12 Lesson Plan Activity Examples

These 12 Lesson Plan activities for parents, care givers, Pre-K and K-1 Teachers are taken from the 101 self-awareness activities contained in the Beaming Bright, You’re a Shining Light Lesson Plans.  They expand upon each of the eleven stories.  They offer you an opportunity to experience the first level of learning from the many levels that integrate all the social and emotional leaning concepts contained in these Lesson Plans.

Breathing Free Story & Lesson Plan Activities: Story Theme, “I can calm and relax myself.”

• An interactive, calm and relaxing story.
• Children learn the benefit of taking a few deep breaths to calm and relax.
• With regular practice, deep breathing will become an automatic response for them.
• Children are helped to become emotionally aware of themselves, so they can understand their feelings.
• Their calm and relaxed body releases serotonin, offering feelings of well-being and happiness.
• As children consistently self-soothe themselves during upsetting moments, they will create new neural connections within their brain.
• As children mature they can think clearly and make better decisions about any challenge they may be experiencing.
• This habit taught and modelled to young children will benefit them each day of their life with all their experiences and relationships.
• The activities focus on learning self-awareness, self-management and social awareness skills.

Understanding the theme, “I can calm and relax myself.”

When self-soothing skills are modelled, children will experience the immediate benefit of being in a calm and nurturing environment.  This environment will help them to self-regulate their emotional behavior.  As children practice this activity with you they will learn:

• To feel the difference between being upset and feeling more peaceful inside.
• To breathe deeply to calm and relax during stressful situations.
• To be compassionate and supportive in all their relationships, including themselves.
• To confidently share, teach and model deep breathing with others.

The following activity is taken from the 101 Self-Awareness Activities contained in the Beaming Bright, You’re a Shining Light Lesson Plans.  It offers you an opportunity to experience the first level of learning from the many levels that integrate all the social and emotional learning concepts contained in the Lesson Plans.

Shining Light Story & Lesson Plan Activities: Story Theme, “I am creative.”

• An interactive, imaginative story that encourages children to imagine a beautiful “Shining Light.” The Shining Light talks with them, comforts them and takes them on journeys.

• Children learn to recognize their innate creative ability.

• They begin the process of learning to take responsibility for their behavior.

• Children experience working as a team as they learn to respect and cooperate with one another.

• The activities focus on learning self-awareness, social awareness and responsibility skills.

Understanding the theme, “I am creative.”

• As children are encouraged to recognize times they are being creative, they will gain self-awareness of their creative ability.

• Combining being creative while playing with the imagination will amplify the creative results and the self-awareness greatly.

Albert Einstein’s famous quote: “Imagination is more important than knowledge.” 

It was discovered long ago that the subconscious mind does not know the difference between a real or imagined event. Anytime you use your imagination your subconscious mind thinks what you are imagining is real. 

The following activity is taken from the 101 Self-Awareness Activities contained in the Beaming Bright, You’re a Shining Light Lesson Plans.  It offers you an opportunity to experience the first level of learning from the many levels that integrate all the social and emotional learning concepts contained in the Lesson Plans.

Morning Sun Story & Lesson Plan Activities: Story Theme, “What I focus on grows.”

• An interactive, inspirational story.

• Children think about the things they love to do.

• The more children think about the things they love, the happier they feel.

• This story helps children to start their day with a positive attitude.

• Children learn they have a choice about what they think about.

• The activities focus on learning self-awareness, motivation and social awareness skills.

Understanding the theme, “What I focus on grows.”

• Albert Einstein’s famous quote, “Imagination is everything.  It is the preview of life’s coming attractions.”

• What do you think about during the day? Do you notice more negative or positive experiences throughout your day?

• The reticular activating system in the brain functions whether you know about it or not. It filters your thoughts, words and imagination bringing into your life whatever you are seeing, hearing, feeling, thinking about, imagining or believing.

• When it comes to children’s behavior and the reticular activating system in the brain you are encouraged to focus on the behaviors you want to see. As you model patient, kind and caring attitudes you will be amazed how you will begin seeing and experiencing more of these behaviors.

