Lesson Plan
Your Boundary, Your Power
Students will be able to define emotional boundaries, identify what they are and are not, and practice strategies for setting them effectively and respectfully with peers.
Understanding and setting emotional boundaries is crucial for maintaining healthy relationships, protecting personal well-being, and building self-respect. This lesson empowers students to advocate for their emotional needs.
Audience
8th Grade Students
Time
15 minutes
Approach
Interactive discussion, slide presentation, and practical application.
Prep
Teacher Preparation
10 minutes
- Review the Your Boundary, Your Power Lesson Plan and all linked materials.
- Prepare to project the Your Boundary, Your Power Slide Deck.
- Print enough copies of the Warm Up: Boundary Brainstorm for each student.
- Print enough copies of the Boundary Boundary Battle Quiz for each student.
- Print enough copies of the Cool Down: My Personal Boundary for each student.
Step 1
Warm-Up: Boundary Brainstorm (3 minutes)
3 minutes
- Distribute the Warm Up: Boundary Brainstorm.
- Instruct students to silently write down what they think a "boundary" means in any context.
- Ask a few students to share their initial thoughts with the class.
- Transition to the main lesson by explaining that today's focus is on emotional boundaries.
Step 2
What Are Emotional Boundaries? (5 minutes)
5 minutes
- Display the Your Boundary, Your Power Slide Deck and use the Teacher Script: Your Boundary, Your Power to introduce the concept of emotional boundaries.
- Define emotional boundaries: the limits and rules we set for ourselves in relationships to protect our emotional well-being.
- Explain what they are not: walls to keep people out entirely, controlling others, or being mean.
- Provide relatable examples for middle schoolers (e.g., needing alone time, not wanting to discuss certain topics, feeling overwhelmed by a friend's constant complaints).
Step 3
Quiz: Boundary Boundary Battle (5 minutes)
5 minutes
- Distribute the Boundary Boundary Battle Quiz.
- Instruct students to complete the 10 multiple-choice questions independently to assess their understanding of emotional boundaries and how to set them.
- Discuss the answers as a class, using the quiz as a way to reinforce concepts and clarify any misconceptions.
Step 4
Cool-Down: My Personal Boundary (2 minutes)
2 minutes
- Distribute the Cool Down: My Personal Boundary.
- Ask students to write down one emotional boundary they could set for themselves or in a relationship.
- Collect the cool-downs as an exit ticket to gauge understanding.
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Slide Deck
Your Boundary, Your Power
Understanding Emotional Boundaries for Healthy Relationships
What are boundaries and why do they matter?
Welcome students and introduce the topic of boundaries. Ask them to think about what a boundary is in general before focusing on emotional boundaries.
What ARE Emotional Boundaries?
- Limits you set to protect your feelings and energy.
- Rules for how others can treat you emotionally.
- About YOUR needs, not controlling others.
- Examples: Needing quiet time, saying "no" to favors you can't do, not discussing personal topics with everyone.
Define emotional boundaries clearly. Emphasize that they are about self-care and respect, not about pushing people away. Provide simple examples.
What Emotional Boundaries ARE NOT
- NOT walls to keep everyone out.
- NOT being mean or selfish.
- NOT trying to control other people's actions.
- NOT something only
Clarify common misconceptions about boundaries. This helps students avoid feeling guilty or confused when trying to set them.
How to Set Them: "I Feel... I Need..."
- Be Clear & Direct: Don't hint, state your boundary.
- Use "I" Statements: Focus on your feelings and needs.
- "I feel [emotion] when [action], so I need [boundary]."
- Be Polite but Firm: You have the right to your boundaries.
- Example: "I feel overwhelmed when we only talk about your problems. I need our conversations to be more balanced."
Provide actionable steps for setting boundaries. Stress the importance of clear, calm communication and 'I' statements. Give a simple script.
Moving Forward: Respect & Re-evaluate
- Expectations: Your boundaries deserve respect.
- Others' Boundaries: Respect theirs too!
- What if it's ignored? Reiterate your boundary. If it continues, you might need to:
- Take a break from the conversation.
- Limit how much time you spend with that person.
- Seek advice from a trusted adult.
- It's a Process: It takes practice for everyone.
Discuss what happens after setting a boundary. Emphasize that it's an ongoing process and that respecting others' boundaries is also key.
Your Power to Protect You
Setting emotional boundaries is a superpower for your well-being!
