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The Ripple Effect

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Lesson Plan

Ripple Reflection Plan

Guide the student to reflect on how one positive behavior influences peers, visualize cause and effect, set a personal behavior goal, and establish a progress‐tracking routine.

This plan helps a 6th grade student build self‐awareness by recognizing the impact of their actions, fostering consistent positive behaviors and peer influence.

Audience

6th Grade Student

Time

20 minutes

Approach

Structured reflection, visualization, and goal‐setting.

Materials

Cause and Effect Visuals, My Behavioral Ripple Log, and Ripple Effect Progress Rubric

Prep

Prepare Materials

5 minutes

Step 1

Introduction

3 minutes

  • Greet the student and explain the lesson’s purpose: understanding how one positive act can influence peers
  • Briefly show examples from Cause and Effect Visuals
  • Set a supportive tone: emphasize there’s no right or wrong answer

Step 2

Reflection Activity

5 minutes

  • Ask the student to recall a recent positive behavior they performed
  • Have them answer prompts in My Behavioral Ripple Log:
    • What did you do?
    • How did others respond?
    • How did that make you feel?
  • Encourage honest, detailed responses

Step 3

Visualizing the Ripple

5 minutes

  • Together, review the ripple diagram in Cause and Effect Visuals
  • Invite the student to draw their own ripple on a new page in the journal, connecting their action to peer reactions
  • Discuss each “ring” to reinforce cause‐and‐effect thinking

Step 4

Goal Setting

4 minutes

  • Introduce the Ripple Effect Progress Rubric
  • Guide the student to choose one area (e.g., kindness, cooperation) to improve
  • Use the rubric to set a SMART goal for their next positive action
  • Record the goal and action steps in the rubric

Step 5

Progress Tracking Setup

3 minutes

  • Explain how to use My Behavioral Ripple Log daily to track positive behaviors
  • Schedule brief check‐ins (e.g., weekly) to review the rubric and journal
  • Encourage the student to self‐reflect on progress and adjust goals as needed
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Slide Deck

Cause and Effect Visuals

How one small positive action can influence others and spread through your classroom community.

Welcome the student and introduce the purpose of this mini-deck: to understand how one positive behavior creates ripple effects. Mention that each slide will build on the idea of cause and effect using simple visuals.

What Is Cause and Effect?

• Cause: An action or behavior you do.
• Effect: The result or response to your action.

Understanding this helps us see how our choices impact others.

Explain that every action (cause) leads to a reaction (effect). Use everyday examples (e.g., smiling at someone) to ground the concept.

Reading a Ripple Diagram

[Center circle] Your positive action
[First ring] Direct response from a peer
[Second ring] Observer’s reaction
[Third ring] Broader classroom impact

Point out each ring in the diagram: the center is the original action, each outer ring shows a further reaction. Emphasize that effects can keep spreading.

Scenario Example

  1. You notice a classmate struggling with homework and offer to help.
  2. They finish faster and feel more confident.
  3. They thank you and help another friend later.
  4. Others see this kindness and feel encouraged to help, too.

Read the scenario aloud. Ask the student to visualize each ring and predict possible reactions.

Your Turn to Visualize

• Think of a recent positive action you took.
• Draw your action in the center circle.
• Add two or three rings showing how others responded.

Invite the student to draw their own ripple diagram in My Behavioral Ripple Log. Remind them to label each ring with cause/effect.

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Journal

My Behavioral Ripple Log

Date: ____________________

1. Describe the positive action you took:







2. How did others respond to your action?







3. How did this make you feel?







4. Draw or describe your ripple diagram (use rings to show cause and effect from Cause and Effect Visuals):







5. What did you learn about how your action affects others?







6. Today’s SMART Goal (refer to Ripple Effect Progress Rubric): What is my goal and how will I achieve it?







7. Reflection: What will I do differently tomorrow to keep the ripple going?







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Rubric

Ripple Effect Progress Rubric

Use this rubric to set a SMART goal, track your positive behaviors, and reflect on how your actions create ripples among your peers.

Criteria1 – Emerging2 – Developing3 – Proficient4 – Exemplary
Consistency of Positive BehaviorRarely initiates or maintains positive actions; goal not met.Sometimes engages in positive behaviors, but inconsistent.Regularly practices positive behaviors; meets goal most days.Consistently initiates and sustains positive behaviors daily; exceeds goal.
Clarity of SMART GoalGoal is vague, not measurable or time-bound.Goal has some specifics but lacks clear metrics or timing.Goal is Specific, Measurable, Achievable; includes time frame.Goal fully meets SMART criteria with detailed action steps and deadlines.
Quality of Ripple DiagramDiagram is incomplete or missing clear cause-and-effect links.Diagram shows basic cause-and-effect but lacks detail.Diagram clearly illustrates 2–3 ripple rings with labeled effects.Diagram thoroughly depicts multiple ripple rings and nuanced peer responses.
Reflection & AdjustmentReflection is superficial; no concrete plan for improvement.Reflection notes some insights; minimal adjustments planned.Reflection summarizes learnings; updates next steps in plan.In-depth reflection uncovers insights; proactively refines goals and strategies.

Scoring: For each criterion, circle the level that best describes your current performance. Use this rubric weekly to monitor your progress and revise your SMART goal as needed.

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