Lesson Plan
Our Power, Our Stories
Students will feel welcomed and connected within the Latina girls empowerment group by sharing personal experiences and finding commonalities.
Building a strong sense of community and shared identity is crucial for empowering young Latina women. This lesson helps break the ice and shows them they are not alone in their experiences, fostering a supportive environment for future growth and discussion.
Audience
10th Grade
Time
45 minutes
Approach
Interactive discussions and a 'Get to Know You' bingo game.
Materials
Whiteboard or Projector, Our Power, Our Stories Slide Deck, Our Power, Our Stories Script, Latina Power Bingo Cards, My Empowerment Journey: A Self-Reflection, Pens or Pencils, and Small Prizes (optional)
Prep
Prepare Materials
15 minutes
- Review the Our Power, Our Stories Slide Deck and Our Power, Our Stories Script to familiarize yourself with the content and flow.
- Print one copy of the Latina Power Bingo Cards for each student.
- Print one copy of My Empowerment Journey: A Self-Reflection for each student.
- Gather pens or pencils for all students.
- (Optional) Prepare small prizes for bingo winners.
Step 1
Welcome and Introduction
3 minutes
- Greet students as they arrive.
- Use the Our Power, Our Stories Slide Deck to display the lesson title.
- Introduce yourself and the purpose of the group using the Our Power, Our Stories Script.
Step 2
Pre-Lesson Reflection
5 minutes
- Distribute the "Pre-Lesson" section of My Empowerment Journey: A Self-Reflection.
- Instruct students to complete the initial rating scale quietly and individually.
Step 3
Group Norms Brainstorm
7 minutes
- Facilitate a brief discussion to establish group norms for a safe and respectful space.
- Ask students for their input on what makes a good group environment.
- Record ideas on a whiteboard or chart paper.
Step 4
Latina Power Bingo
15 minutes
- Distribute Latina Power Bingo Cards and pens/pencils to each student.
- Explain the rules of the bingo game (find peers who match the squares, one signature per square).
- Encourage students to mingle and interact to fill their cards.
- Announce 'Bingo!' when a student gets five in a row and award a small prize if applicable.
- Allow time for a few rounds or until most students have achieved bingo.
Step 5
Share Out and Reflection
10 minutes
- Bring the group back together.
- Ask students to share one interesting thing they learned about a peer during the bingo game.
- Facilitate a brief reflection on how it felt to connect with others.
- Reiterate the positive and supportive nature of the group and express excitement for future sessions.
Step 6
Post-Lesson Reflection
5 minutes
- Distribute the "Post-Lesson" section of My Empowerment Journey: A Self-Reflection (or instruct students to turn to the back of their sheet).
- Instruct students to complete the final rating scale quietly and individually.
- Collect the sheets.
Slide Deck
Our Power, Our Stories
Welcome to the Latina Girls Empowerment Group!
Welcome students warmly as they enter. Display this slide while students settle in. Briefly introduce yourself and express excitement for the group.
What to Expect Today
- Welcome & Introductions
- Pre-Lesson Reflection
- Group Norms
- Latina Power Bingo!
- Share Out & Reflection
- Post-Lesson Reflection
Briefly go over the agenda for today's session. This helps set expectations and gives students a roadmap.
Why Are We Here?
To build a supportive community.
To share our unique stories.
To empower each other to thrive.
Explain the purpose of the group. Focus on building community, mutual support, and empowerment. Encourage students to think about what empowerment means to them.
Before We Start: Self-Reflection
Let's take a moment to reflect on how we're feeling today.
Please complete the "Before Our Session" section of your worksheet.
Introduce the pre-lesson reflection. Explain that this is a chance for students to reflect on their feelings before the session begins. Emphasize honesty and that there are no right or wrong answers.
Our Group, Our Rules
To make this a great space for everyone, let's create some group norms together.
What are some important guidelines for respectful and supportive interactions?
Initiate a discussion about group norms. Ask questions like: 'What makes a safe space?' 'How can we ensure everyone feels heard?' Write down student suggestions on the board.
