Lesson Plan
My Self-Management Superpowers
Students will identify and practice at least two self-management strategies for focusing, organizing, and managing emotions, building upon their 'pause button' knowledge.
Building a self-management toolkit helps students become more independent, responsible, and prepared to handle various challenges. These skills are essential for academic success and personal well-being, empowering them to choose the right 'tool' for different situations.
Audience
3rd Grade
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Interactive discussion, visual aids, and a hands-on activity to explore and practice self-management 'tools.'
Materials
- Self-Management Superpowers Slide Deck, - Self-Management Warm Up, - Self-Management Script, - Self-Management Strategy Cards Activity, - Self-Management Cool Down, - Whiteboard or projector, and - Markers or pens
Prep
Teacher Preparation
15 minutes
Review the My Self-Management Superpowers Lesson Plan and all linked materials to ensure familiarity.
Prepare the classroom for the lesson, ensuring projector/whiteboard is ready.
Print and cut out the cards for the Self-Management Strategy Cards Activity.
Step 1
Introduction & Warm-Up
5 minutes
Begin the lesson with the Self-Management Warm Up activity. Use the Self-Management Script to guide the discussion, explicitly linking to their 'pause button' knowledge and introducing the idea of a self-management toolkit.
Step 2
What Are Self-Management Superpowers?
10 minutes
Using the Self-Management Superpowers Slide Deck - Slides 1-5 and the Self-Management Script, introduce and discuss the three key areas of self-management: Managing Emotions (revisiting the 'pause button'), Staying Organized, and Focusing on Tasks. Encourage student input and emphasize that everyone can develop these 'superpowers' as part of their personal toolkit.
Step 3
Self-Management Strategy Cards Activity
10 minutes
Facilitate the Self-Management Strategy Cards Activity. Guide students to work in small groups, applying the strategies discussed to different scenarios. Use the Self-Management Script to provide instructions and facilitate sharing.
Step 4
Cool-Down & Reflection
5 minutes
Conclude with the Self-Management Cool Down. Encourage students to reflect on the strategies they learned and choose one 'superpower' they want to practice, adding it to their mental 'toolkit.' Use the Self-Management Script for guiding questions.
Slide Deck
My Self-Management Superpowers: Your Awesome Toolkit!
What does it mean to manage yourself?
Why is it important to have these superpowers in your toolkit?
Welcome students! Today we're going to talk about special powers you already have, and how to add more tools to your self-management toolkit! We'll start by thinking about what it means to manage yourself, just like you did with your 'pause button.'
What Are Self-Management Superpowers?
Self-management is like having special powers and tools to help you:
- Control your feelings
- Stay organized
- Focus on your work
These superpowers are like tools in your personal toolkit that help you be your best self at school and home!
Explain what self-management is in simple terms. Emphasize that these are skills everyone can learn and practice. Connect to the warm-up activity and introduce the 'toolkit' idea. Your 'pause button' is one great tool!
Superpower 1: Managing My Emotions
Sometimes feelings can feel HUGE! How can we manage them? Remember your 'pause button'? That's a fantastic tool!
Other tools for your emotion toolkit:
- Take a Deep Breath: Count to 3 as you breathe in, hold, and breathe out.
- Talk About It: Share your feelings with a trusted adult or friend.
- Move Your Body: Go for a walk, stretch, or do some jumping jacks.
- Think Happy Thoughts: Remember something fun or positive.
Focus on emotional regulation. Explicitly link to their 'pause button' knowledge. Provide simple, relatable examples and strategies. Encourage students to share safe, appropriate examples, and how their 'pause button' helps.
Superpower 2: Staying Organized
Being organized helps you find things and know what to do!
Tools for your organization toolkit:
- Keep Your Desk Tidy: Put things back where they belong.
- Pack Your Backpack: Make sure you have everything for school.
- Make a To-Do List: Write down tasks you need to complete.
- Plan Your Time: Think about what you need to do and when.
Focus on organizational skills. Give practical, everyday examples relevant to 3rd graders. Ask students for ideas on how they stay organized, adding these to their 'toolkit' ideas.
Superpower 3: Focusing on Tasks
Staying focused helps you learn and finish your work!
Tools for your focus toolkit:
- Find a Quiet Spot: If possible, choose a place with fewer distractions.
- Set Small Goals: Break big tasks into smaller, easier steps.
- Take Brain Breaks: Step away for a minute or two if you feel stuck.
- Ask for Help: If you don't understand, ask your teacher or a friend.
Focus on attention and task completion. Discuss common distractions and simple ways to overcome them, framing them as 'focus tools.'
Self-Management Strategy Cards Activity
Time to practice building your self-management toolkit!
- Work in small groups.
- Read each scenario card.
- Discuss which self-management superpower (and its tools!) would help.
- Write down your chosen strategy.
Introduce the activity. Explain the instructions clearly, perhaps demonstrating with one card. Emphasize they are choosing the right 'tools' for each situation.
