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What's Your Story?

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Lesson Plan

What's Your Story?

Students will be able to identify key aspects of their personal story, including values, experiences, and aspirations, and articulate how these elements contribute to their identity. They will also practice active listening and respectful sharing within a group setting.

Understanding one's personal story fosters self-awareness, builds confidence, and helps students navigate their individual growth journeys. It also promotes empathy and connection with peers by recognizing the unique narratives of others.

Audience

Middle School Students

Time

45-50 minutes

Approach

Interactive discussion, individual reflection, and group sharing activities.

Materials

Whiteboard or projector, Markers or pens, What's Your Story? Slide Deck, My Life Map Journal, and Sharing Our Stories Discussion Guide

Prep

Review Materials & Setup

15 minutes

Step 1

Warm-Up: Story Starter (5 minutes)

5 minutes

  • Begin with a quick Warm-Up: One Word Story to get students thinking about narratives. Ask students to share one word that describes how they are feeling today and why.
    - Briefly introduce the day's topic: exploring personal stories and identity. (Refer to What's Your Story? Slide Deck - Slide 1)

Step 2

Introduction: What is a Story? (10 minutes)

10 minutes

  • Use What's Your Story? Slide Deck (Slides 2-3) to discuss what makes up a story, emphasizing personal experiences, values, and future aspirations.
    - Facilitate a brief class discussion using prompts like: "What are some famous stories? What makes them memorable?" Transition to personal stories: "What kind of story is your life right now?"

Step 3

Activity: My Life Map Journal (15 minutes)

15 minutes

  • Distribute the My Life Map Journal.
    - Explain the activity: Students will individually reflect on their past experiences, current values, and future goals, illustrating or writing them on their 'Life Map'. (Refer to What's Your Story? Slide Deck - Slide 4)
    - Circulate to offer support and answer questions.

Step 4

Discussion: Sharing Our Stories (10 minutes)

10 minutes

Step 5

Cool-Down: Story Snapshot (5 minutes)

5 minutes

  • Conclude with the Cool-Down: Story Snapshot activity. Ask students to write down one new thing they learned about themselves or a classmate today.
    - Briefly summarize the importance of recognizing and valuing personal stories. (Refer to What's Your Story? Slide Deck - Slide 6)
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Slide Deck

What's Your Story?

Every person has a unique story. What's yours?

Welcome students and introduce the idea of stories. Ask students to share one word that describes how they are feeling today and why. Transition by asking, "What kind of story is your life right now?"

What Makes a Story?

Stories have characters, settings, plots, and themes.
Your life is a story! What are its parts?

Explain that stories aren't just in books. Our lives are made up of stories. Discuss what elements make a story: characters, setting, plot, theme. How do these relate to our own lives?

Your Life, Your Story

Your experiences, values, and dreams shape who you are.
These are the chapters of your personal story.

Connect the idea of story elements to personal identity. Explain that their values, experiences, and dreams all contribute to their unique narrative. This slide sets up the 'Life Map' activity.

Activity: My Life Map

Reflect on your past experiences, present values, and future goals.
Create a visual map of your life's journey.

Introduce the 'My Life Map' journal activity. Explain that students will be reflecting on their past, present, and future. Provide clear instructions for filling out the journal. Emphasize it's for their reflection, not for grading.

Sharing Our Stories

Discuss your 'Life Maps' in small groups.
Listen actively and share respectfully. You choose what to share!

Transition to small group discussions. Remind students of respectful listening and that they only need to share what they are comfortable with. Explain the purpose of sharing: to learn from each other's unique perspectives.

Your Story Continues...

Every day is a new page in your unique story.
What will you write next?

Conclude the lesson by bringing it back to the main theme. Ask students to complete the 'Story Snapshot' cool-down. Reinforce the value of their individual stories and the importance of empathy.

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Warm Up

Warm-Up: One Word Story

Instructions:

  1. Think of one word that describes how you are feeling right now.


  2. Be ready to share your word and briefly explain why you chose it. Your explanation will be your
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Journal

My Life Map Journal: What's Your Story?

Everyone has a unique story, and it's constantly being written! This journal will help you explore the different parts of your story: your past, your present, and your future.

Part 1: Where You've Been (Your Past)

Think about some important moments, experiences, or people that have shaped you. These could be happy, challenging, or just significant. You can draw, write, or use symbols.

What are some key events or experiences that have happened in your life?












Who are some people who have had a big impact on your story? How?












