Subjects

• Arts and Humanities
• Language Arts
• Health
• Mental Health

Grade

• K-2
• 3-5

Brief Description

Build students' self-esteem by encouraging their peers to recognize and comment on their positive traits.

Objectives

Students improve their self-confidence and self-esteem.

Keywords

feelings, emotion, self-esteem

Materials Needed

• a special chair (could be a beanbag chair, a stool, or any other special chair that is used for this special activity only)

The Lesson

Position the special chair in a special place. You might call the chair the Fuzzy Feeling Chair. Each day, ask a different student to sit in the special chair. The other children in the classroom then take turns saying nice things about the person in the chair. The person in the chair can only say "Thank you!" -- nothing else. At the end of the activity, ask the child sitting in the chair how s/he felt when others were saying nice things about him/her.

Over time, students will become accustomed to what it is like to compliment others and to be complimented. They will learn to trust and express their feelings.

Assessment

If the children say they are feeling good, then you have had a successful lesson.

Lesson Plan Source

I have used this lesson for years. Our guidance counselor, Dr. Rhonda Joy, introduced the lesson to me.

Submitted By

Pauline Finlay, Inuksuit School in Qikiqtarjuaq, Nunavut (Canada)