Mental health and wellness--developing a healthy self-concept. The student develops the capacity for self-assessment and evaluation, goal setting, and decision making in order to develop a healthy self-concept

Standards Alignment

• TEKS.115.39.03 primary
  describe how internal and external factors influence selfesteem.

Lesson Overview

This Grade 10 Health Education lesson focuses on mental health and wellness by helping students develop a healthy self-concept. Students will learn to assess and evaluate themselves, set goals, and make decisions that promote positive self-esteem. The lesson emphasizes understanding how both internal and external factors influence self-esteem, aligned with TEKS.115.39.03.

Learning Objectives

• Identify and describe internal factors that influence self-esteem.
• Identify and describe external factors that influence self-esteem.
• Explain how self-assessment and evaluation can support developing a healthy self-concept.
• Demonstrate goal setting and decision making to improve self-esteem.

Success Criteria

• Students can list examples of internal factors affecting self-esteem.
• Students can list examples of external factors affecting self-esteem.
• Students can explain how these factors impact their feelings about themselves.
• Students can set a personal goal related to improving their self-concept.
• Students can describe a decision that supports healthy self-esteem.

Prerequisite Knowledge

Students should understand basic concepts of mental health and wellness, including what self-esteem means and why it is important for overall health.

Key Vocabulary

• Self-concept
• Self-esteem
• Internal factors
• External factors
• Self-assessment
• Goal setting
• Decision making

Materials and Resources

• Whiteboard or chart paper
• Markers
• Self-esteem reflection worksheet
• Scenario cards illustrating internal and external factors
• Goal-setting template

Teacher Preparation

• Prepare examples of internal and external factors influencing self-esteem.
• Create or gather scenario cards for group discussion.
• Prepare self-esteem reflection worksheets and goal-setting templates.
• Plan role-play activities to practice decision making related to self-esteem.

Detailed Lesson Notes

Understanding Self-Concept and Self-Esteem

Self-concept is how a person thinks about, evaluates, or perceives themselves. Self-esteem is the value or worth a person places on themselves, which is a key part of self-concept. A healthy self-concept means having a positive and realistic view of oneself, which supports mental health and wellness.

Internal Factors Influencing Self-Esteem

Internal factors are influences that come from within a person. These include thoughts, feelings, beliefs, and attitudes about oneself. For example, a student’s confidence in their abilities, their mindset about challenges, or their emotional responses can all affect self-esteem. Negative self-talk or unrealistic expectations can lower self-esteem, while positive self-reflection and recognizing strengths can boost it.

External Factors Influencing Self-Esteem

External factors come from outside influences such as family, friends, school environment, social media, and cultural expectations. Supportive relationships and positive feedback can improve self-esteem, while bullying, criticism, or unrealistic comparisons to others can harm it. Understanding these external influences helps students recognize that some factors are beyond their control, but they can choose how to respond.

Self-Assessment and Evaluation for Healthy Self-Concept

Self-assessment involves reflecting honestly on one’s strengths and areas for growth. Evaluation means considering how internal and external factors affect feelings about oneself. Teaching students to regularly self-assess helps them identify negative influences and develop strategies to maintain or improve their self-esteem.

Goal Setting and Decision Making to Support Self-Esteem

Setting realistic and achievable goals related to personal growth can enhance self-esteem by providing a sense of accomplishment. Decision making involves choosing actions that align with one’s values and support mental wellness. For example, deciding to seek support when feeling down or choosing to engage in positive activities can strengthen self-concept.

Worked Examples

Classroom Activity

In small groups, students read scenario cards, discuss whether the factor is internal or external, and explain how it might influence self-esteem.

Guided Practice

Independent Practice

1. Foundational: What is self-esteem?
2. Developing: Name two internal factors that can influence a person's self-esteem.
3. Application: Describe one external factor that might lower a student's self-esteem and explain why.
4. Analysis: A student receives a bad grade but tells themselves they can improve with effort. Identify the internal factor at work and explain how it affects self-esteem.
5. Challenge: Explain how understanding both internal and external factors can help a student make better decisions to develop a healthy self-concept.

Independent Practice Teacher Answer Key

1. 1. Self-esteem is the value or worth a person places on themselves; it is how much someone likes or respects themselves.
2. 2. Examples include a person's thoughts about themselves, their feelings, beliefs, or attitudes.
3. 3. Bullying is an external factor that can lower self-esteem because negative treatment from others can make a student feel bad about themselves.
4. 4. The internal factor is the student's positive self-talk or mindset. It supports self-esteem by encouraging confidence and motivation despite setbacks.
5. 5. Understanding internal and external factors helps a student recognize what influences their feelings about themselves. This awareness allows them to manage negative influences, reinforce positive ones, and make decisions—like setting goals or seeking support—that promote healthy self-esteem.

Guiding Questions

• What influences your self-esteem from inside yourself?
• What influences your self-esteem from outside yourself?
• How can you use self-assessment to improve your self-concept?
• Why is setting goals important for your mental health?
• What decisions can you make to support a positive self-esteem?

Common Misconceptions

• Self-esteem is only about how others see you; it actually includes how you see yourself too.
• Only external factors influence self-esteem; internal thoughts and feelings are equally important.
• Self-esteem is fixed and cannot be changed; it can improve with self-assessment and positive actions.

Differentiation

Assessment

• Observe student participation in discussions and group activities.
• Review self-assessment worksheets and goal-setting templates for understanding.
• Listen to student explanations during sharing sessions.
• Describe one internal and one external factor that influence self-esteem.
• Explain how you plan to use goal setting to improve your self-concept.
• Write a short essay explaining how internal and external factors influence self-esteem and how a healthy self-concept benefits mental health.

Answer Guide

• What is self-esteem?
  Answer: Self-esteem is how much a person values or likes themselves.
• Name two internal factors that influence self-esteem.
  Answer: Thoughts and feelings about oneself.
• Give an example of an external factor that affects self-esteem.
  Answer: Feedback from family or friends, social media influence, or bullying.
• How can positive self-talk affect self-esteem?
  Answer: It can improve self-esteem by encouraging confidence and a positive view of oneself.
• Why is goal setting important for developing a healthy self-concept?
  Answer: Because it helps a person focus on personal growth and build confidence through achievement.

Real-Life Application

Encourage students to discuss with family members what self-esteem means and share one goal they have set to improve their self-concept. Families can support students by providing positive feedback and encouragement.

Homework or Home Connection

• Encourage students to discuss with family members what self-esteem means and share one goal they have set to improve their self-concept. Families can support students by providing positive feedback and encouragement.

Lesson Summary

In this lesson, students learned that self-esteem is influenced by both internal factors, like thoughts and feelings, and external factors, like relationships and environment. By understanding these influences, students can use self-assessment, goal setting, and decision making to develop a healthy self-concept that supports their mental health and wellness.

Teacher Notes

Use the exact standards alignment and retrieved-source provenance stored with this enrichment.

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