Lesson Plan

Unmasking Your Talent Session 1

Students will learn the difference between fixed and growth mindsets, define coping skills, apply growth mindset concepts in a paired activity, and practice reframing weaknesses as strengths.

Adding a dedicated growth‐mindset activity deepens understanding of persistence and reframing, boosting resilience and self‐awareness.

Audience

Time

Approach

Materials

Prep

Teacher Preparation

10 minutes

Step 1

Warm-Up

2 minutes

Step 2

Rock–Paper–Scissors Cheering Game

6 minutes

Step 3

Mindset Mini-Lesson

4 minutes

Step 4

Growth Mindset Activity

6 minutes

Step 5

Self-Reflection Activity

7 minutes

Step 6

Group Discussion

3 minutes

Step 7

Cool-Down

2 minutes

Slide Deck

Unmasking Your Talent

Welcome students. Introduce the unit and today’s focus. Set a positive, supportive tone.

Today’s Objectives

Read each objective aloud. Emphasize why understanding weaknesses and reframing them matters for mental health.

Warm-Up Activity

Explain that students will pair up, share fun facts, then move into the cheering game.

Icebreaker Game Instructions

Explain the game flow and let students know prompts appear on the slide. No cards needed.

Round 1 Prompts

Use this slide for the first round. After a few minutes, switch to Round 2.

Round 2 Prompts

Rotate prompts to deepen sharing.

Growth vs. Fixed Mindset

Define fixed vs. growth mindsets and discuss why growth-mindset supports resilience.

Defining Coping Skills

Explain coping skills with concrete scenarios so students see real-life applications.

Self-Reflection Activity

Guide students through each step and support deeper reflection.

Example Reflection

Model with the example of perfectionism reframed as attention to detail.

Group Discussion

Invite volunteers to share. Encourage growth-mindset language.

Cool-Down: Breathing Exercise

Lead the breathing exercise together and reinforce its use when anxious.

Looking Ahead

Preview next session and remind students about the ongoing PSA.

Worksheet

Discussion

Activity

Lesson Plan

Unmasking Your Talent Session 2

Students will identify personal talents by reflecting on their reframed strengths, collaboratively explore how these talents support mental health, and begin weaving them into their ongoing PSA projects.

Linking self-understanding to personal talents builds confidence, reinforces a growth mindset, and empowers students to share authentic mental health messages.

Audience

Time

Approach

Materials

Prep

Teacher Preparation

10 minutes

Step 1

Review Reframed Strengths

5 minutes

Step 2

Talent Brainstorm Carousel

10 minutes

Step 3

Group Share

5 minutes

Step 4

Connect to PSA Development

7 minutes

Step 5

Wrap-Up & Next Steps

3 minutes

Slide Deck

Unmasking Your Talent

Welcome back! Remind students this is Session 2 of Unmasking Your Talent. Explain that today they’ll link their reframed strengths to real talents and begin planning their mental health PSA.

Today’s Objectives

Read the objectives aloud and clarify how each ties to mental health awareness and PSA development.

Review Reframed Strengths

Show two or three anonymized student examples. Invite volunteers to share how reframing felt and point out how each strength hints at a talent.

Talent Brainstorm Carousel

Explain the carousel process: small groups rotate through talent-themed stations, jotting ideas on sticky notes.

Carousel Talent Themes

List the themes around the room so students know what to expect.

Group Share

After the carousel, bring everyone together and spotlight a few standout ideas from each group.

Connect to PSA Development

Hand out the PSA planner worksheet. Guide students to choose one talent and brainstorm how to showcase it for positive mental health.

Wrap-Up & Next Steps

Have students pair-share their PSA ideas briefly, then preview the next session’s focus on storyboarding and drafting.

Lesson Plan

Unmasking Your Talent Session 1

Audience

Time

Approach

Materials

Prep

Teacher Preparation

Step 1

Warm-Up

Step 2

Rock–Paper–Scissors Cheering Game

Step 3

Mindset Mini-Lesson

Step 4

Growth Mindset Activity

Step 5

Self-Reflection Activity

Step 6

Group Discussion

Step 7

Cool-Down

Slide Deck

Unmasking Your Talent

Today’s Objectives

Warm-Up Activity

Icebreaker Game Instructions

Round 1 Prompts

Round 2 Prompts

Growth vs. Fixed Mindset

Defining Coping Skills

Self-Reflection Activity

Example Reflection

Group Discussion

Cool-Down: Breathing Exercise

Looking Ahead

Worksheet

Discussion

Activity

Lesson Plan

Unmasking Your Talent Session 2

Audience

Time

Approach

Materials

Prep

Teacher Preparation

Step 1

Review Reframed Strengths

Step 2

Talent Brainstorm Carousel

Step 3

Group Share

Step 4

Connect to PSA Development

Step 5

Wrap-Up & Next Steps

Slide Deck

Unmasking Your Talent

Today’s Objectives

Review Reframed Strengths

Talent Brainstorm Carousel

Carousel Talent Themes

Group Share

Connect to PSA Development

Wrap-Up & Next Steps

Worksheet

Unmasking Your Talent

Joleen Shillingford