Calm and Confident: School Anxiety

Matthew Malowski

Tier 1

Lesson Plan

Calm and Confident: School Anxiety

Anxious to come to school

This lesson aims to help students who feel anxious about coming to school by providing them with a safe space to express their feelings and learn coping strategies. Through a short activity, a guided discussion, and an exposure-based exercise, students will explore their emotions and discover ways to manage anxiety, fostering a supportive classroom environment.

Audience

Sophomore Students

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Materials

Post-it notes, Pens, Discussion Questions, and Exposure Activity Worksheet

Step 1

Introduction

3 mins

Welcome students and explain the purpose of the lesson: to explore feelings of anxiety about coming to school and learn ways to manage it.
Encourage an open and supportive atmosphere.

Step 2

Activity: Expressing Feelings

5 mins

Distribute post-it notes and pens to each student.
Ask students to write down one word or phrase that describes how they feel about coming to school.
Collect the notes and read a few aloud (anonymously) to show common feelings.

Step 3

Exposure-Based Activity

10 mins

Introduce the concept of exposure therapy and how it can help manage anxiety.
Distribute the Exposure Activity Worksheet.
Ask students to identify a specific school-related situation that causes them anxiety.
Guide them in creating a step-by-step plan to gradually expose themselves to this situation, starting with less anxiety-provoking steps and building up to more challenging ones.

Step 4

Discussion: Coping Strategies

8 mins

Use the discussion questions to guide a conversation about anxiety and coping mechanisms.
Encourage students to share their thoughts and listen to others.
Highlight effective strategies and emphasize the importance of seeking support.

Step 5

Closure

4 mins

Summarize key points from the discussion and exposure activity.
Encourage students to try one new coping strategy or exposure step this week.
Thank students for their participation and openness.

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Discussion

Anxiety and Coping Strategies

A guided discussion to help students explore their feelings of anxiety about coming to school and discover effective coping strategies.

What are some common feelings you have about coming to school?

Encourage students to share openly and validate their feelings. Highlight that many students feel similarly.

What strategies have you used to cope with anxiety?

Discuss various coping mechanisms such as deep breathing, talking to someone, or writing in a journal.

How can we support each other in managing anxiety?

Emphasize the importance of a supportive community and suggest ways students can help each other.

Worksheet

Exposure Activity Worksheet

A worksheet to help students identify anxiety-inducing situations and create a step-by-step exposure plan.

Identify a specific school-related situation that causes you anxiety.

Think about situations like speaking in class, attending a new club, or asking for help.

List the steps you can take to gradually expose yourself to this situation, starting with the least anxiety-provoking step.

Start small and build up to more challenging steps.

Reflect on how you feel about taking these steps and what support you might need.

Consider who can help you and what resources you might use.