Can Do Brainstorm Worksheet My "Can Do" Brainstorm
Powering up my self-efficacy!
Name:
Date:
Think About Your Talents
Think about things you are good at, things you've learned, or things you believe you can do. They can be big things (like riding a bike) or small things (like drawing a star)!
Write down at least 3-5 things you can do or believe you can learn to do:
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5
Partner Share!
Pick one thing from your list and share it with a partner near you. "What makes you feel confident about doing that thing?"
Youve Got This Lesson Plan You've Got This!
Master Lesson Plan
60 MIN
Session Length
Target Audience
3rd Grade & 4th Grade
Primary Approach
Interactive Discussion, Video, Group Work
Why Self-Efficacy Matters
Building self-efficacy helps students develop resilience, take on new challenges, and believe in their ability to succeed. These are crucial life skills for both academic achievement and personal growth, empowering them to move from "I can't" to "I can learn how."
Learning Objective
Students will be able to define self-efficacy , identify personal strengths , and apply strategies to build confidence in challenging situations.
Teacher Preparation
Review all generated materials (Slide Deck, Script, Reading, Journal, Activity sheets, Quiz, Answer Keys, Project, Rubric, Brainstorm, and Cool Down).
Ensure projector/whiteboard is ready for the Self-Efficacy Slide Deck .
Print student copies of all worksheets, readings, and project materials.
Lesson Flow
5m
Warm Up: My "Can Do" Brainstorm
Distribute the Brainstorm worksheet. Students list 3-5 things they are good at. Share one with a partner to hear phrases that indicate confidence and belief in abilities.
10m
Introduction to Self-Efficacy
Use Slide Deck (1-3) and Teacher Script. Define self-efficacy in kid-friendly terms: "Believing in yourself and your ability to do things, even when they are hard."
10m
Video: Real-Life Self-Efficacy
Watch "The Little Engine That Could" (Slide 4). Use the Script to lead a discussion on character persistence and "I Can" power.
10m
Reading & Reflection
Students read "What is Self-Efficacy?" passage. Complete Prompt 1 in the Confidence Journal to connect the concept to their own lives.
15m
Challenge Accepted! Activity
Groups identify a challenge and brainstorm strategies using self-efficacy. Conclude with the "I Can" Power Up class game to collect strategies.
5m
Wrap-Up & Exit
Introduce the Personal Growth Project. Hand out the Cool Down exit ticket to capture immediate takeaways.
Assessment & Extension
Assessment
Administer the Quiz in the following class to check retention. Grade the Personal Growth Project using the provided rubric.
Extension
Encourage students to use the "I Can" journal for future challenges. Create a classroom "Success Wall" for growth milestones.
Self Efficacy Slide Deck You've Got This!
Believing in Yourself
What does it mean to believe in yourself?
What is Self-Efficacy?
It's your belief in your ability to succeed or accomplish a task.
Your "I CAN" Power!
I Can Learn It!
Self-Efficacy In Action
Learning a new dance move
Solving a tricky math problem
Making a new friend
Riding without training wheels
What else can YOU do?
Watch and Learn
"The Little Engine That Could"
Embedded media
How did they show "I CAN" power?
Dive Deeper
Now, let's read about self-efficacy!
Pay attention to how believing in yourself helps you learn and grow.
Reflect and Grow
My Confidence Journal
This journal is for your thoughts and feelings about your 'I Can' power.
How does self-efficacy show up in YOUR life?
Challenge Accepted!
1
In your groups, choose a small challenge you might face at school or home.
2
Brainstorm ways to use your 'I Can' power to overcome it!
Share and Play
Strategies Game
How many 'I Can' strategies can we collect as a class?
Keep Growing!
Believing in yourself helps you tackle challenges and learn new things!
"I CAN DO IT!"
Next Steps
Growth Project
Quiz Next Class
Exit Ticket
Teacher Script Youve Got This Teacher Script
You've Got This!
Classroom Delivery Guide
5 MIN
Warm Up: My "Can Do" Brainstorm
SAY:
"Good morning, everyone! Let's start our day with a quick brainstorm. I've handed out a sheet called My 'Can Do' Brainstorm . On this sheet, I want you to think about things you are good at, things you've learned, or things you believe you can do."
"They can be big things, like learning to ride a bike, or smaller things, like drawing a great picture. Write down at least 3-5 things."
"Once you have your list, turn to a partner near you and share just one of the things you wrote down. Talk about what makes you feel confident about doing that thing."
Teacher Action:
Circulate and listen to student responses, noting phrases that indicate confidence.
10 MIN
Introduction to Self-Efficacy
Advance to Slide 1 & 2
SAY:
"Great job with your 'Can Do' brainstorms! Today, we're going to talk about something really important that connects to all those amazing things you believe you can do. Our lesson today is called, 'You've Got This!'"
"Look at this slide. What do you think the words 'Self-Efficacy' mean? It might sound like a big word, but it's actually about something you already do every day."
"Self-efficacy is your belief in your ability to succeed in specific situations or accomplish a task. It's your 'I CAN' power ! It's not just wishing you can, it's knowing you have what it takes or that you can learn what it takes."
