Document Type
Lesson Plan and Materials
Publication Date
2025
Abstract
“This Is How You Can Be a COOL Adult” is an interactive and self-reflective lesson designed to help high school juniors through college seniors practice being more compassionate, open-minded, optimistic, and laughing-out-loud (humorous) in their everyday lives. By the end of this lesson, students will be able to describe and explore research-based strategies that foster compassion, open-mindedness, optimism, and humor, and create a personalized “COOL Action Plan” with self-reflection logs to track progress. The lesson takes place in an unconventional classroom setting (outdoors) and includes mini-lectures, meditation, collaborative games, creative role-play, personal reflection, and practical methods for applying these qualities in real-life contexts. Ultimately, this lesson encourages students to cultivate greater humility and civic engagement.
Included in
Cognitive Psychology Commons, Community-Based Learning Commons, Community Psychology Commons, Developmental Psychology Commons, Educational Sociology Commons, Personality and Social Contexts Commons, School Psychology Commons, Social Psychology Commons
