Lesson Plan
5-4-3-2-1 Calm Coloring Lesson Plan
Students will practice the 5-4-3-2-1 mindfulness grounding technique while coloring to enhance self-regulation and reduce stress.
This lesson helps 4th graders develop self-awareness and coping strategies for stress by engaging their senses and creativity, promoting focus and emotional regulation.
Audience
4th Grade Students
Time
15 minutes
Approach
Guided sensory mindfulness paired with coloring.
Materials
- 5-4-3-2-1 Grounding Coloring Page, - Colored Pencils Or Crayons, and - Timer Or Stopwatch
Prep
Preparation
5 minutes
- Print enough copies of 5-4-3-2-1 Grounding Coloring Page for each student.
- Gather colored pencils or crayons.
- Set up a visible timer or stopwatch.
- Review differentiation strategies for sensory and attention needs.
- Prepare a simple assessment tracker for anecdotal notes.
Step 1
Introduction
2 minutes
- Welcome students and explain today's quick grounding activity.
- Briefly discuss when and why we use the 5-4-3-2-1 technique for stress reduction.
Step 2
Explain Technique
3 minutes
- Introduce each sensory step: 5 things you see, 4 you can touch, 3 you hear, 2 you smell, 1 you taste.
- Model with an example using the classroom environment.
Step 3
Guided Coloring And Mindfulness
7 minutes
- Distribute coloring pages and art materials.
- Start the timer for 7 minutes.
- Prompt each sensory step at intervals, e.g.:
- "Look around and name 5 things you see as you color."
- "Feel your paper or crayon; note 4 things you can touch."
- Continue with hearing, smelling, tasting.
- Encourage thoughtful coloring reflecting each prompt.
Step 4
Reflection And Sharing
2 minutes
- Ask volunteers to share one insight or favorite part.
- Highlight how noticing senses can calm the mind.
Step 5
Wrap-Up And Transition
1 minute
- Collect materials and recollect coloring pages.
- Remind students to use this technique anytime they feel stressed.
Slide Deck
5-4-3-2-1 Calm Coloring
A 15-minute mindfulness and coloring activity to help you focus and feel calm.
Welcome students! Introduce the session: a quick, calming activity combining mindfulness with coloring. Explain that they will learn a sensory grounding technique called 5-4-3-2-1 to help manage stress.
Objective & Why
• Objective: Practice the 5-4-3-2-1 grounding technique while coloring to reduce stress and refocus.
• Why: Engaging your senses and creativity helps calm your mind and improve concentration.
Read aloud the objective and why it matters. Connect it to times they might feel anxious or distracted in class.
Materials & Setup
• 5-4-3-2-1 Grounding Coloring Page
• Colored pencils or crayons
• Timer or stopwatch
Display materials and verify everyone has what they need.
What Is the 5-4-3-2-1 Technique?
A sensory grounding method:
- See 5 things
- Touch 4 things
- Hear 3 things
- Smell 2 things
- Taste 1 thing
Explain the overall technique before diving into each step.
Step 1: See 5 Things
Look around and name 5 things you see as you color.
Prompt students to look around the room and say five items they see. Encourage them to name things as they color.
Step 2: Touch 4 Things
Notice and name 4 things you can touch (paper, crayon, desk, etc.).
Ask students to feel their paper, crayon, or nearby objects. Encourage descriptive responses.
Step 3: Hear 3 Things
Close your eyes briefly and name 3 sounds you hear.
Guide them to listen carefully to sounds in the room or outside.
Step 4: Smell 2 Things
Identify and name 2 things you can smell.
Invite them to sniff their pencil box, snack, or the air around them.
Step 5: Taste 1 Thing
Name 1 thing you can taste (water, mint, or the air).
Have a small safe snack (like a mint or piece of fruit) ready if allowed; otherwise, they can ‘pretend taste’ the air or water they have.
Guided Coloring
- Distribute coloring sheets and materials
- Start 7-minute timer
- At each interval, prompt the next sensory step
- Color thoughtfully as you go
Distribute coloring pages now. Explain you'll color for 7 minutes. Set timer and prompt each step at intervals.
Reflection & Sharing
• What was your favorite part?
• How did noticing your senses make you feel?
After timer ends, invite 2–3 volunteers to share one insight or favorite moment.
Wrap-Up & Transition
• Gather coloring pages and supplies
• Remember: Use 5-4-3-2-1 coloring whenever you need a quick reset!
Collect materials and remind students they can use this anytime they feel stressed. Transition smoothly back to the next activity.
Worksheet
5-4-3-2-1 Grounding Coloring Page
Use the designs below to color as you engage each sense and then write your responses in the space provided.
Step 1: See 5 Things
Color the five circles below as you look around and notice 5 things you see.
○ ○ ○ ○ ○
Things I see:
- __________________
- __________________
- __________________
- __________________
- __________________
Step 2: Touch 4 Things
Color the four squares below as you feel and name 4 things you can touch.
□ □ □ □
Things I can touch:
- __________________
- __________________
- __________________
- __________________
Step 3: Hear 3 Things
Color the three triangles below as you listen and name 3 sounds you hear.
△ △ △
Things I hear:
- __________________
- __________________
- __________________
Step 4: Smell 2 Things
Color the two stars below as you breathe deeply and name 2 things you can smell.
