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lenny

Powerful Inner Voice

Luz

Tier 3

Lesson Plan

Positive Self-Talk Lesson Plan

Students will identify negative self-talk patterns, learn to reframe them into positive affirmations, and practice using empowering self-talk to boost confidence and manage stress.

Negative self-talk can undermine students’ confidence and increase stress. Learning to transform negative thoughts into positive affirmations builds resilience, self-esteem, and supports academic performance and well-being.

Audience

12th Grade

Time

15 minutes

Approach

Guided reflection, reframing exercises, and verbal practice build positive self-talk skills.

Materials

Self-Talk Reflection Worksheet, Positive Affirmation Prompt Cards, Timer or Stopwatch, and Notebook and Pen

Prep

Prepare Materials

5 minutes

  • Print enough copies of Self-Talk Reflection Worksheet for the session
  • Create or shuffle Positive Affirmation Prompt Cards
  • Set up a timer or stopwatch for time-boxing activities
  • Review the worksheet and prompt cards to familiarize yourself with examples and reframing strategies

Step 1

Introduction and Goal Setting

2 minutes

  • Welcome the student and explain the session’s purpose: harnessing positive self-talk to boost confidence
  • Share the objective: identify negative thoughts and transform them into empowering affirmations
  • Confirm the student understands and is ready to begin

Step 2

Identify Negative Self-Talk

3 minutes

  • Give the student the Self-Talk Reflection Worksheet
  • Ask them to recall a recent stressful or challenging moment
  • Have the student jot down 3–5 negative thoughts they experienced, encouraging honesty without judgment

Step 3

Reframe into Positive Affirmations

5 minutes

  • Explain how to convert each negative statement into a positive affirmation (e.g., “I always fail” → “I learn and grow from every experience”)
  • Distribute the Positive Affirmation Prompt Cards for inspiration
  • Guide the student to reframe each negative thought on their worksheet into a succinct, positive affirmation

Step 4

Practice Verbal Affirmations

3 minutes

  • Instruct the student to read each positive affirmation aloud with conviction
  • Encourage eye contact in a mirror or directed gaze to build self-assurance
  • Have them repeat each statement 2–3 times, focusing on tone and belief

Step 5

Reflection and Next Steps

2 minutes

  • Discuss how creating and saying the affirmations felt—note any increased confidence or calm
  • Ask the student to choose one affirmation to repeat daily when stressed
  • Encourage the use of the worksheet and prompt cards as a personal toolkit moving forward
lenny

Slide Deck

Harnessing the Power of Your Inner Voice

• Purpose: Develop positive self-talk
• Objective: Identify negative thoughts and transform them into affirmations
• Outcome: A personal toolkit for confidence and calm

Welcome the student and introduce the 15-minute session. Explain that by the end, they’ll learn to turn negative thoughts into empowering statements to boost confidence and manage stress.

What Is Self-Talk?

• Self-talk = the inner voice running through our minds
• Can be positive (encouraging) or negative (critical)
• Shapes our mood, confidence, and stress levels

Define self-talk and highlight how our internal dialogue influences feelings and behaviors. Use simple examples.

Spotting Negative Self-Talk Patterns

Common patterns:
• All-or-nothing thinking (“I always mess up.”)
• Overgeneralization (“Nothing ever goes right.”)
• Personalization (“It’s all my fault.”)

Hand out Self-Talk Reflection Worksheet and list 3–5 thoughts.

Introduce common negative self-talk patterns. Reference the reflection worksheet and invite the student to recall a recent stressful moment.

Reframing Negative Thoughts

Example reframes:
• “I always fail.” → “I learn and grow from every experience.”
• “I’m terrible at math.” → “I improve with practice every day.”

Use Positive Affirmation Prompt Cards to craft your own.

Explain reframing and show side-by-side examples. Encourage the student to use prompt cards for inspiration.

Practice Verbal Affirmations

  1. Read each affirmation aloud with conviction
  2. Make eye contact with yourself in a mirror or steady gaze
  3. Repeat each statement 2–3 times, focusing on belief

Guide the student through reading affirmations aloud. Emphasize tone, conviction, and posture.

Reflect & Choose Your Mantra

Reflect:
• Which affirmation felt most empowering?
• How did your body and mood respond?

Choose one affirmation to repeat each morning or during stress.

Prompt reflection on how saying the affirmations felt. Help the student choose one affirmation to use daily.

Next Steps & Personal Toolkit

• Keep your worksheet and prompt cards handy
• Set a daily reminder to say your chosen affirmation
• Track how affirmations impact your confidence and stress over time

Summarize the session and encourage ongoing use of materials. Suggest ways to integrate practice into daily routines.

lenny

Worksheet

Self-Talk Reflection Worksheet

Part 1: Identify Negative Thoughts and Reframe

Instructions: Think of a recent stressful or challenging moment. For each negative thought you experienced, write it down, then transform it into a positive affirmation.

  1. Negative Thought 1:






Reframed Affirmation 1:







  1. Negative Thought 2:






Reframed Affirmation 2:







  1. Negative Thought 3:






Reframed Affirmation 3:







  1. Negative Thought 4 (optional):






Reframed Affirmation 4:







  1. Negative Thought 5 (optional):






Reframed Affirmation 5:







Part 2: Emotional Impact Reflection

  1. Which reframed affirmation felt most empowering? Why?











  1. How did your mood or body sensations change after saying this affirmation aloud? Describe any shifts in confidence, calm, or energy.











Part 3: Choose Your Daily Mantra

Select one affirmation from above to repeat every morning or whenever you feel stressed. Write it below and plan when/how you will use it.

My daily affirmation:







When/how I will practice it (e.g., before exams, in the mirror, on phone reminders):











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lenny

Activity

Positive Affirmation Prompt Cards

Use these cards to inspire and guide your reframing of negative self-talk. Print, cut, and shuffle before the session so the student can draw at random.

Card 1

Negative Pattern: All-or-Nothing Thinking

“I always mess up.”

Affirmation: “I learn and grow from every experience.”

Card 2

Negative Pattern: Overgeneralization

“Nothing ever goes right for me.”

Affirmation: “I’m capable of solving problems one step at a time.”

Card 3

Negative Pattern: Personalization

“It’s all my fault.”

Affirmation: “I did my best, and I can improve where needed.”

Card 4

Negative Pattern: Catastrophizing

“This is the worst thing that could happen.”

Affirmation: “I can handle challenges and find solutions.”

Card 5

Negative Pattern: Mind Reading

“They think I’m incompetent.”

Affirmation: “I present my ideas clearly and confidently.”

Card 6

Negative Pattern: Should Statements

“I should never make mistakes.”

Affirmation: “Mistakes are part of learning and growth.”

Card 7

Negative Pattern: Discounting Positives

“That success was just luck.”

Affirmation: “My hard work and skills made that achievement possible.”

Card 8

Negative Pattern: “Labeling” Yourself

“I’m a failure.”

Affirmation: “I am resilient and capable of overcoming setbacks.”

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