Lesson Plan: Eagles SOAR – What Is Optimism
Lesson Plan: Eagles SOAR Optimism: Secondary
What is Optimism?
Recite the Eagle Pledge and the Eagle Song.
Optimism is the belief that things will turn out well.
Demonstrate the sign for “optimism.”
Present the picture icon for “optimism.”
Our thoughts change our feelings.
How does an optimistic person think?
Imagine you had a fight with your best friend.
Choose one:
Sad – Now I don’t have any friends.
Mad – My friend was just being mean.
Optimistic - Maybe I should call her and see if she wants to go to a movie. We’ll be friends again soon.
Imagine your doctor tells you that you are over weight.
Choose one:
Sad - I’m never going to lose the weight. It’s too hard.
Mad – I will never get to eat at McDonald’s again.
Optimistic - She’s right; I’ve been eating too much junk food. I’m going to eat foods that are good for me.
Imagine your teacher told you she wants to read a new book .
Choose one:
Sad - No way. I can never learn to read a book with all those words.
Mad – It will take too long. You can’t make me do it.
Optimistic - That’s a hard book but I know my teacher will help me.
Imagine your older brother is able to stay up late to play video games .
Choose one:
Sad – My mom loves my brother more than me.
Mad – I’m never allowed to do anything fun.
Optimistic – I’ll get to play video games when I’m older.
Play the “Silver Lining” card game.
Listen to: Determination; David Woodward; Virtuous Tunes, Volume 1
or
Listen to: I Can Do That! Jack Hartmann; Jack Hartmann: Learning to Love CD
Or
Listen to: “Don’t Miss the Boat;” Quinn & Gardner; Positive Choices
Or
Listen to: “Try, Try Again;” Gardner; Positive Choices
Or
Listen to: “I Can;” Gardner; Positive Choices
Imagine you had a fight with your best friend.
Sad
Now I don’t have any friends.
Mad
My friend was just being mean.
Optimistic
Maybe I should call her and see if she wants to go to a movie. We’ll be friends again soon.
Imagine your doctor tells you that you are over weight.
Sad
I’m never going to lose the weight. It’s too hard.
Mad
I will never get to eat at McDonald’s again.
Optimistic
She’s right; I’ve been eating too much junk food. I’m going to eat foods that are good for me.
Imagine your teacher told you she wants you to read a long book.
Sad
No way. I can never learn to read a book with all those words.
Mad
It will take too long. You can’t make me do it.
Optimistic
That’s a hard book but I know my teacher will help me.
Imagine your older brother is able to stay up late to play video games.
Sad
My mom loves my brother more than me.
Mad
I’m never allowed to do anything fun.
Optim istic
I’ll get to play video games when I’m older.