About This Lesson
This Guide on the Side is a specially curated bundle of science-informed activities to learn about wellbeing — helping you, your students, your classroom, and the broader autism community connect with the characters and themes. It can be used for any movie, book, or show, but in this guide, we use movies as an example
Each activity is introduced for you and your students to learn about the skills of happiness. Then, we offer key learnings to set the stage, and you can practice each skill with the activities provided. Included is also a sample answer key using Disney Pixar’s Inside Out.
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 a sneak peek at each activity:
- Positive Emotions Scavenger Hunt: Be on the lookout for the 10 positive emotions displayed by the characters. Use our worksheet to track and explore these emotions, helping you recognize and appreciate positivity in your own life.
- Character Strengths Web: Create a strengths web by identifying and appreciating the various character strengths exhibited in key scenes. This activity encourages self-reflection and recognition of personal strengths.
- Gratitude Scenes: Focusing on what went well can help us find a balance in what we focus on day-to-day. You’ll pick scenes from the movie where a character expresses gratitude, fostering gratitude and positive reflection.
- Wellbeing Scenes: Explore wellbeing by analyzing characters’ experiences across the PERMA+ model (Positive Emotions, Engagement, Relationships, Mattering, Accomplishment, and +Health). This activity helps you understand and reflect on your own wellbeing.
- Gratitude Letter Writing: Inspired by poignant moments in the movie, this activity encourages you to write a gratitude letter to a movie, show, book, or character you’re thankful for. Writing gratitude letters can enhance your connection with others who have positively impacted your life.
Why you’ll love these activities:
* 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 summer break and back-to-school
*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 the 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!
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
