Help teens take a look in the mirror with this actionable lesson from the Self-Built Teens Workbook. Whether it's conquering anxiety, fostering mindfulness, or building emotional resilience, Lesson I sets the stage for meaningful growth.
Positive Self-Talk
“I investigate my reactions.”
How to Use This Lesson
1. Meet the Powerful You Teen
Introduce Investigating Izabella and the lesson theme, Investigate Reactions. Talk about how our thoughts, facial expressions, body language, and tone of voice can influence our relationships. Ask teens, “Have you ever assumed someone didn't like you without really knowing what they were thinking?” Discuss how becoming aware of our automatic reactions can help us respond more thoughtfully instead of jumping to conclusions.
2. Practice Positive Self-Talk
Introduce Izabella's phrase: “I investigate my reactions.” Encourage teens to repeat it silently and notice how their thoughts influence their feelings and behavior. Discuss how replacing assumptions such as “They think I am weird” with curious thoughts like “I wonder what they're really thinking” can help them approach others with greater openness. Remind teens that they can observe their reactions without judging themselves.
3. Breathe & Stretch
Use the FREE 5-minute classroom chair-stretch video below or lead the Lightning Bolt Stretch from the Self-Built Teensbook. Begin sitting at the edge of a sturdy chair with feet planted firmly together and arms reaching overhead. Lean forward and lift slightly off the chair, holding for five conscious breaths before lowering carefully. Encourage teens to notice their thoughts, breathing, and physical sensations during this challenging stretch. Discuss how observing discomfort without immediately reacting can help us handle difficult situations.
4. Read the Story & Reflect
Read Izabella's story from the Self-Built Teens book. Discuss how Izabella assumed her classmates disliked her and responded with unfriendly facial expressions and body language. Explore how recognizing the origin of her negative thoughts helped her become more aware of her reactions and begin showing kindness toward others. Use the reflection and journaling prompts for discussion, partner sharing, or private writing. Ask, “How might giving someone a genuine compliment open the door to friendship?” and “What do you wish others understood about you?”
5. Connect with an Activity
If time permits, use Izabella's THIS or THAT Group Activity from the book. Designate one side of the room as THIS and the other as THAT. Invite teens to stand in the middle and move toward the side that represents their preference as you read pairs of choices, such as Chocolate or Vanilla, Sunrise or Sunset, Beach or Mountains, Gratitude or Complaining, and Take Action or Procrastinate. Discuss how people can have different preferences and perspectives without one being right or wrong. Encourage teens to notice their reactions when others make different choices.
6. Display the Skill Sign
Display Investigating Izabella's Investigate Reactions: Responding Slowly to Problems skill sign to reinforce the lesson. Review the four strategies: Observe, Ponder, Care for Yourself, and Devise. Encourage teens to notice where they feel tension in their bodies, question automatic thinking patterns, use breathing or movement to care for themselves, and make a plan before reacting. Discuss how pausing allows emotions to move through us without immediately acting on them. Reinforce the message, “Awareness creates choice. Choice creates change.”
7. Practice at Home
Encourage teens to continue investigating their reactions outside the classroom. Share the FREE 20-minute home yoga video or the 5-minute parent chair-stretch video below. Invite teens and families to practice pausing, breathing, and noticing automatic reactions during everyday challenges. Encourage teens to choose one situation where they can respond with curiosity and kindness rather than reacting immediately.
Chair Stretch Video
Parent Chair Stretch Video
20-Minute Home Yoga Video
Journaling Song
Don’t Have the Workbook Yet? Get the Self-Built Teens Workbook—Empower Teens Today
With Self-Built Teens Workbook, each lesson builds confidence, resilience, and emotional awareness. Lesson A is just the beginning of a journey toward empowerment and thriving.
Start Building Confidence Today : Explore the A-to-Z Guide Now
Help teens build confidence, connection, and essential life skills—one letter at a time!
Powerful You: Self-Built Teens is an engaging A–Z life skills workbook designed for parents, school counselors, educators, and anyone supporting teens.
Each lesson includes a short, relatable story and reflective turn-and-talk prompts that encourage meaningful conversations, self-awareness, positive choices, and stronger relationships.
What's Inside:
26 A–Z life skills lessons
Short stories that spark reflection and discussion
Turn-and-talk prompts that build connection
Mindful chair stretches to release tension and re-energize learning
Practical activities that encourage problem-solving and self-management
Inspired by Real Teens
As a district school counselor, Julie Frizzi listened to students share what would help them feel more connected at school. Their ideas included short movement breaks, time to reflect with classmates, and fun icebreaker activities.
Self-Built Teens brings those ideas together in an easy-to-use resource that helps teens discover their strengths, build relationships, and develop tools for everyday life.
Free Stretching Videos
Visit the Self-Built Teens section of the Powerful You website for free stretching videos that accompany each of the 26 lessons.
Want the Matching Life Skill Signs?
Explore the Self-Built Teens Bundle, which includes the printed book and a digital collection of all 26 matching life skill signs.
Format: Printed book
Powerful You — Breathe • Stretch • Life Skills