1. Emotional Strength Training
Lesson 6- Positive Thinking
Adapted from “Strong Kids”
For Grade 6-8

2. Learning Target
I can change my negative thoughts and beliefs.

3. Review What are some common thinking errors?
Black-or-White Thinking
Binocular Vision
Dark Glasses
Fortune-Telling
Making it Personal
Blame Game
How can you change your thinking errors?

4. Name and Define Skills
Self-Control- the ability to control your own behavior
Personal Control- believing you have control over the outcomes in your life
Optimism- believing, expecting, and hoping that things will turn out well
Pessimism- always expecting something bad will happen

5. Discuss with a Partner
Think of a time when you had some negative thoughts. Maybe you had an argument with a parent, problems with your friends, or you received a poor grade.
What negative thoughts did you have?
How did it affect the rest of your day?
Do you think you could have changed your negative thoughts?

6. ABCDE Optimism A stands for ADVERSITY B stands for BELIEF
Any situation when you feel uncomfortable
B stands for BELIEF
Bad thoughts that affect how you feel
C stands for CONSEQUENCE
Crummy feelings that make you feel worse
D stands for DECIDING
Deciding not to accept the negative thoughts
E stands for ENERGY
Enjoying the idea that you can control what you think about yourself

7. Activity- Partners or Groups
Use the ABCDE Optimism Model to describe a situation in which you might have negative thoughts.
Possible situations:
Everyone laughed at your outfit and/or shoes.
You answer a question wrong in class.
You get a test back and you failed.
You have lunch detention because you were disrespectful to your teacher.

8. Comprehension Check What is optimism?
What are some ways you can start thinking positively?