About This Lesson
Proof Positive’s Movie Guide on the Side is a specially curated bundle of science-informed activities to support you and your students in exploring wellbeing skills.
This resource starts with a brief overview of the happiness skill, Positivity Portfolios, and then provides key learnings to set the stage for practicing the skill. The resource is then followed by a printable worksheet activity – Positive Emotions Scavenger Hunt– to put Positivity Portfolios into practice while watching any movie of your choosing.
Be on the lookout for when the characters feel one or more of the 10 positive emotions. In what scene(s) is the character feeling love? Inspired? Joyful? When you see a positive emotion, write the name of the character in the box. Then, write or draw the scene(s). (Modification idea: Have students color or put an “X” in the box when they see a positive emotion displayed.) Then, reflect on 3 things you can do to feel positive emotions.
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
- Key learnings as it relates to the happiness skill
- Printable worksheet to put the skill into practice with any movie
- Sample Answer Key using Disney Pixar’s Inside Out
- Access to the comprehensive movie Guide on the Side with more activities to teach the skills of happiness while watching any movie
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 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!
What are Positivity Portfolios?
How many micro-moments of joy, love, or gratitude are required to have a good day — or live a flourishing life? Micro-moments of positivity are often quick and sometimes go unnoticed. The same is true for spontaneous, positive thoughts — we are more likely to let them pass without any attention (unlike spontaneous negative thoughts that hook us with ease). It's important that we pause and bring a more mindful approach to positive emotions because when those micro-moments of joy are strung together, they have tremendous potential to boost our wellbeing. That’s where Positivity Portfolios — a collection of items, memories, songs, or pictures that trigger you to feel specific positive emotions — come into play.
Science of Positive Emotions
Positive emotions create opportunities for growth and healing, mentally and physically. The Broaden and Build theory is based on the notion that positive emotions enable us to develop new and creative ways of thinking to enhance wellbeing and promote resilience. Scientific evidence finds that even little moments of joy throughout the day add up to greater physical and mental wellbeing. People who experience positive emotions think better, perform better, and feel better. Experiencing positive emotions regularly can:
- Open our eyes and minds
- Increase creative thinking
- Expand our visual field
- Allow for global thinking and diversity
- Prevent depression and anxiety
- Undoing effect
- Improve cardiac functioning
- Increase healthy sleep
** Download the full Movie Guide on the Side **
Looking for more Positivity Portfolio resources?
* Explore the free Positivity Portfolio 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
