Seventh - Eigth Grade

Developmental Characteristics

Physical

  • May appear awkward as result of rapid physical growth

  • Experiencing the beginning of puberty

  • Differ greatly in rate of maturation

  • Need to become familiar with changing body with strong drives

  • Tend to tire easily

  • Have a high activity level and appetite

  • Enjoy cooperative games and competitive sports

Social Emotional

  • Sensitive to their appearance

  • Establishing a personal moral code

  • Unsure of their place in society

  • Depend on their peer group to develop identity

  • Critical of their parents and home

  • May adopt extremes and fads in clothing, speech, handwriting, and mannerisms

  • Form close one-on-one friendships

  • Enjoy small, peer-dominated group discussions

  • Have a strong desire to assert individuality and independence

Cognitive

  • Capable of high level of abstract thought

  • Beginning to think about their future life roles

  • Need time and freedom to engage in self-reflection

  • Are able to postpone gratification

  • Can plan ahead and organize tasks with little or no guidance from adults

  • Beginning to develop views about social issues

Lessons

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Self Confidence Gina Patterson Self Confidence Gina Patterson

I Wanna Thank Me

Students will practice self-gratitude by writing a short thank-you note to themselves that names specific effort, choices and growth, and reflect on why recognizing your own work builds confidence.

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Self Confidence Gina Patterson Self Confidence Gina Patterson

My Identity Is A Superpower

Students will identify personal strengths and parts of their identity (culture, family, interests, talents, values) as sources of confidence rather than obstacles. Students will write and share a "My identity is a superpower because..." statement and recognize how positive self-talk and self-knowledge support confidence.

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Self Confidence Gina Patterson Self Confidence Gina Patterson

Letter to Myself

Students write a letter to themselves listing things they like about themselves — brainstormed together as a class first — which is then sealed and saved to be delivered back to them at a later date.

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Self Confidence Gina Patterson Self Confidence Gina Patterson

Confidence Card

Students write a list of personal strengths, improvements, or a thank-you note to themselves on an index card, then decorate it with colors and doodles — the cards are collected and saved to be given back to students on hard days.

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Self Confidence Gina Patterson Self Confidence Gina Patterson

Body Language Power

Students do a body self-audit, watch Amy Cuddy's TED Talk on body language, then role-play everyday scenarios in trios — acting out the same scene twice (once with disempowering posture, once with empowering posture) while a third student observes and gives feedback, rotating until each person has played every role.

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Self Confidence Gina Patterson Self Confidence Gina Patterson

CD Awards

Students draw a classmate's name, then decorate a microwaved CD medal with that person's name and a specific written acknowledgment of what they appreciate about them, before presenting their award aloud in a closing ceremony where each recipient takes a moment to receive the recognition.

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Self Confidence Gina Patterson Self Confidence Gina Patterson

By Myself Poem

Students will read Eloise Greenfield's poem "By Myself" and then create their own "I am" poems, building a list of words and phrases that describe who they are. Younger students can draw a picture instead of writing.

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Self Confidence Gina Patterson Self Confidence Gina Patterson

Honey, I Love

Students will be able to identify the people, places, and things they love — building self-confidence by recognizing the joy and goodness already present in their own lives.

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Self Confidence Gina Patterson Self Confidence Gina Patterson

Letter to Myself

Students will identify their positive qualities and write a letter to themselves — building self-confidence by giving themselves the kind of encouragement they often save for others.

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Self Confidence Gina Patterson Self Confidence Gina Patterson

Letters Home

Over several sessions, each student secretly observes an assigned classmate and tracks their positive qualities, then writes a formal letter to that classmate's family describing the strengths they witnessed — which is mailed home after a draft-and-revise process.

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