Teacher Rationale: The Reason and Purpose of this Interactive Lesson

1. It is key to direct my Interactive Lesson on Self-Worth to the targeted age group where children are at an age where they question their worth in their homes and society. Clinical psychologist Robin F. Goodman informs us that “Girls' self-esteem peaks when they are 9 years old, then takes a nose dive." At age 9, students are leaving third grade and beginning their school year as a 4^th grader. I am focusing on delivering my instruction to fourth graders in the Elementary School level both boys and girls. Many times we seem to focus research and statistics concerning self-esteem towards girls, yet everyone has self-worth, and should not be gender-biased. For most kids, the transition to fourth grade is like merging into a social fast lane. "Gone are the comforts of early elementary social stability: here to stay (for a while!) are gossiping, teasing, and unblinking peer scrutiny."We must help our children build a powerful armor of self-worth for themselves to defeat and withstand the vicious and cruelty of the media world.