Bonus Lessons
Curricular Focus: reinforcement of I AM Noticed Concepts & Practices
Lesson 1
I AM Noticed Sunshine Worksheet
Supplies needed: copies of the "I AM Noticed Sunshine" worksheet, writing and/or drawing supplies
Each student receives a copy of the I AM Noticed Sunshine worksheet. Before engaging with the worksheet ask the students to take a deep breath (or two or more if needed), and be in the present moment. Then ask the students to fill in the sunrays with words that represent the goodness they Notice about themselves.
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Please share the following concepts as a part of this lesson: It is so important that we are intentional about how we are talking to ourselves. Remember, what you say after I AM is true for you! We are more confident when we are humbly grateful for the reflection we see in the mirror.
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Lesson 2
What Goodness Can We Notice About Our Classroom Writing Prompt
Supplies needed: Journal or paper and writing utensils
Although you can jump right into this lesson by instructing the students to consider the following writing prompts and write their opinions independently, there is a real advantage to small group conversation as part of this lesson. If time allows, first place students in small groups to discuss the following questions:
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What does it feel like in our classroom?
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Are you proud to be in our class?
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What is your favorite thing about our classroom?
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When you need help who in our classroom will help you?
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When you describe our classroom to friends and family who do not get to be in our class, what do you tell them?
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Once the students have had a chance to consider the writing prompts, ask the students to write independently about what goodness they have Noticed about our classroom.
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Please share the following concepts as a part of this lesson: We get more of what we focus on. When we look for goodness to Notice our brains are more likely to recognize it because of a part of our brains called the reticular activating system (RAS). When we practice having positive conversations, that becomes a normal part of our culture.
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Lesson 3
Who Can You Notice Worksheet
Supplies needed: copies of the "Who Can You Notice" worksheet & writing utensil
Each student receives a copy of the "Who Can You Notice" worksheet.
Encourage students to think about and write the names of the people that they are grateful for in their lives.
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You may want to have a discussion about (and ask students to share examples of) people who have made a positive difference in their lives to get the class thinking about the areas of our lives where there are people making a difference.
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Encourage the students to Notice the people on their list IRL (in real life). This can be as easy as telling the people that they wrote on their list that they are grateful for them.
Please share the following concepts as a part of this lesson: To Notice someone is to tell them, "I see you. I hear you. You matter to me." To Notice the goodness in someone is to compliment a person on goodness that you've seen in them.
Lesson 4
We Are Worksheet
Supplies needed: copies of the "We Are" worksheet & writing utensil
Each student receives a copy of the "We Are" worksheet to use to record their answers to the discussion prompts on.
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Place students in small groups to collaborate.
Encourage your students to brainstorm all of the good words that they can use to describe who we are as a class.
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You can get the conversation started by using any or all of the following prompts:
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What is your favorite thing about our class?
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When was a time that you felt really good about being in our class?
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Who are you grateful for in our class? And why?
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How do you describe our class to family or friends who do not get to be in our class every day?
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Please share the following concepts as a part of this lesson: Gratitude is a powerful tool when it comes to choosing a want-to attitude. When we think of all the positive things about who we are it gives us a lot to be grateful for and we remember that we get-to be here instead of feeling like we have-to be here.
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Lesson 5
What Goodness Can We Notice About Our Teachers Writing Prompt
Supplies needed: Journal or paper and writing utensils
Although you can jump right into this lesson by instructing the students to consider the following writing prompts and write their opinions independently, there is a real advantage to small group conversation as part of this lesson. If time allows, first place students in small group to discuss the following questions:
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What was a time that a teacher really helped you?
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What is an example of how a teacher has helped you be a better student, or even a better citizen?
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What are some of your favorite things about your favorite teachers?
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Once the students have had a chance to consider the writing prompts ask the students to write independently about what goodness they have Noticed about the teachers in their lives.
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Please share the following concepts as a part of this lesson: Teachers care so much about their students (you may want to share from your own perspective here).
The care & support that teachers provide is directly linked to the confidence that we feel at school and how positive our culture is here at school.
