Confidence Lesson Plan Deal Me In: Confidence
7th Grade • Social Skills • 30 Minutes
Session 01
Lesson Objective
Students will identify and practice positive communication skills (e.g., active listening, clear expression) while playing a card game. Students will demonstrate increased confidence in expressing their thoughts and feelings in a group setting.
The Purpose
Effective communication and confidence are crucial for healthy relationships and overall well-being. This lesson provides a fun, low-stakes environment to practice these vital social skills, helping students feel more comfortable and capable in their interactions.
Approach
Interactive card game with guided discussion and reflection focused on Tier 2 social-emotional learning outcomes for middle schoolers.
Preparation
Review Slide Deck and Teacher Script.
Print Instructions, Reflection Journals, and Cool Down sheets.
Gather standard playing cards (1 deck per group).
Arrange seating for 4-6 students per group.
Materials
Confidence Slide Deck
Teacher Script
Card Game Instructions
Standard Playing Cards
Instructional Sequence
0-5 MIN
Warm-Up: What's Your Ace?
Begin with a quick warm-up to engage students and activate prior knowledge about confidence.
Intro topic using slide 1.
Prompt: "Think about a time you felt really confident. What made you feel that way?"
5-10 MIN
Introduction to 'Confidence Hand'
Explain how the game helps practice communication and builds confidence.
Distribute instructions and cards.
Explain rules focusing on eye contact and clear verbal requests.
10-20 MIN
Play 'Confidence Hand' Game
Guide students through the card game interactions.
Circulate and provide gentle prompts (e.g., "How can you ask more clearly?").
Focus on active listening and respectful turn-taking.
20-25 MIN
Group Reflection and Discussion
Bring the group together to connect the game to real-life skills.
Distribute Reflection Journal.
Prompt: "How can you use these skills outside of this game?"
25-30 MIN
Cool Down: My Winning Hand
Exit ticket for takeaway reflection.
Complete exit ticket identifying one specific booster for the week.
Confidence Hand Slide Deck Deal Me In
CONFIDENCE
Welcome to our Social Skills Session! Today, we're using games to level up our communication and teamwork.
Session 01
Communicate Teamwork Confidence
Warm-Up
What's Your Ace?
Think about a time you felt really confident. What made you feel that way?
A Skill Mastered?
Nailed a trick or finished a tough task?
Speaking Up?
Used your voice to share an idea?
Team Win?
Felt great working with others?
The Confidence Hand
The Goal
Work with your team to collect sets of cards while practicing clear, confident interaction.
Key Skills
Asking clearly
Listening actively
Speaking confidently
Being a great teammate
Play with Purpose!
Speak Up!
Clearly state what you need. Use a strong, steady voice.
Listen Closely!
Pay attention to your teammates. What do they need?
Encourage!
A confident team lifts each other up with positive feedback.
Manage!
Frustrated? Show it confidently and respectfully.
Reflection
Your Winning Skills
What communication skills did you use today during the game?
When did you feel most confident while playing?
How can you use these "winning skills" in other parts of your life?
My Winning Hand
"On your sheet, write down ONE social skill or confidence booster you want to take with you from today's lesson."
Pick Your Ace
This is your winning hand for the week!
Confidence Teacher Script Teacher Script: Deal Me In
Lesson 01: Confidence Hand
Warm-Up 5 Minutes
DISPLAY SLIDE 1 & 2
[SAY]: "Welcome, everyone! Today, we're going to embark on a fun journey to boost our confidence and strengthen our social skills, all through the power of card games! Have you ever noticed how some people just seem to 'deal' with challenges confidently, like they always have a winning hand? That's what we're going to explore."
[SAY]: "To start, I want you to think about a time you felt really confident. It could be a big moment or a small one. Maybe you nailed a presentation, spoke up for yourself, or worked really well with a team. What made you feel that way? I'll go first: I remember feeling really confident when I learned how to juggle! It took practice, but once I got it, I felt amazing."
[SAY]: "Take a moment to think about your 'ace' – your moment of confidence. If you're comfortable, I'd love for a few of you to share with the group. Remember to listen actively when your classmates are speaking."
Facilitation Tip: Acknowledge and affirm each student's contribution. If a student is shy, offer a prompt like, "What's a small thing you did this week that you're proud of?"
Introduction 5 Minutes
DISPLAY SLIDE 3
[SAY]: "Great job sharing! Today, we're going to build on that feeling of confidence by playing a game called 'Confidence Hand.' The goal isn't just to win, but to practice using clear communication, active listening, and teamwork. These are the key skills that build confidence in our interactions."
[SAY]: "I'm going to hand out these instructions and a deck of cards to each group. Take a moment to look over the instructions together. The game is simple: you'll be working in teams to collect 'sets' of cards. You'll need to ask your teammates for specific cards. The catch is how you ask and how you listen."
