Lesson Plan – Week 1: What Does It Mean to Be Proactive?
Duration: 1 hour
Habit 1 Focus: Understanding proactive vs. reactive behaviour
1. Opening & Hook (10 minutes)
• Icebreaker Question (5 min):
Ask: “When something bad happens, like forgetting homework or getting blamed for
something, what’s the first thing you usually do?”
Collect quick answers (e.g., blame someone, get angry, stay calm). Write them on the
board under two columns: Reactive vs Proactive.
• Short Video/Story (5 min):
Share a short story/video (e.g., student blaming vs. student taking responsibility) OR use
a simple real-life example:
Two students fail a test. One blames the teacher and gives up. The other asks for help
and studies differently next time.
Transition Statement: “This is the difference between being reactive and being proactive — and
we’re going to explore how that works in our own lives.”
2. Teaching & Explanation (15 minutes)
• Key Points (on board/slide):
o Reactive people: blame, complain, feel like victims.
o Proactive people: take responsibility, focus on solutions, choose their response.
o Being proactive means: “I am in charge of me.”
• Class Discussion Prompt:
“Can you think of a time when you reacted quickly and it made things worse? Can you
think of a time when you paused, chose carefully, and it turned out better?”
(Encourage a few students to share; affirm both age-appropriate and serious examples.)
3. Interactive Activity: Role-Play (15 minutes)
• Set up scenarios (in pairs or small groups):
Example situations:
1. Someone bumps into you in the hallway.
2. Teacher forgets to call your name on the attendance.
3. A friend ignores your message.
4. You forgot to do your homework.
• Instructions:
o One student acts out the reactive response.
o Then switch and act out the proactive response.
o Discuss in groups: Which response felt better? Which had better outcomes?
• Class Share (3–4 groups): Highlight how proactive responses create better results.
4. Reflection & Personal Application (15 minutes)
• Individual Reflection (5 min):
Students write in their journals:
1. One situation where I usually react.
2. How I can be proactive instead.
• Pair Share (5 min): Share reflections with a partner.
• Class Commitment (5 min):
On the board, write: “This week, I will be proactive by…”
Each student contributes 1 short statement. (E.g., “Not blaming my brother,” “Asking for
help when stuck,” “Choosing calm instead of shouting.”)
5. Closing (5 minutes)
• Recap: “Being proactive means choosing our response instead of letting circumstances
control us.”
• Challenge for the Week: Each student tracks 1 time per day when they choose to be
proactive instead of reactive. They will bring 1 example next session.
• Closing Quote: “I am not a product of my circumstances; I am a product of my choices.”
– Stephen R. Covey
