Self Talk Cheerleaders Script
Grade 1 SEL Duration: 30 Minutes
Self-Talk Cheerleaders Script
TEACHER INSTRUCTION GUIDE Arc: Model → Toss → Write → Share → Post
Objective
Students generate 3 personal positive self-talk statements to use independently when work feels tough.
Key Concepts
Positive self-talk, internal motivation, personal responsibility for feelings and persistence.
Prep & Materials
Chant Sheets, Toss Cards set, Beanbags/pom-poms, Power Phrases sheets, tape strips.
0-7m Model Chants • 7-15m Card Toss Game • 15-23m Write Power Phrases • 23-27m Share Aloud • 27-30m Desk Post
Phase 1: Model Chants (0:00 – 7:00 min)
Direct Instruction
Teacher Hook (Show cheer pom-poms or high spirit hands): “Class, imagine you are running a race or solving a giant math puzzle. What happens if someone stands beside you whispering: 'You can't do it! Give up!' How would your brain feel?”
→ Expected Student Response: “Sad! Frustrated! Like giving up!”
Teacher Script: “That whispering voice is the Grumble Bug. But guess what? Inside each of us lives an Inner Cheerleader! A cheerleader with a megaphone and pom-poms shouting: 'You can try! Don't quit yet!' That is called Positive Self-Talk. When work gets hard, YOU have the responsibility to choose which voice you listen to!”
Whole-Class Modeling: Call-and-Response Chant
Teacher: “Grumble says: 'Too hard for me!' (slump shoulders)”
Cheerleader Calls: “Cheer says: 'I will try and see!' (hands up high, clap twice)”
Class Practice: Repeat 2x with hand motions (clap, clap, pump fist).
Phase 2: Cheer Card Toss Game (7:00 – 15:00 min)
Guided Interactive Game
Set-Up: Spread 4–6 “Tough Spot” cards on the classroom carpet inside target hula-hoops or taped boxes. Pair students or invite volunteers to toss a beanbag or soft pom-pom.
Teacher Script: “Tossers, aim for a Tough Spot card! When your beanbag lands, read the Grumble thought with me, then as a cheer squad, we turn it into our Power Cheer!”
Scenario Landed:
“I cut my paper crooked and ruined my project!”
→ Cheer Turnaround:
“Mistakes happen! I can tape it and keep going!”
Scenario Landed:
“This spelling word is way too long, I can't do it!”
→ Cheer Turnaround:
“Break it into little sounds! One letter at a time!”
Debrief Prompt: “Notice how our bodies felt when we switched to our cheer voice? Our shoulders relaxed, and our minds got ready to work!”
Self-Talk Cheerleaders • 1st Grade Lesson Plan Page 1 of 2 • Continued on next page →
Part 2 of Script
Application, Sharing & Desk Posting
Minutes 15:00 – 30:00
Phase 3: Write My Power Phrases (15:00 – 23:00 min)
Independent Application
Teacher Script: “Head back to your cheer stations! You each have your My Power Phrases sheet. Today, you are the author of your own cheer squad. You will pick or write three power phrases that you will use this week when work feels hard.”
Guidance for 1st Grade Writers:
- Phrase 1 (When I feel stuck): e.g., “I can take one deep breath and try again!”
- Phrase 2 (When I make a mistake): e.g., “Mistakes help my brain grow strong!”
- Phrase 3 (When work feels long): e.g., “One step at a time! I won't give up!”
Circulation Strategy: Walk room with stamping marker or cheer stickers. Validate student choices. Assist emerging writers by pointing to the visual word bank on their sheet.
Phase 4: Share Aloud & Rally (23:00 – 27:00 min)
Peer Reflection
Teacher Script: “Cheerleaders, stand tall! Turn knee-to-knee with your shoulder partner. Read your favorite Power Phrase with your loudest proudest cheer voice! Partner, give them a double high-five and say: 'You've got this!'”
Whole-Group Spotlight: Call on 3 diverse students to chant their phrase into the class toy megaphone or pretend mic. Class repeats in unison with a celebratory stomp-clap.
Phase 5: Post on Desk & Pledge (27:00 – 30:00 min)
Commitment & Closing
Action: Students cut out their “Desk Cheer Badge” strip along the dashed line. Hand out painter's tape or clear tape to affix to the top corner of each desk.
