Anxiety Coping Toolkit

Ting Gao

Tier 1

Lesson Plan

Anxiety Coping Toolkit

coping skills for anxiety

This lesson aims to equip 8th-grade students with practical coping skills for managing anxiety, especially in the context of upcoming exams. Students will learn and practice strategies like deep breathing and grounding techniques. Recognizing and managing anxiety is crucial for their overall well-being and academic success.

Audience

8th graders, small group

Time

20 mins

Approach

Restorative Practices, Active Learning, Trauma-Informed Teaching, Collaborative Learning

Materials

Post-it notes, Pens, Worksheet, Video: Deep Breathing, and Handout in Spanish and English

Step 1

Introduction

2 mins

Welcome students and briefly discuss the importance of coping skills for managing anxiety, especially before exams.
Introduce the objectives of the lesson.

Step 2

Video Viewing: Deep Breathing

3 mins

Play the Deep Breathing video.
After the video, ask students to reflect on the breathing technique shown.

Step 3

Discussion Activity

5 mins

Hand out post-it notes and pens to each student.
Ask students to write down one thing that causes them anxiety and one coping strategy they learned from the video that they think could help them.
Collect the post-it notes and read out some examples (anonymously) to encourage sharing and normalization of anxiety feelings.

Step 4

Worksheet Activity

7 mins

Distribute the worksheet that includes both English and Spanish versions.
Have students complete the worksheet, focusing on identifying their anxiety triggers and useful coping strategies.
Walk around and provide support as needed.

Step 5

Closure

3 mins

Encourage students to practice the deep breathing technique at home and before their exams.
Remind them that it's okay to feel anxious and that they have tools to manage those feelings.

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Discussion

Coping Skills Discussion

A guided discussion to help students reflect on their anxieties and useful coping strategies.

What are some common causes of anxiety for you?

Encourages students to share their own experiences and normalize the feeling of anxiety.

Which coping strategy from the video do you think will be most helpful for you and why?

Helps students personalize the strategies and see practical applications.

How can you remind yourself to use these coping strategies when you start to feel anxious?

Encourages students to think about practical ways to integrate coping strategies into their daily lives.

Worksheet

Coping Skills Worksheet

A worksheet to help students identify their anxiety triggers and coping strategies in both English and Spanish.

List three things that make you feel anxious.

Puedes escribir en Español o Inglés.

Describe a coping strategy you learned from the video and how it can help you.

Puedes escribir en Español o Inglés.

When can you practice this coping strategy?

Puedes escribir en Español o Inglés.

Reading

Deep Breathing Handout

A handout in both English and Spanish explaining the deep breathing technique shown in the video.

Deep Breathing Technique

Find a quiet and comfortable place to sit or lie down.
Close your eyes and take a deep breath in through your nose, counting to 4.
Hold your breath for a count of 4.
Slowly exhale through your mouth for a count of 6.
Repeat this process for several minutes until you feel calmer.

Técnica de Respiración Profunda

Encuentra un lugar tranquilo y cómodo para sentarte o acostarte.
Cierra los ojos y toma una respiración profunda a través de la nariz, contando hasta 4.
Mantén la respiración durante una cuenta de 4.
Exhala lentamente por la boca durante una cuenta de 6.
Repite este proceso durante varios minutos hasta que te sientas más tranquilo.