Collection 3 Curriculum: Cultivating Self-Awareness

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Collection 3 Curriculum: Cultivating Self-Awareness

Course
132 Lessons

Level 3 Primer Lesson

TIME: 10 minutes

TEACHER PREP: Print and distribute (or electronically share) the “Taking Stock” worksheet, and ensure that each student has a writing utensil.

WHAT STUDENTS NEED: A “Taking Stock” worksheet and a writing utensil (or the electronic version of the “Taking Stock” worksheet)

OBJECTIVES:

Students will learn what self-awareness is and why it’s an important skill to cultivate.
Students will be able to take stock of their stressors and their body’s stress responses.

Lesson PDF: Level 3 Primer

Slide Deck: Level 3 Primer

Level 3 Taking Stock Worksheet (PDF Version)

Taking Stock Worksheet (Google Doc Version)

Spanish Translation: Level 3 Primer Slide Deck

Spanish Translation: Level 3 Primer Lesson Plan

Spanish Translation: Taking Stock Worksheet

Nervous System Hack

TIME: 5.5 minutes

TEACHER PREP: None.

WHAT STUDENTS NEED: Nothing

OBJECTIVE: Students will practice lengthening their exhales to activate their parasympathetic nervous system.

Protip: At the end of each lesson, students get the opportunity to debrief the tool they just experienced. Each debrief starts with the prompt, “Raise your hand if you liked this tool.” For the general population, “raise your hand” works; however, since it is not all-inclusive, it may be necessary to offer an alternative phrase in case there is a student who is not able to raise their hand, like “nod your head” or “raise your eyebrows.” You know your students best, so please adjust your language accordingly!

Lesson PDF: Nervous System Hack

Slide Deck: Nervous System Hack

Spanish Translation: Nervous System Hack Slide Deck

Spanish Translation: Nervous System Hack Lesson Plan

STOP Practice

TIME: 6 minutes

TEACHER PREP: None.

WHAT STUDENTS NEED: Nothing

OBJECTIVE: Students will practice stopping and checking in with themselves to support them in difficult moments.

Protip: You can give students the option to write out their responses to the STOP Practice.TIME: 6 minutes

TEACHER PREP: None.

WHAT STUDENTS NEED: Nothing

OBJECTIVE: Students will practice stopping and checking in with themselves to support them in difficult moments.

Protip: You can give students the option to write out their responses to the STOP Practice.

Lesson PDF: STOP Practice

Slide Deck: STOP Practice

Spanish Translation: STOP Practice Slide Deck

Spanish Translation: STOP Practice Lesson Plan

Labeling Emotions

TIME: 6 minutes

TEACHER PREP: Ensure that each student has the tools necessary (like a writing utensil and paper, laptop, or tablet) to record their responses.

WHAT STUDENTS NEED: Something to record your responses with (like a writing utensil and paper, laptop, or tablet)

OBJECTIVE: Students will be able to practice taming difficult emotions by labeling them.

Lesson PDF: Labeling Emotions

Slide Deck: Labeling Emotions

Spanish Translation: Labeling Emotions Slide Deck

Spanish Translation: Labeling Emotions Lesson Plan

Mindful Awareness

TIME: 7 minutes

TEACHER PREP: Ensure that each student has the tools necessary (like a writing utensil and paper, laptop, or tablet) to record their responses. If possible, please provide a post-it note to each student, as it is ideal for this activity.

WHAT STUDENTS NEED: A post-it note or something else to record your responses with (like a writing utensil and paper, laptop, or tablet)

OBJECTIVE: Students will plan a touch point in order to boost their mindful awareness.

Protip: To learn more about Matt Killingsworth’s research, check out his 10-minute TEDx Talk called “Want to be happier? Stay in the moment” (https://bit.ly/3Jkf8mq).

Lesson PDF: Mindful Awareness

Slide Deck: Mindful Awareness

Spanish Translation: Mindful Awareness Slide Deck

Spanish Translation: Mindful Awareness Lesson Plan

Mindful Thoughts

TIME: 8 minutes

TEACHER PREP: Ensure that each student has the tools necessary (like a writing utensil and paper, laptop, or tablet) to record their responses. Be ready to share your “easy button” (an avoidance tactic you use to distract yourself from stress) and a few of your worries.

WHAT STUDENTS NEED: Something to record your responses on (like a piece of paper with a writing utensil, laptop, or tablet)

OBJECTIVE: Students will practice breathing through their worries as an active coping mechanism.

Lesson PDF: Mindful Thoughts

Slide Deck: Mindful Thoughts

Constructivist Listening

TIME: 8 minutes

TEACHER PREP: None.

WHAT STUDENTS NEED: Nothing

OBJECTIVE: Students will offer the gift of deep listening to a peer.

Protip: As always, be mindful of your students’ abilities and adjust each tool, like Constructivist Listening, to meet your students’ needs.