Part 2: Who You Are Now (Your Present)

What are your current interests, passions, and things you value? What makes you, you today?

What are you really good at or passionate about right now?












What are your top 3 values (e.g., kindness, honesty, creativity, family, friends, learning)? Why are they important to you?












Part 3: Where You're Going (Your Future)

What are your dreams, goals, or hopes for the future? What kind of person do you want to become, and what kind of story do you want to tell?

What are some dreams or goals you have for your future? They can be big or small!












What kind of person do you hope to become, and what qualities do you want to develop?












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Discussion

Sharing Our Stories Discussion Guide

Now that you've thought about your own

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Cool Down

Cool-Down: Story Snapshot

Take a moment to think about today's lesson on personal stories.

Instructions:

  1. Write down one new thing you learned about yourself today OR one new thing you learned about a classmate today.






  2. Briefly explain why this learning is important to you.






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Lesson Plan

Sleepy Food Detectives

Students will be able to identify foods and drinks that can help or hinder their sleep, and understand why making healthy food choices throughout the day is important for good sleep.

Good sleep is essential for growing bodies and minds! Understanding how food affects sleep helps students make smart choices, leading to more energy for learning and playing.

Audience

1st Grade Class

Time

40 minutes

Approach

Interactive game and discussion to explore sleep-friendly foods.

Materials

Smartboard or projector for Fueling Our Sleep Slide Deck, Printouts of My Sleep-Friendly Snack Ideas Worksheet, and Props for Food Fact or Sleepy Fiction Game (e.g., pictures of different foods)

Prep

Gather Materials & Review

15 minutes

Step 1

Introduction: What Helps Us Sleep?

5 minutes

  • Begin by asking students what helps them get a good night's sleep. (e.g., a dark room, a cozy bed, a quiet house).
  • Introduce the idea that what we eat and drink can also affect our sleep. "Today, we're going to be 'Sleepy Food Detectives' to find out which foods help us sleep like a baby and which ones might make us restless!"

Step 2

Fueling Our Sleep Slide Deck

10 minutes

  • Present the Fueling Our Sleep Slide Deck.
  • Go through each slide, discussing the concepts of 'sleepy foods' (foods that help us sleep) and 'wake-up foods' (foods that might keep us awake).
  • Encourage students to share their initial thoughts and experiences with these types of foods.

Step 3

Food Fact or Sleepy Fiction Game

15 minutes

  • Introduce the Food Fact or Sleepy Fiction Game.
  • Explain the rules: You will show a food/drink item, and students will decide if it's a 'Food Fact' (helps sleep) or 'Sleepy Fiction' (hinders sleep).
  • Facilitate the game, discussing why each item falls into its category. Use the props you prepared. Keep it energetic and interactive! For example, after showing a banana, ask: "Fact or Fiction? Why do you think so?"

Step 4

My Sleep-Friendly Snack Ideas Worksheet

8 minutes

  • Hand out the My Sleep-Friendly Snack Ideas Worksheet.
  • Instruct students to draw or write down some of the 'sleepy foods' they learned about today that they could choose for snacks or before bedtime.
  • Circulate the room to provide assistance and encourage creative thinking.

Step 5

Wrap-up & Reflection

2 minutes

  • Bring the class back together.
  • Ask students to share one new thing they learned about food and sleep.
  • Reiterate the importance of choosing healthy foods for a healthy body and good sleep. "Remember, being a Sleepy Food Detective helps you choose the best fuel for your body to grow strong and get great sleep!"
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Slide Deck

Fueling Our Sleep

What does 'fuel' mean for our bodies? It's the food we eat to get energy!

Just like cars need the right fuel, our bodies need the right fuel for everything, even sleeping!

Welcome students to the lesson. Ask them what they think about when they hear 'fuel for our body.' Connect it to food and energy.

Sleepy Foods: Our Sleepytime Friends

Some foods are like a warm, cozy blanket for our bodies. They help us relax and get ready for sleep.

These are our 'Sleepy Foods'!

Introduce the idea that some foods help us sleep better, while others might make it harder. Use simple language.

What Are Some Sleepy Foods?

  • Bananas: Have special stuff that helps our bodies calm down.
  • Warm Milk: Can make us feel cozy and ready for bed.
  • Whole-Wheat Toast: Gives our bodies steady energy that won't make us jumpy.
  • Apples: A healthy snack that keeps our tummies happy, not too full or too empty.

