Seeds of change

This lesson plan offers middle school students an overview of the physical and emotional changes of adolescence. Students will explore emotions experienced each day and how these emotions can impact behavior. Students will examine their school behaviors and identify ways to change negative behaviors into positive behaviors.

A lesson plan for grades 6–8 Guidance

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Learning outcomes

Students will:

• name physical changes that occur during adolescence.
• name positive and negative emotions recently experienced.
• demonstrate positive behaviors that result from positive emotions.
• demonstrate negative behaviors that result from negative emotions.
• identify one negative behavior that will be changed into a more positive behavior.

Teacher planning

Time required for lesson

45 minutes

Materials/resources

• Styrofoam cups
• Potting soil
• Various types of plant seeds
• Plastic spoons
• Overhead markers in various colors
• Transparencies

Technology resources

• Overhead transparency projector
• Screen

Pre-activities

• Students must be able to identify behaviors that have negative consequences at school.
• Students can review the discipline sections of their Student Handbooks.
• Teacher can check technical equipment (light bulbs, electrical connections).

Activities

Activity #1

(5 minutes)

Teacher leads a class discussion about the changes that accompany adolescence. The teacher opens with a statement such as “Teens experience many changes…”. The teacher states examples of physical, emotional, cognitive/intellectual, and social changes that students may be experiencing. The teacher can end this discussion by stressing that change is an essential and expected part of adolescence.

Activity #2

(10 minutes)

The teacher turns on the overhead and draws a plant with several petals onto a blank transparency. The teacher explains that a teen’s experience is similar to that of a plant. Each day the plant is growing and changing. The students are asked to name physical changes they have experienced. The teacher chooses three or four changes and writes these changes inside of the petals. Each physical change is noted within one petal on the plant. The students are then asked to name both positive and negative emotions they have experienced. The teacher writes these emotions inside empty petals on the plant. The teacher may use contrasting colors to note negative and positive emotions. The teacher concludes this activity by reading the physical and emotional changes noted on the petals.

Activity #3

(10 minutes)

The teacher turns off the overhead projector. Two student volunteers are asked to choose one positive emotion. The teacher asks, “How might you behave if you feel (confident, satisfied, happy)? Student volunteers will role play behaviors. Examples of positive behaviors may include courtesy and cooperation. Two different student volunteers are asked to choose one negative emotion. The teacher asks, “How might you behave if you feel (angry, frustrated, hopeless)? Student volunteers will role play these behaviors. Examples of negative behaviors may include starting fights or disrespect.

Activity #4

(15 minutes)

The teacher asks the students to identify consequences of negative behaviors at their school. The teacher asks the students to reflect on their feelings after receiving a negative consequence. The teacher suggests that students can change their behaviors, even when they are feeling angry or frustrated. The teacher asks the students, “How can you change your behaviors when you are angry?” The teacher may turn on the overhead projector and list ways to change behaviors. Ways to change behaviors may include counting to ten, taking a “time out,” or visiting the school counselor. The teacher turns off the overhead after listing several ways of changing behavior. The teacher asks for another student volunteer. This volunteer will choose one negative emotion and then role play a positive way of responding. The student can role play counting to ten, taking a “time out,” or visiting the school counselor. Other students may be permitted to role play positive behaviors, depending on time.

Activity #5

(5 minutes)

Students are given one styrofoam cup and one plastic spoon. Students are instructed to fill their cups with potting soil, using plastic spoons. Students then plant their seeds of choice into the soil. The teacher concludes the activity by explaining that everyone is planting seeds of change for more positive behaviors.

Assessment

• Examination of student discipline records within one month after the lesson.
• Parent/teacher/counselor conferences held within one month after the lesson.
• Student/counselor individual sessions to assess student perceptions of success and change.

Supplemental information

Eggert, L.L. (1994) Anger management for youth: Stemming aggression and violence. Bloomington, IN: National Educational Service.

Heart Land Media (producer). (1997). Managing your anger (videocassette).

Comments

This lesson plan is particularly helpful for students with recurring behavioral problems. I have found this lesson to be effective for groups of students serving in-school suspension.