Introduction

Teacher: "Hi Deborah, welcome to our session ‘Own Your Power.’ Today we’ll focus on three key skills: turning negative thoughts into positive ones, focusing on your own goals, and taking responsibility for your actions. We have about two hours together, and we’ll use reflection, reading, a game, goal-setting, and short assessments. Does that sound good to you?"

Teacher: "Great! Let’s begin with a quick warm-up."

1. Warm-Up Reflection (10 minutes)

Teacher: "I’m handing you the Warm-Up Activity: Jealousy Reflection. Please think of three moments in the last week when you felt jealous or resentful. For each moment, write what happened and the thoughts you had in that situation. There are no right or wrong answers—be honest with yourself. You have ten minutes to complete this journal. I’ll set a timer now."
(Pause 10 minutes)
Teacher: "How did that feel, Deborah? Would you like to share one of the moments and the thoughts that came up?"
Follow-Up Prompts:

• "What did you notice about the way you described that situation?"
• "Were there any common themes in your thoughts?"

2. Reading and Initial Discussion (25 minutes)

Teacher: "Now let’s look at slides 2–4 in the Slide Deck: Own Your Power."

• (Slide 2) Teacher: "Here are our learning objectives: identify negative self-talk, reframe it positively, set personal goals, and embrace accountability. Keep these in mind as we go."
• (Slide 3) Teacher: "This slide defines cognitive restructuring—recognizing negative thoughts and replacing them with realistic, positive ones."
• (Slide 4) Teacher: "Here are two examples. Let’s practice another together: if someone thinks, ‘I’ll never succeed because of my disability,’ how could we reframe that?"
  Wait for response.
  Teacher: "Excellent. Now please read the Reading: Transforming Negative Thoughts into Positive Ones. As you read, underline every negative self-talk example and write your positive reframe in the margin. I’ll let you know when you have 15 minutes to finish."
  (Pause 15 minutes)
  Teacher: "Great. Let’s discuss what you underlined using these prompts from Discussion Prompts:"

1. "Which negative thought did you underline?"
2. "What belief was behind that thought?"
3. "How did you reframe it into something positive?"

3. Cognitive Restructuring Game (20 minutes)

Teacher: "Let’s play Game: Cognitive Restructuring. We’ll do three rounds. I’ll read a negative statement, and your job is to flip it into a positive, realistic thought. After each round, we’ll talk about how you did and how it felt."

Round 1:
Teacher: "Statement: ‘I’ll never succeed.’"
Teacher: "Your turn."
(Deborah responds)
Teacher: "Nice work—tell me what strategy you used."

Round 2:
Teacher: "Statement: ‘Nobody cares about me.’"
Teacher: "Go ahead."
(Deborah responds)
Teacher: "Great. How did reframing that change your feelings?"

Round 3:
Teacher: "Statement: ‘I always mess up because of my disability.’"
Teacher: "Your reframe?"
(Deborah responds)
Teacher: "Well done. Notice how your language shifted your mood."

4. Project Introduction and Planning (20 minutes)

Teacher: "Now we’ll set some personal goals. Here are the Project Guidelines: Personal Goal Setting. We want 2–3 SMART goals—Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound."
Teacher: "Deborah, what is one thing you’d like to accomplish in the next two weeks?"
(Deborah responds)
Teacher: "That’s a great starting point. Let’s make it SMART together: specify the steps, set a deadline, and consider potential obstacles. I’ll write it on the Worksheet: Own Your Power Reflection."

5. Accountability Discussion (15 minutes)

Teacher: "Let’s talk about accountability. Display slides ‘Understanding Accountability’ and ‘Consequences of Irresponsibility.’"
Teacher: "Accountability means owning your actions and their consequences, no matter what challenges you face. Behaviors like lying, stealing, or ignoring someone’s request break trust."
Prompt:

• "How do these examples match situations you’ve experienced?"
  (Deborah responds)
  Teacher: "What can you do differently next time you feel impatient or want to avoid a consequence?"

6. Quiz (10 minutes)

Teacher: "Time for a quick check: the Quiz: Positive Thinking and Accountability. There are 10 questions—true/false and multiple choice. You have 10 minutes. Read each question carefully and choose your answer. I’ll start the timer now."
(Pause 10 minutes)
Teacher: "Time’s up! Let’s review your answers together using the Answer Key: Quiz and Test. For question 1, the correct answer is… How did you decide on your response?"
(Continue through all questions)

7. Test (10 minutes)

Teacher: "Next is the Test: Transforming Thoughts Assessment. It has five negative statements—please write a positive reframe for each. You have 10 minutes. Use the strategies from our game and reading."
(Pause 10 minutes)
Teacher: "Great work. Let’s go through your responses. For the first statement, you wrote ‘…’—that’s a strong reframe. The answer key suggests ‘…’, which captures the same idea. Let’s discuss each one quickly."

