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Bounce Back to School

Christina Lee

Tier 3
For Schools

Lesson Plan

Bounce Back Lesson Plan

Students will reflect on their feelings about returning to school, set one academic and one social goal, and create personalized coping strategies to support a confident transition.

This lesson supports individual students in building emotional readiness, boosting confidence, and establishing clear, achievable goals to ease anxiety about the new school year.

Audience

6th Grade Individual Support

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Guided reflection, goal-setting, and strategy planning.

Materials

  • Welcome-Back Reflection Sheet, - Goal-Setting Worksheet, - Coping Strategies Cards, - Action Plan Template, and - Writing utensil

Prep

Prepare Materials and Environment

5 minutes

  • Print or ready digital copies of the following:
    • Welcome-Back Reflection Sheet
    • Goal-Setting Worksheet
    • Coping Strategies Cards
    • Action Plan Template
  • Arrange a comfortable, private space for a 1:1 session.
  • Review the student’s background (IEP/504) and note any accommodations needed.

Step 1

Build Rapport and Introduce Purpose

5 minutes

  • Greet the student warmly and engage in brief casual conversation.
  • Explain the goal: "We’re going to talk about returning to school, explore how you feel, and make a plan to help you feel confident."
  • Emphasize confidentiality and that their thoughts are valued.

Step 2

Reflection Activity

7 minutes

  • Distribute the Welcome-Back Reflection Sheet.
  • Ask the student to note three feelings or thoughts about going back to school.
  • Prompt with questions: “What are you most looking forward to? What worries you?”
  • Encourage honest answers and provide positive reinforcement.

Step 3

Goal Setting

7 minutes

  • Give the student the Goal-Setting Worksheet.
  • Guide them to choose one academic goal (e.g., participate in class) and one social goal (e.g., make a new friend).
  • Ensure each goal is specific, measurable, and time-bound.
  • Discuss why each goal matters to them personally.

Step 4

Explore Coping Strategies

7 minutes

  • Present the Coping Strategies Cards.
  • Review several strategies (deep breathing, positive self-talk, seeking help).
  • Ask the student to pick two strategies they feel comfortable using.
  • Role-play or discuss how they would apply each strategy in a school scenario.

Step 5

Develop Action Plan and Close

4 minutes

  • Provide the Action Plan Template.
  • Have the student combine their goals and chosen strategies into a simple plan.
  • Confirm they can name one person to ask for support if needed.
  • Praise their hard work, summarize next steps, and schedule a quick check-in.
lenny

Slide Deck

Bounce Back to School

Welcome!
Let’s explore how you feel about returning to school and build a plan to help you succeed.

Welcome students warmly. Introduce yourself and explain that today’s session will help them feel more prepared and confident about starting school again.

Our Goal Today

By the end of this session, you will:
• Reflect on your thoughts and feelings about going back to school
• Set one academic and one social goal
• Choose coping strategies that make you feel confident
• Create a simple action plan

Read aloud the objectives. Emphasize that these goals are about feelings, planning, and finding strategies that work for them.

Reflection Activity

  1. Grab your Welcome-Back Reflection Sheet.
  2. Write three thoughts or feelings about returning to school.
  3. Think about:
    • What excites you?
    • What makes you nervous?

Distribute the Welcome-Back Reflection Sheet. Ask the student to write three feelings or thoughts. Prompt with “What are you most looking forward to? What worries you?”

Set Your Goals

  1. Use the Goal-Setting Worksheet.
  2. Choose:
    • One academic goal (e.g., ask one question in class each week)
    • One social goal (e.g., talk to a new classmate at lunch)
  3. Make each goal specific and time-bound.

Hand out the Goal-Setting Worksheet. Guide the student to choose one academic goal (specific & measurable) and one social goal. Ask why each goal matters.

Explore Coping Strategies

  1. Review the Coping Strategies Cards.
  2. Strategies include:
    • Deep breathing
    • Positive self-talk
    • Asking for help
  3. Pick two strategies to practice.

Show the Coping Strategies Cards. Briefly explain each strategy. Help the student select two they feel comfortable using and discuss when they would apply them.

Create Your Action Plan

  1. Open the Action Plan Template.
  2. Write down:
    • Your academic and social goals
    • The two coping strategies you chose
    • One person you can ask for support
  3. You’ve got a plan!

Give the student the Action Plan Template. Help them combine their goals and chosen strategies into a clear plan. Confirm they know who to ask for support.

Next Steps & Support

• Keep your action plan visible (locker, binder).
• Try out your strategies in the first week of school.
• I’ll check in with you soon to see how it’s going.
• You’re ready to bounce back!

