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Anxiety Avengers: Superpower Squad

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Lesson Plan

Anxiety Avengers: Superpower Squad

To provide 2nd-grade students with foundational emotional regulation skills, coping mechanisms for anxiety, and foster a strong sense of self-worth and community belonging over a 10-week period.

This lesson is crucial for helping young students identify and manage their emotions, especially anxiety, in a supportive classroom setting. It builds resilience, promotes self-awareness, and strengthens social-emotional skills vital for overall well-being and academic success.

Audience

2nd Grade

Time

10 weeks, 30 minutes per week

Approach

Weekly interactive sessions combining discussions, activities, and reflection.

Materials

Small whiteboards or paper, Markers/Pencils, Art supplies (crayons, colored pencils), Feelings Check-in Chart, Coping Strategies Worksheet, Anxiety Avengers Slide Deck, Mindful Breathing Script, My Superpower Shield Activity, and Reflection Journal

Prep

Review Materials and Prepare Classroom

15 minutes per week

Review the Anxiety Avengers Lesson Plan and all associated materials for the week.
Gather any physical materials needed (e.g., markers, paper, art supplies).
Ensure the classroom is set up for discussion and activity.

Step 1

Week 1: Understanding Our Feelings

30 minutes

Objective

Students will be able to identify and name different emotions, particularly focusing on how anxiety feels in their bodies.

Activities

  1. Warm-Up (5 minutes): Begin with a quick "Feelings Check-in." Use the Feelings Check-in Chart to have students silently point to or write down how they are feeling. Discuss a few examples, emphasizing that all feelings are okay.
  2. Introduction to Emotions (10 minutes): Introduce the idea that feelings are like messages. Use the Anxiety Avengers Slide Deck to present different emotions and discuss how they might look and feel. Focus on the physical sensations associated with anxiety (e.g., fast heartbeat, tummy ache).
  3. Drawing Our Feelings (10 minutes): Provide students with paper and drawing supplies. Ask them to draw a picture of a feeling they've experienced recently, or how anxiety might look in their body. Encourage them to use colors and shapes to represent the feeling.
  4. Share and Discuss (5 minutes): Briefly allow volunteers to share their drawings and explain their feelings. Reiterate that everyone experiences different feelings and that it's okay to talk about them.

Wrap-Up

Remind students that noticing our feelings is the first step to understanding ourselves. Introduce the idea of superpowers for managing feelings, setting the stage for next week.

Step 2

Week 2: My Body's Alarm System

30 minutes

Objective

Students will understand that anxiety is a body's alarm system and learn basic mindful breathing as a calming technique.

Activities

  1. Review (5 minutes): Briefly recap last week's discussion on feelings. Ask students to share one feeling word they remember.
  2. The Body's Alarm (10 minutes): Explain that sometimes our bodies feel an alarm when there's no real danger – that's anxiety. Use the Anxiety Avengers Slide Deck to show simple diagrams of how the body reacts. Discuss common triggers for their 'body alarms' (e.g., a test, a new situation).
  3. Mindful Breathing Introduction (10 minutes): Introduce mindful breathing as a 'superpower' to calm the body's alarm. Lead students through the Mindful Breathing Script (e.g., 'Balloon Breath' or 'Starfish Breath'). Practice together.
  4. Quick Reflection (5 minutes): Ask students how their bodies feel after practicing mindful breathing. Discuss how they can use this superpower when their alarm goes off.

Wrap-Up

Encourage students to practice their mindful breathing superpower at home and share their experiences next week.

Step 3

Week 3: The Power of Thought Bubbles

30 minutes

Objective

Students will learn to identify negative thoughts and reframe them into more positive or realistic ones.