8. Cool-Down Reflection (10 minutes)

Teacher: "As we wrap up, please share one positive reframe you’ll practice daily and one accountability action you’ll commit to this week."
(Deborah shares)
Teacher: "Thank you, Deborah. I’m proud of your progress today. Keep practicing these skills, and we’ll meet again in one week to review your goals and how you’ve used these reframes. You have the power to change your thoughts and own your actions—well done!"

Own Your Power Reflection

1. Warm-Up Reflection

Refer to the Warm-Up Activity: Jealousy Reflection you completed.

Moment 1
What happened?

What thoughts did you have?

Moment 2
What happened?

What thoughts did you have?

Moment 3
What happened?

What thoughts did you have?

2. Reading & Discussion Notes

Read the Reading: Transforming Negative Thoughts into Positive Ones. Underline examples of negative self-talk, then record each negative thought and your positive reframe below.

1. Negative Thought:

Positive Reframe:

1. Negative Thought:

Positive Reframe:

1. Negative Thought:

Positive Reframe:

3. SMART Goal Planning

Using the Project Guidelines: Personal Goal Setting, define 2–3 SMART goals. For each goal, complete the sections below.

Goal 1:

• Specific:
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Measurable:
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Achievable:
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Relevant:
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Time-bound:
  
  
  
  
  
  

Goal 2:

• Specific:
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Measurable:
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Achievable:
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Relevant:
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Time-bound:
  
  
  
  
  
  

(Optional) Goal 3:

• Specific:
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Measurable:
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Achievable:
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Relevant:
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Time-bound:
  
  
  
  
  
  

4. Project Reflection & Accountability Commitments

Use your goals and the Rubric: Accountability and Positive Thinking Project to guide your commitments.

• Which positive reframe will you practice daily?

• What accountability action will you take this week?

• How will you monitor your progress?

• What obstacles might arise and how will you address them?

Transforming Negative Thoughts into Positive Ones

Have you ever noticed how one negative thought can cloud your entire day? Cognitive restructuring is a simple yet powerful tool that helps you catch these unhelpful thoughts and turn them into more positive, realistic ones. When you change the way you think, you’ll often notice an immediate shift in your mood and behavior.

1. Identify the Negative Thought

First, pay attention to moments when you feel jealous, frustrated, or down. Ask yourself:

• What was the exact thought running through my mind?
• How did it make me feel?

Writing your thought down—like “I’ll never succeed because of my disability”—makes it easier to examine.

2. Challenge the Thought

Ask yourself questions to test whether the negative thought is fully true:

• What evidence supports this thought?
• What evidence contradicts it?
• Am I using words like “always,” “never,” or “everyone”? These extremes often distort reality.

By questioning the thought, you begin to see it as just one possible perspective—not an unchangeable fact.

3. Reframe into a Positive, Realistic Statement

Now replace the negative thought with a balanced, encouraging alternative. Aim for statements that are:
• Specific
• Truth-based
• Action-oriented

Examples:
• Negative: “I’ll never succeed because of my disability.”
Positive Reframe: “I can learn new skills at my own pace and move closer to my goals every day.”

• Negative: “Others are so much more capable than me.”
Positive Reframe: “I have unique strengths and experiences that help me succeed in my own way.”

4. Practice and Notice the Change

The more you practice reframing, the more automatic it becomes. When jealousy or impatience arises:

1. Pause and catch the thought.
2. Challenge it with evidence.
3. Reframe it into a positive statement.

Over time, you’ll start to see situations and yourself in a new light—focused on your own progress and strengths rather than comparing yourself to others.

—
Start practicing today: the next time you notice a negative thought, write it down and transform it into a positive, realistic reframe. You have the power to change your thinking and boost your confidence!

Personal Goal Setting Guidelines

Use this guide to create 2–3 SMART goals—Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound—that will help you focus on your own progress and build accountability.

1. Understand SMART Goals

• Specific: Clearly define what you want to achieve.
• Measurable: Determine how you will track progress and know when it’s complete.
• Achievable: Ensure the goal is realistic given your resources and abilities.
• Relevant: Align the goal with your values and long-term aims.
• Time-bound: Set a clear deadline.

2. Steps to Create Your Goals

1. Brainstorm Areas for Growth
   Reflect on what you want to improve (e.g., managing jealousy, practicing positive reframes, acting responsibly).
2. Choose 2–3 Goals
   Pick goals that feel meaningful and manageable over the next two weeks.
3. Apply the SMART Criteria
   For each goal, fill in the details below:
   • Specific – What exactly will you do?
   • Measurable – How many times or by what metric will you know you’ve succeeded?
   • Achievable – What steps or resources will you use?
   • Relevant – Why is this goal important to you right now?
   • Time-bound – What is your target date?
4. Identify Obstacles & Solutions
   List possible challenges (e.g., forgetting to practice, feeling impatient) and plan how you’ll overcome them.
5. Monitor Your Progress
   Decide how you’ll record your progress (journal entries, checklist, daily reminders).

