Turning Frowns Lesson Plan Turning Frowns Around
Tier 3 Intervention • 7th Grade
30 Minutes
Objective
Students will learn to identify personal negative attitudes and apply reframing strategies to shift toward positive thinking, building self-awareness and resilience.
Why This Matters
Recognizing and reframing negative thoughts empowers students to develop a growth mindset, reduce self-doubt, and improve emotional well-being and academic engagement.
Prep & Materials
Print 1x Attitude Reflection Worksheet
Print 1x Reflection Journal
Prepare/shuffle Positive Reframing Cards
Timer or stopwatch
Instructional Steps
1
Introduction & Goal Setting
5 min
Define "negative attitude" as an internal filter focusing on problems.
Discuss real-life examples relevant to 7th grade (grades, sports, friendships).
Invite the student to share a recent negative thought to set context for the session.
2
Recognize Negative Thoughts
10 min
Distribute Attitude Reflection Worksheet .
Guide student through identifying 3 negative thoughts and their triggers.
Discussion: Ask "How did your body feel when you thought that?" or "How did that thought change your day?"
3
Practice Positive Reframing
10 min
Introduce Positive Reframing Cards .
Model transforming: "I'm going to fail this test" → "I can study the parts I don't know yet."
Student selects one of their worksheet thoughts and uses the cards to generate 2 alternative reframes.
4
Reflection & Action Plan
5 min
Have student complete the first entry in their Reflection Journal .
Define one "Action Step" for the coming week (e.g., "When I feel stuck, I will use the 'Yet' card").
Provide positive reinforcement for their vulnerability and hard work.
Turning Frowns Slides Turning Frowns Around
Recognizing & Reframing Negative Attitudes
Teacher Note: Welcome the student and introduce the session. Say: “Today we’re going to learn how to spot negative thoughts and turn them into something more positive.”
Today's Goals
Identify negative thoughts
Understand how they affect us
Practice shifting to positive thinking
Create a personal action plan
Teacher Note: Read aloud the goals and invite the student to add anything they hope to get from today’s session.
What Is a Negative Attitude?
A negative attitude focuses on problems , doubts , or “can’t do” feelings.
Examples:
“I always get this wrong.”
“I’m not good enough.”
When have you felt this way?
Teacher Note: Define a negative attitude and ask the student for examples from their own life.
Identify Your Thoughts
Grab your Attitude Reflection Worksheet and:
List 3 recent negative thoughts.
Note what triggered each thought.
Think about how you felt afterward.
Teacher Note: Hand the student the Attitude Reflection Worksheet. Guide them to write down three negative thoughts and their triggers.
Practice Reframing
Use the Positive Reframing Cards to:
Pick one of your negative thoughts from your worksheet.
Create at least 2 positive alternatives using the card's strategy.
Example:
“I can’t do this.” “I can learn this with practice.”
Teacher Note: Shuffle and show a few Positive Reframing Cards. Model one example, then let the student try.
Reflect & Plan
Open your Reflection Journal and answer:
What did you learn today?
What’s one action step you’ll take?
“Taking time to look back helps us move forward with confidence.”
Teacher Note: Give the student their Reflection Journal. Prompt them to write their answers.
You’ve Got This!
Thoughts can change, just like this one:
“I always fail” “I improve every time I try.”
Keep practicing. We’ll check in on your progress soon!
Teacher Note: Encourage the student to practice daily and let them know you’ll follow up next time.
Attitude Reflection Worksheet Attitude Reflection Worksheet
Reflect • Recognize • Reframe
Name:
Date:
Instructions: Reflect on recent times when you felt negative. Write down your thoughts, what triggered them, and how they made you feel. Be as honest as you can—this is for your eyes only.
1 Identify Three Negative Thoughts
Thought #1
What was the thought?
Trigger (What happened just before?)
Feeling (How did it make you feel?)
Thought #2
What was the thought?
Trigger (What happened just before?)
Feeling (How did it make you feel?)
Continued on next page...
Thought #3
What was the thought?
Trigger (What happened just before?)
Feeling (How did it make you feel?)
2 Deep Reflection
Which of these three negative thoughts affects you the most? Why?
3 Impact on Behavior
How do these thoughts influence your actions or choices? Provide an example:
4 Focus for Reframing
Choose one thought from above to work on in our next activity. Write it clearly here:
Positive Reframing Cards Positive Reframing Cards
Use these cards to help turn a negative thought into a more balanced, growth-focused idea.
Strategy 1
Add “Yet”
The simplest shift in mindset.
Example
“I can't do this” → “I can't do this yet.”
Strategy 2
Spot Exceptions
Find times you succeeded despite your negative thought.
Example
“I always mess up.” → “Last month I led a great presentation.”
Strategy 3
Flip Perspective
How would you advise a friend who had this thought?
Example
“Tell a friend: You've practiced a lot—give yourself credit!”
Strategy 4
Growth Angle
What can you learn from this specific situation?
Example
“This mistake shows me I need more practice with fractions.”
Strategy 5
Replace Absolutes
Swap “always” or “never” for “sometimes” or “often.”
Example
“I never get it right.” → “Sometimes I miss it, sometimes I get it.”
Strategy 6
Strengths Spotlight
Connect a personal strength to overcoming the thought.
Example
“I'm persistent—so I'll keep trying until I improve.”
Strategy 7
Future Self
How would your self 1 year from now view this?
Example
“This is a stepping stone, not a roadblock.”
Strategy 8
Gratitude Angle
Name something you appreciate about yourself here.
Example
“I'm grateful I have this challenge—it pushes me to grow.”
Strategy 9
Set a Tiny Goal
Turn the thought into a small, achievable next step.
Example
“Instead of 'I can't write,' I'll draft one paragraph.”
Strategy 10
Support Network
Who can you ask for help or encouragement?
Example
“I'll ask my teacher for feedback on my draft.”
Reflection Journal Reflection Journal
Practice reframing your thoughts daily.
Date:
1. Negative Thought & Feelings
Describe a negative thought you experienced today, the situation around it, and how it made you feel.
2. Reframing Strategies
How did you reframe this thought? Write at least two different positive alternatives and explain each.
3. Personal Connection
Which reframed version felt most helpful to you and why? Reflect on how it changes your perspective.
Keep going on the next page...
4. Action Plan
What one concrete action step will you take tomorrow to reinforce this positive reframing? Be specific.
5. Overcoming Challenges
Identify any obstacles you anticipate in noticing or reframing thoughts. Brainstorm ways to overcome them.
6. Creative Expression
Choose one: write a three-line gratitude poem, list three things you appreciate about yourself, or draw a symbol of your growth.
Space for Expression
“Your thoughts are like seeds. What you plant determines what grows.”
