Bounce Lab Slides Bounce Back Lab
Session 01: The Resilience Blueprint
The Lab Inquiry
When something hard happens, why do some people get back up faster than others?
The "Bounce Test"
The Tennis Ball
It hits the floor, absorbs the impact, and jumps right back up.
The Raw Egg
It hits the floor and... well, it stays down. Splat.
RESILIENCE
The ability to recover or "bounce back" after facing a challenge, mistake, or difficult situation.
It's not about never falling. It's about how you get back up!
The Resilience Blueprint
Support
The people who have your back when things get tough.
Strengths
Things you are good at that give you confidence.
Strategies
The moves you make to stay calm and solve problems.
A blueprint helps us see what we already have!
Time to Map!
Grab your "Resilience Blueprint" worksheet. We're going to identify your personal support system and secret strengths.
Lab Exit Interview
1
Think of a time you were like the "egg." What happened?
2
Think of a time you were like the "tennis ball." What helped you bounce?
Bounce Back Lab // Lesson 01
Resilience Blueprint Worksheet Resilience Blueprint
Bounce Back Lab // Project 01
Certified
Lead Scientist (Name)
Date
The Lab Definition
We defined resilience as the ability to "bounce back" like a tennis ball. In your own words, what does that mean when someone is going through a tough time?
Support Beams
A blueprint needs a strong foundation. List 3 people (at home, school, or in the community) you can talk to when things get heavy.
Beam 01
Beam 02
Beam 03
Internal Power Components
What are your "secret strengths"? Check the ones you feel strongest in, or write your own!
Problem Solving
Sense of Humor
Kindness
Persistence
My Top Power:
This power helps me bounce because...
Quick Fix Strategies
Technique: Box Breathing
Inhale for 4, hold for 4, exhale for 4, hold for 4. Repeat 4 times.
Technique: 5-4-3-2-1
Find 5 things you see, 4 you feel, 3 you hear, 2 you smell, 1 you taste.
Blueprint Code: RB-L1-BBL
Blueprint Facilitator Guide Blueprint Facilitator Guide
Bounce Back Lab // Lesson 01: The Resilience Blueprint
Duration
30 Minutes
Lesson Objective
Students will define resilience using the "Bounce Back" analogy and begin constructing a personal blueprint by identifying their support systems and internal strengths.
Essential Questions
• What does it mean to be resilient in the face of a challenge?
• Who makes up my personal "Support Beam" network?
Materials Needed
Bounce Lab Slides
Blueprint Worksheet
Writing Utensils
Optional: A tennis ball and a raw egg (or balloon) for demo.
Pacing & Facilitation
5 Min
Opening
The Lab Inquiry
Hook the students with the big question: "Why do some people get back up faster?" Use Slides 1-2.
"Welcome to the Bounce Back Lab! Today, we're acting like engineers of our own emotions. We're going to figure out how to build ourselves so we can handle whatever life drops on us."
10 Min
Direct
The Bounce Test & Definition
Discuss the difference between the tennis ball and the egg (Slides 3-4). Define Resilience .
Key Discussion Prompt:
"Is a tennis ball resilient because it never hits the ground? No! It's resilient because of what it does *after* it hits the ground. Resilience isn't about avoiding the fall."
10 Min
Activity
Mapping the Blueprint
Hand out the Resilience Blueprint Worksheet . Guide students through filling out their Support Beams and Internal Power Components.
Teacher Tip
Walk around and help students identify 'Support Beams'. Remind them that mentors, coaches, or older cousins count too!
Scaffolding
For students who struggle to find a 'strength', ask them what their friends say they are good at, or a time they helped someone.
5 Min
Closing
Lab Exit Interview
Conduct the closing discussion (Slide 7). Have students share one "Support Beam" or "Strength" if comfortable.
Preview Lesson 2: "Next time, we head to the Reframing Factory to learn how to fix our thoughts when they get broken!"
Reframing Factory Slides Bounce Back Lab
Session 02: The Reframing Factory
Production Error!
"Broken" Thoughts
"I'm terrible at this. I'll never get it right. Why even try?"
Sometimes our brains produce broken thoughts that keep us from bouncing back.
These thoughts make us feel like the raw egg—heavy and stuck.
The Reframing Machine
Old Frame
"I failed the test. I'm stupid."
RE-FRAME
Fixed
New Frame
"That test was hard. I'll ask for help and try a new way to study."
Reframing Methods
Examine the Evidence
Is it actually 100% true? Or is your brain just being dramatic?
The Best Friend Test
Would you say this to your best friend? If not, don't say it to yourself.
"Catch it, Check it, Change it."
Lab Motto #02
Building Your Toolkit
Sometimes reframing takes a minute. While you wait for your "new frame," use a tool to stay calm:
Breathe
Move
Create
Talk
What's in your personal toolkit?
Lab Results
Lesson 01:
I know my strengths and my support.
Lesson 02:
I can reframe my thoughts and use my tools.
You are now a certified Resilience Scientist.
Reframing Production Log Reframing Production Log
Bounce Back Lab // Project 02
Maintenance
Station Operator (Name)
Date
Quality Control: The "Broken" Thought
Think of a recent "broken thought" you had (something negative you said to yourself when things were hard).
It's 100% true.
It's just an opinion.
The Reframing Machine
Input (Old Frame)
"I'm not good at math, so I'll probably fail the whole year."
Output (New Frame)
"Math is tough for me right now, but I can ask for help and practice one step at a time."
Your Turn: Reframe Your Broken Thought From Section 1
Custom Toolkit Assembly
What tools help YOU bounce back when a thought is hard to fix? Draw or write 4 tools for your personal toolkit.
Tool 01
Tool 02
Tool 03
Tool 04
Factory Serial: RF-L2-BBL
Reframing Factory Facilitator Guide Reframing Factory Guide
Bounce Back Lab // Lesson 02: The Reframing Factory
Duration
30 Minutes
Lesson Objective
Students will identify "broken thoughts" (negative self-talk) and apply cognitive reframing strategies to transform them into resilient, productive mindsets.
Essential Questions
• How do my thoughts affect my ability to bounce back?
• What tools can I use to "fix" a broken thought?
Materials Needed
Reframing Factory Slides
Production Log (Worksheet)
Writing Utensils
Tip: Use a real picture frame as a visual aid if available.
Factory Workflow
5 Min
Opening
The Production Error
Recall the Tennis Ball vs. Egg. Introduce the concept that our *thoughts* are what make us bouncy or splatty (Slides 1-2).
"Sometimes our brain factory makes a mistake and produces a 'broken thought.' These thoughts tell us we can't do it or that one mistake means we've failed forever. Today, we're going to fix them."
10 Min
Instruction
The Reframing Machine
Explain the "Reframing" process (Slide 3). Use the "Catch it, Check it, Change it" motto (Slide 4).
Discussion Highlight:
"Reframing isn't lying to yourself. It's looking for the *whole* truth. Instead of 'I'm bad at this,' the truth is 'This is hard right now and I need more practice.'"
10 Min
Activity
Production Line
Students complete the Reframing Production Log . They practice identifying one personal broken thought and building their toolkit.
Teacher Tip
If students struggle to reframe, have them try the 'Best Friend Test': What would you say to a friend who felt this way?
Extension
Fast finishers can draw a "Toolkit" item that is unique to them (like playing a specific game or petting their dog).
5 Min
Wrap-Up
Final Certification
Review the Lab Results (Slide 6). Congratulate the students on becoming certified Resilience Scientists.
Closing Message: "You now have a blueprint and a toolkit. Remember, bouncing back is a skill you can practice every single day."