Lesson PDF: Constructivist Listening

Slide Deck: Constructivist Listening

Spanish Translation: Constructivist Listening Slide Deck

Spanish Translation: Constructivist Listening Lesson Plan

Mindful Body Scan 3.0

TIME: 5.5 minutes

TEACHER PREP: None.

WHAT STUDENTS NEED: Nothing

OBJECTIVE: Students will practice bringing awareness to various body parts while standing up.

Protip: If you’re comfortable with it, you can invite students to take their shoes off so they can really feel the ground during this standing body scan. Also, for those who don’t feel comfortable or are not able to get up and move around, they can practice this in their seats.

Lesson PDF: Mindful Body Scan 3.0

Slide Deck: Mindful Body Scan 3.0

Spanish Translation: Mindful Body Scan 3.0 Slide Deck

Spanish Translation: Mindful Body Scan 3.0 Lesson Plan

Square Breathing 2.0

TIME: 6 minutes

TEACHER PREP: It is optional to give each student a post-it note. Be prepared to model and practice this tool with your students.

WHAT STUDENTS NEED: A post-it note is optional

OBJECTIVE: Students will focus on the breath by tracing a square on their desk.

Protip: Put the Square Breathing square on study guides, homework, or tests to encourage your students to breathe during stressful assignments.

Lesson PDF: Square Breathing 2.0

Slide Deck: Square Breathing 2.0

Spanish Translation: Square Breathing 2.0 Slide Deck

Spanish Translation: Square Breathing 2.0 Lesson Plan

Thymus Tapping

TIME: 4.5 minutes

TEACHER PREP: None. Feel free to check out this 3-minute video (https://bit.ly/3ERbcrD) where Jonathan leads this tool.

WHAT STUDENTS NEED: Nothing

OBJECTIVE: Students will practice tapping as a way to boost their immune systems.

Protip: It is optional to play a calming sound (like from Calmsounds.com) during this tool. If you choose to have soft music playing, reiterate to students that their focus should be on the tool; music is playing to set the tone for a calm environment. This is an option for all Upstream tools.

Lesson PDF: Thymus Tapping

Slide Deck: Thymus Tapping

Spanish Translation: Thymus Tapping Slide Deck

Spanish Translation: Thymus Tapping Lesson Plan

Mindful Noise

TIME: 6 minutes

TEACHER PREP: Ensure that each student has the tools necessary (like a writing utensil and paper, laptop, or tablet) to record their responses. Please also pre-load the following noises:

WHAT STUDENTS NEED: Something to record your responses with (like a writing utensil and paper, laptop, or tablet)

OBJECTIVE: Students will explore which background noises might help them concentrate.

Lesson PDF: Mindful Noise

Slide Deck: Mindful Noise

Spanish Translation: Mindful Noise Slide Deck

Spanish Translation: Mindful Noise Lesson Plan

Mindfulness Review Lesson

Lesson PDF: Mindfulness Review Lesson

Slide Deck: Mindfulness Review Lesson

Abbreviated Mindfulness Tools

Spanish Translation: Mindfulness Review Slide Deck

Spanish Translation: Mindfulness Review Lesson Plan

Self-Awareness Check-In

TIME: 8 minutes

TEACHER PREP: Ensure that each student has the tools necessary (like a writing utensil and paper, laptop, or tablet) to record their responses.

WHAT STUDENTS NEED: Something to record your responses with (like a writing utensil and paper, laptop, or tablet)

OBJECTIVE: Students will be able to strengthen their self-awareness by answering some self-reflective questions.

Lesson PDF: Self-Awareness Check-In

Slide Deck: Self-Awareness Check-In

Spanish Translation: Self-Awareness Check-In Slide Deck

Spanish Translation: Self-Awareness Check-In Lesson Plan

My Values

TIME: 8 minutes

TEACHER PREP: Ensure that each student has the tools necessary (like a writing utensil and paper, laptop, or tablet) to record their responses.

WHAT STUDENTS NEED: Something to record your responses with (like a writing utensil and paper, laptop, or tablet)

OBJECTIVE: Students will be able to identify and reflect on some of their values.

Lesson PDF: My Values

Slide Deck: My Values

Spanish Translation: My Values Slide Deck

Spanish Translation: My Values Lesson Plan

Understanding Difficult Emotions

Lesson PDF: Understanding Difficult Emotions

Slide Deck: Understanding Difficult Emotions

Spanish Translation: Understanding Difficult Emotions Slide Deck

Spanish Translation: Understanding Difficult Emotions Lesson Plan

Simple Joys

TIME: 7 minutes

TEACHER PREP: Ensure that each student has the tools necessary (like a writing utensil and paper, laptop, or tablet) to record their responses.