Game Time 10 Minutes
DISPLAY SLIDE 4
[SAY]: "Alright, let's play! Remember our purpose: Play with Purpose! Focus on being clear, listening well, and encouraging each other. I'll be circulating to observe and offer prompts if you need them."
PROMPT 1: "How could you ask for that card even more clearly?"
PROMPT 2: "What did your teammate just ask for? Can you repeat it?"
Reflection 5 Minutes
DISPLAY SLIDE 5
[SAY]: "Time to bring it back together! Great energy. Let's reflect. I'm handing out a Reflection Journal for you to jot down some thoughts. Think about when you felt most confident. Was it when you spoke clearly? When you were helped by a teammate?"
Cool Down 5 Minutes
DISPLAY SLIDE 6
[SAY]: "To wrap up, write down ONE specific social skill you want to take with you. This is your personal 'winning hand' for the week. For example, mine might be 'making eye contact when I speak.' What's yours?"
Confidence Game Instructions Confidence Hand
Game Instructions
Players
4-6 Per Group
Time
10 Minutes
Goal
Collect 3 Sets
Objective
Be the first player to collect three sets of four matching cards (e.g., four Queens, four 7s).
Setup
Shuffle the deck thoroughly.
Deal 5 cards to each player.
Place the remaining cards face down in the center (the Go Fish pile).
How to Play (Social Skills Focus)
1. Asking Confidently
"[Player Name], do you have any [Rank, e.g., Kings]?"
Speak clearly and make eye contact!
2. Responding Clearly
If you have them: "Yes, I have [number] [Rank]s."
If not: "Go Fish!"
3. Draw or Match
If you "Go Fish," draw one card. If it matches what you asked for, you get another turn!
Social Skill Reminders
Active Listening: Track what others are looking for.
Clear Voice: Avoid mumbling when asking.
Politeness: Use "Please" and "Thank you."
Encourage: "Good ask!" or "Nice set!"
Confidence Reflection Journal Reflection Journal
Confidence Hand Session
Name:
Date:
1
During the "Confidence Hand" game, what communication skills did you find yourself using the most?
2
Describe a moment during the game when you felt most confident. What happened?
3
Was there a time during the game when you felt less confident or a bit stuck? How did you handle that feeling?
4
How can you use these skills (clear communication, active listening, encouraging others) in real life—like at school or with friends?
5
What is one new thing you learned about communicating confidently today?
My Winning Hand Cool Down My Winning Hand
Personal Growth Exit Ticket
NAME:
DATE:
Your Skill for the Week
What is ONE social skill or confidence booster that you want to remember and try to use in your daily life this week?
Bonus: Action Plan
Briefly explain HOW you plan to use this skill. (e.g., "I will make eye contact when talking to my teacher.")
"Confidence isn't about being perfect; it's about showing up."
Building Bridges Lesson Plan Building Bridges
7th Grade • Social Skills • 30 Minutes
Session 02
Lesson Objective
Students will practice collaborative communication and strategic thinking to achieve a common goal in a cooperative card game. Students will reflect on the importance of active listening and clear verbal cues in building team confidence.
The Purpose
Collaboration and communication are essential life skills. This lesson provides a structured way to experience the power of working together and how individual communication contributes to collective success.
Approach
Cooperative card game with structured discussion and reflection. The group works together against the "game" rather than each other.
Preparation
Review Slide Deck and Teacher Script.
Print Instructions, Reflection Journals, and Cool Down sheets.
Gather standard playing cards (1 deck per group).
Set up small group seating.
Materials
Building Bridges Slide Deck
Teacher Script
Game Instructions
Standard Playing Cards
Instructional Sequence
0-5 MIN
Warm-Up: Teamwork Trivia
Activate prior knowledge about teamwork and collaboration.
Intro topic using slide 1.
Prompt: "What does it mean to be a good team player?"
5-10 MIN
Introduction to 'Building Bridges'
Explain the challenge: communicating effectively without showing cards.
Distribute instructions and cards.
Focus on "Strategic Verbal Cues" vs. revealing exact cards.
10-20 MIN
Play 'Building Bridges' Game
Guide students through the cooperative challenge.
Observe interactions; prompt for active listening.
Encourage strategy discussions between turns.
20-25 MIN
Group Reflection and Discussion
Reflect on the difficulties of hidden information.
Distribute Reflection Journal.
Focus on team connectivity and shared confidence.
25-30 MIN
Cool Down: My Strongest Link
Identify one collaborative skill to strengthen.
Building Bridges Slide Deck Session 02
BUILDING BRIDGES
Your Team's Strongest Link
Working together to communicate strategically and build collective confidence.
Warm-Up
Teamwork Trivia
Think about a time you were part of a successful team. What made that team work well?