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Lesson 6
Random Acts of Kindness Notes
Supplies needed: copies of the "Random Acts of Kindness Notes" printout & writing &/or drawing supplies
Print copies and cut (or have students cut) into 4 pieces. These Random Acts of Kindness cards are intended to be left behind at the scene of any act of kindness.
This is a great activity to send home with students over any break. Encourage students to consider the members of their families. Who are they grateful for? Who would they like to show appreciation for by doing a random act of kindness? Share with the class a few examples of random acts of kindness ideas and then encourage them to brainstorm as a class their own ideas for random acts of kindness that they could do.
Let your class know that you look forward to hearing about their Noticing and random acts of kindness experiences once you are back in the classroom.
They are welcome to color the Random Acts of Kindness cards prior to their act of kindness.
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Here is an example that you can use to get the brainstorming started:
Students could empty the dishwasher (without being asked), and leave a Random Act of Kindness Note taped on the dishwasher.
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Please share the following concepts as part of this lesson: Kindness is contagious. When we spread kindness we create ripples of goodness. This can help us feel happier and it helps other people feel good too!
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Lesson 7
What Goodness Can We Notice About Our School
Writing Prompt
Supplies needed: Journal or paper and writing utensils
Although you can jump right into this lesson by instructing the students to consider the following writing prompts and write their opinions independently, there is a real advantage to small group conversation as part of this lesson. If time allows, first place students in small groups to discuss the following questions:
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What is your favorite thing about our school?
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When you need help, who are the people at school who will help you?
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What makes you proud to be a part of our school community?
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Once the students have had a chance to consider the writing prompts ask the students to write independently about what goodness they have Noticed about our school.
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Please share the following concepts as a part of this lesson: It can be easy to take for granted the things that we experience every day. Being mindful of the goodness that we Notice about our school helps us to choose a positive "want-to" attitude which helps us all to be more confident.
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Lesson 8
Send You Are Notes
Supplies needed: copies of the "You Are Notes" printout & writing &/or drawing supplies
Print out at least one "YOU ARE" note for each student in your class (four cards can be cut per worksheet). Choose a school in your district or community that you can send positivity to. You can choose to send notes to the entire school as a whole or to a particular class at that school.
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Have each member of your class complete one or more "YOU ARE" notes. Encourage your students to add a word (or words) to complete the "YOU ARE" statement such as "YOU ARE amazing", "YOU ARE so very smart", "YOU ARE strong", "YOU ARE Noticed".
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Students may want to add a colorful touch to the letters with markers, crayons, or colored pencils. They can also add a message to the back side of the "YOU ARE" notes.
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Please share the following concepts as a part of this lesson: There is so much goodness to Notice in others and when we take the time to Notice goodness it spreads positivity. Noticing the goodness in others (even strangers) makes a difference. You will be creating positive ripples by Noticing the students and teachers at the school you chose. You matter!
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Lesson 9
What Makes You Grateful For Your Family
Writing Prompt
Supplies needed: Journal or paper and writing utensils
Although you can jump right into this lesson by instructing the students to consider the following writing prompts and write their opinions independently, there is a real advantage to small group conversation as part of this lesson. If time allows, first place students in small groups to discuss the following questions:
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Who are the people in your family?
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What is your favorite thing to do with your family?
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When you need help who in your family will help you?
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Where is your favorite place to hang out with your family?
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Once the students have had a chance to consider the writing prompts ask the students to write independently about what goodness they have Noticed about their families.
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Please share the following concepts as a part of this lesson: It can be easy to take for granted the things that we experience every day. Being mindful of the goodness that we Notice about our families helps us to choose a positive "want-to" attitude which helps us all to be more confident.
Lesson 10
Draw Your Family
Supplies needed: blanket sheet of white paper and writing &/or drawing supplies
Ask your students to draw a picture of their family.
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Once completed, ask the students to write a note of thanks. This could be a simple "Thanks for being my family" note on the front, or students can utilize the blank side of the paper to write a more detailed letter.
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Students can take the piece home to give to family members and maybe even put it on the refrigerator.
Please share the following concepts as a part of this lesson: There are all types of families. Please encourage students to include any/ all of the people in their lives that they consider to be family.
