2526 Positive I AMs | iamnoticed

I AM Noticed Core Content

Curricular Focus: Positive I AMs

Positive I AMs: Practicing positive self-talk (Noticing the goodness in ourselves)

Connection

Lesson 3.1: I AM Power List

Supplies needed: Worksheet, writing and/or drawing supplies

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MLS: IID.5.A Self-Acceptance

General Learning Target: Self-Affirmation, Confident Identity

Grade Level Specific:

Pre-K/Kindergarten: I can say good things about myself using “I am” words.

Grade 1: I can name positive words that show who I am and how I feel about myself.
Grade 2: I can make a list of kind words about myself and keep them to remind me how great I am.

Instruct the students to use the I AM Power List Worksheet to make a list of as many positive words about themselves as possible.

Please share the following concepts as a part of this lesson:

This is called a Power List because it is a very powerful tool to have on hand when we need to remind ourselves about the goodness that is such a great part of who we are. What we say after I AM is true for each of us. Keep the list someplace where you will see it often. Having strong I AMs is vital to positive communication which leads to being confident.

I AM word bank

Picture of Self Worksheet

According to the researchers at Mayo Clinic, positive self-talk can lead to
better psychological and physical well-being, better coping skills during hardships and times of stress, and lower rates of depression & anxiety.

Practice

Lesson 3.2: I AM Blocks

Supplies needed: colored notecards, construction paper, or white paper that students can color, & a writing utensil

MLS: IID.5.A Self-Acceptance

General Learning Target: Self-Expression, Creating Visual Identity

Grade Level Specific:

Pre-K/Kindergarten: I can create a block that shows good things about me with “I am” words.

Grade 1: I can use kind words about myself to make a block that shows who I am.
Grade 2: I can make an I AM Noticed Block with positive words that show the great things about me.

Instruct the students to make their own I AM Noticed Block(s):

Give each student their own notecard or piece of paper. Ask student to create an I AM Block to represent themselves (students may reference their I AM Power List from lesson 3.1).

Once each student has completed their block, display I AM blocks in your classroom, hallway, or anywhere you would like. Creating an I AM Noticed Block shows how important we are independently and together.

Please share the following concepts as a part of this lesson:

This is a very simple way to practice the importance of positive self-talk. What you say after I AM is true for you. For example, if you say "I am bored." What are you going to be? The same is true if you say "I am curious." WOW! Can you see the power in that?!?!

Simply choosing a positive I AM statement about yourself sets off chemical reactions in your brain which impact how your brain works. -- Unfortunately negative I AM statements do that too so let's choose wisely ;)

Competency

Lesson 3.3: I AM Word Selfies

Supplies needed: markers, large paper or dry erase board, camera or cell phone

**please plan to use multiple class periods if necessary.

MLS: IID.5.A Self-Acceptance

General Learning Target: Shared Confidence, Respectful Recognition of Others

Grade Level Specific:

Pre-K/Kindergarten: I can say good things about myself using “I am” words.

Grade 1: I can name positive words that show who I am and how I feel about myself.
Grade 2: I can make a list of kind words about myself and keep them to remind me how great I am.

Instruct the students to participate in creating I AM Word Selfies. Each person can stand or sit in front of a dry erase board or a large piece of paper. Have them tell you a few positive adjectives that are true for them. Then invite the class to share positive words about that student as well. Write the words around the student using multiple colors and styles.

Take a photo of each person in front of their words.

Options:

Print out the picture and use it as décor around your classroom or halls.
Email the photo to each student and/or their family so they have it as a visual reminder.
Reference the photo throughout the year to remind each other of their “I AMs”

**Please make sure everyone has an opportunity to feel Noticed. In order to do this plan to use multiple class periods if necessary.

Our brains are constantly looking for evidence to support what we believe to be true. Here are 3 ways we can ensure that we will find positive evidence to support our goodness:

practice positive I AMs.
choose to be around other positive people.
save notes, cards, or projects that help you remember the goodness that others Noticed in you for times when you are needing to boost your positive self-talk database.