Self Talk Showdown Lesson Plan Self-Talk Showdown
Classroom Lesson Plan (Tier 1)
30 MIN
Objective
Students will be able to define negative and balanced self-talk and identify examples of each, empowering them to cultivate a more positive inner voice.
Why it Matters
Understanding self-talk helps students recognize how their inner thoughts influence feelings and actions. Learning to differentiate between negative and balanced self-talk provides them with a critical tool for building emotional resilience and fostering a growth mindset.
Quick Stats
Audience
Middle School Students
Facilitator
School Leaders / Teachers
Materials
Slide Deck
Skit Script
Student Worksheet
Reflection Journal
Preparation (10 mins)
Review the Skit Script: Inner Voice Act and recruit a co-teacher or student volunteers for the performance.
Print copies of the Spot the Self-Talk Worksheet for each student.
Test the Slide Deck on your classroom projector.
Instructional Steps
1
Warm-Up: Inner Thoughts Share
5 MIN
Begin by asking: "What kinds of thoughts go through your head when you're trying something new or difficult?" (e.g., 'I can do this,' 'This is too hard,' 'I might fail').
Explain that these "inner thoughts" are called self-talk .
Introduce the idea that self-talk can be helpful or unhelpful.
Use Slides 1-2 to anchor these concepts.
2
Skit: Inner Voice Act
10 MIN
Perform the Inner Voice Act skit. Contrast the tones of Negative Voice vs. Balanced Voice.
Encourage the "voices" to be dramatic (Negative = harsh/doubting, Balanced = supportive/calm).
Ask: "What differences did you notice in how Alex felt when listening to different voices?"
Use Slides 3-4 for discussion prompts.
3
Spot the Self-Talk Worksheet
10 MIN
Students identify self-talk types in various scenarios.
Circulate to help students justify their reasoning.
Briefly review answers as a class using the Answer Key .
Use Slide 5 to guide the activity.
4
Cool-Down: Balanced Boost
5 MIN
Reframing negative thoughts into balanced ones.
Have students write one "reframed" thought in their Reflection Journal .
Reinforce: Balanced self-talk is a skill that grows with practice.
Use Slides 6-7 for final thoughts.
Self Talk Showdown Slides Your Inner Voice!
What thoughts go through your head when you try something new or difficult?
"I can do this!"
"This is too hard."
"I'll learn something."
Negative vs. Balanced
Negative
• Focuses on what's wrong
• Uses "always," "never," "can't"
• Makes you feel stuck
Balanced
• Looks for solutions
• Realistic & encouraging
• Helps you feel hopeful
Action!
Watch the Skit: Inner Voice Act
Pay attention to the different ways the characters talk to themselves.
"What differences do you notice between their 'inner voices'?"
Skit Discussion
How did the different types of self-talk make the character feel ?
How did it impact their actions ?
What were some key phrases you heard?
Spot the Self-Talk!
Read each scenario and decide if the self-talk is Negative or Balanced.
Be ready to explain WHY!
Balanced Boost Challenge!
Think of a situation where you might usually have negative self-talk .
"I'm going to fail this test." → "I'll do my best, and I can learn from my mistakes."
You've Got This!
Your inner voice is powerful. Choose to nourish it with balanced self-talk!
Self-Talk Showdown
Inner Voice Skit Script Inner Voice Act
A Self-Talk Skit
Cast
ALEX: A student facing a challenge.
NEGATIVE VOICE (NV): Alex's inner negative thoughts.
BALANCED VOICE (BV): Alex's inner balanced thoughts.
NARRATOR: To set the scene and guide the audience.
Setting
Art Class. Alex sits at an easel with a blank canvas, a palette, and a brush. Alex looks determined at first, then a little overwhelmed.
Narrator: Our story begins in art class. Alex is excited to paint a beautiful landscape, but as soon as the brush touches the canvas, the inner thoughts begin...
ALEX
(To self, quietly)
Okay, this is it! I'm going to paint the best mountain scene ever.
NEGATIVE VOICE (NV)
(Whispering dramatically, offstage)
Pfft. The best? You can barely draw a straight line. This is going to be a disaster.
ALEX
(Frowns, hesitates with the brush)
Hmm, maybe... maybe I should start with the sky.
BALANCED VOICE (BV)
(Calmly, offstage)
You're right to think about where to start. Break it down. The sky is a great first step.
--- Alex paints a bit of blue on the canvas. It's not perfectly smooth. ---
NEGATIVE VOICE (NV)
See? Look at that blob. It doesn't even look like sky. You're messing it up already! Everyone else's looks better.
