Power Blueprint Lesson Plan Tier 3 SEL • Unit 4
My Choices
My Power
Lesson Plan: Taking Ownership
Duration
20 Minutes
Audience
Individual (4th Grade)
Objective
Define responsibility and agency.
Purpose & Rationale
Learning to accept responsibility empowers students by giving them a sense of control over their actions and their consequences. This skill is crucial for building healthy relationships, fostering self-respect, and navigating challenges, especially for a student who has experienced trauma, as it can help re-establish a sense of agency.
Preparation
Review the My Choices, My Power Lesson Plan and all linked materials.
Ensure a quiet, comfortable space for individual instruction.
Prepare a pen or pencil for the student.
Be mindful of the student's recent trauma and be prepared to offer additional emotional support.
Materials Needed
Power Slide Deck
Reflection Journal
Instructional Steps
Step 01
Warm-up: What Does It Mean?
3 MINS
Begin with a gentle check-in.
Ask how they are feeling today.
Project Title Slide.
Ask: "What does it mean to be 'responsible'? Have you heard that word before?"
Step 02
Introduction: Our Choices, Our Power
3 MINS
Project "Our Choices, Our Power" slide.
Explain responsibility as ownership of results (good or bad).
Ask: "Why do you think it's important to understand our choices and their results?"
Step 03
Scenario Exploration
7 MINS
Project Scenario slides (Lost Homework, Hurtful Words).
Discuss options: "What happens if you say [X]? What about [Y]?"
Identify the responsible path (Honesty, making amends).
Step 04
Impact & Reflection
7 MINS
Summarize benefits: Trust, pride, growth.
Transition to Reflection Journal.
Conclude with a positive affirmation of their strength.
Trauma-Informed Tips
• Avoid shaming or blame-focused language when discussing mistakes.
• Emphasize that responsibility is about power and growth , not punishment.
• Respect the student's comfort level with sharing personal stories.
Power Slideshow Presentation Tier 3 SEL
My Choices
My Power
Understanding Responsibility and Its Impact
Teacher Notes: Greet the student warmly and ask how they are feeling today. This is a gentle start, especially important for a student who has experienced trauma. Introduce the topic and the idea that their choices have power.
What is Responsibility?
It's understanding that our choices have results, and taking ownership of those results.
It means you have the power to choose how you act and how you respond!
Why is this important?
Teacher Notes: Explain responsibility in simple terms: actions lead to results, and taking ownership means understanding that. Emphasize the 'power' aspect to foster agency. Ask the guiding question to prompt initial thought.
01
Scenario 1: Lost Homework
"You realize you didn't turn in your homework. Your teacher asks where it is."
The Question:
What are some things you could say or do?
Teacher Notes: Present the first scenario. Encourage the student to think of different responses, both responsible and less responsible. Discuss the potential outcomes of each choice. Guide them towards identifying the responsible action.
02
Scenario 2: Hurtful Words
"During a game, you get frustrated and say something unkind to a friend."
The Question:
What are some things you could say or do?
Teacher Notes: Introduce the second scenario, focusing on social interactions. Again, explore various responses and their consequences. Highlight that responsible actions include apologizing and making amends when mistakes are made.
Why Does It Matter?
When you accept responsibility, you...
Build trust with others
Feel proud of yourself
Learn from mistakes
Grow stronger!
Teacher Notes: Summarize the benefits of accepting responsibility. Connect it to building trust, feeling good about oneself, and learning from mistakes. Reinforce the idea of personal growth.
Your Power
To Choose
Taking responsibility means you are strong, honest, and ready to learn.
"Every day, you make choices. Every choice gives you power!"
Next Step: Reflection Journal
Teacher Notes: Transition to the journaling activity. Explain that reflection is part of accepting responsibility and learning. Encourage honest self-reflection in their journal. Reiterate the positive message of empowerment.
Responsibility Reflection Journal Responsibility
Reflection Journal
My Choices, My Power
Name:
Date:
Sometimes it's hard to remember that even small choices can make a big difference. This journal is a space for you to think about your choices and how they help you grow.
1
Thinking About Choices
Think about a time recently when you made a choice. It could be a big choice or a small one. What happened as a result of that choice? Did it make things easier or harder for you or someone else?
2
Taking Ownership
Sometimes we make mistakes. Everyone does! When you make a mistake, what does it mean to take responsibility for it? How does taking responsibility make things better?
3
Feeling Powerful
Think about a time when you took responsibility for something, even if it was difficult. How did you feel afterward? How did it show your strength and power to choose?
4
My Plan for Tomorrow
Tomorrow, I will try to take responsibility by:
You have the power to choose.
Stay Strong • Stay Honest • Keep Growing
Power Instruction Script Facilitation Script
My Choices, My Power
Tier 3 SEL Session
Time: 20 Minutes
Note for Facilitator: This session is intended for a student who has experienced trauma. Maintain a calm, neutral, and supportive tone. Focus on "power" and "agency" rather than "compliance" or "punishment."
1 Warm-up: What Does It Mean?
3 Minutes
Greet the student warmly as they arrive. Create a calm, safe environment.
SAY: "Hi [Student's Name], welcome! How are you feeling today? Anything exciting happen since we last spoke, or anything you'd like to share?"
Allow time for the student to respond. Listen actively and empathetically.
SAY: "Thanks for sharing. Today, we're going to talk about something really important that can help you feel strong and in control. We're going to explore 'responsibility.'"
DO: Project Slide 1 (Title Slide)
SAY: "Take a look at this title: 'My Choices, My Power.' What comes to mind when you see that? What do you think the word 'responsible' means? Have you heard that word before, maybe at home or at school?"
Allow the student to share thoughts. Affirm contributions (e.g., "That's a great thought," or "I can see why you'd think that.")
2 Introduction: Our Choices, Our Power
3 Minutes
DO: Project Slide 2 (What is Responsibility?)
SAY: "Those are all really good ideas! When we talk about responsibility, it's about understanding that our actions – our choices – have results. And it's also about owning those results, whether they are good things or things we might need to fix."
SAY: "Think of it this way: every choice you make gives you a little bit of power. It's your power to decide what to do and how to react. Why do you think it's important to understand that our choices have results? Why is it powerful to own those results?"
Encourage responses like: 'so we know what happens,' 'so we can make better choices next time.'
3 Scenario Exploration
7 Minutes
DO: Project Slide 3 (Scenario 1)
SAY: "Let's imagine some situations together. Imagine you worked really hard on your homework, but when it was time to turn it in, you realized you lost it. Your teacher asks you where it is."
SAY: "What are some different things you could do or say? Let's think of a few options, good or bad."