3. Examples of SMART Goals

4. Using This Worksheet

Open the Worksheet: Own Your Power Reflection and complete the SMART Goal Planning section.
Refer back to these guidelines as you draft each goal.
Use the Rubric: Accountability and Positive Thinking Project to ensure your goals meet the criteria.

Ready to get started? Let’s define your first SMART goal now!

Accountability & Positive Thinking Project Rubric

Use this rubric to evaluate your Personal Goal Setting project and Positive Reframe exercises. Each criterion is scored on a 4-point scale.

Scoring Guide:

• 16–20 points: Exceeds expectations; clear mastery of skills.
• 11–15 points: Meets expectations; solid understanding with room for refinement.
• 6–10 points: Approaching expectations; partial mastery but needs support.
• 1–5 points: Beginning stage; requires significant guidance.

Use this rubric to self-assess your work on the Worksheet: Own Your Power Reflection and refine your reframes, goals, and accountability strategies.

Jealousy Reflection Warm-Up

Take a moment to recall three times in the past week when you felt jealous or resentful of someone else’s achievements or situation. For each moment, answer the prompts honestly.

Moment 1

What happened?

What did you feel (emotion)?

What thought ran through your mind?

Moment 2

What happened?

What did you feel (emotion)?

What thought ran through your mind?

Moment 3

What happened?

What did you feel (emotion)?

What thought ran through your mind?

 
 
Take your time and be honest—this reflection is for your eyes only.

Cognitive Restructuring Game

Purpose: Practice flipping negative thoughts into positive, realistic statements.
Materials: A list of sample negative statements (below), timer or stopwatch, paper or whiteboard.

Instructions

1. Explain the Rules
   • You will be given a negative statement.
   • Your job is to reframe it into a positive, realistic thought.
   • After each reframe, explain which strategy you used (evidence challenge, balanced thinking, strengths focus, etc.).
   • We’ll play three rounds, with each round using more complex statements.
2. Play the Rounds
   • Round 1 (Simple)
     • Example Statement: “I’ll never succeed.”
   • Round 2 (Moderate)
     • Example Statement: “Nobody cares about me.”
   • Round 3 (Complex)
     • Example Statement: “I always mess up because of my disability.”
3. Debrief After Each Round
   • Ask: “What evidence did you use to challenge the negative thought?”
   • Ask: “How does the positive reframe make you feel?”
   • Encourage reflection on how language shifted mood or motivation.
4. Bonus Statements (If Time Allows)
   • “Others are so much more capable than me.”
   • “If something bad can happen, it will happen to me.”
   • “I’m a burden to everyone around me.”

Sample Prompts & Strategies

Tips for Facilitator:

• Provide encouragement and positive reinforcement.
• Adjust complexity based on Deborah’s comfort level.
• Emphasize that reframing takes practice and it’s okay if it feels awkward at first.

Let’s begin!

Answer Key: Quiz and Test

This answer key provides correct responses and explanations for the Quiz: Positive Thinking and Accountability and sample answers with grading criteria for the Test: Transforming Thoughts Assessment.

Quiz Answers and Rationales

1. Cognitive restructuring involves identifying negative thoughts and replacing them with positive, realistic ones.
   Correct Answer: True
   Explanation: By definition, cognitive restructuring is about recognizing unhelpful thoughts and actively reframing them into balanced, positive statements.
2. Which of the following is NOT a step in cognitive restructuring?
   Options: Identify the negative thought; Challenge the thought; Ignore the thought; Reframe it into a positive, realistic statement
   Correct Answer: Ignore the thought
   Explanation: We never ignore negative thoughts in this process—we identify, challenge, and reframe them.
3. Using words like “always” and “never” in our self-talk can distort reality.
   Correct Answer: True
   Explanation: Absolute terms (“always,” “never,” “everyone”) exaggerate situations and often aren’t accurate.
4. Which example correctly transforms the negative thought “I’ll never succeed because of my disability”?
   Options: I’ll avoid challenges; I can learn new skills at my own pace and move closer to my goals every day.; I’m worse than everyone else; Success is impossible for me
   Correct Answer: I can learn new skills at my own pace and move closer to my goals every day.
   Explanation: This reframe is specific, realistic, and action-oriented. It replaces defeatist language with a growth mindset.
5. In SMART goals, the “R” stands for:
   Options: Realistic; Relevant; Resolute; Reflective
   Correct Answer: Relevant
   Explanation: A Relevant goal aligns with personal values and long-term aims.
6. Accountability means taking responsibility for your actions and their consequences.
   Correct Answer: True
   Explanation: Accountability is owning one’s behavior, regardless of challenges.
7. Which behavior can damage trust and relationships?
   Options: Practicing positive reframes; Stealing; Setting measurable goals; Challenging negative thoughts
   Correct Answer: Stealing
   Explanation: Stealing is an irresponsible action that erodes trust.
8. The Personal Goal Setting Guidelines recommend choosing how many goals for the project?
   Options: 1; 2–3; 4–5; 5–7
   Correct Answer: 2–3
   Explanation: The guidelines suggest setting 2–3 manageable SMART goals.
9. During the Cognitive Restructuring Game, how many rounds of practice are there?
   Options: 2; 3; 4; 5
   Correct Answer: 3
   Explanation: The game uses three rounds of increasing complexity.
10. A good positive reframe should be:
    Options: Vague; Action-oriented; Overly optimistic; Neutral in tone
    Correct Answer: Action-oriented
    Explanation: Effective reframes include a concrete action or mindset shift that you can practice.

