Lesson Plan
Strategy Coaching Plan
Students will demonstrate three self-selected calming strategies, coach a peer through one strategy using feedback sentence starters, and give specific feedback on effectiveness.
This lesson builds self-regulation, communication, and social-emotional skills by letting students practice calming tools, coach a partner, and reflect on what works to strengthen self-efficacy.
Audience
2nd Grade
Time
45 minutes
Approach
Interactive stations, peer coaching, and reflective discussion.
Prep
Prepare Materials and Stations
10 minutes
- Print and arrange Practice Stations with Peer Coaching Cards around the room.
- Load and review Coach’s Playbook Slides with feedback sentence starters.
- Print one Which Tool Worked? Exit Slip per student.
- Gather props or timers needed for the Strategy Relay Game.
- Familiarize yourself with the Strategy Coaching Plan.
Step 1
Co-Regulation Routine
5 minutes
- Gather students in a circle for a brief breathing exercise.
- Lead a guided mindful moment to center attention.
- Introduce the concept of calming strategies and being a supportive coach.
Step 2
Teach and Model Coaching
10 minutes
- Display Coach’s Playbook Slides.
- Introduce feedback sentence starters (e.g., “I noticed when you…,” “You did well by…,” “Next time you might…”).
- Model a coaching conversation with a volunteer: select a strategy, coach, and give feedback.
Step 3
Station Rotations
20 minutes
- Divide students into pairs and assign each pair to a station.
- At each station, one student practices a self-selected calming strategy while the partner coaches using sentence starters.
- After 3 minutes, partners switch roles and repeat.
- Each student completes a Which Tool Worked? Exit Slip after their coaching round.
- Differentiation: Provide visual cue cards and simplified sentence starters for students needing extra support.
Step 4
Reflection and Strategy Relay
10 minutes
- Reconvene as a class and invite students to share which strategy worked best and why, referencing their exit slips.
- Collect Which Tool Worked? Exit Slip for assessment of coaching and reflection skills.
- Play the Strategy Relay Game to reinforce strategy names and steps in a fun team challenge.
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Slide Deck
Be the Calm Coach
Welcome, 2nd Grade Coaches!
Today you will learn to use calming strategies and coach a friend.
Let’s practice being supportive, kind, and calm.
Welcome students and introduce the lesson. Use an energetic tone to build excitement for coaching peers.
Lesson Objective
Students will:
• Demonstrate three self-selected calming strategies
• Coach a peer through one chosen strategy
• Give specific feedback on how it worked
Read the objective aloud and refer back at the end to see how they met it.
What Are Calming Strategies?
Calming strategies are simple tools to help us feel more relaxed and focused.
Examples:
• Deep belly breathing
• Counting slowly to five
• Gentle stretches or yoga poses
• Finding a quiet spot
Explain what a calming strategy is and why it helps us regulate our emotions.
Three Strategies to Try
- Deep Belly Breaths: Inhale 1–2–3… exhale 1–2–3
- Hand Stretches: Reach up tall, then lean side to side
- Quiet Corner: Sit in a cozy spot and listen to silence
Briefly demonstrate one or two strategies with the class.
Coach Feedback Starters
Use these sentences when giving feedback:
“I noticed when you… [describe action]”
“You did well by… [praise specific effort]”
“Next time you might… [suggest improvement]”
Model using each sentence starter. Encourage students to repeat them.
Model Coaching Example
Scenario:
• Player takes three deep breaths.
• Coach says: “I noticed when you took deep breaths, your shoulders relaxed.”
• Coach adds: “You did well by counting each breath. Next time you might try closing your eyes.”
Role-play with a volunteer. One student practices a strategy and the “coach” uses starters.
Station Rotations
- Pair up and go to your station (Practice Stations with Peer Coaching Cards).
- Player practices any calming strategy for 3 minutes while coach uses feedback starters.
- Switch roles and repeat.
- After each turn, complete your Which Tool Worked? Exit Slip.
Orient students to stations. Show the cards and explain timing.
Reflection & Strategy Relay
• Share which strategy helped you most and why (refer to Exit Slip).
• Return Exit Slips for teacher feedback.
• Play the Strategy Relay Game: race in teams to name and act out strategies!
Explain reflection routine and how the relay game works.
Great Work, Calm Coaches!
