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Transition to Summer: Managing Change Positively

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Lesson Plan

Transition to Summer Lesson Plan

Students will learn to view the transition to summer as an opportunity, identify positive aspects of change, and create a personalized action plan to build confidence and resilience.

As summer approaches, students may feel anxious about change. This lesson reduces stress by reframing transitions positively, promoting emotional well-being and proactive planning.

Audience

Upper Elementary to High School Students

Time

70 minutes

Approach

Through discussion, multimedia, group brainstorms, and personal reflection.

Materials

Prep

Prepare Materials

15 minutes

Step 1

Introduction to Change

10 minutes

  • Pose the question: “How do you feel about the upcoming summer?” and record student responses on the board
  • Facilitate a brief discussion on common feelings (excitement, anxiety, uncertainty)
  • Introduce the concept of viewing change as a chance for growth and new experiences
  • Differentiate: provide sentence starters or visual prompts for students needing language support

Step 2

Presentation on Managing Transitions

15 minutes

  • Launch the Transition to Summer Slide Deck
  • Define key terms: transition, resilience, opportunity
  • Share 2–3 real-life student or community stories about positive seasonal changes
  • Pause for Q&A and check understanding
  • Differentiate: offer extension questions (e.g., “How might you mentor a younger student through change?”)

Step 3

Change as Opportunity Activity

20 minutes

  • Divide students into small groups and distribute the Change as Opportunity Activity
  • In groups, list at least five summer-related changes (e.g., new routines, new friends)
  • Brainstorm positive outcomes or skills gained from each change
  • Have groups rotate their sheets and add new ideas to peers’ lists
  • Circulate to support and challenge group thinking patterns

Step 4

Summer Planning Worksheet

15 minutes

  • Hand out the Summer Planning Worksheet
  • Students individually identify three personal summer goals and outline steps to achieve them
  • Encourage use of SMART criteria (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound)
  • Offer scaffolded goal examples and one-on-one support for students who need it

Step 5

Reflection and Share

10 minutes

  • Invite volunteers to share one goal and how they’ll stay motivated
  • Discuss coping strategies for unexpected challenges
  • Summarize key takeaways: mindset shift, planning, support networks
  • Formative assessment: collect completed worksheets to review goal clarity and resilience strategies
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Slide Deck

Transition to Summer: Managing Change Positively

Helping you reframe the upcoming summer as a time of growth, adventure, and new possibilities.

Welcome students and introduce the lesson topic. Highlight the soft gradient colors (#ffdbac to #ffedd0) to set a calm, optimistic mood.

Learning Objectives

• View the transition to summer as an opportunity
• Identify positive aspects of change
• Create a personal action plan to build confidence and resilience

Read the objectives aloud. Emphasize student voice and personal relevance.

How Do You Feel About Summer?

Ask yourself and your peers:
• What emotions come up when you think about summer?
• What makes you excited? What makes you anxious?

Invite students to call out words or draw quick sketches on a whiteboard. Encourage all feelings—positive or negative.

Key Terms

Transition: Moving from one phase or routine to another
Resilience: Your ability to bounce back from challenges
Opportunity: A chance to learn, grow, or try something new

Define each term and ask students to give examples. Display definitions clearly.

Real-Life Stories

• Mia’s first summer camp taught her teamwork and leadership
• Jamal’s summer job boosted his confidence in public speaking
• Lin’s road trip inspired her to start a travel journal

Share two brief stories (real or hypothetical) of students who embraced summer change. Then pause for student reactions.

Activity: Change as Opportunity

  1. In groups, list 5 summer-related changes (new routines, friendships, activities).
  2. For each change, brainstorm positive outcomes or skills you could gain.
  3. Rotate sheets to add fresh ideas to each group’s list.

Explain the group work process. Distribute Change as Opportunity Activity. Circulate to prompt deeper thinking.

Activity: Summer Planning Worksheet

  1. Identify 3 personal summer goals
  2. Use SMART criteria:
    • Specific • Measurable • Achievable
    • Relevant • Time-bound
  3. Outline 2–3 steps to reach each goal

Introduce SMART goals. Show a completed example. Provide guidance and check for understanding.

Reflection & Share

• What goal excites you most, and why?
• How will you handle unexpected challenges?
• Who can you ask for support this summer?

Invite volunteers to read one of their goals and share strategies for staying motivated. Scaffold responses as needed.

Key Takeaways

• Mindset shift: change brings growth
• Proactive planning builds confidence
• Lean on support networks when challenges arise

Enjoy a positive, purposeful summer!

Review key takeaways and remind students they can revisit these slides anytime. Encourage journaling over the break.

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Activity

Change as Opportunity Activity

Instructions:

  1. Form a group of 3–4 students.
  2. Complete the table below by listing five summer-related changes and brainstorming positive outcomes or skills you could gain from each.
  3. After 5 minutes, rotate your sheet clockwise. Read the previous group’s ideas and add at least one new positive outcome or extension for each change.
  4. When all groups have contributed, discuss: Which positive outcome surprised you most? How might you use that skill this summer?

Extension (optional):
• For one of the changes in your table, identify a potential challenge and propose a strategy to overcome it.

#Summer-Related ChangePositive Outcome / Skill GainedNew Ideas / Extensions
1
2
3
4
5

Use the space below for any additional notes or ideas.












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Worksheet

Summer Planning Worksheet

Instructions: Use the SMART criteria to set three meaningful summer goals. For each goal, complete the details below, outline action steps, and set a target date.

Goal 1

What is your goal?




Specific: What exactly do you want to achieve?




Measurable: How will you know you’ve succeeded?




Achievable: Why is this goal realistic for you?




Relevant: How does this goal connect to your interests or needs?




Time-bound: When will you complete this goal?




Action Steps: List 2–4 steps you’ll take to reach this goal.

  1. Step 1:

  2. Step 2:

  3. Step 3:



    Target Completion Date:



Goal 2

What is your goal?




Specific:




Measurable:




Achievable:




Relevant:




Time-bound:




Action Steps:

  1. Step 1:

  2. Step 2:

  3. Step 3:



    Target Completion Date:



Goal 3

What is your goal?




Specific:




Measurable:




Achievable:




Relevant:




Time-bound:




Action Steps:

  1. Step 1:

  2. Step 2:

  3. Step 3:



    Target Completion Date:



Reflection Questions

  1. What obstacles might you face when working on these goals, and what strategies will you use to overcome them?






  2. Who can you ask for support or accountability this summer?






  3. How will you track your progress and celebrate your successes?






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