Test: Transforming Thoughts Assessment

For each negative statement, award full credit for reframes that are:
• Specific (addresses the distortion)
• Truth-based (acknowledges reality)
• Action-oriented (includes a constructive step or mindset)

Partial credit (2–3 points) if the reframe is missing one element (e.g., positive but not action-oriented). Minimal credit (1 point) for vague or neutral responses.

1. “I’ll never succeed because of my disability.”

Sample Positive Reframe:
“I can learn new skills at my own pace and work toward my goals every day.”
• Identifies challenge (“disability”) but counters with evidence and an action plan.

2. “Nobody cares about me.”

Sample Positive Reframe:
“I have people who care about me and support me; I can reach out when I need help.”
• Counters “nobody” with specific evidence and a supportive action (reaching out).

3. “I always mess up because of my disability.”

Sample Positive Reframe:
“Although I face challenges, I’ve overcome obstacles before and can use my strengths to improve each time.”
• Balances reality of challenges with past successes and a strategy for growth.

4. “Others are so much more capable than me.”

Sample Positive Reframe:
“I have unique talents and experiences that help me succeed in my own way.”
• Shifts focus from comparison to personal strengths and value.

5. “I’m a burden to everyone around me.”

Sample Positive Reframe:
“I contribute value to those around me, and it’s okay to ask for help when I need it.”
• Reframes by recognizing personal contributions and a healthy action (asking for help).

Use this answer key alongside the Rubric: Accountability and Positive Thinking Project to provide feedback, assign scores, and guide students toward more effective reframes and goal-setting.

Discussion Prompts

Use these questions during the Reading & Initial Discussion to guide reflection and deepen understanding. Encourage Deborah to share openly and explore follow-up questions.

1. Identify the Negative Thought
   • Which negative self-talk example did you underline?
   • What event or situation triggered this thought?
   • Follow-Up: How did you feel in that moment (emotionally and physically)?
2. Uncover the Underlying Belief
   • What core belief or assumption was behind that thought?
   • Is that belief always true? Why or why not?
   • Follow-Up: Can you think of evidence that contradicts this belief?
3. Crafting the Positive Reframe
   • How did you rephrase the negative thought into a positive, realistic statement?
   • What words or phrases made your reframe more believable?
   • Follow-Up: How does this new statement change the way you feel about yourself?
4. Shifting Focus from Others to You
   • When do you find yourself comparing your progress to others’ successes?
   • How does comparing affect your motivation and mood?
   • Follow-Up: What would it look like to celebrate your own strengths instead?
5. Accountability and Responsibility
   • Think of a recent behavior you blamed on your disability. How else could you explain that choice?
   • What would taking responsibility for that action look like?
   • Follow-Up: How might owning your choices impact your relationships and self-esteem?
6. Planning Your Next Steps
   • Which reframe or accountability insight will you practice this week?
   • What specific action can you take if you notice negative self-talk or excuses creeping back?
   • Follow-Up: How will you remind yourself to use these strategies each day?

Use these prompts flexibly—pause for silence, encourage elaboration, and validate Deborah’s experiences as she explores each question.

Own Your Power Cool-Down

Take a moment to reflect on today’s session and solidify your next steps. Use the prompts below to guide your closing reflection.

1. Positive Reframe to Practice
Which positive reframe from today will you practice daily?

2. Accountability Action
What specific accountability action will you commit to this week?

3. Confidence Rating
On a scale of 1 (not confident) to 5 (very confident), how confident are you about using these strategies?

4. Support & Reminders
What reminder or support will help you stay on track?

Thank you for your hard work today!
Remember: you have the power to change your thoughts and own your actions. We’ll meet in one week to review your progress and celebrate your successes.