Activities

  1. Warm-Up (5 minutes): Quick mindful breathing practice. Ask students to describe a time they used their breathing superpower.
  2. What Are Thought Bubbles? (10 minutes): Explain that thoughts are like bubbles in our heads. Some can be 'fizzy' (unhelpful/negative) and some are 'calm' (helpful/positive). Use the Anxiety Avengers Slide Deck to show examples of fizzy thoughts related to anxiety (e.g., "I'm going to fail") and calm thoughts (e.g., "I will try my best").
  3. Fizzy to Calm (10 minutes): Provide students with small whiteboards or paper. Present a few 'fizzy thought' scenarios (e.g., "It's raining, now I can't play outside"). Have students brainstorm 'calm thoughts' to replace them (e.g., "I can play a game inside instead"). Guide them through the process.
  4. Sharing Calm Thoughts (5 minutes): Have a few students share their original fizzy thought and their transformed calm thought.

Wrap-Up

Reinforce that our thoughts have power and we can choose to make them helpful.

Step 4

Week 4: My Superpower Shield

30 minutes

Objective

Students will identify their personal strengths and positive qualities as a 'superpower shield' against difficult feelings.

Activities

  1. Warm-Up (5 minutes): Ask students to share one positive thought they had this week.
  2. What Makes Me Strong? (10 minutes): Discuss the concept of inner strengths and positive qualities. Brainstorm examples as a class (e.g., kind, brave, smart, good friend). Emphasize that everyone has unique strengths.
  3. Create Your Superpower Shield (10 minutes): Guide students through the My Superpower Shield Activity. Have them draw a shield and write/draw their personal strengths and positive qualities on it.
  4. Displaying Our Shields (5 minutes): Allow students to share their shields. Optionally, display them in the classroom as a reminder of their inner strengths.

Wrap-Up

Explain that their superpower shield can help them feel strong and brave when facing worries.

Step 5

Week 5: Connecting with Others: Super Friends!

30 minutes

Objective

Students will understand the importance of asking for help and identifying trusted adults and friends.

Activities

  1. Warm-Up (5 minutes): Review the Superpower Shields. Ask how their strengths helped them this week.
  2. Asking for Help (10 minutes): Discuss why it's important to ask for help when we feel anxious or overwhelmed. Use the Anxiety Avengers Slide Deck to talk about how 'Super Friends' (trusted adults and friends) can offer support.
  3. Who Are My Super Friends? (10 minutes): Have students brainstorm a list of 2-3 trusted adults (parents, teachers, relatives) and friends they can talk to. They can write or draw these on a piece of paper.
  4. Role-Play (5 minutes): Briefly role-play a scenario where a student asks a 'Super Friend' for help. Emphasize clear communication.

Wrap-Up

Reiterate that asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness, and that they have a whole team of 'Super Friends' to support them.

Step 6

Week 6: Problem-Solving Superpowers

30 minutes

Objective

Students will learn simple steps for problem-solving to address minor worries.

Activities

  1. Warm-Up (5 minutes): Discuss a time they asked for help and how it felt.
  2. What's the Problem? (10 minutes): Introduce a simple problem-solving model (e.g., 1. What's the problem? 2. What are some solutions? 3. What's the best solution? 4. Try it!). Use the Anxiety Avengers Slide Deck to illustrate these steps.
  3. Practice Problem-Solving (10 minutes): Present a common 2nd-grade problem (e.g., forgetting homework, disagreement with a friend). As a class or in small groups, guide students through the problem-solving steps.
  4. Sharing Solutions (5 minutes): Have groups share their identified problems and solutions.

Wrap-Up

Empower students by reminding them they have problem-solving superpowers to tackle worries.

Step 7

Week 7: The Superpower of Gratitude

30 minutes

Objective

Students will practice gratitude as a way to shift focus from worries to positive aspects of their lives.

Activities

  1. Warm-Up (5 minutes): Ask students about a small problem they solved this week.
  2. What is Gratitude? (10 minutes): Explain gratitude as being thankful for good things. Discuss how noticing good things can make us feel happier and less worried. Use the Anxiety Avengers Slide Deck to show examples.
  3. Gratitude Super-List (10 minutes): Have students create a 'Gratitude Super-List' of 3-5 things they are thankful for. Encourage them to think about big and small things.
  4. Share a Super-Thank You (5 minutes): Allow students to share one item from their list.

Wrap-Up

Suggest they try to find one thing to be grateful for every day.

