Lesson Plan
Taking Care of Yourself While Fighting for Justice
Students will be able to reframe a negative self-statement to demonstrate self-compassion, understanding that self-care is vital for advocating for others.
Advocating for justice can be emotionally and mentally demanding. This lesson teaches students the critical importance of self-compassion and self-care, ensuring they can sustain their efforts and remain resilient while working for positive change in the world.
Audience
8th Grade Students
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Through discussion, modeling, and application, students will practice self-compassion.
Materials
- It's Okay to Make Mistakes Slide Deck, - Mistakes Are For Learning Journal, - My Strengths Shield Activity, - Whiteboard or projector, and - Markers or pens
Prep
Teacher Preparation
15 minutes
- Review the Lesson Plan and all supporting materials, including the It's Okay to Make Mistakes Slide Deck, Mistakes Are For Learning Journal, and My Strengths Shield Activity.
- Prepare the whiteboard or projector for the slide deck.
- Print or prepare digital copies of the Mistakes Are For Learning Journal and My Strengths Shield Activity for each student.
Step 1
Connect & Introduce: The Weight of the World
5 minutes
- Begin by projecting the first slide of the It's Okay to Make Mistakes Slide Deck.
- Ask students to reflect on times they've felt overwhelmed or frustrated when trying to help others or solve a big problem.
- Introduce the concept of fighting for justice and how it can be both rewarding and challenging.
- Explain that just as we care for others, we must also care for ourselves.
Step 2
Model & Explain: Self-Compassion in Action
8 minutes
- Transition to the slides on self-compassion in the It's Okay to Make Mistakes Slide Deck.
- Define self-compassion and positive self-talk.
- Model how to reframe a negative self-statement (e.g., 'I messed up, I'm no good at this') into a self-compassionate one (e.g., 'It's okay to make mistakes; everyone does. I can learn from this and try again.').
- Provide a few examples and ask students to share their initial thoughts on these reframes.
Step 3
Guided Practice: Journaling for Kindness
10 minutes
- Distribute the Mistakes Are For Learning Journal.
- Guide students through the first prompt in the journal, asking them to identify a negative self-statement they might have thought in the past.
- Work together as a class or in small groups to reframe this statement using self-compassion principles.
- Encourage students to share their reframed statements, emphasizing that there's no single 'right' answer.
Step 4
Independent Application: My Strengths Shield
7 minutes
- Distribute the My Strengths Shield Activity.
- Explain that identifying and appreciating personal strengths is a key part of self-care and building resilience.
- Instruct students to complete their 'Strengths Shield' by drawing or writing about their personal strengths and how these strengths help them when facing challenges.
- Conclude by reiterating that self-care and self-compassion are not selfish, but essential for being strong advocates for justice.
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Slide Deck
Taking Care of Yourself While Fighting for Justice
The Power of Self-Compassion
How do you talk to yourself when things get tough?
Welcome students and introduce the topic. Ask them to think about times they've felt overwhelmed when trying to help others. Connect this to the idea of advocating for justice.
What is Self-Compassion?
- Being Kind to Yourself: Treating yourself with warmth and understanding, especially when you're struggling.
- Recognizing Our Shared Humanity: Remembering that everyone makes mistakes and faces challenges.
- Mindfulness: Being aware of your feelings without judgment.
Why is this important when fighting for justice?
Define self-compassion. Emphasize that it's about treating yourself with the same kindness you'd offer a friend. Introduce positive self-talk as a way to practice self-compassion.
Reframing Negative Self-Talk
From Harsh to Helpful
Negative Thought: "I messed up that presentation. I'm terrible at speaking up for causes."
Self-Compassionate Reframe: "It's tough when things don't go as planned, and it's okay to feel disappointed. I'm learning and growing, and my effort to speak up still matters."
What's the difference? How does the reframe feel?
Provide examples of negative self-talk and then model how to reframe them into compassionate statements. Encourage students to think about why the reframe is more helpful.