WHAT STUDENTS NEED: Something to record your responses with (like a writing utensil and paper, laptop, or tablet)

OBJECTIVE: Students will be able to press pause and recognize the simple joys in their lives.

Lesson PDF: Simple Joys

Slide Deck: Simple Joys

Spanish Translation: Simple Joys Slide Deck

Spanish Translation: Simple Joys Lesson Plan

To-Don't List

TIME: 8 minutes

TEACHER PREP: Ensure that each student has the tools necessary (like a writing utensil and paper, laptop, or tablet) to record their responses.

WHAT STUDENTS NEED: Something to record your responses with (like a writing utensil and paper, laptop, or tablet)

OBJECTIVE: Students will be able to identify a difficult emotion they’ve recently experienced and craft a list of thoughts or behaviors they want to avoid the next time they feel that particular emotion.

Lesson PDF: To-Don't List

Slide Deck: To-Don't List

Spanish Translation: To-Don't List Slide Deck

Spanish Translation: To-Don't List Lesson Plan

"Bird by Bird"

TIME: 8 minutes

TEACHER PREP: Ensure that each student has the tools necessary (like a writing utensil and paper, laptop, or tablet) to record their responses.

WHAT STUDENTS NEED: Something to record your responses with (like a writing utensil and paper, laptop, or tablet)

OBJECTIVE: Students will be able to identify a goal of theirs and brainstorm one or two bite-sized steps to move toward that goal.

Lesson PDF: "Bird by Bird"

Slide Deck: "Bird by Bird"

Spanish Translation: "Bird by Bird" Slide Deck

Spanish Translation: "Bird by Bird" Lesson Plan

Gratitude 3.0

TIME: 5.5 minutes

TEACHER PREP: Ensure that each student has the tools necessary (like a writing utensil and paper, laptop, or tablet) to record their responses.

WHAT STUDENTS NEED: Something to record your responses with (like a writing utensil and paper, laptop, or tablet)

OBJECTIVE: Students will be able to identify their own strengths and assets.

Lesson PDF: Gratitude 3.0

Slide Deck: Gratitude 3.0

Spanish Translation: Gratitude 3.0 Slide Deck

Spanish Translation: Gratitude 3.0 Lesson Plan

Minutes + Moments

TIME: 7 minutes

TEACHER PREP: Ensure that each student has the tools necessary (like a writing utensil and paper, laptop, or tablet) to record their responses.

WHAT STUDENTS NEED: Something to record your responses with (like a writing utensil and paper, laptop, or tablet)

OBJECTIVE: Students will practice savoring a special moment in their lives.

Lesson PDF: Minutes & Moments

Slide Deck: Minutes + Moments

Spanish Translation: Minutes & Moments Slide Deck

Spanish Translation: Minutes & Moments Lesson Plan

Never Keep a Good Thought In

TIME: 7.5 minutes

TEACHER PREP: Ensure that each student has the tools necessary (like a writing utensil and paper, laptop, or tablet) to record their responses.

WHAT STUDENTS NEED: Something to record your responses with (like a writing utensil and paper, laptop, or tablet)

OBJECTIVE: Students will practice recognizing and acknowledging the inherent strengths in others.

Lesson PDF: Never Keep a Good Thought In

Slide Deck: Never Keep a Good Thought In

Spanish Translation: Never Keep A Good Thought In Slide Deck

Spanish Translation: Never Keep A Good Thought In Lesson Plan

Positive Psychology Review Lesson

Lesson PDF: Positive Psychology Review Lesson

Slide Deck: Positive Psychology Review

Abbreviated Positive Psychology Tools

Spanish Translation: Positive Psychology Review Slide Deck

Spanish Translation: Positive Psychology Review Lesson

Affirmation Writing 2.0

TIME: 9.5 minutes

TEACHER PREP: Ensure that each student has the tools necessary (like a writing utensil and paper, laptop, or tablet) to record their responses.

WHAT STUDENTS NEED: Something to record your responses with (like a writing utensil and paper, laptop, or tablet)

OBJECTIVE: Students will be able to craft positive affirmation statements to directly combat their negative self-beliefs.

Protip: If you like to show adorable videos with your students, check out the affirmations Ayaan repeats to himself on his walk to school. The clip is at the :25-:43 mark in this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TdkP7lT_k-A

Lesson PDF: Affirmation Writing 2.0

Slide Deck: Affirmation Writing 2.0

Spanish Translation: Affirmation Writing 2.0 Slide Deck

Spanish Translation: Affirmation Writing 3.0 Lesson Plan

Boundaries 101

TIME: 8.5 minutes

TEACHER PREP: Ensure that each student has the tools necessary (like a writing utensil and paper, laptop, or tablet) to record their responses.

WHAT STUDENTS NEED: Something to record your responses with (like a writing utensil and paper, laptop, or tablet)

OBJECTIVE: Students will be able to craft boundaries to help them protect their core values.

