A- Grade

The Self-esteem game - A Grade!

Material Needed: A 3x5 Card, a pen, scotch tape.

When should this self-esteem game be played? The game can be played on different occasions. It should however be played at the beginning of preparing for an occasion. For instance it should be played at the beginning of a term, or at the beginning of preparing for an event, a tournament, a performance etc.

Objective of the self-esteem game: That every child gives herself an 'A' grade.

Instructions for the game: 1. Remind the children of how David gave himself an 'A' in the battle against Goliath even before it began. He gave himself an 'A' in spite of the fact that he was:

• Way Smaller than Goliath
• Did not have any armor
• Did not have any weapons other than a sling and a few stones
• Goliath ridiculed him
• His brothers did not believe in him

He gave himself an 'A' because he recounted his strengths.

• His experience of dealing with lions and bears while caring for his sheep
• His assessment of the same help being available to him in this new challenge

2. Tell them to imagine themselves in the future when they are receiving their grades for their performance in the Math exam. Tell them to give themselves an 'A' grade in it.

3. On the same card, (still operating in the future) below the grade tell them to write all those things that they have done well because of which they have got an 'A' grade. This is the step where they will list out their strong points, which contributed to their success.

4. The next section in the card is a list of resources (people and material) which helped them score an 'A'.

[The comments in both sections should be in a positive vein. They should indicate actions that the children have taken (not at the cost of others) which has helped them achieve their goal. So a comment like 'I will stealthily 'borrow' Jane's assignment and copy her work' is unacceptable. Comments like 'I will study with Jane and prepare notes for all the areas that I cannot manage do on my own' are acceptable.]

5. After they have finished, ask for some volunteers to share what they have written.

6. Provide them scotch tape to stick this card on their desks or lockers where they have the opportunity to see and read it everyday.

7. Ask them two questions which will allow them to reflect on the activity. The questions being: 'How do you feel?' and 'What are they learning?'

You will hear comments like: 'I don't know.', 'I feel capable.', 'I am thrilled that I got an 'A' even if it was an imaginary situation.' 'I find there are quite a few things that I can actually do to get an 'A'.' and 'Hey my memory is so good, now all I need to do is make sure that I do not forget to revise the day's lesson.'

8. These comments are samples. All of them are valid. Encourage them to speak about it. The more they are able to vocalize their feeling and talk about their learning, the more their committment towards the goal.

9. Remember this is an example for self-easteem games. Ask them to go through this card whenever they have the time. Also it is a great thing to go back to when they are feeling down or confused.

10. Encourage them to use this technique whenever they are faced with a challenge i.e. visualize themselves winning the challenge. It amounts to giving themselves an 'A' grade.

This self-esteem game works with any age group. It can be used in motivation training sessions as well.