Step 8

Week 8: Dealing with Big Feelings: The Freeze Frame Superpower

30 minutes

Objective

Students will learn to pause and label intense feelings before reacting.

Activities

  1. Warm-Up (5 minutes): Share something new they were grateful for this week.
  2. When Feelings Get Big (10 minutes): Discuss situations where feelings can become very intense (e.g., anger, extreme frustration, deep sadness). Introduce the 'Freeze Frame Superpower' – the ability to pause and notice what's happening inside before reacting. Use the Anxiety Avengers Slide Deck.
  3. Practice Freeze Frame (10 minutes): Present a scenario where a student might have a big feeling (e.g., someone knocks over their tower). Guide them to 'freeze,' notice their body, and try to name the feeling before deciding what to do.
  4. Discussion (5 minutes): Discuss why 'freezing' can be helpful. How does it give us more control?

Wrap-Up

Emphasize that it's okay to feel big feelings, but we can learn to respond thoughtfully.

Step 9

Week 9: My Future Super Self

30 minutes

Objective

Students will visualize and articulate their future selves as resilient individuals capable of handling challenges.

Activities

  1. Warm-Up (5 minutes): Discuss a time they used their 'Freeze Frame Superpower.'
  2. Imagine Your Super Self (10 minutes): Ask students to close their eyes (or look down) and imagine themselves a year from now. What superpowers have they mastered? How do they handle worries? What makes them feel strong and happy? Use the Anxiety Avengers Slide Deck for visual prompts.
  3. Draw/Write Your Super Self (10 minutes): Provide paper and drawing/writing materials. Have students draw or write about their 'Future Super Self,' focusing on their resilience and ability to cope with feelings.
  4. Share Visions (5 minutes): Allow volunteers to share their visions for their future selves.

Wrap-Up

Reinforce that they are growing and learning new superpowers every day.

Step 10

Week 10: Anxiety Avengers: Our Superpower Squad Celebration!

30 minutes

Objective

Students will celebrate their learned coping strategies and reinforce a sense of community and collective strength.

Activities

  1. Warm-Up (5 minutes): Reflect on one new superpower or strategy they've learned during the program.
  2. Superpower Review (10 minutes): Go through all the superpowers learned over the 10 weeks (e.g., understanding feelings, mindful breathing, calm thoughts, superpower shield, asking for help, problem-solving, gratitude, freeze frame). Use the Anxiety Avengers Slide Deck to review each one.
  3. Anxiety Avengers Oath (10 minutes): As a class, create a simple 'Anxiety Avengers Oath' where students pledge to use their superpowers, help their friends, and talk about their feelings. They can repeat after the teacher.
  4. Celebration! (5 minutes): Acknowledge their hard work and growth with a round of applause or a small celebratory activity.

Wrap-Up

Remind students that they are all part of the 'Anxiety Avengers Superpower Squad' and have tools to face challenges.

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Slide Deck

Welcome, Super Squad!

• What are feelings?
• Why do we have them?
• All feelings are okay!

Welcome students and introduce the concept of feelings. Explain that everyone has feelings and they are all okay.

Feelings Are Messages

• Happy
• Sad
• Angry
• Scared
• Surprised

Explain that feelings are like messages from our bodies. Show examples of happy, sad, angry, and scared faces. Ask students to show with their faces what these feelings look like.

Meet Your Body's Alarm System: Anxiety

• What does anxiety feel like in your body?
• Fast heartbeat?
• Butterflies in your tummy?
• Wiggly legs?
• It's your body's alarm!

Introduce anxiety specifically. Talk about how anxiety can feel in our bodies (e.g., tummy aches, fast heartbeats, fidgeting). Ask students if they've ever felt these things.

Drawing Our Feelings

• Draw how a feeling looks inside you.
• Use colors and shapes!
• No right or wrong way to draw a feeling.

Introduce the idea of drawing feelings as a way to understand them better. Encourage using colors and shapes.

Superpower Breathing!

• When your body's alarm rings, what can you do?
• Breathe in, breathe out!
• Try 'Balloon Breath' with me!

Explain that mindful breathing is a superpower to help calm our body's alarm. Demonstrate a simple breathing exercise.