Lesson PDF: Boundaries 101

Slide Deck: Boundaries 101

Spanish Translation: Boundaries 101 Slide Deck

Spanish Translation: Boundaries 101 Lesson Plan

Self-Compassion Break

TIME: 7.5 minutes

TEACHER PREP: Think of a challenging or stressful situation.

WHAT STUDENTS NEED: Nothing

OBJECTIVE: Students will be able to offer themselves self-compassion when thinking about a difficult moment through the use of mindfulness, common humanity, and self-kindness.

Lesson PDF: Self-Compassion Break

Slide Deck: Self-Compassion Break

Spanish Translation: Self-Compassion Break

Spanish Translation: Self-Compassion Break Lesson Plan

Self-Advocacy On-Ramps

TIME: 6.5 minutes

TEACHER PREP: Ensure that each student has the tools necessary (like a writing utensil and paper, laptop, or tablet) to record their responses.

WHAT STUDENTS NEED: Something to record your responses with (like a writing utensil and paper, laptop, or tablet)

OBJECTIVE: Students will be able to identify “conversation on-ramps” that can sharpen their self-advocacy skills.

Lesson PDF: Self-Advocacy On-Ramps

Slide Deck: Self-Advocacy On-Ramps

Optional Print Out: Self-Advocacy On-Ramps Quarter Sheet

Spanish Translation: Self-Advocacy On-Ramps Slide Deck

Spanish Translation: Self-Advocacy On Ramps Lesson Plan

Spanish Translation: Optional Print-Out of Phrases

Best Self Visualization

TIME: 6.5 minutes

TEACHER PREP: None.

WHAT STUDENTS NEED: Nothing

OBJECTIVE: Students will be able to visualize a version of their best selves.

Lesson PDF: Best Self Visualization

Slide Deck: Best Self Visualization

Spanish Translation: Best Self Visualization

Spanish Translation: Best Self Visualization Lesson Plan

"The Story I'm Telling Myself"

TIME: 9.5 minutes

TEACHER PREP: Preload this video: https://bit.ly/3Mn4VXd. Ensure that each student has the tools necessary (like a writing utensil and paper, laptop, or tablet) to record their responses. It is optional to print and distribute or electronically share the “The Story I’m Telling Myself” worksheet (your students can simply answer the questions on plain paper).

WHAT STUDENTS NEED: Something to record your responses with (like a writing utensil and paper, laptop, or tablet). A printed or electronic “The Story I’m Telling Myself” worksheet is optional.

OBJECTIVE: Students will be able to recognize an inaccurate internal narrative and choose a new story that serves them.

Protip: Using language from the Upstream curriculum can help you have tough conversations with students more effectively. For example, if you notice a student talking badly about themselves or someone else, you can use the language, “What story are you telling yourself right now?” to begin the conversation.

Lesson PDF: "The Story I'm Telling Myself"

Slide Deck: "The Story I'm Telling Myself"

Spanish Translation: "The Story I'm Telling Myself" Slide Deck

Spanish Translation: "The Story I'm Telling Myself" Lesson Plan

Younger Self

TIME: 7 minutes

TEACHER PREP: Ensure that each student has the tools necessary (like a writing utensil and paper, laptop, or tablet) to record their responses.

WHAT STUDENTS NEED: Something to record your responses with (like a writing utensil and paper, laptop, or tablet)

OBJECTIVE: Students will be able to explore how they’ve evolved or reimagined themselves.

Protip: It’s important to remember that true social-emotional learning is about understanding our relationships with ourselves and with others. This tool is really helpful in allowing us to pause and reflect on ourselves.

Lesson PDF: Younger Self

Slide Deck: Younger Self

Spanish Translation: Younger Self Slide Deck

Spanish Translation: Younger Self Lesson Plan

Stress Survival Guide

TIME: 7.5 minutes

TEACHER PREP: Ensure that each student has the tools necessary (like a writing utensil and paper, laptop, or tablet) to record their responses.

WHAT STUDENTS NEED: Something to record your responses with (like a writing utensil and paper, laptop, or tablet)

OBJECTIVE: Students will be able to identify tools that can help them recover from a stressful situation.

Lesson PDF: Stress Survival Guide

Slide Deck: Stress Survival Guide

Spanish Translation: Stress Survival Guide Slide Deck

Spanish Translation: Stress Survival Guide Lesson Plan

Positive Self-Talk Review Lesson

Lesson PDF: Positive Self-Talk Review Lesson

Slide Deck: Module #3 Review Lesson

Abbreviated Positive Self-Talk Tools

Spanish Translation: Positive Self-Talk Review Slide Deck

Spanish Translation: Positive Self-Talk Review Lesson Plan

Additional Resources

Level 3 Spanish Translations

Full Level 3 Curriculum