Teacher Pledge Closing: “Place your right hand over your heart and touch your desk badge with your left hand. Repeat after me: 'When work gets tough, I will not freeze. I cheer my brain with words like these!'”
Differentiation & Classroom Management Strategies
For Emerging Writers / ELLs:
Provide the pre-printed icon sticker options or allow students to trace dotted key phrases and add a colored star instead of full sentence construction.
Daily Reinforcement Habit:
During independent math or writing, if a student sighs or slumps, tap their desk badge silently to prompt them to whisper their cheer phrase before asking for help.
Self-Talk Cheerleaders • 1st Grade Lesson Plan Page 2 of 2 • End of Script
Cheerleader Chant Sheet
1st Grade Pep Squad Positive Self-Talk
Cheerleader Chant Sheet
Name:
Date:
Use your cheer voice when schoolwork feels tricky or frustrating!
Say It Proud!
Chant 1 The Power Pump
“I am strong, I am smart,
Courage lives inside my heart!”
“I CAN TRY!”
Fist Pump • Hand on Heart
Chant 2 Mistake Shake-Off
“Oops and wow! Learn right now!
Mistakes make my brain grow, POW!”
“KEEP ON GOING!”
Big Smile • Shake Hands
Chant 3 Step-by-Step Stomp
“Bit by bit, line by line,
I take my time and I will shine!”
“ONE STEP MORE!”
Stomp Stomp • High Reach
Chant 4 Breathe & Cheer
“Breathe deep in, blow grumbles out,
Here comes what I cheer about!”
“I GOT THIS!”
Deep Breath • Double Clap
Cheer Motions Squad Guide
CLAP x2 Clap hands to keep rhythm
STOMP x2 Tap feet on the rug
SHAKE Shake spirit fingers high
HEART TAP Remind yourself you can
★
My Inner Cheerleader Pledge:
“When hard things happen, I am responsible for my words. I will cheer for myself!”
Cheerleader Signature:
Cheer Toss Activity Cards
Game Activity Toss • Flip • Cheer
Cheer Card Toss • Deck Set A
Cut along dashed lines Spread on carpet for toss game
CARD 1
The Crooked Cut
Craft / Scissor Challenge
Grumble Bug Voice
“My scissors slipped! I ruined the whole page! It looks awful!”
Cheerleader Turnaround!
“Tape fixes paper! I can slow down, take a breath, and keep making cool art!”
Cheer Motion: Clap twice + tape tap!
CARD 2
Math Mountain
Math Facts Challenge
Grumble Bug Voice
“There are too many math problems! I can't do this whole worksheet!”
Cheerleader Turnaround!
“One problem at a time! When I finish one, my brain grows bigger!”
Cheer Motion: Stomp feet + count: “1, 2, done!”
CARD 3
The Tricky Word
Spelling Challenge
Grumble Bug Voice
“This spelling word is way too hard! I don't know how to spell it!”
Cheerleader Turnaround!
“Sound it out on my fingers! Every sound gets me closer to the word!”
Cheer Motion: Tap fingers on arm to sound out!
CARD 4
The Goofy Drawing
Illustration Challenge
Grumble Bug Voice
“The cat I drew has weird giant ears! Everyone will laugh at it!”
Cheerleader Turnaround!
“That makes my cat super unique! I can turn those ears into a superpower!”
Cheer Motion: Spirit fingers + smile!
Self-Talk Cheerleaders • Cheer Card Toss Game Page 1 of 2 • Cards 1–4
Game Activity Deck Set B + Squad Mat Rules
Cheer Card Toss • Deck Set B
Toss Target Mode 2-4 players or whole group
CARD 5
The Hard Reader
Reading Challenge
Grumble Bug Voice
“I messed up reading this sentence in front of the reading circle.”
Cheerleader Turnaround!
“Good readers stumble too! Take a breath, rereading makes it smoother!”
Cheer Action: Deep breath + thumb up!
CARD 6
The Crashing Tower
Play / Center Challenge
Grumble Bug Voice
“My block castle fell over! I'm never building with blocks again!”
Cheerleader Turnaround!
“Tumbling is part of engineering! Now I can build a wider base!”
Cheer Action: Hands rebuild motion: “Stronger!”
CARD 7
