Warm Up
Awesome Qualities Quick Check
Instructions: Think about one thing you are really good at or one positive quality you have. It could be anything! For example, maybe you are a great listener, a fast runner, or always try your best. On a piece of paper or a sticky note, write down your awesome quality.
We'll go around the circle and everyone will share their awesome quality, and say why it's important to them or how it helps others. Be ready to give a quick compliment to the person who just shared!
use Lenny to create lessons.
No credit card needed
Lesson Plan
You Are Awesome!
Students will be able to identify at least two personal strengths and acknowledge positive qualities in their peers, contributing to a stronger sense of self-esteem.
Building self-esteem is crucial for students' overall well-being and academic success. This lesson helps students recognize their inherent worth and the positive impact they have on others, fostering resilience and confidence.
Audience
Middle School Students (Tier 2 Group Support, including students with ADHD)
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Interactive discussion, self-reflection, group activities, and peer affirmation.
Materials
Whiteboard or chart paper, Markers, Awesome Qualities Quick Check, Self-Esteem Superheroes Slide Deck, Strength Spotter Activity, Compliment Catch Game, and My Awesome Reflection Journal
Prep
Review Materials and Set Up
10 minutes
- Review all generated materials: You Are Awesome! Lesson Plan, Awesome Qualities Quick Check, Self-Esteem Superheroes Slide Deck, Strength Spotter Activity, Compliment Catch Game, and My Awesome Reflection Journal.
- Prepare any necessary printouts for Strength Spotter Activity and My Awesome Reflection Journal.
- Arrange seating for small group discussion and activity.
- Ensure whiteboard/chart paper and markers are accessible.
- Consider any specific accommodations for the student with ADHD, such as preferential seating or clear verbal instructions combined with visual aids.
Step 1
Warm-Up: Awesome Qualities Quick Check
5 minutes
- Begin with the Awesome Qualities Quick Check to activate students' thinking about personal strengths.
- Encourage each student to share one positive quality or skill they possess.
- Facilitate a brief round of positive affirmations after each share (e.g.,
Step 2
Introduction: What is Self-Esteem?
5 minutes
- Use the Self-Esteem Superheroes Slide Deck to introduce the concept of self-esteem.
- Discuss what self-esteem means and why it's important to recognize our own worth and the worth of others.
- Engage students with questions like,
Step 3
Activity: Strength Spotter
10 minutes
- Distribute the Strength Spotter Activity worksheet.
- Guide students through identifying their own strengths and, if comfortable, those they observe in their peers.
- Provide prompts and examples to help students brainstorm, especially for the student with ADHD who may benefit from structured examples.
- Allow time for students to share some of the strengths they identified in themselves or others.
Step 4
Game: Compliment Catch
7 minutes
- Introduce the Compliment Catch Game.
- Explain the rules clearly, ensuring all students understand how to participate and give positive feedback.
- Facilitate the game, encouraging genuine compliments and positive interactions.
- Pay attention to the student with ADHD, ensuring they have opportunities to both give and receive compliments and feel included.
Step 5
Cool-Down & Reflection: My Awesome Reflection Journal
3 minutes
- Distribute the My Awesome Reflection Journal or prompt students to reflect in their own notebooks.
- Ask students to write down one new thing they learned about their own strengths or a strength they appreciated in a peer during the lesson.
- Briefly recap the importance of self-esteem and ongoing self-affirmation.
- Thank students for their participation and positive contributions.
Slide Deck
You Are Awesome! Building Self-Esteem
What is Self-Esteem?
- How you see and feel about yourself.
- Believing in your own worth and abilities.
- Knowing you are valuable and capable!
Welcome students and introduce the topic of self-esteem. Ask them what they think self-esteem means. Explain that it's about how we feel about ourselves, our abilities, and our worth.
Why is Self-Esteem Important?
- Helps you feel confident.
- Makes you brave to try new things.
- Helps you bounce back from challenges.
- Builds stronger friendships.
Discuss why self-esteem is important. Highlight that when we feel good about ourselves, we are more likely to try new things, be resilient, and have positive relationships. Connect to the idea of being a 'superhero' of your own life.