You practiced calming strategies, coached a friend, and gave helpful feedback.
Remember:
You can use these methods anytime you need to feel calm and focused.
Congratulate students, remind them they can use these tools anytime.
Activity
Practice Stations with Peer Coaching Cards
Set up 4 stations around the room. At each station, one student (the Player) practices a calming strategy while the other student (the Coach) uses the Peer Coaching Card prompts to guide and give feedback. After 3 minutes, partners switch roles.
Station 1: Deep Belly Breaths
Strategy Card:
- Sit up tall and place one hand on your belly.
- Inhale slowly through your nose for a count of 3.
- Feel your belly push your hand out.
- Exhale slowly through your mouth for a count of 3.
- Repeat 5 times.
Coach’s Peer Coaching Card:
• “I noticed when you… (took slow breaths)… your shoulders relaxed.”
• “You did well by… (counting each breath).”
• “Next time you might… (close your eyes while breathing).”
Station 2: Hand and Arm Stretches
Strategy Card:
- Stand with feet hip-width apart.
- Reach both arms up tall toward the ceiling.
- Lean to the right, hold for 3 breaths; return to center.
- Lean to the left, hold for 3 breaths; return to center.
- Roll shoulders forward and backward three times.
Coach’s Peer Coaching Card:
• “I noticed when you… (leaned to the right)… your side felt a nice stretch.”
• “You did well by… (keeping your arms straight).”
• “Next time you might… (take a deep breath as you lean).”
Station 3: Quiet Corner Listening
Strategy Card:
- Sit quietly in a cozy spot or beanbag.
- Close your eyes and listen for sounds around you.
- Notice three different sounds (e.g., a clock ticking, whisper of wind, muffled footsteps).
- Breathe slowly as you focus on each sound.
Coach’s Peer Coaching Card:
• “I noticed when you… (closed your eyes)… you paid close attention.”
• “You did well by… (naming three sounds).”
• “Next time you might… (try to hear even softer sounds).”
Station 4: Counting Calm
Strategy Card:
- Stand or sit comfortably.
- Inhale and count slowly in your head: 1–2–3–4.
- Hold your breath for a count of 2.
- Exhale and count slowly: 1–2–3–4–5.
- Repeat 4 times.
Coach’s Peer Coaching Card:
• “I noticed when you… (held your breath)… you stayed very still.”
• “You did well by… (counting out loud).”
• “Next time you might… (increase the hold to count of 3).”
How to Use These Cards:
- Place one Strategy Card and one Peer Coaching Card at each station.
- Students rotate every 3 minutes.
- Encourage coaches to use all three feedback starters.
- After each station round, players write a quick note on their Which Tool Worked? Exit Slip.
Worksheet
Which Tool Worked? Exit Slip
Name: ____________________ Date: ____________
1. Which strategy did you try?
2. What feedback did your coach give you?
3. How helpful was this strategy? Circle one: 1 2 3 4 5
4. Why do you think it helped or didn’t help?
Game
Strategy Relay Game
Objective: Teams race to name and act out calming strategies to reinforce learning and teamwork.
Players: 4 teams of 4 students each
Time: 10 minutes
Materials Needed:
- Mini Strategy Cards (one for each calming strategy)
- Cones or markers to create a start and finish line
- Timer or stopwatch
Setup:
- Divide students into 4 teams.
- At one end of the room, place a set of Strategy Cards face down on a table.
- Mark a start line and a relay zone about 10–15 feet away.
How to Play:
- Teams line up behind the start line. The first student in each team holds nothing at first.
- On "Go!", the first student runs to the table, picks up one Strategy Card, and reads it silently (e.g., Deep Belly Breaths, Hand and Arm Stretches, Quiet Corner Listening, Counting Calm).
- The student races back to their team, shows the card to their teammates, and acts out the strategy while naming it aloud.
- Once teammates correctly guess the strategy name and watch the full action, the next student in line takes their turn.
- Repeat until every team member has run, acted out, and named a strategy.
- The first team to complete all four strategies with correct names and full actions wins!
Teacher Tips:
- Encourage clear, slow movements so teammates can observe each step.
- Praise accurate naming and demonstration.
- For extra challenge, require teams to describe why the strategy helps them feel calm.
Assessment:
- Observe whether students correctly name and perform each strategy.
- Note teamwork and positive encouragement among peers.