Grade 7 Life Orientation – Building Positive Self-Identity and Resilience

Lesson Plan Title: Grade 7 Life Orientation – Building Positive Self-Identity and Resilience


1. Materials Needed

  • Whiteboard and markers
  • Projector and screen
  • Printed worksheets and handouts
  • Notebook and pens for students
  • Inspirational quotes and images
  • Access to audio-visual aids (YouTube videos, motivational speeches)
  • Art supplies (colored pencils, markers, paper)

2. Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson, learners will be able to:
– Understand the concepts of self-identity and resilience.
– Identify and articulate their own personal strengths and qualities.
– Develop strategies to enhance resilience in challenging situations.
– Demonstrate a positive self-identity through a creative activity.

3. Vocabulary

  • Self-identity
  • Resilience
  • Self-esteem
  • Confidence
  • Strengths
  • Coping mechanisms
  • Motivation

4. Previous Learning

Students have previously discussed emotions and how they influence our interactions with others. This lesson builds on understanding self-awareness and personal well-being.

5. Anticipated Challenges and Solutions

  • Challenge: Students may struggle with discussing personal strengths and weaknesses.
    • Solution: Encourage a supportive environment and reassure them that all contributions are valued. Pair up students for peer-supported activities.
  • Challenge: Students could have difficulty maintaining focus.
    • Solution: Break the lesson into interactive and varied segments to maintain engagement.

6. Beginning Activities (10% of time)

  • Introduction: (5 minutes)
    • Greet students and review the previous lesson on emotions.
    • Share an inspirational quote about self-identity and resilience (e.g., “You have within you, right now, everything you need to deal with whatever the world can throw at you” – Brian Tracy).
    • Brief discussion on what the quote means.
    • Introduce the lesson’s objectives.

7. Middle Activities (80% of time)

  • Activity 1: Understanding Self-Identity (20 minutes)
    • Mini-Lecture and Discussion:
    • Define self-identity, self-esteem, and resilience using multimedia aids.
    • Guide a classroom discussion on why having a positive self-identity is essential.
    • Interactive Exercise:
    • Ask students to write down three qualities they like about themselves.
    • Pair up and share their qualities with a partner. Encourage positive reinforcement from peers.
  • Activity 2: Building Resilience (30 minutes)
    • Group Work:
    • Divide class into small groups. Each group brainstorms situations where they faced challenges and how they overcame them.
    • Groups create a poster illustrating coping mechanisms and strategies for resilience.
    • Role-playing:
    • Each group acts out a scenario based on their poster. Discuss the different ways people can show resilience.
  • Activity 3: Personal Reflection and Artistic Expression (30 minutes)
    • Journal Time:
    • Give students a prompt to reflect on a time they felt proud of themselves for overcoming a difficulty. Write in their notebooks.
    • Art Project:
    • Provide art supplies for students to create a “Self-Identity Shield,” illustrating their core values, strengths, and talents.

8. End Activities (10% of time)

  • Sharing and Reflection: (10 minutes)
    • Invite students to share their “Self-Identity Shields” with the class.
    • Hold a brief discussion on what they learned about themselves and others.
    • Summarize the key points of the lesson and revisit the lesson objectives.

9. Assessment and Checks for Understanding

  • Observe student participation and group interaction during discussions and activities.
  • Review journal entries and “Self-Identity Shields” to assess understanding.
  • Conduct a quick formative assessment with a closing question: “What are two things you learned about yourself today?”

10. Differentiation Strategies

  • For diverse learners:
    • Provide sentence starters for journal entries for students who need additional support.
    • Offer alternative expression forms (e.g., digital art for tech-inclined students).
    • Pair struggling students with peer mentors.
    • Use visual aids and step-by-step instructions to accommodate ELL (English Language Learners).

11. Teaching Notes

  • Be aware of students who may have significant self-esteem issues or past trauma. Approach these students with sensitivity and provide additional support as needed.
  • Incorporate feedback from students to tailor future lessons.
  • Ensure all materials are prepared in advance and cater to the varying needs of learners.
  • Maintain an encouraging and positive classroom environment throughout the lesson.

This lesson plan aims to foster self-awareness, positive self-identity, and resilience among Grade 7 students, aligning with the CAPS curriculum by promoting personal and social well-being.

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