Attitude is Altitude Lesson Plan Attitude is Altitude
A Journey to Positive Thinking
30 Minutes
Elementary (K-5)
Why This Matters
A good attitude can make every day better, helping students learn more, make friends, and feel happier. It's a superpower for success! By understanding that attitude is a choice, students gain emotional agency and resilience.
Learning Objective
"Students will define what a positive attitude looks like and identify how their attitude choice affects their daily outcomes and relationships."
Materials
Altitude Slides
Attitude Check Warm Up
Charades Activity Cards
My Attitude Takeaway Sheets
Teacher Prep
• Review the slide deck content and transitions.
• Print the Attitude Check Warm Up scenarios.
• Cut out the Attitude Charades cards.
• Copy the Cool Down worksheet for each student.
Instructional Flight Path
1
Pre-Flight Check (Introduction)
5 MIN
Greet students and introduce the topic of attitude using the Slide Deck . Start with a hook about how pilots use "attitude" to describe the position of their plane.
Guided Action:
Facilitate the Attitude Check Warm Up . Read scenarios aloud and have students respond with "Thumbs Up" or "Thumbs Down" to gauge their initial perspective.
2
Rising to New Heights (Discussion)
10 MIN
Use the Slide Deck to define attitude as "inner weather." Discuss the difference between positive and negative attitudes.
Key Point to Stress:
"You choose your altitude!" Explain that we can't always control what happens, but we can control how we react to it.
3
Attitude Charades (Activity)
10 MIN
Divide students into small groups or pairs. Give each group an Attitude Card to act out silently.
Facilitation Tip:
After each guess, ask: "How does this attitude affect the people around this person?" and "What clues helped you guess?"
4
Smooth Landing (Cool Down)
5 MIN
Briefly summarize: Attitude is a superpower. Distribute the My Attitude Takeaway worksheet for individual reflection.
Attitude is Altitude Slides Attitude is Altitude!
How high can your attitude take you?
Teacher Notes: Welcome students and introduce the exciting topic of the day: Attitude! Ask them what they think 'attitude' means.
What is an Attitude?
1
How you think and feel about things.
2
How you show those thoughts and feelings.
It's like your inner weather!
Internal Mindset
Teacher Notes: Explain that attitude is how we think and feel about things, and how we show those thoughts and feelings. It's like the weather inside us!
The Positive Power
Easier Challenges
Mountains look like small hills when you feel capable.
Learn Faster
Your brain stays "open" to new information.
Happiness Magnet
Makes you and others feel awesome!
Friend Maker
People love being around sunny people.
Teacher Notes: Discuss how a positive attitude makes things easier and more fun. Give examples like enjoying a challenging game or staying calm when something doesn't go as planned.
The Grumpy Cloud
Makes easy things feel much harder .
Keeps you feeling stuck and grumpy .
Pushes others away—it's hard to work together.
Teacher Notes: Discuss how a negative attitude can make things harder. Give examples like complaining about homework or getting frustrated easily.
You Choose Your Altitude!
It's like picking out your outfit!
You have the controls in your hands.
Choose positive, even when things are tricky!
Teacher Notes: Explain that we can choose our attitude, like choosing what clothes to wear. We can decide to have a good attitude even when things are tough.
Your Superpower!
Achieve great things!
Make the world brighter!
Feel awesome every day!
Teacher Notes: Conclude by reiterating that a good attitude is a powerful tool for success and happiness. Encourage students to practice having a good attitude. Transition to the cool-down activity.
Attitude Check Warm Up Worksheet Attitude Check
Warm Up Activity
Student Name
Instructions
Listen to your teacher read each scenario below. Think about the attitude being shown. If you think it's a good attitude , circle the Thumbs Up . If it's a not-so-good attitude , circle the Thumbs Down .
Scenario 1: Recess Choice
Sarah's favorite game was chosen last for indoor recess. She sighed loudly and slumped in her chair, saying, "This is boring!"
Scenario 2: Math Help
Mark found a difficult math problem. He thought for a moment, then asked his teacher for a hint. "I can do this with a little help!" he said.
Scenario 3: Art Accident
Emily spilled paint on her art project. She got really upset and started to cry, wanting to throw the whole project away.
Scenario 4: Good Sportsmanship
David's team lost the soccer game. He walked over to the other team and said, "Good game, everyone! You played really well."
Attitude Charades Activity Cards Attitude Charades
Action & Discussion Guide
How to Play
Get into small groups or pairs.
Choose or receive an attitude card.
Act it out without words !
Class guesses the attitude.
Let's Discuss
• What clues did you see?
• How might this make someone feel?
• How does this affect people nearby?
TEACHER: CUT CARDS BELOW
Happy
Frustrated
Excited
Grumpy
Confident
Shy
Curious
Patient
Annoyed My Attitude Takeaway Worksheet My Attitude Takeaway
Student Pilot Name
Flight Date
1. What is one new thing you learned today about having a good attitude?
2. Can you think of a time when having a good attitude helped you? Describe what happened.
3. What is one way you can try to show a good attitude tomorrow?
Your altitude is up to you!
Keep shining and choosing the sky.
