Lesson Plan
TOPIC: Word portraits
Objectives
 to recognise positive qualities in oneself
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to acknowledge positive feedback from others
to give positive feedback to others
What do I need to know as a facilitator?
It is important that a young person’s concept of self is positive and well-defined. This is relevant to career
development because:
 it strengthens his/her effectiveness in taking constructive actions toward setting and
achieving career goals
 it prepares him/her to communicate their suitability for work
The power of affirmations is demonstrated well by the work of special education teacher Chris Ulmer:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ZXNqraH2Og
Resources
Part 1
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Part 2
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a list of adjectives can be obtained from the web. Examples can be found here:
www.descriptivewords.org/descriptive-words-for-positive-character-traits/
Ensure only positive adjectives are listed.
butcher paper
Blu Tack
Textas
wall
camera/smartphone
Activity description
Part 1
Introduce the task in class and provide students with coaching on how to ask for and give feedback. Students
will be given the worksheet to add adjectives to describe themselves. A list of adjectives will be provided and
they can choose from this worksheet or use it to prompt their thinking.
They will choose at least five words to write in the inner circle of ‘self-talk’ and add positive feedback
comments they hear from others. They can ask others they trust, such as parents, friends and teachers to
describe them. The student can show their list of adjectives to people and ask them to choose an adjective that
describes the student.
When eliciting descriptions from others, students can ask for examples of when they exhibited those qualities.
Coach the students on ways they can ask for feedback. Tell students to offer positive descriptions to fellow
students.
READY TO SUCCEED. This activity may be copied for non-commercial classroom use.
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Lesson Plan
Part 2 – class task (optional)
Toward the end of the year, have the class write positive words about each other on butcher paper. The
descriptors can be taken from the Word portrait worksheet. Blu Tack the paper to a wall and take a snapshot of
each student with their descriptors as a reminder of how well they are regarded. Make sure the writing is big
enough and the Texta colour dark enough so the words are easily seen in the snapshot. Photos can be taken by
a smartphone or any other camera – it is up to the school.
Timing
Part 1
Give students a week to report back to class with their handouts. Each student should have at least five selftalk adjectives and five adjectives from others. If they choose, students can continue adding to the circles in
their own time.
Part 2
40 minutes
30 minutes
Write up the descriptors on butcher paper
Take the photos
Parental engagement
The photos from the activity in Part 2 can be displayed in an area where parents can see the photos; for
example, in the school foyer.
READY TO SUCCEED. This activity may be copied for non-commercial classroom use.
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Student Worksheet
Word portraits
Inner Circle: Positive self-talk
Outer Circle: Positives others say about me
READY TO SUCCEED. This activity may be copied for non-commercial classroom use.
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Student Worksheet
How does it feel to receive positive comments?
How does it feel to give positive comments to others?
Pick a family member or friend you would like to affirm this week. Write the three positives you will use to
tell him/her what is great about him/her.
READY TO SUCCEED. This activity may be copied for non-commercial classroom use.
Downloaded from www.unitedway.com.au ©United Way 2016.
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