Ready for Change Lesson Plan Ready for Change?
Lesson Plan • 10th Grade Health & Wellness
Why this lesson?
Understanding the stages of change provides a valuable framework for students to recognize and navigate personal growth and behavior modification, both in themselves and others. It promotes empathy and strategic thinking for goal setting.
Time & Audience
Duration: 30 Minutes
Grade: 10th Grade
Learning Objective
Students will be able to identify and describe the five stages of change (Precontemplation, Contemplation, Preparation, Action, Maintenance) and relate them to personal experiences.
Materials
Stages of Change Slide Deck
My Habit Tracker (Warm-Up)
Stage Check-In (Cool Down)
Stages of Change Script
Teacher Prep
Time: 10 Minutes
Review the lesson plan, slide deck, warm-up, and cool-down to familiarize yourself with the content and flow. Ensure all digital materials are accessible.
Instructional Steps
5m
Warm-Up: My Habit Tracker
Distribute the worksheet. Have students individually reflect on a small habit they've tried to change for 2-3 minutes. Briefly discuss a few anonymous examples or common themes that emerge.
8m
Introduction to Stages of Change
Use the slide deck to introduce change as a process. Present the five stages with clear definitions and relatable examples using the provided script. Encourage students to relate these to their warm-up habits.
12m
Activity: Stage Spotlight & Share
In small groups (3-4), assign one stage per group. Students brainstorm real-life (anonymous) examples and discuss how to move to the next stage. Groups share their findings with the class.
5m
Cool Down: Stage Check-In
Distribute the cool-down sheet. Students reflect on one personal goal and identify their current stage. Collect these as an informal assessment.
Stages of Change Slide Deck Ready for Change?
Understanding How We Change (or Don't!)
TEACHER NOTES: Welcome students and introduce the day's topic: understanding how change happens. Explain that we often think of change as a switch, but it's more like a journey.
Change is a Process, Not an Event
Have you ever tried to change something about yourself?
Was it easy? Did it happen overnight?
Today, we'll explore a model that helps explain how people change.
TEACHER NOTES: Ask students to think about a small habit they've tried to change. It could be anything: waking up earlier, drinking more water, spending less time on social media. This connects to the warm-up they just completed. Transition to the first stage.
Stage 1
Precontemplation
Definition
Not yet considering change; unaware of a problem or unwilling to acknowledge it.
Mindset
"Me? Change? Nah, I'm good." or "I don't have a problem."
Example
Someone who never exercises and doesn't see a need to.
Stage 2
Contemplation
Definition
Acknowledging a problem and considering changing it, but not yet committed to taking action.
Mindset
"Maybe I should change... but it's hard." or "I know I should, but..."
Example
Thinking about joining a sports team but haven't looked into it.
Stage 3
Preparation
Definition
Intending to take action in the immediate future; making small behavioral changes.
Mindset
"Okay, I'm going to do this! How?"
Example
Buying new running shoes to start jogging next week.
Stage 4
Action
Definition
Actively modifying behavior, experiences, or environment to overcome the problem.
Mindset
"I'm doing it! I'm making progress!"
Example
Regularly attending a fitness class.
Stage 5
Maintenance
Definition
Sustaining the change over a long period; working to prevent relapse.
Mindset
"This is my new normal, and I need to keep it up."
Example
Consistently choosing healthy food options and enjoying it.
The Journey of Change
1
2
3
4
5
Remember, change isn't always a straight line.
People can move forward, backward, or skip stages.
Understanding these stages helps us be more patient and strategic with ourselves and others.
Activity: Stage Spotlight
1
In small groups, you will be assigned one of the Stages of Change .
2
Discuss: What defines this stage? What are some anonymous, real-life examples?
3
How might someone move from your stage to the next stage?
Reflect & Connect
Take a moment to think about one personal goal .
Which stage of change are you currently in for that goal?
(Complete the Cool Down: Stage Check-In worksheet)
Stages of Change Script Stages of Change
Instructional Script & Discussion Guide
Teacher Resource
1. Introduction (5 Minutes)
"Good morning/afternoon everyone! Today, we're diving into a really interesting topic: change . We all experience it, whether it's trying to adopt a new habit, learn a new skill, or even stop an old behavior. But have you ever noticed that change isn't always a straightforward path?"
"To kick things off, you just completed a Warm-Up activity. Thinking about that small habit you tried to change, raise your hand if it was a super easy, one-and-done kind of change. (Pause for hands). And raise your hand if it felt a bit more complicated, with ups and downs. (Pause). Most of us fall into that second group, right? That's because change is a process, not a single event. And today, we're going to learn about a model that helps us understand this process: The Stages of Change."
2. Presenting the Model (8 Minutes)
[Display Slide Deck: Start Presentation]
Slide 3: Precontemplation
"Our first stage is Precontemplation . In this stage, a person isn't really thinking about changing anything. They might be unaware there's a problem, or they simply don't see the need to change. For example, imagine someone who always leaves their homework until the last minute, but they don't see it as an issue because they usually get it done. They're not contemplating change at all. Any anonymous examples you can think of?"
Slide 4: Contemplation
"Next, we have Contemplation . This is where the person starts to acknowledge that there might be a problem. They're weighing the pros and cons, but they're not yet committed. Our homework example: they might think, 'Hmm, maybe I should start my homework earlier, it would make my evenings less stressful.' But they haven't done anything about it yet. Who can think of an anonymous example of someone contemplating a change?"
Slide 5: Preparation
"The third stage is Preparation . Here, individuals are ready to make a change soon. They're making small, concrete plans. Our homework person might say, 'Okay, this weekend I'm going to map out my assignments for the whole week.' They're preparing to act. What are some ways people prepare for a change, even small ones?"
Slide 6: Action
"Then comes Action . This is when the person is actively modifying their behavior. Our student would now actually be starting their homework right after school. This stage requires the most visible effort. What does it look like when someone is in the 'Action' stage of a new habit, like exercising more?"
Slide 7: Maintenance
"Finally, we have Maintenance . This stage is about sustaining the change over a long period—usually six months or more—and working to prevent slipping back. Our student has been consistently doing their homework early for months. It feels natural now. What are some challenges people face in the maintenance stage?"
My Habit Tracker Warm Up My Habit Tracker
Warm-Up Activity • Ready for Change?
Name:
Date:
Instructions: Think about a small habit or routine you've tried to change in the past (e.g., waking up earlier, drinking more water, spending less time on a specific app, trying a new study method). It doesn't have to be a big, life-altering change. Reflect on your experience below.
1. What small habit or routine did you try to change?
2. Describe your journey with trying to change this habit.
Was it easy? Did you start, stop, and restart? What were some challenges?
3. Initial Motivation Level
How motivated were you at the start?
Not at all
1
2
3
4
5
Extremely
4. What was one thing that helped you, or that you wished you had known, during that process?
Stage Check-In Cool Down Stage Check-In
Cool Down Reflection • Ready for Change?
Name:
Date:
Instructions: Think about one specific personal goal or habit you might consider changing in your life. It should be something you have at least considered, even if briefly. Reflect on where you are in the process using today's model.
1. What is the specific personal goal or habit you are thinking about?
2. Which stage of change are you currently in for this goal?
Precontemplation: Not thinking about change, unaware of a problem.
Contemplation: Thinking about change, weighing pros and cons.
Preparation: Planning to change soon, taking small steps.
Action: Actively making the change right now.
Maintenance: Sustaining the change, preventing relapse.
My current stage:
Reasoning (1-2 sentences):
3. What is one small step you could take to move to the next stage?
