Calming Strategies Worksheet

Name: ________________________ Date: _______________

Part 1: My Triggers

List two situations that make you feel upset or frustrated.

1. _________________________________________________________
   
   
   
2. _________________________________________________________
   
   
   

Part 2: Calming Techniques

Choose TWO calming strategies you’d like to try. For each one:

Technique 1: ____________________________________________
Steps to do it:

1. ________________________________________
   
2. ________________________________________
   
3. ________________________________________
   
   
   How did this technique make me feel?
   __________________________________________________________
   
   
   

Technique 2: ____________________________________________
Steps to do it:

1. ________________________________________
   
2. ________________________________________
   
3. ________________________________________
   
   
   How did this technique make me feel?
   __________________________________________________________
   
   
   

Part 3: Practice Reminders

After practicing, write one way you’ll remind yourself to use each technique:

• Technique 1 reminder:
  _________________________________________________________
  
  
  
• Technique 2 reminder:
  _________________________________________________________
  
  
  

Part 4: Reflection

Which calming strategy helped you the most today? Why?
__________________________________________________________

How can you use this strategy in class or at home this week?
__________________________________________________________

Trigger Discussion

Objective

Today, we’ll explore what “triggers” are, notice how they make us feel, and learn from each other’s experiences. This discussion will help us get ready to choose positive strategies in challenging moments.

Discussion Guidelines

• Listen respectfully when others share.
• Raise your hand and wait to be called on.
• Use kind words and encourage classmates.
• Speak in complete sentences and look at the speaker.
• Take turns so everyone has a chance to talk.

Warm-Up (5 minutes)

1. Turn to a partner and share one word that comes to mind when you hear “trigger.”
   
   
   
2. Volunteers, what word did you choose and why?
   Follow-up: How might that word show up in real life?

Core Prompts (15 minutes)

1. Defining Triggers

• Question: What do you think a trigger is?
  Follow-up: Can a trigger be good or only challenging?

2. Scenario Exploration

• In small groups, use the Behavior Trigger Scenario Cards. For each card:

  1. Read aloud the scenario.
  2. Identify the trigger in the story.
  3. Describe how the character might feel (body signs and emotions).

• Group Share: Which scenario surprised you? Why?
  Follow-up: Have you ever been in a similar situation?

3. Personal Reflection

• Prompt: Think of a time you felt upset or frustrated. What was your trigger?
  Write a short response:
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Follow-up: How did your body feel? (tight chest, fast heart, butterflies?)

4. Reading Physical & Emotional Signs

• Question: What are some body signals that tell you you’re getting upset?
  Examples: racing heart, sweaty palms, tense muscles.
  Record two signs below:
  
  
  
  
  
  

Connecting to Next Steps (5 minutes)

1. Why is noticing a trigger important?
   Follow-up: How does it help you choose a calm strategy?
2. Preview: We’ll use the Calming Strategies Worksheet next to find ways to manage these moments.

Closure (5 minutes)

• Each student shares one new thing they learned today.
• Remind students to jot down any triggers they notice this week in their Behavior Reflection Journal.
• Wrap up by celebrating their honesty and courage in sharing!

Behavior Trigger Scenario Cards

Use these cards in small groups. For each card, read the scenario, then discuss and record:

1. What is the trigger?
2. How might the person feel?

Card 1

Scenario: A friend borrows your pencil without asking and accidentally breaks it.

• Trigger: ____________________________________________
  
  
  
• Feelings: ____________________________________________
  
  
  

Card 2

Scenario: You study hard for a math quiz but receive a lower grade than you expected.

• Trigger: ____________________________________________
  
  
  
• Feelings: ____________________________________________
  
  
  

Card 3

Scenario: Someone in class laughs when you trip while walking to your seat.

• Trigger: ____________________________________________
  
  
  
• Feelings: ____________________________________________
  
  
  

Card 4

Scenario: The teacher calls on you to answer a question, but you’re not sure of the answer.

• Trigger: ____________________________________________
  
  
  
• Feelings: ____________________________________________
  
  
  

Card 5

Scenario: It’s time to clean up the art supplies, but you want to keep playing.

• Trigger: ____________________________________________
  
  
  
• Feelings: ____________________________________________
  
  
  

Card 6

Scenario: A classmate interrupts you while you’re sharing your idea.

• Trigger: ____________________________________________
  
  
  
• Feelings: ____________________________________________
  
  
  

Behavior Reflection Journal

Name: ________________________ Date: _______________

Use your journal each day to reflect on your progress as a Behavior Hero. Think about what happened, how you felt, and how you can grow.

1. What trigger did I notice today?

Write about a situation that made you feel upset, frustrated, or uneasy.

2. How did my body feel when I noticed this trigger?

Describe any physical signs (racing heart, sweaty palms, tense muscles, etc.).

3. Which calming strategy did I try?

Name the technique you used (deep breathing, counting, stretching, etc.).

