This lesson is designed to introduce students to concepts of self-esteem and help them identify their personal strengths. The lesson includes activities focused on developing a positive self-outlook. The goal is to understand what self-esteem is and how to positively develop and integrate it into one's life. Objectives include defining self-esteem, identifying personal strengths, and identifying ways to build and improve self-esteem. One activity utilizes a medicine wheel to identify core strengths that create a sense of balance and healthy self-esteem.

1. Family Wellness and Youth in Distress
Lesson 4: Self Esteem
Lesson 4: Self Esteem
Title: Self Esteem
Teacher Introduction:
This lesson is designed to introduce students to the concepts of self-esteem. As well as
introducing a way to identify current strengths and resources that youth will have at their
disposal. The exercises included in this lesson will focus on developing a positive
outlook on ones self. There are several handouts and activities within this lesson. You
may have to limit the number of activities based upon time and your judgment. It is
encouraged that you include Activity 4-B on Asset Mapping/Medicine Wheel and
Activity 4-E the Stitch and Design.
Goal:
• To understand what self-esteem is and how it can be positively developed and
integrated into each person’s life to help her/him recognize how improving self-
esteem builds character.
Objectives:
• Define self-esteem
• Identify personal strengths
• Identify ways to build and improve self-esteem
Background:
Utilizing the Medicine Wheel each participant will identify core strengths and interest in
which create a since of balance in the relational worldview, thus creating a healthy Self-
Esteem.
What is self-esteem?
Self- Esteem is the opinion you have about yourself. Everyone has self-esteem. It
is based on your attitudes and beliefs about your-self. Your self-esteem can have an
effect on your behavior and the choices you make. Sometimes it is difficult to think of
and express good characteristics about ourselves; often bad or negative points seem to be
easier to identify. The best thing you can do when you have a negative thought about
yourself is to realize that just because you think it doesn’t mean that it’s accurate.
Replace the negative thought or belief for a positive one. This practice will help build
your self-esteem.
Materials Needed:
Poster paper Copied handout
Pencils/Markers Scissors
Lined Paper Beach Ball
Recommended http://www.self-esteem-nase.org/
Resources http://www.cyberparent.com/esteem/
http://www.promoteprevent.org/

2. Family Wellness and Youth in Distress
Lesson 4: Self Esteem
Family Wellness and Youth in Distress
Lesson 4: Self Esteem
Classroom Handouts Evaluation Teacher
Activities Activities Notes
Listen to the Observation of Read or otherwise provide the Background
presentation of whole class information to the participants
the Background discussion
Lesson and
participate in a
whole class
discussion.
Individual Handout 4- Evaluation of Handout worksheet 4-A and have participants
completion of A Discussion complete individually. Lead a discussion
the Discussion Starters regarding why someone might not have good
Starters worksheet 4-A self-esteem. Remember that all students need
worksheet 4-A. to receive positive feedback to their statements
and/or observations about the subject matter.
Guided Handout 4- Evaluation of Handout worksheet 4-B (3 pages) and have
completion of B Handout 4-B participants identify strengths and personal
Handout and assets. You may have to brainstorm with
Medicine Wheel. individuals to help them see the good. While
each participant is filling out his/her medicine
wheel you may show an example of class
strengths and fill out a medicine wheel on a
white board utilizing various strengths that you
have observed up to this point. Show that each
completed Medicine Wheel represents healthy
self-esteem.
Listen or read Handout 4- Assessment of Give Handout 4-C to participants. Read the
along with the C participants story then lead the participants in a discussion
Sitting Bull story attention and to answer the questions at the bottom of the
and participate in participation in page. On poster board fill out a Medicine
a group the Sitting Bull Wheel for Sitting Bull as a group.
discussion discussion.
5. Group Handout 4- Observation of Have a beach ball fully inflated and explain
participation in D participation in that it will represent self esteem. Demonstrate
the Bounce Back the Bounce the resilience of the ball by pushing on it and
Activity Back activity dropping it on the floor. Ask students for
examples of events they experience that can
lower self esteem. For each example, let some
air out of the ball Stop when 1/3 to 1/2 of the
air has been let out. Demonstrate the
difference in the resilience of the ball now.
The ball is not bouncing back. After the
discussion, blow the ball back up and reinforce
that self esteem can be raised.

3. Family Wellness and Youth in Distress
Lesson 4: Self Esteem
difference in the resilience of the ball now.
The ball is not bouncing back. After the
discussion, blow the ball back up and reinforce
that self esteem can be raised.
6. Individual Handout 4- Observation of Guide each participant to write down
completion of E participation something that they learned from Lesson 4.
Stitch and and Instruct them to draw a “Stitch” for their
Design Activity. understanding moccasin that will remind them of what they
of Stitch and learned. Then instruct each participant to draw
Design a “Design” for their moccasin that will remind
Handout 4-E them of what they will use in the future that
they learned in Lesson 4.

4. Family Wellness and Youth in Distress
Lesson 4: Self Esteem
Handout 4-A
Discussion Starters
When considering your own self-esteem and how healthy it is, think about and answer
the following questions.
1. What is your opinion of yourself?
2. Do you make decisions or take risks that can be harmful to you without much
thought?
3. Do you criticize yourself?
4. Do you think you’re not as handsome/pretty or as popular as someone else?
5. Do you see faults or characteristics in your friends that you don’t like but you
ignore them because you don’t think you can have or deserve better friends?
If you listed negative comments on question one or answered yes to the other questions,
your self-esteem may not be as healthy as it should. But don’t worry, it can be nurtured
to become healthier.
If you listed a positive opinion of yourself or answered no to the other questions, you’re
on the right track. General happiness and self-acceptance will help you maintain your
healthy self-esteem.