Building Your Self-Management Toolkit!
You have amazing self-management superpowers, and a growing toolkit!
- Remember to use your tools every day.
- Practice makes your toolkit stronger!
- You are capable and strong, with tools for any challenge!
Transition to the cool-down. Emphasize that practicing these skills takes time and effort, and every effort counts. Encourage them to keep adding tools to their personal toolkit.
Script
Self-Management Superpowers: Building Your Toolkit - Teacher Script
Objective: Students will identify and practice at least two self-management strategies for focusing, organizing, and managing emotions, building upon their 'pause button' knowledge.
Time Allotment: 30 minutes
Introduction & Warm-Up (5 minutes)
(Teacher says, leading the Self-Management Warm Up activity):
"Good morning, everyone! Let's start with our warm-up. Remember how we talked about using your amazing 'pause button' when you feel strong emotions? Today, we're going to think even more about how we manage ourselves. I want you to close your eyes for a moment and think about a time you felt really proud of how you handled a situation. Maybe you stayed calm when something frustrating happened, or you remembered to do your homework without being told, or you organized your toys all by yourself!
- What happened?
- How did you manage yourself?
- How did it feel?
(Pause for students to think. Then, give instructions for pairing.)
"Now, turn to a partner and share your story. Listen carefully to your partner's story too! You have about two minutes for this."
(Circulate and listen. After two minutes, bring the class back together.)
"Alright, class, can I have your attention back up here? What wonderful stories! Who would like to share one of their 'self-management superpower' moments with the whole class? How did you use a tool to handle that situation?"
(Call on 2-3 students to share. Transition to the slide deck using Self-Management Superpowers Slide Deck - Slide 1.)
"Fantastic examples! Today, we're going to talk about building your very own 'Self-Management Superpowers Toolkit!' Just like a superhero has special gadgets, you have special powers and tools to help you every day. Your 'pause button' is an important tool you already have. Let's see what else we can add!"
What Are Self-Management Superpowers? (10 minutes)
(Teacher displays Self-Management Superpowers Slide Deck - Slide 2 and says):
"So, what exactly are 'Self-Management Superpowers'? Look at our slide. Self-management means having special powers, or tools, to help you:
- Control your feelings
- Stay organized
- Focus on your work
These are like different sections of your personal toolkit, and they help you be your best self at school and at home! Let's dive into our first superpower."
(Teacher displays Self-Management Superpowers Slide Deck - Slide 3 and says):
"Our first superpower, and one you already know a lot about, is Managing My Emotions! Sometimes feelings can feel HUGE! Like a giant monster rumbling in your tummy, right? But you already have an amazing tool for this: your 'pause button'!
(Ask students): "Who can remind us what we do with our 'pause button' when big feelings show up?"
(Allow a few students to share, reinforcing deep breaths, counting, etc.)
"Exactly! Taking a deep breath, counting to three, or just taking a moment before reacting – these are all fantastic 'pause button' strategies! What are some other tools we can put in our emotion toolkit to help us manage big feelings? The slide has some ideas!"
(Discuss the strategies on the slide: Take a Deep Breath, Talk About It, Move Your Body, Think Happy Thoughts. Encourage students to share their own ideas for managing emotions safely and appropriately.)
"Remember, your 'pause button' is a powerful tool, and these other strategies are great additions to that part of your toolkit!"
(Teacher displays Self-Management Superpowers Slide Deck - Slide 4 and says):
"Our next superpower in our toolkit is Staying Organized! Has anyone ever lost something important, like their favorite pencil or a homework paper? It doesn't feel good, right? Being organized helps you find things and know what to do. It makes life much easier!
What are some tools you use, or could use, to stay organized? The slide has some ideas!"
(Discuss the strategies on the slide: Keep Your Desk Tidy, Pack Your Backpack, Make a To-Do List, Plan Your Time. Ask students for their own tips on staying organized at school or home.)
"These are all great tools to keep your 'organization toolkit' full and ready!"
(Teacher displays Self-Management Superpowers Slide Deck - Slide 5 and says):
"Our third superpower is Focusing on Tasks! Sometimes it can be hard to concentrate, especially when there are exciting things happening or a challenge feels too big. But staying focused helps you learn and finish your work!
What are some tools we can use to help ourselves focus? Let's look at the slide!"
(Discuss the strategies on the slide: Find a Quiet Spot, Set Small Goals, Take Brain Breaks, Ask for Help. Ask students for examples of when they've used these or other strategies to focus.)
"These are excellent 'focus tools' to have in your self-management toolkit!"
Self-Management Strategy Cards Activity (10 minutes)
(Teacher displays Self-Management Superpowers Slide Deck - Slide 6 and says):
"Alright, my self-management superheroes! It's time to practice building your toolkit! We're going to do an activity with 'Self-Management Strategy Cards.'
I'm going to divide you into small groups of 3-4 students. Each group will get a few cards. On each card, there's a scenario – a little story about something that's happening.
