Lesson Plan

I-Message Lesson Outline

Equip the 3rd grade student with a clear, structured I-message formula (I feel ___ when ___ because ___, and I need ___) and practice expressing emotions in real-life scenarios to improve self-awareness and reduce frustration.

Teaching I-messages helps students articulate feelings constructively, reduces misunderstandings and conflicts, and builds self-regulation and communication skills essential for social-emotional growth.

Audience

Time

Approach

Materials

Prep

Prepare Session Materials

5 minutes

Step 1

Introduction

3 minutes

Step 2

Teach and Model

4 minutes

Step 3

Guided Practice

4 minutes

Step 4

Independent Practice

2 minutes

Step 5

Closure and Assessment

2 minutes

Slide Deck

I-Message Magic

Welcome the student and introduce the session goal: learning to use I-messages to share feelings and needs.

What Is an I-Message?

Explain that I-messages help us express feelings without blaming others, and they help us solve problems together.

I-Message Formula

Go through each part of the formula: feeling, situation, reason, and request. Ask the student to repeat each step.

Example 1

Read the example slowly. Point out where the feeling, situation, reason, and request appear.

Example 2

Discuss how this example shows a different feeling and situation. Ask if the student has questions.

Your Turn!

Prompt the student to think of a recent feeling. Encourage them to fill in each blank with their own words.

Great Job!

Celebrate the student’s effort. Encourage them to practice using I-messages throughout the day.

Lesson Plan

I-Message Lesson Outline

Audience

Time

Approach

Materials

Prep

Prepare Session Materials

Step 1

Introduction

Step 2

Teach and Model

Step 3

Guided Practice

Step 4

Independent Practice

Step 5

Closure and Assessment

Slide Deck

I-Message Magic

What Is an I-Message?

I-Message Formula

Example 1

Example 2

Your Turn!

Great Job!

Script

Activity

Journal

I-Message Magic

Kylie Taniguchi