Think about one boundary you could set to feel more comfortable or respected.
Concluding slide to reinforce the main message and prepare for the cool-down activity. Encourage students to think about one boundary they might want to set.
Script
Teacher Script: Your Boundary, Your Power
Warm-Up: Boundary Brainstorm (3 minutes)
"Good morning, everyone! Let's start with a quick thought exercise. On the Warm Up: Boundary Brainstorm in front of you, I want you to silently write down what comes to mind when you hear the word 'boundary.' It could be any kind of boundary – physical, something in a game, anything at all. Just take a minute to jot down your ideas."
(Pause for 1 minute while students write.)
"Alright, who would like to share one thought they had about what a boundary is? Don't worry about being perfect, just what came to mind."
(Call on 2-3 students. Affirm their responses, e.g., "That's a great example!" or "Yes, a limit.")
"Excellent ideas! Today, we're going to talk about a very specific and important type of boundary: emotional boundaries. These are super important for all of us, especially as you navigate friendships, family, and school life."
What Are Emotional Boundaries? (5 minutes)
(Display Your Boundary, Your Power Slide Deck - Slide 1 and then Slide 2.)
"So, what are emotional boundaries? Think of them as invisible lines you draw to protect your feelings, your energy, and your personal space. They are the limits and rules you set for yourself in relationships to make sure you're feeling respected and comfortable. It's about taking care of your emotional well-being.
For example, maybe you have a friend who always wants to talk about their problems, and sometimes it leaves you feeling drained and sad. An emotional boundary there might be, 'I care about you, but I need some space to myself after school before we talk about heavy stuff.' Or, maybe you don't like it when someone makes fun of your interests. A boundary could be, 'I don't like it when you joke about my hobbies. Please stop.'
(Display Your Boundary, Your Power Slide Deck - Slide 3.)
"Now, just as important is understanding what emotional boundaries are not. They are not mean walls to keep everyone out completely. They aren't about trying to control what other people do, but rather about controlling how you react and what you will accept. They're also not selfish; in fact, setting healthy boundaries is a sign of self-respect. It's not something only adults do, it's something everyone benefits from!"
Quiz: Boundary Boundary Battle (5 minutes)
(Display Your Boundary, Your Power Slide Deck - Slide 4 as you transition.)
"Alright, now that we've talked about what emotional boundaries are and are not, let's test your understanding with a quick quiz. I'm handing out the Boundary Boundary Battle Quiz. Please work through these 10 multiple-choice questions independently. This is a chance for you to see how well you've grasped the concepts of setting boundaries effectively and respectfully."
(Distribute quiz and allow 3-4 minutes for students to complete it.)
"Let's quickly go over the answers together. This is a great opportunity to clarify anything that might still be a little fuzzy and reinforce what we've learned."
(Go over the quiz answers, facilitating brief discussion on any challenging questions. Display Your Boundary, Your Power Slide Deck - Slide 5 during this discussion to reinforce the 'Moving Forward' concepts as you discuss the answers.)
"Remember, your boundaries deserve to be respected. And just as importantly, you need to respect the boundaries others set with you. It's a two-way street. What if someone ignores your boundary? You might need to gently reiterate it. If it keeps happening, the 'consequences' aren't about punishing the other person, but about protecting yourself and your well-being. This could mean taking a break from the conversation, limiting how much time you spend with that person, or even seeking advice from a trusted adult like a teacher or parent if you're unsure how to handle it. Remember, setting boundaries is a process; it takes practice for everyone involved."
Cool-Down: My Personal Boundary (2 minutes)
(Display Your Boundary, Your Power Slide Deck - Slide 6.)
"To wrap up today, I'd like you to think about one emotional boundary you could set for yourself, or in one of your relationships, that would help you feel more comfortable or respected. On your Cool Down: My Personal Boundary, please write down that boundary. This is your exit ticket for today. Thank you, everyone!"
*(Collect cool-downs as students leave.)"
Warm Up
Warm Up: Boundary Brainstorm
Instructions: What does the word "boundary" mean to you? Write down any thoughts, definitions, or examples that come to mind. It can be any type of boundary!
Quiz
Boundary Boundary Battle Quiz
Cool Down
Cool Down: My Personal Boundary
Instructions: Reflect on what we discussed about emotional boundaries. Write down one emotional boundary you could set for yourself or in a relationship to feel more comfortable or respected.
My Personal Emotional Boundary:
Why is this boundary important to me?