What Are Your Superpowers (Strengths)?
- Everyone has special talents and good qualities.
- These are your unique strengths!
- They make you, YOU!
- Can be big or small.
- Can be things you do or how you are.
Introduce the idea of strengths. Emphasize that everyone has unique strengths, even if they don't always see them. Provide a few simple examples and encourage students to think about different types of strengths (e.g., academic, social, creative, physical).
Spotting Strengths in Others
- It's awesome to notice what's great about our friends!
- When you see a strength, tell them!
- Makes everyone feel good.
- Builds a positive team!
Explain that recognizing strengths in others is also important. This builds a positive group environment and helps everyone feel valued. Transition to the "Strength Spotter" activity.
Keep Being Awesome!
- Remember your superpowers.
- Keep noticing the superpowers in others.
- You are valuable!
- You are capable!
- You are AWESOME!
Briefly introduce the Compliment Catch Game and the Reflection Journal as upcoming activities to reinforce learning. Remind students that building self-esteem is an ongoing journey.
Activity
Strength Spotter Activity
Everyone has unique strengths, like superpowers! These are things you are good at, or positive qualities you have. Let's find your superpowers and see the superpowers in others!
Part 1: My Superpowers!
Think about yourself. What are you good at? What positive qualities do you have? You can choose from the examples below, or think of your own! Try to list at least 3.
Examples of Strengths: Kind, creative, funny, a good listener, helpful, problem-solver, curious, brave, athletic, good at art, good at math, organized, resilient, honest, a leader, a good friend.
-
My strength is:
How does this strength help me or others? -
My strength is:
How does this strength help me or others? -
My strength is:
How does this strength help me or others? -
My strength is (optional):
How does this strength help me or others?
Part 2: Spotting Superpowers in Others (Optional for sharing)
Think about one or two people in our group. What strengths do you notice in them? (You don't have to share this part if you don't want to, but it's great to think about!)
-
I notice this strength in [Name]:
This strength is [describe strength], and it's awesome because... -
I notice this strength in [Name]:
This strength is [describe strength], and it's awesome because...
Game
Compliment Catch Game
Let's play a game where we celebrate each other's awesome qualities! This game helps us practice giving and receiving compliments.
How to Play:
- Form a Circle: Everyone stands or sits in a circle.
- The Compliment Ball: The teacher will start with a soft ball or a crumpled piece of paper (the "compliment ball").
- Give a Compliment, Pass the Ball: The person with the ball gently tosses it to someone else in the circle.
- Say Something Kind: As you toss the ball, you must give the person you're tossing it to a genuine compliment. It could be about a strength they shared earlier, something you've noticed they're good at, or a positive personality trait.
- Examples: "[Name], I really appreciate how you always listen carefully," or "[Name], you are so creative with your drawings!" or "[Name], you're a really supportive friend."
- "Thank You!" and Repeat: The person who catches the ball says "Thank You!" and then it's their turn to toss the ball to someone else with a new compliment.
- No Repeats (of compliments to the same person): Try to give a new compliment to each person. If you can't think of one, the teacher can offer a suggestion or you can pass to someone else.
- Keep it Positive! Remember, all compliments must be kind and genuine.
Teacher's Role:
- Keep the game moving at a good pace.
- Remind students to be specific with their compliments.
- Help students who might struggle to think of a compliment.
- Ensure everyone gets a chance to give and receive compliments.
- Model positive language and enthusiastic reception of compliments.
Journal
My Awesome Reflection Journal
Take a few moments to think about what we discussed and did today. This is your space to reflect on your own amazing qualities and the strengths you see in others.
Prompt 1: My Strengths Shine!
What is one new thing you realized about your own strengths or positive qualities today? How do you feel when you think about this strength?
Prompt 2: Spotting Awesomeness!
Think about someone else in our group. What is one strength or positive quality you appreciated about them today? Why did that stand out to you?
Prompt 3: Keep it Going!
What is one way you can remember your own awesome qualities or help someone else feel good about theirs this week?