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Lesson 11
Dear Family Worksheet
Supplies needed: copies of the "Dear Family" worksheet & writing utensil
Each student receives a copy of the "Dear Family" worksheet to use to write a letter of appreciation to one or more people in their family.
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Encourage your students to think about what they are grateful for about their family.
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You can share any or all of the following prompts to get them thinking:
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What goodness can you Notice about your family?
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What is your favorite thing to do as a family?
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Who are you grateful for in your family?
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Once the students have had a chance to gather their thoughts, ask them to write a write a letter to their family using the "Dear Family" worksheet provided.
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Please share the following concepts as a part of this lesson: Family can mean many different things to many different people. One way to look at it is to think about who loves you or who supports you. When we are supported we can be more confident and that is something to be grateful for.
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Lesson 12
What Makes You Grateful For Our Community
Writing Prompt
Supplies needed: Journal or paper and writing utensils
Although you can jump right into this lesson by instructing the students to consider the following writing prompts and write their opinions independently, there is a real advantage to small group conversation as part of this lesson. If time allows, first place students in small groups to discuss the following questions:
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What are some of the jobs in our community?
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Who are you grateful for in our community? Our city?
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How do the people of our community make our community better?
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What inspires you about our community?
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​Once the students have had a chance to consider the writing prompts ask the students to write independently about what goodness they have Noticed about their community.
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Please share the following concepts as a part of this lesson: It can be easy to take for granted the things that we experience every day. Being mindful of the goodness that we Notice about our community helps us to choose a positive "want-to" attitude which helps us all to be more confident.
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Lesson 13
You Are Poster
Supplies needed: poster board and markers
Students can participate in the creation of the poster and/or they can simply sign their names to a poster that you create.
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** If you have done some discovery to know some specific goodnesses that you can Notice about another school or a classroom you can write a note on the back of the poster to share your compliments. Your students can learn about what another school, or class at another school, is doing by reading your school districts newsletter or the local newspaper.
Lesson 14
What Can You Notice About Our World?
Writing Prompt
Supplies needed: Journal or paper and writing utensils
Although you can jump right into this lesson by instructing the students to consider the following writing prompts and write their opinions independently, there is a real advantage to small group conversation as part of this lesson. If time allows, first place students in small groups to discuss the following questions:
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What is your favorite thing about living on planet earth?
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Who makes the world a better place?
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How are kids making a difference in the world?
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What inspires you about our world?
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Once the students have had a chance to consider the writing prompts ask the students to write independently about what goodness they have Noticed about the world.
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Please share the following concepts as a part of this lesson: It can be easy to take for granted the things that we experience every day. Being mindful of the goodness that we Notice about our world helps us to choose a positive "want-to" attitude which helps us all to be more confident.
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Lesson 15
Noticing Goodness Around The World
Supplies needed: device for internet research, optional paper for print out for bulletin board &/or access to Power Point/ Google Slides/ etc. for presentation
Ask students to pick a person (past or present) who inspires them because of the difference that he or she has made in the world. Then ask the students to research that person and record what goodness there is to Notice about him or her. Students can also think about how this person inspires them to make a difference in the world.
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Students can then create a presentation or print out of their findings to share with the class &/or school community.
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As an option, you can create a bulletin board with a map of the world on it and put a picture of each inspiring person on the map at the place where they are from.
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Please share the following concepts as a part of this lesson: Having positive role models is so important. When we Notice the goodness in someone we can then discover characteristics and qualities about the person that can help us to decide who we want to be. Having and even BEING a positive role model is a powerful success strategy.
Lesson 16
You Are The Rock In Your Ripple
Supplies needed: river rocks (one per student), sharpies (metallic sharpies work well on darker rocks), a container or small body of water (ex. bucket, baby pool, or small pond)
Have each member of your class (yourself included) write your name on a river rock. Everyone can get creative and decorate the rock as they wish. Then allow each person to toss his/her rock into the water so that he or she can witness the ripples that the rock creates. Time permitting, allow the water to calm so that each person can witness his or her own ripples.
Please share the following concepts as a part of this lesson: You are the rock in your ripple. Just like the ripples in the water, who you are ripples out to the people around you. You matter so very much!
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