Ask students to think of a negative thought they’ve had, write it on the worksheet, and then create a positive reframe beneath it.

Step 4

Reflection and Sharing

10 minutes

  • Pair students to share their decorated mirrors and reframed statements with a partner.
  • Invite volunteers to present one of their affirmations to the class.
  • Facilitate a brief discussion on how reframing negative thoughts made them feel.

Step 5

Cool-Down: Affirmation Gallery Walk

5 minutes

  • Display students’ completed mirrors on a wall or around the room.
  • Give each student a sticky note to write a positive affirmation or compliment for a peer.
  • Students walk around placing sticky notes on classmates’ mirrors to reinforce positivity.
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Slide Deck

Mirror of Positivity

A single-session lesson for elementary students to learn and practice positive self-talk.

Welcome everyone! Today we’ll explore how positive self-talk can boost our confidence and resilience. Get ready for fun, hands-on activities using your own Positive Words Mirror.

Learning Objectives

• Identify and generate positive self-affirmations
• Decorate a “Positive Words Mirror” with encouraging words
• Reframe one negative thought into a positive statement

Read each objective aloud. Emphasize that by the end, they’ll have created their own mirror and reframed a negative thought.

Why Positive Self-Talk?

• Builds confidence and self-esteem
• Enhances resilience when facing challenges
• Promotes emotional well-being

Explain that our inner dialogue shapes how we feel and act. Use simple examples to show the power of positive words.

Warm-Up: Positive Word Association

  1. Sit in a circle.
  2. Each student shares one positive word that describes them.
  3. Write all words on chart paper or whiteboard.

Invite students into a circle. Prompt them one by one to share a positive word that describes themselves. Record responses visibly.

Main Activity Part 1 Creating Positive Words Mirrors

• Hand out the Positive Words Mirror Template.
• Write at least 5 positive words around the mirror outline.
• Decorate with markers, colors, and drawings.

Distribute the mirror template. Encourage creativity. Circulate to offer praise and help with spelling.

Main Activity Part 2 Reframing Negative Thoughts

• Distribute the Reframing Negative Thoughts Worksheet.
• Model one negative thought → positive reframe.
• Students write their own negative thought and reframe.

Model reframing a negative thought first. Then guide students as they work independently. Offer scaffolded examples if needed.

Reflection & Sharing

• Pair up to share mirrors and reframed statements.
• Volunteers present an affirmation to the class.
• Discuss: How did reframing make you feel?

Pair students and remind them to listen and encourage each other. Invite 2–3 volunteers to share one affirmation with the whole class.

Cool-Down: Affirmation Gallery Walk

• Display mirrors around the room.
• Each student writes a sticky-note compliment for a peer.
• Place notes on classmates’ mirrors to spread positivity.

Guide students on the gallery walk. Encourage them to leave kind notes. Conclude by highlighting the power of uplifting others.

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Worksheet

Reframing Negative Thoughts Worksheet

Use this worksheet to turn a negative thought into a positive, empowering statement. Then reflect on how it makes you feel!


Thought 1

  1. Negative Thought:



  2. Positive Reframe:



  3. How does this positive reframe make you feel?






Thought 2

  1. Negative Thought:



  2. Positive Reframe:



  3. How does this positive reframe make you feel?






My Own Extra Thought (Optional)

Negative Thought:





Positive Reframe:





Reflection:









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Activity

Positive Words Mirror Template

Use this template to create your own mirror of positivity. Write positive words that describe you around the mirror outline and decorate it to make it special.

Mirror Outline

(Draw or paste a simple mirror shape here, leaving space around the edges for words.)












Positive Words Around Your Mirror






  1. _____________ (optional)

Decoration Ideas

  • Use bright markers or crayons for bold color.
  • Add stickers, glitter, or drawings around your words.
  • Write your name or draw a favorite symbol at the top of the mirror.

How to Use This Template

  1. Write at least five positive words that describe your strengths or qualities.
  2. Decorate the mirror outline to reflect your personality.
  3. Cut out or hang up your completed mirror where you’ll see it every day.

Accessibility Tips

  • Provide thick markers or dark crayons for students who need larger writing tools.
  • Offer pre-printed word cards or word banks for students with writing difficulties.
  • Allow students to dictate words to a partner or scribe if handwriting is challenging.
  • Use high-contrast colors (dark text on light background) for better visibility.
  • For digital versions, ensure the mirror outline and text are accessible with screen readers (include alt text).
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Warm Up

Warm-Up: Positive Word Association

Duration: 5–10 minutes
Materials: Chart paper or whiteboard, marker

Steps

  1. Arrange everyone in a circle so each student can see peers clearly.
  2. Explain the activity: “We’re going to share one positive word that describes ourselves!”
  3. Model first: Share your own word (e.g., “I’m caring because I help my friends”).
  4. Go around the circle, inviting each student to:
    • Say their positive word aloud.
    • Briefly explain why they chose that word (1–2 sentences).

Engagement Prompts

  • If a student shares “kind,” ask: “What’s one kind thing you did recently?”
  • If a student shares “brave,” prompt: “Tell us about a time you felt brave.”
  • Encourage peers to give a thumbs-up or clap after each share.

Recording Responses

  • As each student speaks, write their word on chart paper or the whiteboard in colorful marker.
  • Watch for common themes (e.g., “creative” or “helpful”) to reference later.

Connection to Lesson

  • After everyone shares, highlight how these words are exactly the kinds of positive affirmations we’ll use on our mirrors today!

Accessibility & Differentiation

  • For students with language needs, allow them to point to a word bank or share via a partner/scribe.
  • Offer sentence starters (e.g., “I am ___ because ___.”) on a small card.
  • Provide extra think-time: give a 5-second countdown before inviting the next student.
  • If a student is reluctant, let them pass once and return to them at the end or ask them to share a word silently by pointing to it on the board.
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