10 MIN
Video & Discussion
Advance to Slide 4
SAY:
"Now, let's watch a short video. As you watch, I want you to think about who in the video shows 'I Can' power and how they show it. This video is based on a famous story, 'The Little Engine That Could.'"
[Play Video]
SAY:
"Wow, what a great example of 'I CAN' power! Let's discuss. What did you notice in the video? Who showed self-efficacy, and how? What was the biggest challenge they faced, and how did they keep believing in themselves?"
10 MIN
Reading & Reflection
Advance to Slide 5 & 6
SAY:
"We've talked about self-efficacy and seen it in action. Now, let's dive a little deeper by reading. I'm handing out a reading passage called What is Self-Efficacy? "
"Pay attention to how believing in yourself helps you learn and grow. Afterward, you'll reflect on this in your Confidence Journal . How does self-efficacy show up in your life?"
Self Efficacy Reading Passage What is Self-Efficacy?
Student Reading
Imagine you want to build a tall tower with blocks. Sometimes, the tower might fall down, or you might not know how to make it taller. What do you do?
Self-efficacy is your special belief in yourself that says, "I can do this!"
Why is "I Can" Power Important?
Try New Things
You're brave enough to try a new sport, a new recipe, or a new way to solve a math problem.
Don't Give Up
If you don't get it right the first time, you keep trying. Like learning to ride a bike – you might fall, but you get back up!
Work Harder
You know that your effort makes a difference. If you practice, you'll get better.
Feel Good
When you achieve something you worked for, it feels amazing!
Where Does "I Can" Power Come From?
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You succeed! Every time you try something and do well, your belief in yourself gets stronger.
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Watching others. When you see a friend learn something, you might think, "If they can do it, maybe I can too!"
3
Encouragement. When a teacher says, "You're trying really hard!" it helps you believe in yourself.
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Feeling good. When you feel calm and ready, you're more likely to believe you can handle a task.
How to Grow Your "I Can" Power
Set Small Goals
Start with a small, strong tower first. Then, add more blocks.
Practice Often
The more you do something, the better you become and the more you believe.
Learn from Mistakes
Mistakes are clues to help you find a different plan. They don't mean you can't do it!
Celebrate Efforts
Celebrate that you tried your best! That effort is what helps you learn.
Everyone has "I Can" power. Use it to make it stronger!
Confidence Journal Worksheet Confidence Journal
Tracking my "I Can" power!
Name:
Date:
Prompt 1: My "I Can" Moments
After reading "What is Self-Efficacy?", think about a time when you showed great "I Can" power. What was the challenge? How did you believe in yourself? What happened?
Prompt 2: Learning from Challenges
Think about a time you faced a challenge and it felt really hard. What did you learn from that experience, even if it didn't go perfectly? How could thinking "I can learn" help you next time?
Prompt 3: Helping Others Believe
How can you help a friend or classmate believe in their "I Can" power? What encouraging words or actions could you share?
Self Efficacy Discussion Guide Self-Efficacy in Action
Video Discussion Guide
Resource for Instruction
After watching the video of "The Little Engine That Could" , use these prompts to help students connect the story to their own "I Can" power.
1 What was the biggest challenge in the video?
Think about what seemed really difficult.
2 Who showed "I Can" power? How did they show it?
What did they say or do that made you think they believed in themselves?
3 Did anyone feel like giving up? How did they keep going?
What helped them not quit?
4 Can you think of a time when you had to keep trying, even when something was hard?
5 Why is it important to believe in yourself when facing a challenge?
What happens if you do? What if you don't?
Tip: Encourage students to use the term "self-efficacy" during the discussion to build their comfort with the vocabulary.
Challenge Accepted Activity Worksheet Challenge Accepted!
Small Group Activity
Group Name:
Our Mission
Work with your group to identify a common challenge and brainstorm how to use your "I Can" power to overcome it!
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Choose a Challenge
5 Minutes
Think about a challenge kids your age might face at school or home. It should be something that might make someone feel like giving up.
Write your chosen challenge below:
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Brainstorm "I Can" Strategies
10 Minutes
Discuss how someone could use their "I Can" power (self-efficacy) to face this challenge. What steps could they take? What would they tell themselves?
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Ready to Share?
Prepare to share your group's challenge and your best strategies with the class!
Self Efficacy Strategies Game Guide I Can Power Up!
Class Strategies Game
Teacher Resource
Game Goal
Collect as many "I Can" strategies as possible from the group activity and turn them into a collective class guide for overcoming challenges!
How to Play
1. Groups share 1-2 top strategies.
2. Teacher "Powers Up" the board by writing each new strategy.
3. Class affirms and discusses the tools.
Class Strategy Bank
Teacher Cheat Sheet: Example Strategies
• Break big tasks into small steps.
• Ask for help when stuck.
• Practice, practice, practice!
• Say: "I can learn this."
• Watch someone else do it first.
• Take a deep breath and restart.
Self Efficacy Quiz Worksheet Self-Efficacy Quiz
Checking our "I Can" Power!
Name:
Date:
1
What does self-efficacy mean?
Feeling sad when something is hard.
Believing in yourself and your ability to do things, even when they are hard.
