Feel Good About Yourself

Description of Lesson

Bullying is a common problem in schools. It can cause emotional problems such as low self-esteem and low self-confidence. It is important for children to learn how to stand up to bullies to increase their feelings of self-worth (Mazzarella, 1996). It is also very important for children to learn how to interact with others appropriately and respectfully.

This lesson takes approximately 30 to 45 minutes to complete.

Part I. (5-10 min.)

This poem should be read to the class and then discussed:

Friendship

I’ve discovered a way to stay friends forever—

There’s really nothing to it.

I simply tell you what to do

And you do it!

--Shel Silverstein

Possible discussion questions:

What is wrong with this poem?

What could you say to a friend instead?

The point that this is what bullies say to other people not true friends should be emphasized to the class.

Part II. (15-20 min.)

You Are Special

Bullies can make you feel bad about yourself. Here’s a way to remember that you are special. Design a poster that tells about you. These questions can help you think about what to say or draw:

1. What three things do you like best about yourself?

2. What can you do that no one else can do?

3. How do you make people happy?

4. What are you really good at?

Part III. (10 min.)

Invite children to share their posters with the rest of the class and to compare and contrast what they wrote about themselves.

Part IV. (5 min.)

Review the purpose of making these posters.

Connections to Related Standards, Competencies, and Domains

Feel Good About Yourself relates to Minnesota Graduation Standard Number 3 (Literature and the Arts). Specifically making the poster and drawing about themselves relates to Subpart 2: Literary and arts creation and performance.

This lesson is reflective of the Personal/Social developmental domain of the Minnesota School Counselor’ Model of Developmental Guidance and Counseling. The children learn how to feel good about themselves even though a bully may put them down.

Additionally, Feel Good About Yourself is directly related to the National Occupational Information Coordinating Committee Standards for elementary schools in the development of the knowledge of the importance of self-concept and Skills to interact with others. Children learn self-knowledge when creating their poster and they learn skills in interacting with others through listening to and discussing the poem.

References and Resources

Mazzarella, T. (1996). How I Learned Not To Be Bullied. New York: Sunburst Communications.

Silverstein, S. (1981). A Light In the Attic. New York: Collins Harper Children’s Books.

Jill Silber

MSUM Intern 2001-2002

Maple River Elementary

Good Thunder, Minnesota