• The trap here is that as you focus on seeing negative behaviors, you will begin to see more and more of them also. This does not mean that you ignore negative behavior.  It is important to deal with negative behavior respectfully and responsibly and move on.

• As mentioned in the Lesson Plans: “In life we will all experience the contrast between focusing on fun, positive things or negative things. What we focus on is a choice that only life experiences teach.”

• The following activity is taken from the 101 Self-Awareness Activities contained in the Beaming Bright, You’re a Shining Light Lesson Plans. It offers you an opportunity to experience the first level of learning from the many levels that integrate all the social and emotional learning concepts contained in the Lesson Plans.

Flashing Light Story & Lesson Plan Activities: Story Theme, “I choose to love myself.”

• An interactive, playful story offers mystery and feelings of wonderment as the children are guided to a mirror where they see themselves shining brightly.

• Children are encouraged to feel and see their very best qualities.

• The activities reinforce the idea that the more love they feel within themselves, the more love they can extend to others.

• The activities focus on learning self-awareness and social awareness skills.

Understanding the theme, “I Choose To Love Myself.”

• Aristotle’s famous quote, “Educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all.”
• How children feel about themselves from birth to aged six greatly influences how they interact in society. We all want the same thing.  To be loved and accepted unconditionally.
• Children learn how to love and appreciate themselves. As they do this they will reflect these feelings towards others.
• Children also learn we are mirror reflections for one another. Whatever we are thinking, feeling, imagining and believing inside will be mirrored back to them by others.
• Thoughts (including our attitudes, values and beliefs) + Feelings = Behavior
• I Belong + Connected Feelings) = Cooperative Behavior
• Children begin discovering their unique kind, caring, talented selves. As they focus on these qualities they will experience more and more of them.  As they create positive beliefs about themselves they will become more confident.
• When children’s beliefs are uplifting and positive they will feel wonderful, when their beliefs are mirrored back. When they see the goodness in another, at that moment they will feel good inside too!
• Thoughts (I am not good enough + disconnected feelings) = Uncooperative Behavior
• Children not feeling good about themselves are often distracted by worries or challenges and are not able to focus on the task at hand. If children are consistently second guessing or doubting themselves building confidence is an uphill battle. 
• Beliefs filled with doubts and fears when mirrored back will not feel comforting at all.
• Children are encouraged to be gentle and patient with themselves as they learn and grow.
• Children who feel good about themselves attract healthier friends into their life. We are all familiar with the phrase “birds of a feather flock together.”

The following activity is taken from the 101 Self-Awareness Activities contained in the Beaming Bright, You’re a Shining Light Lesson Plans.  It offers you an opportunity to experience the first level of learning from the many levels that integrate all the social and emotional learning concepts contained in the Lesson Plans.

Birds and Butterflies Story & Lesson Plan Activities: Story Theme, “I appreciate nature.” 

• An interactive, playful story encouraging children to link kind and caring attitudes towards nature with kind and caring attitudes towards one another.

• Children are encouraged to respect, experience and appreciate the gifts of nature.

• The activities focus on learning self-awareness and social awareness skills.

The following activity is taken from the 101 Self-Awareness Activities contained in the Beaming Bright, You’re a Shining Light Lesson Plans.  It offers you an opportunity to experience the first level of learning from the many levels that integrate all the social and emotional learning concepts contained in the Lesson Plans.

Sand Castle Dreams Story & Lesson Plan Activities, Story Theme, “I believe in wishes and dreams.”

• An imaginative, inspiring story.

• Children are set up for success by exploring the thoughts and feelings they experience while imaging their wishes and dreams.

• They realize that wishes and dreams can come true as they hear inspirational stories about real people who have experienced and discovered their inner qualities by reaching for their unlimited potential.
• The activities focus on learning self-awareness, motivation, social awareness and responsibility skills.

We can learn by listening to people who have attained their dreams.  For example, astronauts have personally talked about their childhood rooms being filled with pictures of planets and space.  They remember all the fun they had dreaming about their space adventures.  As adults they followed their dreams and have become astronauts. 

