Anxiety Superheroes & Goal Getters! - Teacher Script

Warm-Up: How Do You Feel Today? (5 minutes)

(Display Anxiety Superheroes Slide Deck - Slide 1)

"Good morning, everyone! Let's start our day by checking in with our feelings. How are you all feeling right now? You can show me with your face, or tell me one word. Maybe you're feeling happy, sleepy, excited, or calm?"

(Listen to student responses. Affirm all feelings.)

"It's amazing how many different feelings we can have! Sometimes we feel happy, sometimes a little grumpy, and sometimes a bit excited! All our feelings are important."

(Transition to Feelings Discussion Prompts)

"Let's talk a little more about feelings. I'm going to ask some questions, and you can share your ideas with a partner or with the class."

Understanding Anxiety & Coping Strategies (10 minutes)

(Display Anxiety Superheroes Slide Deck - Slide 2)

"Sometimes, we might feel a special kind of feeling called a 'worry feeling' or anxiety. Have you ever felt your tummy get a little fluttery? Or your heart beat a little fast like a drum? Or maybe your hands get a little sweaty?"

(Pause for responses. Normalize the feeling.)

"Those are all normal worry feelings! Everyone, even grown-ups, feels them sometimes. It's our body's way of telling us something important. But we have a super power to help us when we feel those worry feelings!"

(Display Anxiety Superheroes Slide Deck - Slide 3)

"Our first super power is called Belly Breathing! Let's all try it. Can you put your hands on your tummy? Great! Now, we're going to breathe in slowly through our nose, and feel our tummy get big like a balloon. (Demonstrate) And then, we'll breathe out slowly through our mouth, and feel our tummy get small. (Demonstrate) Let's do it together a few times. Ready? In... and out... In... and out... Good job!"

"Belly breathing helps our bodies feel calm. It's like giving our worry feelings a gentle hug."

(Transition to Coping Strategy Charades Game)

"Now, let's play a quick game to practice some other calm-down super powers! It's called Coping Strategy Charades Game!"

Setting Small Goals (10 minutes)

(Display Anxiety Superheroes Slide Deck - Slide 4)

"We just learned how to be 'Anxiety Superheroes' with our belly breathing! Now, let's talk about being 'Goal Getters!' What is a goal? A goal is something you want to do or learn. It's like having a plan for something you want to accomplish."

"For example, maybe your goal is to learn how to tie your shoes. Or maybe your goal is to help a friend pick up blocks. Or maybe it's just to finish all your snack! Goals can be big or small."

(Display Anxiety Superheroes Slide Deck - Slide 5)

"You can be a Goal Getter! All you need to do is think of something small you want to do, work hard and try your best, and then feel proud when you reach your goal! It feels so good to achieve something you set out to do."

"Now, we're going to use our My Calm & Goal Worksheet. On this worksheet, you'll get to think about one feeling you have, and then draw or write about one small goal you have. I'll give you an example. My goal is to remember to water my plant every day! It's a small goal, but it helps my plant grow!"

(Distribute My Calm & Goal Worksheet and guide students as they work.)

Project Introduction: My Awesome Goal (3 minutes)

"Great job with your goals, Goal Getters! We have a special project called My Awesome Goal Project Guide. This is something you can do at home or finish in class. You'll get to draw or write all about your super goal and how you will achieve it!"

(Briefly show the My Awesome Goal Project Guide.)

Cool Down: My Super Power (2 minutes)

(Distribute Exit Ticket: My Super Power Cool Down)

"Before we finish, let's think about all the amazing things we learned today. You are all Anxiety Superheroes and Goal Getters! On this Exit Ticket: My Super Power Cool Down, I want you to draw or write one thing you learned today about calming your worry feelings or setting a goal. What's your super power?"

"Thank you, everyone! You did a fantastic job today learning about your feelings and setting goals. Give yourselves a big pat on the back!"

My Calm & Goal Worksheet

Name: _________________________

My Feelings Check-In!

Draw a picture or write a word about how you are feeling right now.

My Calm Down Super Power!

Draw or write one way you can calm your worry feelings.

My Small Goal!

Draw or write one small thing you want to do or learn.

Feelings Discussion Prompts

Let's Talk About Feelings!

• What makes you feel happy? Can you show me a happy face?
  
  
  
• What makes you feel a little sad sometimes? What do you do when you feel sad?
  
  
  
• When do you feel excited? What does your body feel like when you're excited?
  
  
  
• Have you ever felt shy or a little worried? What did that feel like?
  
  
  
• Is it okay to feel all different kinds of feelings? Why do you think so?
  
  
  
• What's one thing you can do when you feel a strong feeling that you don't like very much?
  
  
  

Coping Strategy Charades Game

How to Play:

1. The teacher will whisper a calm-down strategy to one student.
2. That student will act out the strategy without making any sounds.
3. The rest of the class will guess what coping strategy they are acting out!

Examples of Calm-Down Strategies to Act Out:

• Belly Breathing: Hands on tummy, breathing in and out slowly.
• Taking a sip of water: Pretending to drink from a cup.
• Counting to five: Holding up fingers one by one.
• Giving a hug to a toy: Pretending to hug a stuffed animal.
• Stretching tall: Reaching arms up high.
• Drawing a picture: Pretending to hold a crayon and draw.
• Listening to music: Pretending to put on headphones and sway.
• Thinking about a happy place: Closing eyes and smiling calmly.

My Awesome Goal Project Guide

Be a Goal Getter!

This project is all about a special goal you want to achieve!

What is your goal?

Think of one small, awesome thing you want to do or learn. It could be:

• Helping a grown-up with a chore.
• Learning a new letter or number.
• Being kind to a friend.
• Trying a new healthy food.
• Tidying up your toys.

Write or draw your goal here:

How will you reach your goal?

What steps will you take? Who can help you?

Draw or write about how you will work to achieve your goal.

Show Your Goal!

Create a picture or a short story about you achieving your awesome goal!

Make it colorful and fun!

Share Your Goal!

Be ready to share your awesome goal and how you achieved it with your family or classmates! You are a superstar Goal Getter!

Exit Ticket: My Super Power

Name: _________________________

My Super Power Today!

Draw a picture or write a word about one thing you learned today that helps you be an Anxiety Superhero or a Goal Getter!

What is your new super power?