Your job in your group is to:
- Read the scenario card carefully.
- Talk about what's happening.
- Decide which self-management superpower (Managing Emotions, Staying Organized, or Focusing on Tasks) would be most helpful.
- Then, pick one specific strategy, or 'tool,' from our lesson today that the person in the scenario could use. Remember your 'pause button' for emotions!
- Write down the superpower and the strategy on the card or a piece of paper.
You'll have about 7 minutes to work in your groups, and then we'll share some of your great ideas with the whole class. Any questions?"
(Distribute the Self-Management Strategy Cards Activity cards to groups. Circulate, provide guidance, and encourage discussion. After 7 minutes, bring the class back.)
"Let's bring it back together, everyone! Who would like to share one of their scenarios and the self-management tool their group chose to help?"
(Call on a few groups to share their scenarios and strategies. Validate their choices and encourage discussion.)
Cool-Down & Reflection (5 minutes)
(Teacher displays Self-Management Superpowers Slide Deck - Slide 7 and says):
"Wow, you all have some fantastic ideas for building your self-management toolkits! You are truly becoming self-management superheroes!
For our cool-down today, I want you to think about all the superpowers and strategies we talked about. Take a moment to think about your own personal toolkit.
(Read the prompts from the Self-Management Cool Down aloud, allowing students to think or write if they have paper):
- "One self-management superpower I want to practice more is..."
- "One specific strategy (or tool!) I will try is..."
- "I will use this superpower/strategy when..."
(Pause for students to reflect. Offer an opportunity for sharing.)
"If you feel comfortable, you can share your 'Power Plan' with a partner or with the class. Remember, practicing these skills, using these tools, makes your toolkit stronger and stronger every day! Great job today, everyone!"
Warm Up
Self-Management Superpowers Warm-Up
Time: 5 minutes
Instructions:
-
Think & Pair: Close your eyes for a moment and think about a time you felt really proud of how you handled a situation. Maybe you stayed calm when something frustrating happened, or you remembered to do your homework without being told, or you organized your toys all by yourself!
- What happened?
- How did you manage yourself?
- How did it feel?
-
Share: Turn to a partner and share your story. Listen carefully to your partner's story too!
-
Class Share (Optional): We'll share a few stories with the whole class. Who would like to tell us about their self-management superpower moment?
Activity
Self-Management Strategy Cards Activity
Time: 10 minutes
Materials:
- Printed Self-Management Strategy Cards (cut out)
- Pencils or markers
- Paper for group responses (optional)
Instructions:
-
Group Up! Get into small groups of 3-4 students.
-
Scenario Time! Your teacher will give each group a few scenario cards. Each card describes a situation where a self-management superpower might be helpful.
-
Read & Discuss: As a group, read each scenario card carefully. Talk about these questions for each card:
- What is happening in this scenario?
- Which self-management superpower (Managing Emotions, Staying Organized, or Focusing on Tasks) would be most helpful here?
- What specific strategy from our lesson could the person in the scenario use?
-
Write It Down: On a piece of paper (or directly on the card if instructed), write down the superpower and the strategy your group chose for each scenario.
-
Share Out: Be ready to share one of your scenarios and your group's chosen strategy with the class!
Scenario Cards (Teacher: Print and cut these out)
Card 1: "Lost and Late"
It's morning, and you can't find your favorite book for school! You start to feel really worried and upset because you might be late for the bus.
- Which superpower?
- Which strategy?
Card 2: "Frustration Station"
You're trying to solve a tricky math problem, and you just can't figure it out. You feel a big wave of frustration, and you want to give up and crumple your paper.
- Which superpower?
- Which strategy?
Card 3: "Wiggly Worms"
The teacher is explaining something important, but your friend next to you keeps tapping their pencil, and you keep looking out the window. It's hard to pay attention!
- Which superpower?
- Which strategy?
Card 4: "Homework Mountain"
You have three different homework assignments to do tonight, and you don't know where to start! Your desk is also covered in art supplies and toys.
- Which superpower?
- Which strategy?
Card 5: "Big Game Butterflies"
You have a big soccer game after school, and you're so excited (and a little nervous!) that it's hard to concentrate on your reading during class.
- Which superpower?
- Which strategy?
Card 6: "Sharing is Caring?"
Someone accidentally took your crayon, and you feel angry. You want to shout at them, but you know that's not the best way to solve things.
- Which superpower?
- Which strategy?
Cool Down
Self-Management Superpowers Cool Down: My Power Plan
Time: 5 minutes
Instructions:
-
Reflection Time: Think about all the self-management superpowers and strategies we talked about today.
-
My Power Plan: On a piece of paper or in your mind, finish these sentences:
-
One self-management superpower I want to practice more is...
-
One specific strategy I will try is...
-
I will use this superpower/strategy when...
-
-
Share (Optional): If you feel comfortable, share your "Power Plan" with a partner or with the class. Remember, practicing these skills makes them stronger!