Each time children listen to the Book or CD they are reminded to dream their dreams.  They will discover their many talents and abilities which ultimately can open up unlimited possibilities to them.  As they do this often, these dreams may surprise them by appearing before their eyes!

The following activity is taken from the 101 Self-Awareness Activities contained in the Beaming Bright, You’re a Shining Light Lesson Plans.  It offers you an opportunity to experience the first level of learning from the many levels that integrate all the social and emotional learning concepts contained in the Lesson Plans.

Bubbles of Joy Story & Lesson Plan Activities: Story Theme, “I am filled with joy.”

• This interactive, playful story is filled with the imagery of playing with bubbles.

• Children are encouraged to experience joy in their lives each moment of the day.

• Children are inspired even when they may be feeling discouraged.

• Good feelings always come as children focus on the activities that bring them joy.

• The activities focus on learning self-awareness and social awareness skills.

The following activity is taken from the 101 Self-Awareness Activities contained in the Beaming Bright, You’re a Shining Light Lesson Plans.  It offers you an opportunity to experience the first level of learning from the many levels that integrate all the social and emotional learning concepts contained in the Lesson Plans.

Rainbow Delight Story & Lesson Plan Activities: Story Theme, “I feel my perfect wholeness.”

• A playful, inspiring story.

• Children feel their perfect wholeness even when there may be challenges in their life.

• Why one child is in a wheelchair and another can walk is a life mystery. However, in both cases the children discover their beauty and perfect wholeness each time they laugh and open to their unlimited potential. 

• Children are encouraged to recognize they belong and are valued members of the family and classroom.

• The activities focus on learning self-awareness and social awareness skills.

The following activity is taken from the 101 Self-Awareness Activities contained in the Beaming Bright,You’re a Shining Light Lesson Plans.  It offers you an opportunity to experience the first level of learning from the many levels that integrate all the social and emotional learning concepts contained in the Lesson Plans.

Loving Yourself Story & Lesson Plan Activities: Story Theme, “It’s OK To Be Different.”

• This inspiring story encourages children to embrace diversity while appreciating and loving themselves. 

• Children are encouraged to have a greater understanding and appreciation for the similarities and differences in others. 

• Children are inspired to be optimistic about themselves and to recognize their unique talents and abilities.

• The activities focus on learning self-awareness and social awareness skills.

The following two activities are taken from the 101 Self-Awareness Activities contained in the Beaming Bright, You’re a Shining Light Lesson Plans.  They offers you an opportunity to experience the first level of learning from the many levels that integrate all the social and emotional learning concepts contained in the Lesson Plans.

Shining Star Story & Lesson Plan Activities: Story Theme, “I appreciate myself and others.”

• A playful, imaginative story.

• Children are encouraged to give themselves a hug before they fall asleep each night to appreciate all the journeys they have traveled during the day.

• Children look at all the things they have accomplished in their life to see and appreciate their success.

• Children observe that when they see the good in another they are showing and sharing the goodness within themselves.

• The activities focus on learning self-awareness and social awareness skills.

The following activity is taken from the 101 Self-Awareness Activities contained in the Beaming Bright, You’re a Shining Light Lesson Plans.  It offers you an opportunity to experience the first level of learning from the many levels that integrate all the social and emotional learning concepts contained in the Lesson Plans.

Playful Journeys Story & Lesson Plan Activities: Story Theme, “I have discovered a lot about me.”

• An inspiring story encourages children to feel, hear and see the love that is expressed through them. 

• Children explore the experience of making mistakes and the process of recognizing how they can learn from their mistakes. 

• As the children listen to the stories often they will be offered new opportunities to discover many things about themselves including being lovable.

• The activities focus on learning self-awareness, self-management and social awareness skills.

The following activity is taken from the 101 Self-Awareness Activities contained in the Beaming Bright, You’re a Shining Light Lesson Plans.  It offers you an opportunity to experience the first level of learning from the many levels that integrate all the social and emotional learning concepts contained in the Lesson Plans.