Another Example
Changing Your Inner Voice
Negative Thought: "I can't believe I didn't get more people to sign up for the clean-up. I'm a failure."
Self-Compassionate Reframe: "It's disappointing that fewer people signed up than I hoped. It shows I really care about this cause. I can reflect on what I learned and plan differently next time."
How does this reframe help you keep going?
Give another example to reinforce the concept. Prompt students to consider how these thoughts might impact their ability to continue advocating.
Self-Care: Fueling Your Fight for Justice
It's Not Selfish, It's Essential!
Self-care means taking actions to protect your own well-being and happiness, especially during periods of stress.
- Getting enough sleep
- Eating nutritious food
- Spending time in nature
- Connecting with friends and family
- Engaging in hobbies you love
How does self-care help you stay strong for others?
Explain that self-care is an active way to practice self-compassion and build resilience. It's not selfish, but necessary for sustainable action.
Your Turn: Journaling for Kindness
Practice Makes Progress
We're going to use the Mistakes Are For Learning Journal to practice reframing negative self-statements.
Remember, this is a safe space for you to explore your thoughts and feelings.
Transition to the journal activity. Explain that the journal is a space for them to practice reframing their own thoughts.
Your Superpowers: My Strengths Shield
What Makes You Strong?
Now, we'll create a My Strengths Shield Activity.
Think about:
- Your unique talents
- Your positive qualities
- How you help others
These are your superpowers in the fight for justice!
Introduce the Strengths Shield activity as a way to recognize their personal power and resilience.
Keep Fighting, Keep Caring!
Remember:
- Self-compassion empowers you.
- Self-care sustains your energy.
- Both are crucial for being an effective and resilient advocate for justice.
You can make a difference, and you are worthy of kindness!
Conclude by reiterating the main message: self-compassion and self-care are essential for long-term advocacy and personal well-being.
Journal
Mistakes Are For Learning Journal
Welcome to your journal! Today, we're going to explore how to be kind to ourselves, especially when we're working on important things like fighting for justice.
Prompt 1: The Inner Critic
Think about a time when you tried to do something good, perhaps for a friend, your community, or an important cause, and it didn't go exactly as planned. What were some of the negative thoughts or self-statements that popped into your head? Write down one or two of those thoughts here.
Prompt 2: Reframing with Kindness
Now, let's take one of those negative self-statements from Prompt 1. How could you reframe it to be more compassionate and understanding? Imagine you are talking to a very good friend who is feeling the same way. What gentle, encouraging words would you offer them? Write down your reframed, self-compassionate statement below.
Prompt 3: Learning and Growing
What did you learn from the experience you described in Prompt 1? How can treating yourself with kindness and understanding help you continue to learn and grow, even when things are challenging?
Prompt 4: My Self-Care Commitment
Self-care is vital for being strong and resilient. What is one small way you can practice self-care this week to support your well-being?
Activity
My Strengths Shield: Building Resilience for Justice
Just like heroes in stories have shields to protect them, you have inner strengths that protect and empower you when you stand up for what's right. These strengths are what make you resilient and help you continue fighting for justice, even when it's tough.
Instructions:
- Design Your Shield: In the space below, draw a large shield. Make it as creative and unique as you are!
- Identify Your Strengths: Think about your positive qualities, talents, and skills. What makes you, you? What are you good at? What do people admire about you? (Examples: kindness, creativity, problem-solving, courage, listening, empathy, humor, determination, organization, etc.)
- Illustrate and Write: Divide your shield into 3-5 sections. In each section, either draw a symbol or write a word/short phrase that represents one of your strengths.
- Connect to Justice: Around the edges of your shield, or in the space provided, write a sentence or two for each strength explaining how that strength helps you to advocate for others or contributes to making the world a more just place.
Reflection Questions:
- How does recognizing your strengths make you feel?
- How can remembering your strengths help you when you feel overwhelmed or discouraged?