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Power of Positivity

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Elizabeth Hart

Tier 1
For Schools

Lesson Plan

Power of Positivity Lesson Plan

Students will learn to identify and reframe negative thoughts into positive ones to boost academic strategies, develop a growth mindset for future success, and enhance self-confidence and stress management.

Cultivating positive thinking empowers students to tackle academic challenges more effectively (academic), supports resilience and adaptability for future career paths (career), and strengthens emotional well-being through self-confidence and stress reduction (social-emotional).

Audience

6th Grade

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Interactive teaching with reflective practice

Materials

  • Positive Thinking Slideshow, - Positive Thoughts Reflection Worksheet, - Chart Paper, - Markers, and - Sticky Notes

Prep

Review Materials and Prepare Classroom

5 minutes

  • Preview the Positive Thinking Slideshow to familiarize yourself with slides and talking points
  • Print enough copies of the Positive Thoughts Reflection Worksheet for all students
  • Set up chart papers at the front labeled “What is Positive Thinking?” and “Growth Mindset Examples”
  • Gather markers and sticky notes for student responses

Step 1

Introduction

5 minutes

  • Display the “What is Positive Thinking?” chart paper and ask: “What does positive thinking mean to you?”
  • Record student responses using colorful markers
  • Emphasize how our thoughts influence how we face challenges (academic) and handle stress (social-emotional)

Step 2

Communicate Objectives

2 minutes

  • Share lesson objectives verbally and write them on chart paper:
    • Identify positive vs. negative thoughts
    • Apply growth mindset strategies
    • Practice reframing to boost confidence and reduce stress
  • Explain how these skills help in school tasks and future goals

Step 3

Teach Content

8 minutes

  • Present key concepts via the Positive Thinking Slideshow:
    • Definition of positive thinking (social-emotional)
    • Growth mindset vs. fixed mindset (career)
    • Academic strategies: self-talk, goal-setting (academic)
  • Use visuals and sentence frames for ELLs; pause for comprehension checks
  • Invite advanced learners to analyze a famous positive-thinking quote and connect it to their goals

Step 4

Practice Content

10 minutes

  • Distribute the Positive Thoughts Reflection Worksheet
  • Students recall a recent challenge, write the negative thought, then reframe it positively
  • Pair students (heterogeneous grouping) to share their reframed thoughts and offer feedback
  • Support small-group learners with guided prompts; challenge extension students to list two extra strategies

Step 5

Summary and Closure

5 minutes

  • Invite volunteers to share one reframed thought aloud
  • Summarize the three takeaways: recognizing thoughts, using growth mindset, and managing stress
  • Exit Ticket: Students write a new positive affirmation on a sticky note and post it on the “Positivity Wall”
  • Encourage students to refer to their affirmations when facing future challenges
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Slide Deck

Power of Positivity

Welcome to our lesson on Positive Thinking!

Welcome students and introduce today’s 30-minute lesson on Positive Thinking. Ask: “What comes to mind when you hear ‘positivity’?” Record a few quick responses to build interest.

Lesson Objectives

• Identify positive vs. negative thoughts
• Apply growth mindset strategies
• Boost confidence & manage stress

Read the objectives aloud and point to each bullet. Explain that these skills tie into three ASCA domains: academic (strategies for success), career (growth mindset), and social-emotional (self-confidence & stress).

What Is Positive Thinking?

Positive thinking means focusing on the good in situations and believing in your ability to succeed. It helps us feel calmer, more confident, and ready to tackle challenges.

Define positive thinking in student-friendly terms. Emphasize social-emotional benefits: reduced stress, greater self-esteem. Invite one or two volunteers to share how a positive thought made them feel.

Growth Mindset vs. Fixed Mindset

Growth Mindset:
• Abilities can improve with effort
• “I learn from my mistakes”

Fixed Mindset:
• Abilities are set in stone
• “I can’t do this”

Introduce the concept of mindsets. Explain how a growth mindset supports long-term goals and adaptability (ASCA career domain). Ask: “Can someone give an example of a fixed mindset statement?”

Academic Strategies

• Positive Self-Talk: “I can figure this out!”
• Set SMART Goals
• Reflect on Progress & Adjust

Connect positive self-talk and goal setting to academic success. Model using a SMART goal: “I will finish my math review sheet by Friday and check my work twice.”

Let’s Practice!

  1. Recall a recent challenge
  2. Write the negative thought
  3. Reframe it positively
  4. Share with a partner

Explain the Practice steps and model one example on the board: Challenge: forgetting homework → Negative thought: “I’m so careless.” → Positive reframe: “I’ll set a reminder so I don’t forget next time.”

Exit Ticket & Closure

• Write a new positive affirmation
• Post it on our Positivity Wall

Remember: Your thoughts shape your success!

Summarize the three takeaways: recognizing thoughts, growth mindset, and academic strategies. Distribute sticky notes and guide students to write one affirmation and post it on the Positivity Wall.

lenny