Give examples of sleepy foods like bananas, milk, and whole-wheat toast. Explain briefly why (e.g., milk helps us feel calm). Keep it simple and relatable for 1st graders.

Wake-Up Foods: The Party Animals

Other foods are like a party in our bodies! They give us a big burst of energy.

These are our 'Wake-Up Foods'!

Now introduce 'wake-up foods.' Explain that these foods are good sometimes, but not right before bed.

What Are Some Wake-Up Foods?

  • Soda & Sweet Drinks: Lots of sugar that can make us bouncy!
  • Candy: Super sweet treats can give us a 'sugar rush.'
  • Chocolate: Has a special ingredient that tells our brain to 'WAKE UP!'
  • Big, Greasy Meals: Can make our tummies work too hard when they should be resting.

Give examples like soda, candy, and chocolate. Explain why these might keep us awake (sugar rush, caffeine).

Choose Your Fuel Wisely!

It's okay to enjoy 'wake-up foods' sometimes, but maybe not right before bed.

For a great night's sleep, let's choose our 'sleepy foods'!

Conclude by emphasizing the importance of choosing sleepy foods before bed and enjoying wake-up foods earlier in the day.

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Game

Food Fact or Sleepy Fiction: The Game!

Objective: To correctly identify which foods and drinks help us sleep (Food Fact) and which ones might keep us awake (Sleepy Fiction).

Materials:

  • Pictures or real-life examples of various food and drink items (as prepared in the Sleepy Food Detectives Lesson Plan).
  • Designated areas in the classroom or signs for "Food Fact" and "Sleepy Fiction."

How to Play:

  1. Introduce the Game: "Alright, Sleepy Food Detectives! It's time to put your brains to the test. I'm going to show you a food or a drink. Your job is to decide if it's a Food Fact (meaning it helps us get good sleep) or Sleepy Fiction (meaning it might keep us awake or make it harder to sleep)."
  2. Show a Food/Drink: Hold up a picture or prop of a food/drink item.
  3. Students Decide: Have students move to the "Food Fact" or "Sleepy Fiction" side of the room, or hold up cards that say "Fact" or "Fiction."
  4. Discuss and Explain: Ask students why they chose their answer. Provide a simple explanation based on what was discussed in the Fueling Our Sleep Slide Deck. Correct any misconceptions gently.

Examples for the Game:

  • Banana

    • Teacher Prompt: "Is a banana a Food Fact for sleepytime, or Sleepy Fiction?"
    • Expected Answer: Food Fact. "That's right! Bananas have special stuff that helps our bodies relax."

  • Soda Pop

    • Teacher Prompt: "What about a yummy, fizzy soda? Food Fact or Sleepy Fiction?"
    • Expected Answer: Sleepy Fiction. "You got it! Soda has a lot of sugar that can make us bouncy and keep us awake."

  • Warm Milk

    • Teacher Prompt: "A glass of warm milk before bed? Food Fact or Sleepy Fiction?"
    • Expected Answer: Food Fact. "Yes! Warm milk can help us feel cozy and ready for sleep."

  • Candy Bar

    • Teacher Prompt: "A big, yummy candy bar! Food Fact or Sleepy Fiction?"
    • Expected Answer: Sleepy Fiction. "Exactly! All that sugar can give us a sugar rush and make it hard to settle down."

  • Apple Slices

    • Teacher Prompt: "What about some crunchy apple slices? Food Fact or Sleepy Fiction?"
    • Expected Answer: Food Fact. "Good job! Apples are a healthy snack that keeps our tummies happy without making us too full or giving us a jolt of energy."

  • Chocolate (Dark or Milk)

    • Teacher Prompt: "Chocolate is so tasty! Is it a Food Fact or Sleepy Fiction right before bed?"
    • Expected Answer: Sleepy Fiction. "Super sleuthing! Chocolate has a special ingredient that tells our brains to 'WAKE UP!' It's better for earlier in the day."

Continue with various examples, ensuring a balance of both categories and reinforcing the learning objectives.

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Worksheet

My Sleep-Friendly Snack Ideas

Name: _________________________

Be a Sleepy Food Detective!

We learned about foods that help us get a good night's sleep. These are our "Sleepy Foods"!

Think about the foods we talked about today. What are some yummy and healthy snacks you could eat to help you sleep well?

Draw or write your sleep-friendly snack ideas in the boxes below!

My Sleepy Snack Idea 1:













My Sleepy Snack Idea 2:













My Sleepy Snack Idea 3:













Why are these good choices for sleep?







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