Self-Esteem What Would You Do? Cards — Think, Choose, Act
A hand goes halfway up, then drops back to the desk, even though the answer was right there.
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About this resource
A hand goes halfway up, then drops back to the desk, even though the answer was right there. These self-esteem what would you do scenarios give Grades 2–5 forty of those hesitant moments, from a soccer huddle to a talent show sign-up sheet. Students read each Think, Choose, Act card, choose between three actions and say why, building the Self-Awareness to name a strength and then act on it.
What students practice
- Noticing and naming their own strengths
- Trying something new with an “I can try” attitude
- Sharing answers and ideas in class
- Showing what they’re good at without bragging
- Accepting a compliment with a thank-you
What’s inside
- 40 scenario cards across Noticing My Strengths, Trying Something New With Confidence, Sharing My Answer or Idea in Class, Showing What I’m Good At and Accepting a Compliment
- 120 action cards: a confident choice, a halfway choice and one that backs away
- 40 reflection sheets ending with “Your Turn! What Action Would You Take?”
- Teacher guide with five classroom approaches; 77 pages
A look inside
- Your Brother’s Family Book: Ollie asks what you are good at, and you mumble, “Nothing much,” though you taught him to tie his shoes. Action cards: Name Your Teaching, Let Him Choose, Stick With Nothing.
- The Library Coding Robot: the librarian wants a volunteer to program the robot, and you have never coded anything.
- The Duct Tape Wallet: your seatmate says you’re really good at this. Choices run from Show Her the Pocket to Point Out the Tear.
How to use these self-esteem what would you do cards
- Turn & Talk on The Half-Raised Hand: what helps a hand go all the way up?
- Make The Talent Show Sign-Up one of your decision making activities: groups each defend one card before the class decides
- Role play The Birdhouse You Built, then swap who gives the compliment and who takes it
- Reflection sheets as bell-ringers or SEL journal pages; younger students can draw instead
Grade fit
The strengths are things elementary kids really do: yo-yo tricks, cartwheels, a felt owl kit, lemon bars for Grandpa. With 15 community, 14 school and 11 home scenes, these self-esteem scenarios reach well past the classroom, which suits Grades 2–5.
Digital version
The interactive digital version shares as one link: students answer the think questions (or just read them in the quick format), choose an action card and say why, on any device with no student logins. At the end they download an answer sheet to hand in.
Pairs well with
Pair the cards with Self-Esteem Task Cards or the multiple-choice Self-Esteem Worksheets.
Questions teachers ask
Won't "Showing What I'm Good At" encourage bragging?
The subtopic is about sharing a skill, like signing up to read to shelter dogs, without bragging. Students compare a confident card with one that backs away and talk about the difference.
Can students answer on paper instead of aloud?
Yes. There is a full-page reflection sheet for every one of the 40 scenarios, with three questions and space for their own action.
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