Body's Secret Messages

David Cohen

Tier 1

Lesson Plan

Body's Secret Messages

Students will be able to identify at least three physical sensations associated with anxiety and practice a progressive muscle relaxation technique.

Understanding the connection between our emotions and physical sensations can help us manage stress and anxiety more effectively. By learning to tune into our body's signals, students can develop healthier coping strategies.

Audience

5th Grade

Time

35 minutes

Approach

Interactive discussion, read-aloud, body scan activity, and guided relaxation.

Materials

Body Clues Slides, Printed copies of My Worry Map Worksheet, "The Invisible String" Read-Aloud Script, and Progressive Muscle Relaxation Script

Prep

Teacher Preparation

15 minutes

Review the Body Clues Slides and discussion prompts.
- Print enough copies of My Worry Map Worksheet for each student.
- Familiarize yourself with the "The Invisible String" Read-Aloud Script.
- Practice the Progressive Muscle Relaxation Script to ensure a smooth delivery.
- Ensure projector/screen and audio are working for slides (if applicable).

Step 1

Mindful Moment: Check-in with Your Body

5 minutes

Begin by guiding students through a brief mindful moment focusing on their current physical sensations. "Let's take a moment to notice how our bodies feel right now. Are you feeling rested, energized, perhaps a little tired? Just notice, without judgment."
- Introduce the idea that our bodies often give us clues about how we're feeling emotionally. Use Body Clues Slides Slide 2.
- Facilitate a brief discussion: "Has anyone ever felt their stomach flutter when they were nervous? Or their heart beat faster when they were excited?"

Step 2

Read-Aloud Story: "The Invisible String"

10 minutes

Read aloud "The Invisible String" by Patrice Karst (or a similar book focusing on connection/feelings). Use the "The Invisible String" Read-Aloud Script to guide the reading and discussion points.
- After reading, connect the story to the idea of feelings and how they can affect us, even if they're "invisible" like the string.
- Ask: "How did the characters in the story feel? Did their bodies show any signs of those feelings?"

Step 3

Mapping Feelings in the Body: My Worry Map

10 minutes

Distribute the My Worry Map Worksheet to each student. Use Body Clues Slides Slide 3.
- Explain that students will draw or write where they feel different emotions (e.g., happiness, sadness, worry) in their bodies.
- Guide them with prompts: "Where do you feel happiness in your body? What about when you feel worried or anxious? Does your stomach feel tight? Do your shoulders tense up?"
- Circulate and offer support as students complete their maps.

Step 4

Body Scan Activity & Discussion

5 minutes

Bring students back together. Facilitate a brief class discussion about common physical sensations associated with worry/anxiety based on their maps. Use Body Clues Slides Slide 4.
- "What were some common places we felt worry in our bodies? (e.g., stomach, chest, shoulders)"
- Emphasize that these are normal body signals and not "bad" feelings, but clues that we might need to pay attention to our emotions.

Step 5

Strategy Practice: Progressive Muscle Relaxation

5 minutes

Introduce a simple coping strategy: Progressive Muscle Relaxation. Explain that this technique can help calm the body when it's sending "worry clues." Use Body Clues Slides Slide 5.
- Guide students through a short progressive muscle relaxation exercise using the Progressive Muscle Relaxation Script. Focus on 2-3 key muscle groups (e.g., hands, shoulders, feet).
- Conclude by asking students to reflect on how their bodies feel after the exercise. Use Body Clues Slides Slide 6.

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Slide Deck

Body's Secret Messages: What Are Your Feelings Telling You?

Have you ever wondered how your body helps you understand your feelings?

Welcome students and set a calm tone. Ask them to take a few deep breaths before starting.

Your Body's Clues

Our bodies are always sending us messages about how we're feeling, even when we don't realize it!

Happiness: Light, energetic, warm
Sadness: Heavy, tired, achey
Worry/Anxiety: Tight stomach, fast heartbeat, tense shoulders, shaky hands

Introduce the concept of the mind-body connection. Emphasize that physical sensations are normal and helpful clues.

My Worry Map

Where do you feel different emotions in your body?

Think about happiness, sadness, excitement, and worry.
Draw or write on your worksheet where these feelings show up for you.

Explain the 'My Worry Map' activity. Encourage students to think about where they physically feel emotions.

Sharing Our Body Clues

What did you discover on your Worry Map?

Did anyone feel worry in their tummy?
What about tight shoulders or a fast heartbeat?

It's normal for our bodies to give us these clues!

Facilitate a brief class discussion. Validate student responses and highlight common anxiety sensations.

Calming Our Clues: Progressive Muscle Relaxation

When our bodies send us 'worry clues,' we can help them calm down.

Progressive Muscle Relaxation is a way to relax your body by tensing and then relaxing different muscle groups.

Introduce Progressive Muscle Relaxation as a tool to respond to these body clues. Explain it briefly before guiding the practice.

Body Check-Out

How does your body feel now, after our relaxation exercise?

More relaxed?
Calmer?

Remember, you have tools to help your body feel better!

Prompt students to reflect on how they feel after the relaxation exercise. This acts as a cool-down.

Script

"The Invisible String" Read-Aloud Script

(Before Reading - 1 minute)

"Class, today we're going to read a very special story called 'The Invisible String.' As we read, I want you to think about connections, feelings, and how our bodies sometimes tell us things without using words."

(During Reading - 7 minutes)

(Read the book "The Invisible String" by Patrice Karst. Pause at key moments to ask questions, but keep the flow going.)

(Page example: When Liza and Jeremy are scared during the storm)

"The book says Liza and Jeremy were scared. How do you think their bodies might have felt when they were scared? Did their hearts beat fast? Did their tummies feel fluttery?"

(Page example: When the mom explains the Invisible String)

"So, the Invisible String connects us no matter what! It's a string of love. Do you think our feelings are also connected to us, even when we can't see them?"

(After Reading - 2 minutes)

"That was a wonderful story about connection and love. Just like the Invisible String connects people, our feelings connect to our bodies. Sometimes, when we feel strong emotions like worry or excitement, our bodies give us clues. These are like secret messages!"

"Can anyone share a time when their body gave them a 'secret message' about how they were feeling? Maybe your cheeks got hot when you were embarrassed, or your hands got sweaty when you were nervous?"

Worksheet

My Worry Map: What Are My Body Clues?

Our bodies are amazing at telling us how we feel! Sometimes, when we're happy, our bodies feel light and energized. Other times, when we're worried or anxious, our bodies might feel different.

Think about times you've felt happy, excited, and worried. Where do you feel these emotions in your body? Draw or write about what sensations you notice in the body outline below.

Use different colors for different feelings if you like!

1. When I feel HAPPY, I feel it in my...

2. When I feel EXCITED, I feel it in my...

3. When I feel WORRIED or ANXIOUS, I feel it in my...

Body Outline

Draw or write where you feel emotions in your body. You can use symbols or words!

(Imagine a simple outline of a human body here for students to draw on. Since I can't draw, I'll provide instructions for the teacher to visualize it as a prompt for student drawing.)

<body_colors = [