Every other week Maria brings lesson plans that you can use in the classroom, based off her own books. Today’s lesson plan was based off of the book Dazzling Travis, written by Hannah Carmona Dias, illustrated by Brenda Figueroa and published by Maria’s company Cardinal Rule Press! You can watch the video here.

One of the printables in the Dazzling Travis Reader’s Guide is called Positive Self Talk (page 17). You have the children write two notes to themselves, using encouraging positive self-talk (when you talk to yourself in a kind and positive way, saying something like “I can do it!”).  shared several examples (also on the printable):

  • Encourage yourself – try something new. For example, “I’ve never gardened before but this looks fun!”
  • Another example is to encourage yourself to finish something that might be hard. Example: “This math problem is hard, but I know I can solve it if I really focus.”

The cool thing about this reader’s guide is that you can go to the table of contents and it will tell you exactly what common core standard this lesson plan reaches and does. Be sure to check out this great lesson plan as it also goes along with positive affirmations (if you’ve been a part of Maria’s private Facebook group for any length of time, you know she greatly endorses this!). In order for students to have positive self-talk, they have to hear it! Maria suggested putting up positive affirmations on the classroom whiteboard and reading them every morning when they have morning work.

Remember that Maria alternates these videos between her author page and the private Empowering Kids with Character page, which provides more ideas on the monthly theme and also support from fellow parents and educators!

Don’t forget to add the Empowering Kids With Character Flash Briefing on your Amazon Alexa app or Google Play!

Transcribed by Mandy Bush, Executive Assistant