Summarize the plan and praise the student’s work. Schedule a brief follow-up check-in. Encourage the student to keep the materials in an easy-to-find spot.

lenny

Worksheet

Welcome-Back Reflection Sheet

Date: ____________________________

  1. List three words that describe how you feel about returning to school:
    • Word 1:

    • Word 2:

    • Word 3:

  2. What are you most looking forward to when school starts?




  1. What worries or concerns do you have about going back to school?




  1. Think about a time you felt excited or proud at school. What happened?



  1. What would make your first days back at school easier or more fun?




  1. Who can you talk to at school if you need help or support?



Take your time and be honest—this reflection will help us create a plan that works for you!

lenny
lenny

Worksheet

Goal-Setting Worksheet

Date: ____________________________

Part 1: Academic Goal (SMART)

  1. Specific: What exactly do you want to achieve academically?
    __________________________________________________


  2. Measurable: How will you know when you’ve reached your goal?
    ___________________________________________________


  3. Achievable: What skills or resources will help you reach this goal?
    ____________________________________________________


  4. Relevant: Why is this goal important to your success at school?
    ____________________________________________________


  5. Time-bound: By when will you accomplish this goal?
    _____________________________________________________


Part 2: Social Goal (SMART)

  1. Specific: What social skill or connection do you want to work on?
    _____________________________________________________


  2. Measurable: How will you track your progress on this social goal?
    _____________________________________________________


  3. Achievable: What actions can you take to make this goal happen?
    _____________________________________________________


  4. Relevant: Why does this social goal matter to you?
    ______________________________________________________


  5. Time-bound: When will you check in on this goal?
    ______________________________________________________


Action Steps & Support

  1. List three steps you will take to reach each goal:
  • Step 1: ____________________________________________

  • Step 2: ____________________________________________

  • Step 3: ____________________________________________

  1. Who can support you with these goals? (teacher, friend, family member, etc.)
    __________________________________________________


Keep this worksheet in your binder or locker so you can revisit your goals and track your progress throughout the first weeks of school!

lenny
lenny

Activity

Coping Strategies Cards

Cut these cards out and review them. Choose two strategies to practice during the first weeks of school.

Deep Breathing

• Instructions: Inhale slowly for 4 seconds, hold for 2 seconds, exhale for 6 seconds.
• When to use: Before a test, presentation, or any time you feel anxious.




Positive Self-Talk

• Instructions: Say encouraging phrases to yourself (e.g., “I’ve got this,” “I can handle new challenges”).
• When to use: If you notice negative thoughts or feel nervous about participating.




Counting to Ten

• Instructions: Close your eyes (if possible) and count slowly from 1 to 10 in your head.
• When to use: When you feel overwhelmed or upset and need a quick reset.




Taking a Short Break

• Instructions: Stand up, stretch, walk to get a drink of water, or look out the window for a minute.
• When to use: If you’re feeling stuck on work or overwhelmed by noise or activity.




Progressive Muscle Relaxation

• Instructions: Tense each muscle group (feet, legs, arms, shoulders) for 5 seconds, then release slowly.
• When to use: Before a big event (like a presentation) or after a stressful activity.




Drawing or Journaling

• Instructions: Spend 3–5 minutes sketching how you feel or writing a few sentences about your thoughts.
• When to use: If emotions feel intense and you need to express them privately.




Asking for Help

• Instructions: Identify one trusted person (teacher, counselor, friend) and let them know how you’re feeling or what you need.
• When to use: If you’re stuck on an assignment or need emotional support.




Visualization

• Instructions: Close your eyes and picture a calm, happy place—real or imaginary—for 30 seconds.
• When to use: When you need a quick mental break or to calm your mind.




After reviewing all the cards, pick two strategies you feel comfortable using.
Discuss how and when you’ll apply them during your first week back at school!

lenny
lenny

Worksheet

Action Plan Template

Date: ____________________________

1. My Goals

Academic Goal:
______________________________________________________________________


Social Goal:
______________________________________________________________________


2. My Coping Strategies

Strategy 1:
______________________________________________________________________


Strategy 2:
______________________________________________________________________


When/Where I Will Use These Strategies:
______________________________________________________________________





3. Action Steps

  1. Step 1:
    ______________________________________________________________________


  2. Step 2:
    ______________________________________________________________________


  3. Step 3:
    ______________________________________________________________________


4. My Support Network

Who can I ask for help? (teacher, friend, family member, etc.)
______________________________________________________________________


Where will I keep this plan so I can see it often? (locker, binder, desk)
______________________________________________________________________


Keep this plan visible and review it during your first week back at school. You’ve got this!

lenny
lenny