12th Grade Techniques To Avoid Cognitive Distirtions Lesson Plan Example

Topic: Techniques to avoid cognitive distirtions

Objectives & Outcomes: After completing this lesson, students will be able to identify and understand the different types of cognitive distortions and learn techniques to avoid them.

Materials

• Handout with examples of cognitive distortions
• Pen or pencil for each student

Warm-up

• Ask students to think about a time when they felt really anxious or stressed.
• Ask them to think about what they were thinking at the time and if their thoughts were reasonable or rational.
• Explain that when we are stressed or anxious, our thinking can become distorted and sometimes we can have thoughts that are not reasonable or rational. These are called cognitive distortions.

Direct Instruction

• Introduce the concept of cognitive distortions and list some examples ( e.g. all-or-nothing thinking, catastrophizing, mental filtering, etc.).
• Emphasize the importance of recognizing these distortions and correcting them with more rational and realistic thinking.

Guided Practice

• Demonstrate some of the more common cognitive distortions and have students identify them in their own thinking.
• Then demonstrate some techniques for correcting them (e.g. reality testing, challenging irrational beliefs, etc.).
• Have students practice these techniques on their own and provide feedback and support.

Independent Practice

• Have students identify cognitive distortions in their own thoughts and write a response to each one, using one of the techniques they learned to correct it.
• Provide individualized support as needed.

Closure

• Review the main points of the lesson and have students share their responses to the cognitive distortions.
• Recap the techniques for correcting cognitive distortions and encourage students to continue practicing them.

Assessment

• Observe students during independent practice to ensure they are using the techniques correctly.
• Collect and grade the written techniques and program evaluations.