Health Smart Virginia
Mental and Emotional Health
Working in groups, sixth-graders identify internal factors that negatively impact them. Then, explain how they could change that factor into a positive influence. Finally, individuals create personal mind maps that identify their...
Curated OER
The Star of My Show
Learners recognize how they are stars in their own rights. In this language arts lesson, students consider their personal achievements as they make a star mobile that includes written life event highlights.
Curated OER
All About Me
In this icebreaker language arts activity, students complete 25 blanks which ask their preferences and personal information. It is in the form of a story, intended to be a get to know you activity.
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Our Many Shapes and Sizes
Students discover humans come in all shapes and sizes. In this equality lesson, students evaluate different bodies among their peers and discover no human body is "perfect". Students discuss different ways to keep their bodies healthy.
Facing History and Ourselves
Who Am I?
Sixth graders explore how people throughout time have responded to questions regarding identity. For this The House on Mango Street lesson, 6th graders create an identity chart for a fictional character and then write personal essays...
Curated OER
Goals, Goals, Goals
Students list the benefits of goal-setting. They describe the steps in a goal setting process. Students practice all the steps of the goal-setting process. They have an opportunity to observe how goal setting can improve performance and...
Roald Dahl
The Twits - Mrs Twit
"A person who has good thoughts cannot ever be ugly." The second lesson in an 11-part unit that accompanies The Twits by Roald Dahl uses poetry to encourage positive character traits. Mrs. Twit has ugly thoughts, but those thoughts can...
Curated OER
21 Game (Self Esteem)
Here's a simple math game that two people can play together. The first player says the number one or two. Then, the other player says the next one or two consecutive numbers. The goal of the game is to be the player who says "twenty-one"...
Hastings Prince Edward Public Health
What is Health?
Many indicators of health are beyond a teenager's control, but there are many changes they can make in their daily life that can improve their health. Middle schoolers think about their physical, social, and mental health status before...
Spreading Gratitude Rocks
Gratitude Bank
Money isn't the only type of currency that fills a piggy bank. Learners practice filling their banks with the the things that make them grateful. Pupils write about their talents, relationships, challenges, and life skills, making...
Curated OER
Self-Awareness
Learners investigate their attitudes, emotions, feelings and personality. They determine how they view themselves and how they are viewed by others.
Curated OER
I Love All My Neighbors
Students participate in a mixing game that is intended to boost self-esteem and entertainment. After a description is given, students switch chairs when they meet a given description. Afterwards, students explore taking healthy risks.
Curated OER
Facing the Day
Students utilize magazines to find pictures that display emotional states/moods. Each student creates symbol cards using magazine pictures to help indicate how they are feeling on a given day. Individuals are instructed by the teacher...
Curated OER
The Real Me!
Fourth graders examine and explain who they are and communicate that person to the viewer through the use of the visual arts. They think about themselves and try to find five things that represent who they are and what they feel is...
Curated OER
Language Arts: Learning About the Self
Tenth graders explore the self through a study of autobiographies. By writing daily in their journals, they improve their writing skills and write reflection pieces at the end of the year. Through a series of writing assignments, 10th...
Curated OER
Reshaping Body Image
Learners view images and write responses based on their impressions. In this body image lesson plan, students brainstorm how body image is influenced culturally and participate in a small group discussion on these influences. Learners...
Curated OER
Little Me in a Big World: Ants
First graders predict, observe and record strategies to overcome them using discussions, role play, and charts. Over a three or four day period, they examine obstacles that humans and insects encounter.
Curated OER
Jack's Talent
For this literature worksheet, 1st graders will use recall from the story "Jack's Talent." Students will match ten characters to their corresponding talent.
Curated OER
I Can Write a Poem
Using an outline, learners write a poem. The poem is focused on highlighting their experiences. This is a great way to combine language arts and an exploration of self esteem.
Curated OER
Self-esteem Activity
Students create lists of positive and negative feelings and have discussions on the power of positive thinking. In this feelings lesson plan, students dissect situations where others are being negative.
Nemours KidsHealth
Peer Pressure: Grades 6-8
Middle schoolers practice techniques they can use to get safely out of uncomfortable situations involving peer pressure. One activity engages class members in role-playing two scenarios; the first modeling negative peer pressure, while...
Nemours KidsHealth
Healthy Relationships: Grades 6-8
Help middle schoolers develop healthy relationships with a series of activities that teaches them not only to recognize and protect themselves from unhealthy relationships, but also how to develop and maintain positive ones. In addition,...
Curated OER
Role Models - Defining Positive Role Models
Being able to identify what characteristics make a good role model is one way for students to better understand their own positive behaviors. The class brainstorms what characteristics make up a good role model, research a role model...
Curated OER
True Colors
Here is a fun way for your upper graders to gain self-awareness. They identify and demonstrate how to utilize personality types to improve interpersonal communication. In addition, this exercise helps the students with their career...