4. How did that strategy help me?

Explain how you felt afterward and whether it helped you stay calm.

5. What positive choice did I make after calming down?

Write about how you responded in a helpful or respectful way.

6. How many tokens did I earn today?

Record the number of tokens you received on the Positive Choices Token Chart.

7. My goal for tomorrow as a Behavior Hero:

Set one specific goal to practice self-regulation or positive behavior.

Keep this journal handy and look back on your entries to see how you’ve grown.

Positive Choices Token Chart

Use this chart to track and celebrate your positive behavior choices. Each time you use a calming strategy or make a helpful decision, record the date, describe your behavior, note how many tokens you earned, and keep a running total. Your teacher can initial each entry.

How to Use

1. Earn Tokens: Use a calming strategy or make a respectful, positive choice.
2. Record Your Entry: Fill in the date, describe what you did, note how many tokens you get, and update your total.
3. Teacher Initials: Ask your teacher to initial your entry to celebrate your Behavior Hero effort!
4. Collect Your Badge: Once you reach the required number of tokens, decorate your Behavior Hero Badge Templates!

Behavior Hero Badge Templates

Use these printable badge outlines to decorate your Behavior Hero badge when you’ve earned enough tokens. Choose a template, color it, cut it out, and write your name and “Behavior Hero” inside. Add stickers or drawings of your favorite calming strategies!

Template 1: Star Badge

✪✪✪✪✪

────────────────────────
| |
| ★ ★ |
| ★ ★ |
| ★ |
| ★ ★ |
| ★ ★ |
| |
────────────────────────

Name: ___________________

Template 2: Shield Badge

╔════════════════╗
║ ║
║ SHIELD ║
║ SHAPE ║
║ ║
╚════════════════╝

Name: ___________________

Template 3: Circle Badge

┌───────────┐
│ │
│ ○ ○ ○ │
│ ○ ○ ○ │
│ │
└───────────┘

Name: ___________________

Template 4: Heart Badge

♡♡♡♡♡

╔═══════╗
║ ♡ ♡ ║
║ ♡ ║
║ ♡ ♡ ║
╚═══════╝

Name: ___________________

How to Use:

1. Select one template shape.
2. Color the border and interior designs.
3. Write “Behavior Hero” at the top and your name below.
4. Cut out your badge and hang it in the classroom or on your backpack!

Congratulations on becoming a Behavior Hero!

Behavior Warm-Up

Time: 5 minutes
Materials: Paper and pencil (or small whiteboards and markers)

1. Word Sparks (2 minutes)

• Prompt: On your paper, write one word that comes to mind when you hear “behavior.”
  
  
  
• Then write one word that comes to mind when you hear “hero.”
  
  
  

2. Think-Pair-Share (2 minutes)

• Turn to a partner and share your two words and explain why you chose each one.
• Listen respectfully and ask your partner a follow-up question.
  
  
  

3. Quick Class Share (1 minute)

• Volunteers, share one of your word pairs and why it matters.
• Teacher records a few on the board, connecting them to our Behavior Hero Poster.

Tie-In to Today’s Lesson

You just thought about qualities of “behavior” and “hero.”
Today, we’ll learn how to be true Behavior Heroes by noticing our feelings (triggers) and using calming strategies to make positive choices!

Behavior Hero Cool-Down

Name: ________________________ Date: _______________

1. Something I learned about triggers or calming strategies today:

2. A trigger I noticed in class today:

3. The calming strategy I used or will try this week:

4. My Behavior Hero goal for tomorrow:

Thank you for being a Behavior Hero!

Be a Behavior Hero

Have you ever felt upset, frustrated, or worried? Everyone does! A Behavior Hero is a student who notices their feelings and chooses positive ways to handle them. When you understand what makes you feel this way and use calming strategies, you become stronger, kinder, and more confident.

Understanding Triggers

A trigger is something that makes you feel upset, angry, or anxious. It might be:

• A friend borrowing your things without asking
• Getting a grade lower than you hoped
• Waiting in a long line

Triggers are like warning lights—they help you know when it's time to pause and think.

Calming Strategies

Calming strategies are simple actions you can use when you notice a trigger:

1. Take deep breaths: Breathe in slowly for 4 counts, hold for 2 counts, then breathe out for 4 counts.
2. Count to five before you speak or act.
3. Stretch your arms and shoulders to release tension.

Try these on the Calming Strategies Worksheet to find the ones that help you most.

Making Positive Choices

After you calm down, you can make positive choices:

• Use kind words with others.
• Raise your hand and ask for help politely.
• Share your ideas even if you feel nervous.

Each good choice earns you a token on the Positive Choices Token Chart. When you collect enough tokens, decorate your badge with the Behavior Hero Badge Templates and celebrate your success!

Remember, small steps every day help you grow. Watch for triggers, practice calming strategies, and celebrate your wins—just like a true Behavior Hero!