"Share one quality or action that made your team strong!"
Clear listening?
Supporting ideas?
Team trust?
The 'Building Bridges' Game
The Goal
Play all cards to a central "Bridge" pile as a team. You win or lose together!
The Catch:
You cannot show your cards to anyone.
Winning Skills
1
Strategic Verbal Cues
2
Active Listening
3
Team Trust & Support
Connect & Collaborate!
Clue In!
Give helpful hints without revealing the exact card rank or suit.
Listen Actively!
Pay close attention to your teammates' clues. What do they NEED?
Build Trust!
Rely on your team and support their plays, even when it's tough.
Problem Solve!
Wrong move? Discuss how to adjust together as a team.
Stronger Together
1
What was challenging about communicating without showing cards?
2
How did active listening help your team achieve its goal?
3
When did your team feel most connected and confident?
My Strongest Link
Identify ONE collaborative skill you want to practice and strengthen this week.
Write it down on your sheet!
Build Better Teams
Building Bridges Teacher Script Teacher Script: Building Bridges
Lesson 02: Collaborative Communication
Warm-Up 5 Minutes
DISPLAY SLIDE 1 & 2
[SAY]: "Welcome back, everyone! Today, we're going to explore another important aspect of confidence: how we build it when we work with others. Think about it – when a team works really well together, everyone feels more confident, right? We're going to dive into how our communication acts as a 'strong link' in any team."
[SAY]: "To get us started, I want you to think about a time you were part of a successful team. It could be for a school project, a sports team, or even working with family. What made that team work well? Share one quality or action. For me, a successful team always had members who really listened to each other's ideas before jumping to conclusions."
Facilitation Tip: Focus on "actions." If a student says "They were nice," ask "What's an action they did that showed they were nice?"
Introduction 5 Minutes
DISPLAY SLIDE 3
[SAY]: "Today, we're putting those collaboration skills to the test with 'Building Bridges.' In this game, your group works together against the game. The big challenge is that you can't show your cards, but you still need to communicate strategically."
[SAY]: "I'm handing out the instructions now. Look them over. The goal is to play all cards to the central pile. You'll use verbal cues—hints—to help your team without saying your exact cards."
Game Time 10 Minutes
DISPLAY SLIDE 4
[SAY]: "Let's start! Remember our purpose: Connect & Collaborate! Focus on helpful clues and active listening. I'll be circulating."
PROMPT: "How could you give a better clue about what you have without saying the rank?"
PROMPT: "What info did your teammate just share that might help your next move?"
Reflection 5 Minutes
DISPLAY SLIDE 5
[SAY]: "Time to reflect. Fantastic collaboration. What was challenging about hidden information? When did you feel most connected as a team?"
Cool Down 5 Minutes
DISPLAY SLIDE 6
[SAY]: "Think about one specific collaborative skill to practice this week. This is your personal 'strongest link.' Write it down on your exit ticket. Thank you all for being great teammates today!"
Building Bridges Game Instructions Cooperative Challenge
Building Bridges
Game Instructions
Players
4-6 Per Group
Time
10 Minutes
01. The Goal
As a team, play all cards from every player's hand into a central "Bridge" pile. You win or lose as a team!
How to Play
A.
Matching: On your turn, play a card that matches either the SUIT or the RANK of the top card on the Bridge.
B.
Hidden Hands: You CANNOT show your cards to anyone. You must keep them secret!
C.
Verbal Cues: Before playing, you can say ONE sentence or ask ONE question. You cannot say specific card names.
✓ Say These:
"I can play a red card."
"Does anyone need a low diamond?"
"I have a high club."
"What card is most helpful?"
✗ Don't Say:
"I have the King of Hearts."
"I have two 7s."
"I'm holding the 9 of clubs."
Collaboration Reminders
Strategic Clues: Think about what will help the WHOLE team.
Listen Intently: Track what clues have been given.
Mutual Support: Encourage your teammates' moves.
Discuss: Strategy talks are allowed between turns!
Building Bridges Reflection Journal Reflection Journal
Building Bridges Challenge
NAME:
DATE:
01
What was the most challenging part of communicating with your team without showing your cards?
02
Describe a moment when your team's communication was really effective. What happened?
03
How did active listening help your team coordinate and make successful plays? Give a specific example.
04
When did your team feel most connected and confident? What were you doing in that moment?
05
How can you use these "building bridges" skills in other team settings (like school projects or family tasks)?
My Strongest Link Cool Down My Strongest Link
Teamwork Exit Ticket
NAME:
DATE:
Your Team Booster
What is ONE collaborative communication skill or teamwork booster that you want to strengthen this week?
The Action Plan
Briefly explain HOW you plan to use this skill. (e.g., "I will listen carefully when my group is brainstorming.")
"A team is only as strong as its communication."