Your Thought Bubbles

• What are thoughts?
• 'Fizzy' thoughts make us worried.
• 'Calm' thoughts help us feel better.

Transition to the idea of thoughts. Explain 'fizzy' vs. 'calm' thoughts.

Fizzy to Calm!

• Fizzy thought: 'I can't do this!'
• Calm thought: 'I can try my best!'

• Fizzy thought: 'No one wants to play with me!'
• Calm thought: 'I can ask someone to play!'

Give examples of 'fizzy' thoughts and ask students how they could turn them into 'calm' thoughts.

My Superpower Shield

• What makes you strong?
• Kind, brave, smart, funny?
• These are your superpowers!

Introduce the concept of personal strengths as a shield. Have students brainstorm their own strengths.

Calling All Super Friends!

• Who helps you when you're worried?
• Mom, Dad, Teacher, Friend?
• Asking for help is a superpower!

Emphasize that asking for help is a superpower. Introduce 'Super Friends' (trusted adults and friends).

Problem-Solving Steps

  1. What's the problem?
  2. What are some solutions?
  3. What's the best solution?
  4. Try it!

Review the simple problem-solving steps.

The Superpower of Gratitude

• What are you thankful for?
• Being grateful helps us feel happy!
• Think of good things, big or small.

Introduce gratitude and its benefits.

Freeze Frame Superpower!

• When feelings get BIG...
• PAUSE!
• Notice your body, name the feeling.

Explain the 'Freeze Frame' superpower for managing big feelings.

My Future Super Self

• Imagine yourself next year!
• What superpowers have you mastered?
• How do you handle worries now?

Encourage students to imagine their future selves as resilient and strong.

You Are Anxiety Avengers!

• You have learned so many superpowers!
• You are brave, strong, and kind!
• Keep using your superpowers!

Conclude by celebrating their journey and reinforcing the collective strength of the 'Anxiety Avengers Superpower Squad.'

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Activity

Feelings Check-in Chart

Instructions: Look at the faces and words below. Point to or draw a star next to the feeling that best describes how you are feeling right now. It's okay to feel any way you feel!

How Do You Feel Today?

Happy 😊

(Feeling joyful, content, cheerful)



Sad 😔

(Feeling unhappy, down, gloomy)



Angry 😠

(Feeling mad, frustrated, annoyed)



Scared 😟

(Feeling worried, anxious, afraid)



Surprised 😮

(Feeling amazed, unexpected, startled)



Calm 😌

(Feeling peaceful, relaxed, quiet)



Confused 🤔

(Feeling unsure, puzzled, mixed up)



Excited 🤩

(Feeling eager, thrilled, energetic)



Bonus Question: Can you draw a picture of your feeling in the space below?












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Script

Mindful Breathing: Balloon Breath Superpower!

Teacher: "Hello, Anxiety Avengers! Today, we're going to learn a super cool superpower called 'Balloon Breath.' This superpower helps us calm our bodies when our internal alarm system, anxiety, starts to feel a bit noisy. Are you ready to try it?"

Teacher: "First, find a comfy spot in your chair. You can sit up tall like a superhero, or you can relax your shoulders. Put one hand on your belly, right where your tummy is."

Teacher: "Now, imagine you have a tiny balloon inside your tummy. When you breathe in through your nose, slowly, like you're smelling a yummy flower, your balloon gets bigger and pushes your hand out. Let's try it. Breathe in... one, two, three... Feel your tummy balloon get big?"

Teacher: "Great! Now, when you breathe out through your mouth, slowly, like you're gently blowing out a candle, your tummy balloon gets smaller. Feel your hand go back in? Breathe out... one, two, three..."

Teacher: "Let's do it together a few times. Ready?"

  • Teacher: "Breathe in through your nose, filling up your tummy balloon. One, two, three."

  • Teacher: "Breathe out through your mouth, letting your tummy balloon get small. One, two, three."

