About This Lesson
Proof Positive’s Guide on the Side: Inside Out Edition is a specially curated bundle of science-informed activities to support you and your students in exploring wellbeing skills — because it can be fun (and helpful!) to turn things “Inside Out” and understand what’s happening in our brains.
This resource starts with a brief overview of the happiness skill, What Went Well, and then provides relevant Inside Out video clips and key learnings to set the stage to practice the skill. The resource is then followed by a printable worksheet activity - Gratitude Scenes - to put gratitude and What Went Well into practice while watching the Inside Out movies.
Pick 3 scenes from the movie where you saw something positive or that went well.
Why were these things good? Who was involved? Write or draw the scene in the boxes. Then, reflect on 3 things that have gone well for you recently.
Let’s dig deeper into your favorite characters’ challenges, strengths, and emotions, so you and your students can start to recognize where and how you can take control of your own wellbeing.
Here’s what you’ll get:
- Resource sheet introduction to the happiness skill
- Access to key scenes from Inside Out as it relates to the skill
- Key learnings from the scenes as it relates to the happiness skill
- Printable worksheet to put the skill into practice with the Inside Out movies
- Sample Answer Key relevant to the Inside Out movies
- Access to comprehensive movie Guide on the Side with more activities to teach the skills of happiness while watching Inside Out and Inside Out 2
Why you’ll love this activity:
* You can use each worksheet as a stand-alone activity or as a bundle
*The activities are easy to print and customize in your classroom or at home
*Connect with others and prompt discussions around emotions and wellbeing
*Perfect practices for the end of the school year and summer break
*It can be fun (and helpful!) to understand what’s happening in our brains
*All activities can be used for any movie, book, or show!
Ways to Use
- Incorporate into SEL curriculum
- Integrate into small groups and/or individual counseling sessions
- Watch movie in full, then discuss & practice activities after OR take an intermission after key scenes to dive right in
- Families can use this at home, too!
What is Gratitude?
Has anyone ever told you to “be grateful for what you have” or “count your blessings?” Maybe your parents or grandparents reminded you to pay attention to the good things in life, frequently say thank you and appreciate what you have. As a teacher, you may have told your students “focus on your successes.” Here, we present a case of science catching up to old adage.
The gratitude skill - What Went Well - helps you and your students begin to counteract the negativity bias and strike a balance in what you focus on each day. By developing a consistent gratitude practice, we can transform how we see the world. It has long been said that it is not happiness that brings us gratitude; rather, it is gratitude that brings us happiness.
Science of Gratitude
Research shows that practicing What Went Well can have profound impacts on individuals and groups. It turns out that the advice to focus on the good things each day has many benefits, ranging from physical health to mental wellbeing. People who practice gratitude:
- Are happier, healthier, and live longer
- Are more optimistic and hopeful
- Fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer
- Exercise more frequently and have better cardiovascular health
- Have stronger relationships and increased social support
- Find greater meaning in their work
- Perform better and achieve at higher levels
- Are less depressed and anxious
** Download the full Movie Guide on the Side: Inside Out Edition **
Looking for more gratitude resources?
* Explore the free What Went Well Unit Study which comes with teaching slides, additional worksheets and activities, and even IEP and BIP recommendations tailored specifically to students with autism.
Proof Positive’s resources are and will always be free. Be well!
Bonus access to full lesson plans and unit studies on the skills of happiness at our Skill Center
