Welcome to Put the Ball Down, Lesson 2 of the Heartside Framework Series—the second of the action-specific lessons promised in the Foundation Lesson. This is the lesson for every kind heart that reaches for a joke, a distraction, or a “cheer up” the moment a friend goes sad… which is to say, every kind heart in your room, including the one teaching.
Here’s what’s inside:
Framework Focus: Action Two of the Heartside Five: Put the ball down. (Your middle finger, the tallest one… because the urge to fix is the tallest feeling in your hand.)
The Big Idea: A friend’s sadness cannot be fixed… so don’t try. Not with jokes. Not with advice. Not with distraction. Heartside Heroes notice the fix-it urge, set it down, and simply stay.
Heartside Heroes Will...
· Tell why they shouldn’t try to fix the sad.
· Name their own fix-it move and notice the urge when it rises.
· Practice the trade: Set the ball down, say a kind true thing, and stay.
Every Heartside Lesson Plan runs in a 20-minute core, shrinks to 10 minutes for those in a time crunch, and grows with extenders... with adaptations for Grades 1–12 and versions for whole-class, large-group, small-group, and one-on-one.
Downloadable Resource List
Heartside Lesson 2 · Put the Ball Down (PDF)—The complete lesson plan
“The Ball Isn’t Bad” Anchor Chart—The trade at a glance, for the wall
Beach Ball Sheet—Hands-on activity
Lesson 2 Family Note—Ready to copy and send home
Heartside Framework Hand Poster—The map for every lesson, on one hand
New to the Heartside Framework?
Start with the Foundation Lesson: Becoming a Heartside Hero
After our launch period, the Heartside Lesson Plans section and downloads will move to the paid tier. But for now, it’s open to all subscribers. Feel free to use this lesson with the young people in your life. (Feel free to refer others to this page as a resource… but please do not share the lessons themselves.)
Everything you need is right here, ready to print:
Heartside Lesson 2 · Put the Ball Down (PDF):
“The Ball Isn’t Bad” Anchor Chart:
Beach Ball Sheet:
Lesson 2 Family Note:
Heartside Framework Hand Poster:
Let me know which ages and adaptations you choose—and how it goes. I am always open to constructive feedback… from pointing out typos and misspellings (I promise that I try to scan for those…) to suggestions for the adaptations and activities. We are on this mission together, and I value your opinion.
Please leave a comment or shoot me a message... I read them all.
Let’s raise a generation that knows how to show up for hurting friends...
Jepper