5. Family Wellness and Youth in Distress
Lesson 4: Self Esteem
Handout 4-B
Asset Mapping Page 1 of 3
Asset Mapping is a way to identify the strengths and resources that you will have at your
disposal as a leader. It is also an excellent way to shift the focus away from what we may
commonly struggle with and place greater attention on what we have in our favor. We
will apply the Medicine Wheel, which will help us identify balance within our lives.
Answer the following questions with as many answers as you can:
1. (Mind) What are your gifts of the mind?
Example: Good listening skills, creative, analytical, etc…
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
2. (Emotions) What are your gifts of the heart?
Example: Compassionate, empathetic, tolerant, etc…
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
3. (Body) What are you gifts of the hand?
Example: Practical skills like building, driving, texting, athletics, etc…
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
4. (Spirit) What are your gifts of the spirit?
Example: Things you have faith in; Family, friends, church, the sun coming up,
etc…
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
Take two or three minutes with each of the questions above and then have the group
share their answers. After taking a few responses, move on to the next set of questions.
All answers are valid and respected.
5. What are your areas of interest?
Example: Athletics, computers, art, etc…
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________

6. Family Wellness and Youth in Distress
Lesson 4: Self Esteem
Handout 4-B
Asset Mapping Page 2 of 3
6. What are you passionate about?
Example: Helping others, racing cars, robotics, etc…
Note: a passion can be anything that you feel really excited about. It is important
to note that a passion may be something that you struggle with or are not able to
do. This is okay.
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
7. What are some of your most powerful relationships?
Example: Relationship with sibling, community member, coach, etc…
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
Using your list of answers fill in each quadrant of the Medicine Wheel. Hand out
worksheet Asset Mapping Page 3 of 3. Make sure to place at least one answer in the
corresponding quadrant of the Medicine Wheel. You have just identified core strengths
and interest in which create a sence of balance in the relational worldview. This is a
healthy Self-Esteem.
Lets make this a daily thing.

7. Family Wellness and Youth in Distress
Lesson 4: Self Esteem
Handout 4-B
Asset Mapping Page 3 of 3

8. Family Wellness and Youth in Distress
Lesson 4: Self Esteem
Handout 4-C
Sitting Bull Page 1 of 2
Sitting Bull was born in 1831 near present-day South Dakota. As a child Sitting Bull’s
parents didn’t give him the name Sitting Bull. They named him Slow because they
couldn’t identify any outstanding traits in him.
In 1845, when Slow was only 14, he wanted to join a war party. Everyone thought Slow
was too young, but he desperately wanted to prove himself. As the rest of his party
waited for the enemy to approach, Slow got on his pony and charged toward the enemy.
The others quickly changed their plans and followed Slow. Shocked by such a bold act
as Slow’s, the enemy warriors retreated.
Slow’s father was so proud of the victory led by his son, that he gave him the name
Sitting Bull, that which the Buffalo God had given him. The buffalo was considered a
strong, and courageous creature with lots of endurance. As a result of Slow’s behavior,
these were now qualities the people saw in him, Sitting Bull.
What kind of self-esteem do you think Sitting Bull had?
What did his parents and community think of him at first?
Did Sitting Bull let other’s opinions of him affect his self-esteem?
What were some of Sitting Bull’s strengths?
Does anyone know what happened to Sitting Bull later in his life? If so, please explain
here:
Using the previous questions identify strengths that Sitting Bull possessed to earn
his name. As a class fill in a Medicine Wheel for Sitting Bull.

9. Family Wellness and Youth in Distress
Lesson 4: Self Esteem
Handout 4-C
Sitting Bull Page 2 of 2

10. Family Wellness and Youth in Distress
Lesson 4: Self Esteem
Handout 4-D
When you have healthy self-esteem, you are able to bounce back from problems. You
know that everything is not your fault and that for whatever reasons something has
happened, it will pass and you can handle it. When you doubt your ability to handle
situations, you are less likely to try new things or advance yourself.
A beach ball is an example of a healthy self-esteem that is resilient and able to bounce
back. What do you think might happen if obstacles or situations are allowed to lower
self-esteem?
When the ball was full of air and was pushed on, what happened?
When it was full of air and dropped on the floor, what happened?
After air was let out of the ball, what happened when it was pushed on?
What about when it was dropped on the floor with less air in it?
What are some things that can lower self-esteem?
Can people lower your self-esteem? How?
Is low self-esteem permanent? Why or why not?
Is our self-esteem the same all the time? Why?
How can you raise your self-esteem?
Can other people help raise your self-esteem?
How can you help others raise their self-esteem?

11. Family Wellness and Youth in Distress
Lesson 4: Self Esteem
Handout 4-E
Stitch and Design
Stitch:
Please write down something that you learned from this lesson:
Now draw a “Stitch” for your Moccasin that represents and will remind you of what you
learned from this lesson.
Design:
Please write down something that you will use in the future from this lesson:
Now draw a “Design” for your Moccasin that represents and will remind you of what you
will use in the future from this lesson.
Examples of “Stitches” and “Designs” can be simple pictures or patterns.
Such as:
You may use the same or repeat “Stitches” and “Designs” from other lessons, but may
want to change the color, so that you can remember the lessons learned and how you will
use this in your future.