Latina Power Bingo!
Time to connect and discover commonalities!
Find classmates who match the descriptions on your bingo card.
Get one signature per square!
Let's get to know each other's incredible stories!
Transition to the bingo game. Explain the rules clearly: students need to find classmates who fit the description in each square and get their signature. Emphasize it's a fun way to get to know each other.
Share Out & Reflection
What's one new thing you learned about a peer?
How did it feel to connect with others today?
This is our group, a place for our power and our stories!
Conclude the bingo game. Ask students to share one interesting thing they learned about a peer. Facilitate a brief reflection on the activity and the overall purpose of the group.
After Our Session: Self-Reflection
Now, let's reflect on how you feel after our first session.
Please complete the "After Our Session" section of your worksheet.
Thank you for sharing your power and stories!
Introduce the post-lesson reflection. Ask students to turn to the 'After Our Session' section of their worksheet. Emphasize that their honest feedback is valuable for the group's growth.
Script
Our Power, Our Stories: Welcome to the Group!
Welcome and Introduction (3 minutes)
(As students enter, play some upbeat, culturally relevant music if possible. Greet each student warmly.)
"Hola a todas y bienvenidas! Welcome, everyone! I'm [Teacher's Name], and I am so incredibly excited to kick off our Latina Girls Empowerment Group. Give yourselves a round of applause for being here today!"
"This space, this group, is all about us. It's a place for us to build each other up, share our experiences, celebrate our heritage, and discover the incredible power we each hold within. There's so much strength in our stories, and I can't wait to hear yours."
(Transition to Our Power, Our Stories Slide Deck Slide 1)
What to Expect Today (Transition from Slide 1 to 2 - 1 minute)
"On our first day, it's really important that we get to know each other and set the stage for a supportive and empowering journey together. Today, we'll start with some introductions, a quick pre-lesson reflection, then move into creating our group norms. After that, we'll play a fun 'Latina Power Bingo' game to help us connect, and we'll wrap up with a quick share-out and a post-lesson reflection. Sound good?"
(Transition to Our Power, Our Stories Slide Deck Slide 3)
Why Are We Here? (2 minutes)
"Before we dive in, let's quickly touch on why this group is so important. We're here to build a supportive community where we feel understood and valued. We're here to share our unique stories, because every single one of you brings a rich tapestry of experiences. And most importantly, we're here to empower each other to thrive, to be confident, and to achieve our biggest dreams."
"Think about it for a moment: What does 'empowerment' mean to you? How does being part of a community like this help you feel empowered?"
(Encourage a few quick verbal responses, if time allows, then transition to Our Power, Our Stories Slide Deck Slide 4)
Pre-Lesson Reflection (5 minutes)
"Before we jump into our activities, I'd like us all to take a moment for some individual reflection. I'm going to hand out this worksheet, My Empowerment Journey: A Self-Reflection. Please focus on the section titled 'Before our session today.' I want you to honestly rate how much you agree with the statements there. There are no right or wrong answers, just your genuine feelings. This helps us understand where we're starting from."
(Distribute the worksheets. Allow students about 3-4 minutes to complete the pre-lesson section quietly. Circulate to answer any questions.)
"Thank you for taking the time to reflect. You can set those aside for now. We'll revisit them later."
(Transition to Our Power, Our Stories Slide Deck Slide 5)
Group Norms Brainstorm (7 minutes)
"Now, for this to truly be a safe, respectful, and empowering space for everyone, it's important that we decide how we want our group to operate. So, let's talk about our 'Group Rules' or, as we call them, 'Group Norms.'"
"I want to hear from you all. What are some important guidelines or expectations we should establish to ensure everyone feels comfortable, heard, and respected in this group? How can we make sure this is a space where everyone feels like they belong and can be their authentic self?"
**(Write down student suggestions on a whiteboard or chart paper. Prompt with questions like:)
- "How do we ensure confidentiality?"
- "What about respectful listening?"
- "How can we encourage everyone to participate, even if they're shy?"
- "What kind of language should we use?"
