Lesson Plan
Detective of Thoughts Guide
Students will act as ‘Thought Detectives’ to identify unhelpful thoughts and learn to replace them with positive, realistic alternatives, building self-awareness and resilience.
Helping 3rd graders spot and reframe negative thinking promotes emotional regulation and confidence, reducing anxiety and fostering a growth mindset.
Audience
Time
Approach
Materials
Prep
Teacher Preparation
15 minutes
Step 1
Set the Scene
5 minutes
Step 2
Unhelpful vs. Helpful Thoughts
10 minutes
Step 3
Thought Clue Hunt Activity
20 minutes
Step 4
Reframing and Journaling
15 minutes
Step 5
Reflection and Closing
10 minutes
Slide Deck
Detective of Thoughts: Clue Board
What Is a Thought Clue?
Unhelpful Thought Clues
Helpful Thought Clues
How Thought Clues Affect Feelings
Ready for the Clue Hunt?
Activity
Journal