ALEX
(Sighs, starts to get frustrated, almost drops the brush)
Ugh, this is so hard! I knew I wasn't good at painting.
BALANCED VOICE (BV)
It's okay that it's not perfect right away. Painting takes practice. You can blend it, or even try a different technique. Every artist starts somewhere.
--- Alex takes a deep breath, tries to blend the blue. ---
NEGATIVE VOICE (NV)
Just give up. It's hopeless. You'll never be a good artist. Why even bother trying if you're just going to fail?
ALEX
(Slumps in chair, looks defeated)
Maybe I should just throw this away. I'm not cut out for this.
BALANCED VOICE (BV)
Hold on. You're learning. It's challenging, and that's normal. Focus on what you can do. You've already started the sky. What's one small thing you can improve, or one new color you can try? Remember, the goal is to enjoy the process and express yourself, not just create perfection.
--- Alex pauses, thinks, then picks up a brush and adds white for clouds. ---
ALEX
(A small smile)
Okay, it's not exactly what I imagined, but I'm trying. And those clouds actually look a little like clouds!
Spot the Self Talk Worksheet Spot the Self-Talk!
Name:
Date:
Instructions: Read each scenario and the thought Alex has. Decide if the thought is Negative Self-Talk or Balanced Self-Talk. Then, explain why you chose that answer.
1
Presentation Jitters
Alex is about to present a project to the class. Alex thinks:
Negative Self-Talk
Balanced Self-Talk
Why?
2
The Math Test
Alex didn't do as well as hoped on a math test. Alex thinks:
Negative Self-Talk
Balanced Self-Talk
Why?
3
Play Tryouts
Alex is trying out for the school play and feels nervous. Alex thinks:
Negative Self-Talk
Balanced Self-Talk
Why?
4
New Instrument
Alex is learning a new instrument and finds it challenging. Alex thinks:
Negative Self-Talk
Balanced Self-Talk
Why?
5
The Spilled Juice
Alex accidentally spilled juice during lunch. Alex thinks:
Negative Self-Talk
Balanced Self-Talk
Why?
6
The Tricky Puzzle
Alex is trying to solve a puzzle and gets stuck. Alex thinks:
Negative Self-Talk
Balanced Self-Talk
Why?
Self Talk Reflection Journal Personal Growth
Self-Talk Reflection Journal
NAME: __________________________ DATE: __________________________
1. Identifying Your Self-Talk
Think about a recent time you faced a challenge (e.g., a difficult assignment, a sporting event, or a disagreement). What thoughts went through your mind during that challenge?
Were these thoughts mostly negative or balanced? Explain your answer.
2. Reframing Negative Thoughts
Write down one specific negative self-talk statement you sometimes catch yourself thinking.
Now, how can you reframe that into a balanced self-talk statement?
How might this balanced thought change how you feel or act in that situation?
3. The Power of Balanced Self-Talk
Why do you think it's important to develop balanced self-talk? How can it help you in school, with friends, or when trying new things?
Spot the Self Talk Answer Key Answer Key
Spot the Self-Talk Worksheet
1. Presentation Jitters Negative Self-Talk
"I'm going to mess this up. Everyone will think my ideas are stupid."
Reasoning: Focuses on anticipated failure, uses exaggerated negative predictions ("mess this up," "ideas are stupid"), and offers no strategy. It increases anxiety and decreases confidence.
2. The Math Test Balanced Self-Talk
"I didn't do well this time, but I can study more next time and ask for help."
Reasoning: Acknowledges the setback without self-blame and immediately provides a plan for improvement. Shows a growth-oriented mindset.
3. Play Tryouts Negative Self-Talk
"I'm not good enough for this. They'll never pick me, so there's no point in trying."
Reasoning: Uses self-doubt ("not good enough") and absolute negative predictions ("never pick me"). It leads to hopelessness and discourages any effort.
4. New Instrument Balanced Self-Talk
"This song is difficult, but with practice, I'll get better. I'll break it down."
Reasoning: Recognizes the challenge but pairs it with an optimistic outlook and a concrete strategy (breaking it down). Encourages perseverance.
5. The Spilled Juice Negative Self-Talk
"Oh no, I'm so clumsy! I always make mistakes."
Reasoning: Uses harsh self-labeling ("clumsy") and globalizes a single event into a constant trait ("always"). This can lead to shame and lower self-esteem.
6. The Tricky Puzzle Balanced Self-Talk
"This puzzle is tricky! I haven't figured it out yet, but I'll try a different angle."
Reasoning: Identifies the difficulty and the current state ("haven't figured it out yet") while maintaining a proactive approach to finding a solution.
