Behavior Blueprint

Ashley Acosta

Tier 3

Lesson Plan

Self-Regulation Planning

Students will identify personal behavior triggers and map effective coping strategies, culminating in a personalized Behavior Blueprint to support self-regulation.

This lesson empowers students to develop self-awareness by recognizing emotional triggers and practicing coping strategies, fostering improved behavior management and emotional regulation.

Audience

4th Grade Student

Time

30 minutes

Approach

One-on-one mapping of triggers and coping strategies

Materials

My Behavior Blueprint, - Trigger Tracker, - Calm-Down Reflection, and - Suggested Coping Guide

Prep

Review and Prepare Materials

5 minutes

Review the content and flow of My Behavior Blueprint
Print out one copy each of Trigger Tracker and Calm-Down Reflection
Familiarize yourself with the strategies listed in the Suggested Coping Guide
Set up a quiet, comfortable space for a one-on-one conversation

Step 1

Warm-Up Discussion

5 minutes

Welcome the student and explain the goal: understanding triggers and coping strategies
Establish a positive, supportive tone for open sharing
Use a simple example (e.g., feeling upset when interrupted) to illustrate a trigger and a coping response

Step 2

Identify Triggers

8 minutes

Introduce the Trigger Tracker
Ask the student to think of recent moments when they felt upset or frustrated
Guide them to list at least 3 personal triggers (situations, people, feelings)
Prompt with questions like “What was happening just before you felt upset?”

Step 3

Explore Coping Strategies

8 minutes

Present the Suggested Coping Guide
Review a few common strategies (deep breathing, counting, positive self-talk)
Ask the student to pick or suggest 3–4 strategies they feel comfortable trying
Encourage creativity: drawing, stretching, or asking for a break

Step 4

Create Behavior Blueprint

7 minutes

Open My Behavior Blueprint
Assist the student in mapping each identified trigger to one or more chosen coping strategies
Ensure the blueprint is clear with visuals or keywords the student can recall
Confirm the student understands how to use the blueprint in real situations

Step 5

Reflection and Next Steps

2 minutes

Invite the student to complete a quick entry in the Calm-Down Reflection: what they learned and one action they will try next time
Praise effort and reinforce that practicing these strategies will build confidence
Schedule a brief follow-up check-in to review progress

Slide Deck

My Behavior Blueprint

An individual plan to match your triggers with coping strategies. Use this guide when you feel upset or frustrated.

Welcome the student and introduce the worksheet. Explain that today they’ll build their own Behavior Blueprint to help them stay calm and confident.

What Is a Trigger?

A trigger is something that makes you feel upset, angry, or frustrated.

Think of moments when your feelings changed quickly. What makes you feel that way?

Define a trigger in your own words. Use a simple personal example if needed (e.g., “When someone takes my pencil without asking, I feel angry.”).

Identify Your Triggers

List 3 things that have upset or frustrated you recently:

Guide the student to recall real situations. Prompt with questions: “Was it loud noises? Being corrected in front of classmates? Waiting too long?”

What Is a Coping Strategy?

A coping strategy is something you do to help calm down or feel better.

Examples:

Take deep breaths
Count slowly to 10
Draw or color a picture
Stretch or move your body
Ask your teacher for a short break

Explain coping strategies simply and show how each can help calm the body and mind.

Choose Your Coping Strategies

Pick 3 strategies you want to try when you feel upset:

Encourage the student to choose strategies they feel comfortable trying. Offer to demonstrate deep breathing.

Create Your Blueprint

Match each trigger with a strategy to try:

Trigger | Strategy

____________ | ___________
____________ | ___________
____________ | ___________

Help the student draw lines or write keywords so the blueprint is easy to read. Confirm each match makes sense.

Next Steps

• Use your Behavior Blueprint when you feel upset.
• After trying a strategy, write or draw in your Calm-Down Reflection journal what helped.
• We’ll meet again soon to see how it’s working. Great job!

Reinforce that this blueprint is a tool they can use anytime. Remind them about the Calm-Down Reflection journal for next steps.

Worksheet

Trigger Tracker

Think about times when you felt upset, frustrated, or angry. List at least 3 of your personal triggers below. For each trigger, describe what happened, how you felt, and any notes or ideas that come to mind.

1. Trigger:

_______________________________

What happened just before you felt upset?
_______________________________

How did you feel or react?
_______________________________

Notes or ideas for next time:
_______________________________

2. Trigger:

3. Trigger:

Tip: Refer back to your responses when you work on your Behavior Blueprint to choose coping strategies that match your triggers!

Journal

Calm-Down Reflection Journal

Use this journal after you try a strategy from your Behavior Blueprint. Reflecting helps you learn what works best and how you’re growing.

Date: ____________________

1. What happened that made me feel upset or frustrated:

2. The coping strategy I chose from my Behavior Blueprint:

3. How I felt before I used the strategy:

4. How I felt after trying the strategy:

5. What worked well? What could I try differently next time?

6. One thing I’m proud of today:

Keep this journal as a record of your progress. Review your entries to see how you’ve grown and to plan your next steps!

Answer Key

Suggested Coping Guide

Use these strategies to help calm your mind and body when you feel upset, frustrated, or overwhelmed. Try a few to see which ones work best for you!

Strategy	What to Do	When to Use
Deep Breathing	Sit or stand comfortably. Breathe in slowly for 4 seconds, hold for 2 seconds, then exhale for 6 seconds. Repeat 3–5 times.	When you feel anxious, tense, or your heart is racing.
Count Slowly to 10	Take a deep breath in. Count out loud or in your head from 1 to 10 at a steady pace.	When you’re feeling angry or on the verge of acting impulsively.
Positive Self-Talk	Quietly say something encouraging to yourself, like “I can handle this” or “I’ve got this.”	When negative thoughts or self-doubt start to take over.
Progressive Muscle Relaxation	Starting at your toes, tense each muscle group for 3 seconds, then relax. Move upward through your body.	When your body feels tight or achy.
Stretch or Move Your Body	Stand up, reach your arms overhead, twist gently, or take a quick walk around the room.	When you have excess energy or feel fidgety.
Draw or Color	Grab a sheet of paper and some crayons or markers. Doodle, color a shape, or sketch how you feel.	When you want a creative outlet to express your emotions.
Visualization	Close your eyes and picture a calm place (a beach, a forest, your bedroom). Imagine the sights and sounds.	When you need to clear your mind or reduce stress.
Take a Short Break	Ask your teacher or a trusted adult for a 1–2 minute pause. Step aside, stretch, or get a drink of water.	When you feel overwhelmed or too upset to focus.
Use a Fidget Tool	Hold a stress ball, twist a fidget spinner, or run a textured object through your fingers.	When you need sensory input to help refocus.
Ask for Help or Support	Talk quietly with a teacher, friend, or adult. Share how you feel and ask for ideas.	When you’re stuck or need someone to listen and guide you.

Tip: On your Behavior Blueprint, pick 3–4 of these strategies that feel right for you. Practice them when you notice your triggers so you’ll be ready next time!