★ ★
Things I smell:
- __________________
- __________________
Step 5: Taste 1 Thing
Color the heart below as you notice and name 1 thing you can taste.
♥
Thing I taste:
- __________________
Great job! Keep this page handy to calm your mind whenever you need a quick reset.
Script
5-4-3-2-1 Calm Coloring Script
Slide 1 – Title: 5-4-3-2-1 Calm Coloring
Teacher (smiling, in an inviting tone):
"Good morning, everyone! Today we are going to try a fun, quick calming activity called ‘5-4-3-2-1 Calm Coloring.’ It’s a way to use our senses and some coloring time to feel more focused and peaceful. Ready to give it a try?"
(Pause for nods or quiet affirmations.)
"Great! Let’s move to our next slide."
Slide 2 – Objective & Why
Teacher:
"On this slide, you see our objective and why we’re doing this activity.
• Objective: Practice the 5-4-3-2-1 grounding technique while coloring to reduce stress and refocus.
• Why: Engaging your senses and creativity helps calm your mind and improve concentration.
Think for a moment: When might you feel the need to calm your mind during the school day?"
(Allow 10–15 seconds for responses; accept a few examples: ‘before a test,’ ‘when I feel worried,’ etc.)
"Those are great ideas! This is a tool you can use any time you feel stressed or distracted."
(Click to advance slide.)
Slide 3 – Materials & Setup
Teacher:
"Let’s make sure everyone has what they need. Please take out:
- Your 5-4-3-2-1 Grounding Coloring Page
- Colored pencils or crayons
- Our timer or stopwatch
Raise your hand if you’re all set."
(Wait for hands.)
"Excellent! Keep your materials within reach and let’s go on."
Slide 4 – What Is the 5-4-3-2-1 Technique?
Teacher:
"This technique helps us use our five senses to stay in the present moment. Here’s how it works:
- See 5 things
- Touch 4 things
- Hear 3 things
- Smell 2 things
- Taste 1 thing
I’ll guide you through each step while you color. Let’s begin with seeing."
(Advance to next slide.)
Slide 5 – Step 1: See 5 Things
Teacher:
"Step 1: See five things. As you start coloring, look around the classroom or at your page and silently name five things you see. It could be the pattern on your page, the color of your crayon, or something across the room.
Begin now—notice and name five things you see."
(Give about 30 seconds; observe students gently coloring.)
"Wonderful—thank you for noticing your surroundings!"
(Advance slide.)
Slide 6 – Step 2: Touch 4 Things
Teacher:
"Step 2: Touch four things. Keep coloring and see if you can feel four different textures or objects. Maybe it’s the smoothness of your crayon, the paper, your desk, or even your clothes.
Go ahead—name four things you can touch as you color."
(Pause 30 seconds.)
"Great job exploring how things feel!"
(Advance slide.)
Slide 7 – Step 3: Hear 3 Things
Teacher:
"Step 3: Hear three things. Close your eyes for a moment if you like, and really listen. What three sounds do you notice? It could be the timer ticking, a pencil tapping, or distant hallway noise.
Listen and name three sounds now."
(Pause 30 seconds.)
"Awesome listening!"
(Advance slide.)
Slide 8 – Step 4: Smell 2 Things
Teacher:
"Step 4: Smell two things. Take a deep breath and notice two scents around you. You might smell your crayons, the air in the room, or something nearby like a snack.
Pause and name two things you can smell."
(Pause 30 seconds.)
"Excellent work tuning into your sense of smell."
(Advance slide.)
Slide 9 – Step 5: Taste 1 Thing
Teacher:
"Step 5: Taste one thing. If you have water or a mint, take a small taste. If not, notice the taste in your mouth or the feeling of your breath.
Name the one thing you can taste."
(Pause 30 seconds.)
"Thank you for exploring that final sense!"
(Advance slide.)
Slide 10 – Guided Coloring (7 Minutes)
Teacher:
"Now that we’ve walked through all five steps, let’s combine them with our coloring for the next seven minutes. Keep your page and coloring tools out. I’ll start the timer now.
As you color, feel free to use any colors you like and notice your senses whenever you remember each step. There’s no rush—just enjoy. Starting... now!"
(Start timer for 7 minutes. Circulate, offer quiet encouragement, and remind students gently if they get off track.)
(When timer reaches about 1 minute remaining, you can say:)
"One minute left—finish your coloring and sensing wherever you are. Great job focusing!"
(When timer ends, say:)
"Time’s up—please set your crayons down."
(Advance slide.)
Slide 11 – Reflection & Sharing
Teacher:
"Let’s take a moment to share. Who would like to tell us one insight or a favorite part of today’s activity?"
(Allow 2–3 volunteers.)
For each volunteer, follow up:
• "What did you notice about how you felt when you focused on your senses?"
• "How might you use this when you feel stressed?"
"Thank you for sharing—those are wonderful ideas!"
(Advance slide.)
Slide 12 – Wrap-Up & Transition
Teacher:
"To wrap up, please hand in your coloring pages and gather your pencils or crayons. Remember, you can use the 5-4-3-2-1 Calm Coloring technique anytime you need a quick reset.
Great job today, everyone! Let’s smoothly transition back to our next activity."
(Collect materials and guide students on to the next lesson.)