Facilitator’s Script for Bye-Bye Back-to-School Jitters

Materials Needed

• Back-to-School Jitters Warm-Up Activity
• Back-to-School Jitters Slide Deck queued on screen
• Back-to-School Jitters Worksheet
• Back-to-School Jitters Cool-Down Activity
• Optional: stress balls or fidgets

1. Warm-Up (5 minutes)

Teacher (smiling, eye contact): “Good morning, everyone! Welcome to our lesson: Bye-Bye Back-to-School Jitters. I’m so excited to start this year with you. Before we dive in, I want to share a quick story about me. On my first day in middle school, I remember feeling so nervous that my stomach felt like it was doing flips. I wondered, ‘Will I find my classroom? Will I make friends?’ Those butterflies in my stomach were real!”

Teacher: “Now, I’m passing out the Back-to-School Jitters Warm-Up Activity. On this sheet, draw or write: 1) One thing you’re excited about this year, and 2) One thing that makes you a little nervous. I’ll give you two minutes. Ready? Go!”

(After 2 minutes)

Teacher: “Time’s up! If you feel comfortable, raise your hand and share one exciting thing. (Pause for 2–3 responses.) Thanks for sharing! Now, raise your hand to share one thing that made you nervous. (Pause for 2–3 responses.) Wonderful—thank you. Keep these responses; we’ll refer back to them in a bit.”

2. Guided Discussion (10 minutes)

Teacher: “Let’s see what experts say. (Advance to Slide 3 of the Back-to-School Jitters Slide Deck.) Here’s a student-friendly definition of anxiety. ‘Anxiety is our body’s way of reacting to worries or excitement—it can make us feel nervous, shaky, or distracted.’”

Teacher: “In your own words, what do you think anxiety is?”
(Pause; call on 2–3 students.)

Teacher (advancing to Slide 4): “These are some common signs of anxiety: racing heart, butterflies in your stomach, sweaty palms, restlessness, trouble focusing.** Who’s ever felt one of these before a big event?**”
(Pause; collect 3–4 examples.)
“Let’s record any other signs you notice.”
(Write additional responses on chart paper or the board.)

3. Calming Strategies Activity (10 minutes)

Teacher (advance to Slide 5): “Now let’s learn our first calming strategy: Box Breathing. Here’s how it works:

1. Inhale for 4 seconds
2. Hold for 4 seconds
3. Exhale for 4 seconds
4. Hold for 4 seconds
   Repeat 3–4 times.”

Teacher (modeling, counting aloud): “Ready? Inhale… two… three… four… hold… two… three… four… exhale… two… three… four… hold… two… three… four. (Repeat two more full rounds.) Great job!”

Teacher: “Now turn to a partner and practice box breathing together for one full round. I’ll walk around and listen.”
(1 minute partner practice)

Teacher (advance to Slide 6 & handing out worksheets): “Our second strategy is Positive Affirmations. These are statements like ‘I am prepared’ or ‘I can do hard things.’ When you feel nervous, say them quietly or out loud. On your Back-to-School Jitters Worksheet, write down which calming strategy you’ll use and when you plan to use it—today, tomorrow morning, or before a test.”

(Students fill out worksheet: 2–3 minutes.)

4. Cool-Down & Reflection (5 minutes)

Teacher: “Let’s all take a moment to calm our bodies one more time. Follow along with our Back-to-School Jitters Cool-Down Activity. You can choose silent breathing or draw a calming scene on your warm-up sheet.”

(Lead 1 minute guided breathing or drawing.)

Teacher: “Who wants to share one positive affirmation from your worksheet?”
(Invite 2–3 volunteers.)

Teacher (smiling): “Fantastic! Remember, you’ve got these tools anytime you feel nervous—box breathing and your own affirmations. Keep your worksheet in your binder and practice whenever you need a confidence boost. You did an amazing job today. Let’s wave goodbye to those jitters—here we go!”

(Teacher and students wave hands side to side.)

Teacher: “Thank you all. I’m proud of you, and I know you’re going to have a wonderful year!”

Back-to-School Jitters Worksheet

Name: ____________________________ Date: ________________

1. Think of a time you felt nervous about starting something new (like the first day of school). Describe how your body felt (e.g., racing heart, butterflies, sweaty palms):
   
   
   
   
   
   
2. Box Breathing Plan: After learning Box Breathing, when and where will you use this strategy? Be as specific as you can (for example, "before homeroom" or "at home before bed"):
   
   
   
   
   
   
3. Positive Affirmations: Write two statements you can say to calm yourself when you feel anxious.

a. ________________________________


b. ________________________________

1. Strategy in Action: Choose one calming strategy (Box Breathing or a Positive Affirmation). Describe exactly when and where you will practice it this week:
   
   
   
   
   
   
2. Reflection (optional): After you try your strategy, write one sentence about how it helped you feel calmer:
   
   
   
   
   
   

Tip: Keep this worksheet in your binder and revisit it whenever you feel back-to-school jitters. You’ve got this!

Back-to-School Jitters Warm-Up Activity

Name: ____________________________ Date: ________________

Take 2 minutes to draw or write your responses below:

1. One thing I’m excited about this year:

1. One thing that makes me a little nervous about school:

Back-to-School Jitters Cool-Down Activity

Take a moment to help your mind and body relax. Choose one of the two options below:

Option 1: Guided Breathing

1. Sit comfortably with both feet on the floor and hands resting in your lap.
2. Close your eyes or soften your gaze downward.
3. Inhale slowly through your nose for 4 counts: 1…2…3…4.
4. Exhale gently through your mouth for 6 counts: 1…2…3…4…5…6.
5. Repeat this cycle 3–5 times, focusing on the rise and fall of your chest.

Option 2: Calming Scene Drawing

1. Flip to a blank space on your warm-up sheet or grab a clean sheet of paper.
2. Imagine a place that makes you feel peaceful (a beach, forest, cozy room).
3. Use pencils, crayons, or markers to draw that scene.
4. Add colors and details—birds, waves, trees, soft clouds—whatever makes you feel calm.
5. Take your time; there’s no rush.