"Great ideas, everyone! These norms will guide us as we move forward. We'll keep these visible as a reminder of our shared commitment."
(Transition to Our Power, Our Stories Slide Deck Slide 6)
Latina Power Bingo (15 minutes)
"Alright, now for something fun! To help us get to know each other better and find some common ground, we're going to play 'Latina Power Bingo!'"
"I'm going to hand out these Latina Power Bingo Cards. Each square has a statement. Your job is to mingle around the room and find a classmate who can truthfully say that statement applies to them. Once you find someone, they sign that square. You can only get one signature per person per card. The goal is to get five signatures in a row – horizontally, vertically, or diagonally!"
"Don't be shy! This is your chance to talk to everyone, ask questions, and discover the amazing things we have in common. When you get a bingo, shout it out!"
(Distribute bingo cards and pens. Circulate the room to facilitate interaction, answer questions, and encourage participation. After a few bingos, or when the energy starts to wane, bring the group back together.)
(Transition to Our Power, Our Stories Slide Deck Slide 7)
Share Out and Reflection (10 minutes)
"Okay, everyone, let's bring it back in! Great job mingling and connecting!"
"I'd love for a few of you to share. What's one interesting or surprising thing you learned about a peer during the bingo game?"
"How did it feel to connect with others today? Did you find that you had more in common with people than you expected?"
"Thank you all for sharing. This is just the beginning of building our incredible community."
(Transition to Our Power, Our Stories Slide Deck Slide 8)
Post-Lesson Reflection (5 minutes)
"Now that our first session is coming to a close, let's turn back to your My Empowerment Journey: A Self-Reflection worksheet. Please complete the section titled 'After our session today.' This will help us see how our feelings might have shifted after our time together."
(Allow students about 3-4 minutes to complete the post-lesson section quietly. Collect the worksheets when they are finished.)
"Thank you everyone for your honesty and participation today. Remember, this is our group, a place for our power and our stories. Every one of you is a vital part of this, and I am so excited for what we will learn and achieve together. I look forward to seeing you all next time!"
Worksheet
Latina Power Bingo!
Find a classmate who matches the statement in each square and have them sign it. You can only get one signature per person per card. Get four in a row (horizontally, vertically, or diagonally) and shout "Bingo!"
| Has a favorite Latina artist/musician | Speaks more than one language | Loves to cook or bake traditional dishes | Is a first-generation student |
| Enjoys dancing to Latin music | Is involved in a school club or sport | Has a dream of starting their own business | Has a family tradition they cherish |
| Has family that lives in another state or country | FREE SPACE: Future Leader! | Is the oldest sibling | Wants to go to college |
| Has a pet at home | Is proud of their heritage | Enjoys helping others | Has a creative hobby (art, writing, music) |
Worksheet
My Empowerment Journey: A Self-Reflection
Before our session today, please rate how much you agree with the following statements (Circle one):
1. I feel a sense of belonging in this group.
Strongly Disagree | Disagree | Neutral | Agree | Strongly Agree
2. I feel comfortable sharing my experiences in a group setting.
Strongly Disagree | Disagree | Neutral | Agree | Strongly Agree
3. I am excited to connect with other Latina girls in this group.
Strongly Disagree | Disagree | Neutral | Agree | Strongly Agree
4. I believe my unique story is valuable.
Strongly Disagree | Disagree | Neutral | Agree | Strongly Agree
After our session today, please rate how much you agree with the following statements (Circle one):
1. I feel a sense of belonging in this group.
Strongly Disagree | Disagree | Neutral | Agree | Strongly Agree
2. I feel comfortable sharing my experiences in a group setting.
Strongly Disagree | Disagree | Neutral | Agree | Strongly Agree
3. I feel more connected to other Latina girls in this group.
Strongly Disagree | Disagree | Neutral | Agree | Strongly Agree
4. I feel that my unique story is valued here.
Strongly Disagree | Disagree | Neutral | Agree | Strongly Agree
5. I am looking forward to future sessions with this group.
Strongly Disagree | Disagree | Neutral | Agree | Strongly Agree