Knowing all the answers to a test.
Being the best at everything.
2
Name two ways you can grow your "I Can" power.
3
If you don't succeed at something the first time, what should someone with strong self-efficacy do?
Give up and try something else.
Cry and get angry.
Keep trying and learn from mistakes.
Ask someone else to do it for them.
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On a scale of 1 to 5, how much do you believe you can learn new things, even if they are tricky?
Not at all
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A lot!
Self Efficacy Quiz Answer Key Answer Key
Self-Efficacy Quiz
Teacher Reference
Question 1: Definition
Correct Answer: Believing in yourself and your ability to do things, even when they are hard.
Reasoning: The lesson centers on the belief in one's capacity to execute behaviors necessary to produce specific performance attainments.
Question 2: Growth
Acceptable Answers (Any 2): Setting small goals, practice, learning from mistakes, watching others succeed, people encourage you, celebrating effort, trying new things.
Reasoning: These align with Bandura's sources of self-efficacy: mastery experiences, vicarious experiences, and social persuasion.
Question 3: Persistence
Correct Answer: Keep trying and learn from mistakes.
Reasoning: Resilience and perseverance are hallmarks of high self-efficacy.
Question 4: Self-Assessment
N/A - This is a personal reflection question used to gauge student mindset before and after the intervention.
Self Efficacy Test Worksheet Self-Efficacy Test
Believing in my potential!
Name:
Date:
1
Which of these best describes self-efficacy?
Feeling shy around new people.
Believing you can achieve a goal or learn something new.
Always being the smartest person in the room.
Never making any mistakes.
2
Describe a time when you used your "I Can" power to overcome a challenge. What happened?
3
When you have strong self-efficacy, what are you more likely to do?
Give up quickly when something is hard.
Avoid trying new things.
Keep trying and learn from your mistakes.
Wait for someone else to solve your problems.
4
Imagine your friend is struggling with a new skill and feels like giving up. What could you say or do to help them build their self-efficacy?
5
How confident do you feel about setting new goals and working towards them, even if they seem difficult at first?
Not confident
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Very confident
Self Efficacy Test Answer Key Answer Key
Self-Efficacy Test
Teacher Reference
Question 1: Multiple Choice
Correct: Believing you can achieve a goal or learn something new.
Question 2: Open Response
Describe a time you used your "I Can" power...
Criteria: Answers will vary. Look for specific examples of persistence, learning from setbacks, or maintaining a positive belief in ability despite difficulty.
Question 3: Multiple Choice
Correct: Keep trying and learn from your mistakes.
Question 4: Application
Help a friend build self-efficacy...
Criteria: Answers should include encouraging words ("You can do it!"), strategy suggestions ("Try breaking it into steps"), or highlighting past successes ("Remember when you learned...").
Question 5: Reflection
N/A - Self-assessment question.
Personal Growth Project Worksheet Personal Growth Project
Growing My "I Can" Power
Name:
The Mission
Choose a new skill or a small challenge and use your "I Can" power to work towards mastering it over the next week! Show how believing in yourself helps you learn and grow.
1 Choose Your Challenge
What do you want to learn? (Drawing, a sport, a chore, a musical instrument, etc.)
Why did you choose this? What do you hope to achieve?
2 Make a Plan
Break your challenge into 3-5 small, achievable steps:
Step 1:
Step 2:
Step 3:
Step 4:
How will your "I Can" power help you stick to this plan?
3 Daily Growth Log
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Day 5
Day 6
Write about your daily effort below:
Date:
What I did today:
How my "I Can" power helped me:
Repeat log for each day on back or extra paper!
4 Reflect and Share
After one week, look back at your journey:
What did you learn about your "I Can" power?
What are you proud of?
Project Rubric Worksheet Project Rubric
Personal Growth Project
Student:
Category 4 - Excellent 3 - Good 2 - Developing 1 - Needs Improvement Goal Setting Clearly identified a specific, appropriate challenge and goal. Identified a clear challenge and goal. Identified a challenge, but it was broad or unclear. Goal was not clearly identified or inappropriate. Planning Developed a detailed plan with 3-5 clear, achievable steps. Developed a plan with 3-5 steps, mostly clear. Plan had steps, but they were not very clear. No clear plan or steps provided. Daily Log Daily log is complete for 5+ days, detailed and insightful. Daily log is mostly complete (4-5 days), good detail. Daily log is partially complete (2-3 days), limited detail. Daily log is incomplete (0-1 day). Reflection Thoughtful reflection on how self-efficacy helped. Good reflection on learning, with some detail. Basic reflection lacking detail. Little to no reflection on "I Can" power. Effort Demonstrated strong effort and persistence throughout. Demonstrated good effort and persistence. Demonstrated some effort; struggled with persistence. Little effort or persistence demonstrated.
Teacher Comments
TOTAL SCORE: _______ / 20
I Can I Will Cool Down Exit Ticket I Can, I Will
Cool Down Exit Ticket
Name:
1
One thing I learned about self-efficacy today is...
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One new skill or challenge I believe I can learn or achieve is...
3
One way I will use my "I Can" power this week is...
You've Got This!
