Meet Adjusting Anna - Adjusting to Life’s Changes
Adjusting Anna helps students develop adjusting to change skills. Through a relatable story, movement, reflection, positive self-talk, and practice, students learn tools they can use at school, at home, and in everyday life.
Supports the CASEL competencies and ASCA Student Standards.
Adjusting Anna’s Self-Talk
“I adjust to change.”
Invite students to stand tall and say the phrase once aloud. Then repeat it twice quietly. Discuss how this self-talk can help when they experience difficult changes.
Breathe & Stretch
Begin with a short Breathe & Stretch activity to help students release tension, become aware of their bodies, and prepare their minds for learning.
Use the video below, choose another Powerful You Breathe & Stretch activity, or create your own breathing and movement ideas based on your students’ needs.
20-Minute Lesson Plan
Launch
Show the Powerful You character picture. Introduce Adjusting Anna and the theme of handling life changes.Breathe & Stretch
Use the video or lead your own breathing and movement activity to help students move, breathe, and prepare to learn.Connect
Read Adjusting Anna’s true story from the Powerful You book or laminated Powerful You card. Invite students to connect the character’s experience to situations they may encounter.Practice Positive Self-Talk
Stand tall and say “I adjust to change.” once aloud and twice quietly. Discuss when students could use this phrase in their own lives.Reflect
Use the reflection or journaling prompts included with the Powerful You lesson. Give students time to think, write, turn and talk, or share if they choose.Role-Play
Invite students to hold the laminated Powerful You card and practice the skill by acting out a scenario of their choice.Leave an SEL Footprint
Display the matching Powerful You classroom skill sign as a visual reminder of the lesson and self-talk.Practice and Reinforce
Look for opportunities to notice, name, and celebrate students using adjusting skills in their daily lives.
Remember
Breathe. Stretch. Practice your self-talk. You are more powerful than you know!
Continue with Powerful You
This lesson is part of the Powerful You A–Z life-skills program for Grades 2–6. Explore the complete program to teach all 26 characters, skills, stories, and self-talk phrases.
Powerful You! In The Middle Cookie Game is a fun memory-style matching game designed to help children understand an important message:
Kids are the good stuff in the middle of divorce.
Created for ages 5+ and playable with 2–6 players, this engaging game is played like Concentration while gently opening the door to emotional expression and healing conversations.
Children match:
Feeling words
Coping strategies
Empowering phrases
As they play, they learn to identify emotions, talk about difficult changes, and build resilience.
“Life is like a pickle. Sometimes it’s sweet & sometimes it’s sour.” — Patricia Kienzle
This game helps children recognize “sour pickle” feelings while discovering healthy ways to cope and grow stronger.
Perfect for:
School counselors
Teachers
Parents
Therapists
Small groups
Family support settings
Benefits:
Encourages communication
Builds emotional awareness
Supports children through divorce transitions
Makes hard conversations easier through play
Strengthens confidence and connection
Why Families Love It
Easy to learn, meaningful to play, and created with heart, this game reminds every child:
You are the good stuff in the middle.