A lively 30-minute first-grade social-emotional learning lesson where students discover inner motivation, learn catchy cheerleader chants, play a card toss game, and create three personal desk-badge power phrases to conquer tough tasks.
Turning verbal chants into permanent desk anchors for self-regulation.
13 Mins Remaining
Part 3: Write Power Phrases (0:17 – 0:25) Desk Work
Transition to Desks: Send students back to desks using the squad tiptoe cheer: "Tiptoe cheerleaders, 3, 2, 1, sit!"
🗣️ Verbatim Script (Modeling the Desk Badges): "Cheerleaders, look at your worksheet. You have three official Cheer Badges! When work feels tricky later this week, your cheerleader will be taped right on your desk. Badge #1 is for hard work. Badge #2 is for mistakes. Badge #3 is for when you feel like quitting. You can copy a phrase from our Word Bank, or write your own secret cheer!"
Scaffolding / Emerging Writers: Allow students to trace pre-written sentence strips, write 2-word power phrases ("I try!" "Brain grows!"), or draw a cheerleader star next to their favorite phrase.
Teacher Circulation Prompts: Ask individual students: "Which phrase will help you during our math block?" "How will your brain feel when you read that?"
🗣️ Verbatim Script (Partner Share & Desk Taping): "Turn to your elbow partner! Hold up your favorite badge. In your cheerleader voice, read your power phrase to them! Then give each other an air high-five!" (Allow 90 seconds for partner exchange).
"Now, grab your tape dispenser or glue strip. Carefully tape your badges right to the top corner of your desk where your eyes can see it every single morning. Whenever you get stuck, look down, touch your badge, and turn that cheerleader ON!"
📣 Squad Final Cheer (Whole Group Stomp & Whisper): "My brain is strong, my heart is brave, I am ready to learn!"
Grade 1 SEL Facilitator Coaching Notes
Common 1st Grade Misconception: Students may think positive self-talk magically makes work easy without effort. Remind them: "The cheer doesn't do the work for you—it gives your brain the calm courage to try!"
Everyday Class Habit Integration: During difficult independent work, when you see a student looking stuck, don't immediately give the answer. Instead say: "Check your cheerleader badge! What does your cheer squad say?"
Assessment Check: Student can identify at least one self-talk statement to self-regulate when frustrated. Grade 1 SEL Standard: Self-Management & Growth Mindset