  • Teacher: "Breathe in... (pause) ...and out... (pause)"

  • Teacher: "In... (pause) ...and out... (pause)"

Teacher: "How does your body feel now? A little calmer? A little more relaxed? This is your Balloon Breath superpower! You can use it anytime your body feels worried or your alarm system gets too loud. It helps you take control and feel more peaceful."

Teacher: "Remember, practice makes perfect! The more you use your Balloon Breath, the stronger your superpower becomes. Let's give ourselves a pat on the back for trying something new!"

Optional variations:

  • Starfish Breath: "Hold up your hand like a starfish. Trace your finger up each finger as you breathe in, and down each finger as you breathe out."
  • Teddy Bear Breath: "Place a small teddy bear or toy on your belly and watch it rise and fall with your breath."
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Activity

My Superpower Shield Activity

Instructions: Everyone has special strengths and positive qualities! These are like your superpowers that make you unique and strong. Draw your own shield below, then write or draw inside it all the things that make you a superhero!

What Makes YOU a Superhero?

Think about:

  • What are you good at?
  • What kind of friend are you?
  • What makes you special?
  • What do you love to do?

(Draw your shield here. You can make it any shape you like!)













My Superpowers Are:

  1. I am good at...


  2. I am a... (e.g., a kind friend, a brave helper)


  3. Something special about me is...


  4. I feel strong when...


  5. (Add your own!)


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Worksheet

Coping Strategies Worksheet: My Superpower Tools!

Instructions: When your body feels worried or your alarm system is noisy, you have lots of superpowers to help! Read each strategy and think about how it can help you. Draw a picture of yourself using the superpower, or write about how you would use it.

My Superpower Tools

1. Balloon Breath Superpower

  • What it is: Taking slow, deep breaths to calm your body.
  • How I would use it:






2. Fizzy to Calm Thoughts Superpower

  • What it is: Changing worried thoughts into helpful, calm thoughts.
  • How I would use it:






3. Super Friends Superpower

  • What it is: Asking a trusted adult or friend for help.
  • How I would use it:






4. Problem-Solving Superpower

  • What it is: Thinking of steps to solve a problem that is making you worried.
  • How I would use it:






5. Gratitude Superpower

  • What it is: Thinking about things you are thankful for to feel happier.
  • How I would use it:






6. Freeze Frame Superpower

  • What it is: Pausing when feelings get big to notice them before reacting.
  • How I would use it:






My Favorite Superpower Tool: Which superpower tool do you think you will use the most this week? Why?











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Journal

Anxiety Avengers: My Superpower Journal

Instructions: This journal is your secret superhero notebook! Use it to write or draw about your feelings, your superpowers, and anything you learn about being a brave Anxiety Avenger. Remember, there are no wrong answers here – just your honest thoughts and feelings.

Week 1: Understanding My Feelings

  • What is one new feeling word you learned today?






  • How does that feeling feel in your body?






  • Draw a picture of a feeling you had this week.












Week 2: My Body's Alarm System & Balloon Breath

  • What did you learn about your body's alarm system?






  • How did you feel when you tried the Balloon Breath superpower?






  • When could you use your Balloon Breath this week?






Week 3: Superpower Thoughts

  • What is a 'fizzy' thought you had this week?






  • How did you turn it into a 'calm' thought?






Week 4: My Superpower Shield

  • What is one of your superpowers (strengths)?






  • How does it make you feel strong?






Week 5: Super Friends & Asking for Help

  • Who is a 'Super Friend' you can talk to when you feel worried?






  • Why is it a superpower to ask for help?






Week 6: Problem-Solving Superpowers

  • Think of a small problem you had this week. How did you try to solve it?






Week 7: The Superpower of Gratitude

  • What is one thing you are thankful for today?






  • How does thinking about it make you feel?






Week 8: Freeze Frame Superpower

  • When did you have a 'big feeling' this week?






  • How did you try to 'freeze' and notice it?






Week 9: My Future Super Self

  • What is one thing your 'Future Super Self' is really good at?






  • What makes your 'Future Super Self' feel happy and strong?






Week 10: Our Superpower Squad Celebration!

  • What was your favorite superpower you learned in our squad?






  • What will you remember most about being an Anxiety Avenger?






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