Lesson Plan
Superpower Self-Care Blueprint
Students will explore and identify their personal self-care strengths as “superpowers,” map daily routines that support mental and emotional health, and practice reflecting and sharing these tools with peers.
Teaching self-care builds students’ resilience, self-awareness, and emotional well-being—essential skills for navigating stress and fostering a supportive classroom community.
Audience
5th Grade Students
Time
45 minutes
Approach
Interactive mapping, group sharing, guided reflection.
Materials
- Find Your Inner Hero Slide Deck, - Strengths Spotlight Circle Activity Guide, - Daily Self-Care Reflection Journal Template, - Superpower Share-Out Instructions, - Chart Paper and Markers, - Sticky Notes, and - Personal Journals
Prep
Prepare Materials
10 minutes
- Print one copy of the Daily Self-Care Reflection Journal Template per student.
- Review the Find Your Inner Hero Slide Deck to familiarize yourself with examples and prompts.
- Arrange desks or chairs in a circle to facilitate the Strengths Spotlight Circle.
- Gather chart paper, markers, sticky notes, and personal journals for each student.
Step 1
Hook & Introduction
5 minutes
- Pose the question: “What helps you feel calm or happy when you’re upset or tired?” List responses on chart paper.
- Introduce the idea of self-care as a “superpower” that everyone has to keep their mind and heart strong.
Step 2
Slide Deck Exploration
10 minutes
- Project the Find Your Inner Hero Slide Deck.
- Walk through key slides defining self-care, mental health, and examples of coping tools.
- Prompt students to think of one personal strength or routine they already use.
Step 3
Strengths Spotlight Circle
10 minutes
- Explain the Strengths Spotlight Circle Activity Guide.
- Have students sit in a circle. Each student names one self-care superpower they use and gives a quick example.
- Encourage active listening and positive affirmation from peers.
Step 4
Journal Reflection
10 minutes
- Distribute the Daily Self-Care Reflection Journal Template.
- Instruct students to draw a “superpower map” of their top 3 self-care routines and write when they use them in their day.
- Remind them that these tools can be adjusted anytime.
Step 5
Superpower Share-Out
10 minutes
- Pair students and share their superpower maps, following the Superpower Share-Out Instructions.
- Invite 3–4 volunteers to present their maps to the whole class.
- Close with a quick breathing exercise and affirm that everyone has a unique self-care superpower.
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Slide Deck
Find Your Inner Hero
Welcome to our journey of discovering self-care superpowers! In this lesson, you’ll learn what self-care is, why it matters, and how to spot your own unique strengths.
Welcome students! Today we’re going to discover our own self-care superpowers—special routines and strengths that help us feel calm, happy, and strong.
What Is Self-Care?
• Self-care means taking care of your mind and feelings.
• It’s like having a superpower that keeps you strong when you’re stressed or upset.
• Examples: deep breaths, listening to music, drawing a picture.
Define self-care in kid-friendly terms and connect it to everyday activities.
Understanding Mental Health
• Mental health is how we think and feel inside.
• Good mental health helps us learn, play, and grow.
• Self-care superpowers make our mental health stronger.
Explain mental health so students understand it’s okay to have feelings and that self-care helps maintain mental health.
Self-Care Superpower Examples
• Taking five deep belly breaths
• Drawing or coloring for 5 minutes
• Talking to a friend or trusted adult
• Listening to your favorite song
• Stretching or moving your body
Share a variety of relatable self-care examples. Encourage students to see how simple routines can be powerful.
Map Your Superpowers
Grab your journal and draw a map of your top 3 self-care routines:
- Routine name (e.g., “Song Break”)
- When you use it during the day (e.g., “After lunch”)
- How it helps you feel (e.g., “Calm and focused”)
Prompt students to reflect individually. Give clear instructions on mapping their routines.
Think & Share
Turn to a partner and share one of your superpowers:
• Name your routine
• Explain why you chose it
• Listen and give a thumbs-up when your partner shares
Guide students into a quick pair-and-share. Model positive feedback.
Close with a Breathing Exercise
Let’s practice together:
- Sit comfortably and close your eyes.
- Breathe in for 4 seconds… hold for 2 seconds… breathe out for 6 seconds.
- Feel your superpower energy returning!
Lead a brief breathing exercise to reset. Reinforce that everyone has superpowers they can use anytime.
Your Everyday Mission
• Use your self-care superpowers every day.
• Reflect each evening: Which routine helped you most?
• Keep building your map and share your discoveries!
Remind students of their self-care maps and encourage daily reflection.
Activity
Strengths Spotlight Circle Activity Guide
Objective: Facilitate a supportive sharing circle where each student names a personal self-care superpower and gives an example, practicing active listening and positive affirmation.
Materials
- Chairs arranged in a circle (or carpet seating)
- Optional talking piece (e.g., a soft ball or plush toy)
Instructions
-
Introduction & Ground Rules (2 minutes)
- Invite students to sit in a circle facing one another.
- Explain that when someone holds the talking piece (or has the floor), they share while others listen quietly.
- Emphasize: listen with respect, no interruptions, and give a positive thumbs-up or clap after each share.
-
Sharing Round (6 minutes)
- Teacher models: “My self-care superpower is Music Minute – I listen to a favorite song when I feel tired to feel refreshed.”
- Pass the talking piece clockwise. Each student:
• Names their self-care superpower (e.g., “Deep Breathing Buddy”)
• Gives a quick example of when/how they use it - Classmates respond with a thumbs-up or gentle applause after each share.
-
Reflection & Transition (2 minutes)
- Once everyone has shared, ask: “How did it feel to hear others’ superpowers? What new idea might you try?”
- Once everyone has shared, ask: “How did it feel to hear others’ superpowers? What new idea might you try?”
Journal
Daily Self-Care Reflection Journal Template
Date: ___________________
-
Today, I used my self-care superpower of __________ when I felt __________.
-
This superpower helped me feel __________ because __________.
-
Before using my superpower, I felt __________, and afterward I felt __________.
-
A new self-care superpower I’d like to try is __________.
-
Tomorrow, I will remind myself to use my superpower by __________.
Additional Notes or Doodles:
Cool Down
Superpower Share-Out Cool-Down
Objective: Celebrate and reinforce each student’s self-care superpower while building classroom community.
Materials:
- Students’ superpower maps (from journal reflection)
Instructions:
-
Pair Share (4 minutes)
- Have students turn to a partner.
- Each student spends 2 minutes sharing one superpower map:
• Name of their self-care superpower
• When they use it in their day
• How it helps them feel - Partners respond with a thumbs-up or brief positive comment when their partner finishes.
-
Whole-Class Share (4 minutes)
- Invite 3–4 volunteers to present their superpower maps to the class.
- After each share, classmates show support with a clap or thumbs-up.
-
Closing Breathing Exercise & Reflection (2 minutes)
- Lead students through one round of mindful breathing:
- Inhale for 4 seconds
- Hold for 2 seconds
- Exhale for 6 seconds
- Ask: “What new self-care superpower did you learn about today?”
- Allow a brief silent moment for students to reflect.
- Lead students through one round of mindful breathing:
End by affirming that everyone now has a full toolbox of self-care superpowers to use anytime.