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lenny

Brave Steps

vbissonnette

Tier 3
For Schools

Lesson Plan

Brave Steps Lesson Plan

Support a 5th grader with severe social anxiety and dyslexia to learn two coping strategies (deep breathing and positive self-talk), practice a dyslexia-friendly reading passage, and set a confidence-building goal.

Combining psychosocial education, therapeutic coping skills, and tailored reading support reduces anxiety, builds emotional regulation, and boosts academic confidence for a student who’s fallen behind.

Audience

5th Grade (Individual Tier 3 Session)

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Integrated therapeutic and academic support

Materials

  • Coping Strategies Handout, - Dyslexia-Friendly Reading Passage, - Emotion Wheel Visual, - Confidence Journal Worksheet, and - Timer or Stopwatch

Prep

Review and Prepare Materials

5 minutes

  • Review Coping Strategies Handout, Dyslexia-Friendly Reading Passage, and Emotion Wheel Visual.
  • Print or load digital copies so they’re ready to use.
  • Prepare Confidence Journal Worksheet and have a timer on hand.
  • Familiarize yourself with the student’s current reading level and note any known triggers.

Step 1

Check-In

5 minutes

  • Greet the student warmly and offer a comfortable space.
  • Ask how they’re feeling today, using the Emotion Wheel Visual to pinpoint emotions.
  • Acknowledge their feelings and set a positive, supportive tone.

Step 2

Psychoeducation & Deep Breathing

5 minutes

  • Briefly explain what social anxiety feels like and why it happens.
  • Introduce deep breathing (inhale 4 seconds, hold 4, exhale 4) and model it.
  • Have the student practice three rounds using the timer to guide pacing.

Step 3

Positive Self-Talk Practice

5 minutes

  • Explain negative vs. positive self-talk with examples from the Coping Strategies Handout.
  • Ask the student to identify one negative thought they’ve had.
  • Guide them to reframe it into a positive statement and write it down.

Step 4

Dyslexia-Friendly Reading Support

5 minutes

  • Choose a short, high-interest passage from the Dyslexia-Friendly Reading Passage.
  • Pre-teach challenging words and highlight key vocabulary.
  • Read aloud together: you model fluency, then the student reads, with decoding prompts as needed.
  • Ask simple comprehension questions to reinforce understanding.

Step 5

Reflection & Goal Setting

5 minutes

  • Provide the Confidence Journal Worksheet.
  • Ask the student to write one specific brave step (e.g., using deep breathing before raising a hand).
  • Discuss when and how they’ll use their coping strategies this week.
  • Praise their effort and remind them you’ll follow up next session.
lenny

Slide Deck

Brave Steps: Building Confidence & Reducing Anxiety

Welcome! In this session, we’ll learn strategies to feel calmer, think positively, and practice reading together.

Welcome the student and introduce today’s session theme. Use a warm, encouraging tone to set a positive atmosphere.

How Are You Feeling Today?

• Look at the Emotion Wheel.
• Point to the emotion that best describes how you feel right now.

Hand the student the Emotion Wheel Visual. Ask open questions and listen actively to validate their feelings.

What Is Social Anxiety?

• A strong worry about what others think.
• Can make your heart race, palms sweaty, or mind go blank.
• It’s your body’s way of being ready for something new or scary.

Explain that social anxiety is common and not the student’s fault. Keep the explanation simple and relatable.

Deep Breathing Exercise

  1. Inhale slowly for 4 seconds
  2. Hold your breath for 4 seconds
  3. Exhale slowly for 4 seconds

Let’s try it together three times!

Model the breathing first, then guide the student through three rounds with the timer. Encourage slow, calm breaths.

Positive Self-Talk

Negative Thought → Positive Reframe

“I can’t do this.” → “I will try my best.”

Write down one negative thought and turn it into a brave, positive statement.

Show examples from the Coping Strategies Handout. Ask the student to name one negative thought and help reframe it.

Dyslexia-Friendly Reading Support

  1. Review key words together.
  2. I’ll read the passage first, then you read.
  3. Ask one simple question about the story.

Pre-teach any tricky words before reading. Alternate modeling and student reading, offering decoding support as needed.

Reflection & Goal Setting

Write your brave step in your journal:
“Next time I feel anxious, I will...”

Decide when you’ll practice using it.

Provide the Confidence Journal Worksheet. Help the student set a specific, achievable goal using today’s strategies.

Next Steps

• Use deep breathing and positive self-talk this week
• Practice your reading passage
• We’ll check in and celebrate your progress next session

Reinforce the student’s effort and remind them of your next meeting. Keep the tone hopeful and supportive.

lenny

Worksheet

Coping Strategies Handout

1. Deep Breathing

Deep breathing helps calm your body and mind when you feel anxious. Follow these steps:

  1. Inhale slowly through your nose for 4 seconds.
  2. Hold your breath for 4 seconds.
  3. Exhale slowly through your mouth for 4 seconds.

Practice Deep Breathing (3 Rounds):

How did you feel BEFORE deep breathing?





How did you feel AFTER deep breathing?





2. Positive Self-Talk

Talking to yourself in a kind, encouraging way can help you feel braver and more confident.

Examples:

  • “I can’t do this.” → “I will try my best.”
  • “I always make mistakes.” → “Mistakes help me learn.”
  • “No one likes me.” → “I have friends who care about me.”

Your Turn:

  1. Write down one negative thought you’ve had lately:





  2. Turn it into a positive, brave thought:





Use these strategies whenever you feel worried or stuck. Remember, practicing them will help you feel stronger over time!

lenny
lenny

Reading

Dyslexia-Friendly Reading Passage: "A Brave Explorer"

Vocabulary

  • Canyon: a deep valley with steep walls.
  • Echo: a sound that bounces back to you.

Reading Passage

Sam strapped on his boots and walked to the edge of a deep canyon. The sun was warm, and the wind whispered across the rocks. Suddenly, Sam shouted, “Hello!” He waited and heard an echo call his name.

He felt a rush of excitement. Sam carefully collected five smooth stones to remember his journey. When the sun began to set, he sat on a flat rock, looked at the sky, and felt proud of his brave adventure.

Comprehension Questions

  1. Where did Sam go?



  2. What is an echo?



  3. How many stones did Sam collect?



lenny
lenny

Activity

Emotion Wheel Visual

Use this wheel to help you identify and share how you’re feeling right now. Point to or circle the emotion that matches your mood.

[Scared] [Surprised]
\ /
[Nervous] — (How am I feeling?) — [Excited]
/
[Sad] [Happy]

Examples of Emotions Around the Wheel:

  • Scared, Nervous, Anxious
  • Sad, Lonely, Disappointed
  • Happy, Proud, Excited
  • Surprised, Curious, Shocked

After you choose an emotion, you can also describe why you feel that way:

Why do I feel this way?





lenny
lenny

Worksheet

Confidence Journal Worksheet

Date: ______________________

1. Reflection

  1. One thing I did today that made me feel brave:





  2. How did deep breathing help me feel calmer?





  3. What positive self-talk statement did I create?





  4. How did reading the passage make me feel?





2. My Brave Step Goal

Write one specific brave step you will take when you feel anxious:







When and where will I practice this step?





How will I know I succeeded?





Remember: Practice your brave step this week, and jot down how it goes. You’re building confidence one step at a time!

lenny
lenny