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Calm & Connect

Lesson Plan

Session 1: Understanding Emotions

Adrian will learn to recognize and name basic emotions in himself and others and will be introduced to effective coping strategies (deep breathing, movement breaks) to manage feelings of frustration or anger.

Understanding and labeling emotions lays the groundwork for self-regulation. Equipping Adrian with coping tools early helps reduce outbursts and builds his confidence in handling strong feelings.

Audience

6th Grade Individual Counseling Session

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Interactive visuals, guided practice, and reflection.

Materials

Prep

Setup Materials

10 minutes

Step 1

Welcome & Check-In

5 minutes

  • Greet Adrian and ask how he’s doing today.
  • Briefly describe the session’s goals: recognizing emotions and learning coping strategies.
  • Set a positive tone and build rapport.

Step 2

Emotion Flashcard Activity

8 minutes

  • Spread out the Emotion Flashcards face down.
  • Ask Adrian to pick a card, show it, name the emotion, and share a time he’s felt that way.
  • Discuss facial cues and body language that match each emotion.
  • Reinforce correct labeling and offer gentle prompts when needed.

Step 3

Introduce Coping Strategies

8 minutes

  • Present the Coping Strategies Poster and review two strategies: deep breathing and movement break.
  • Model deep breathing: inhale for 4, hold 2, exhale for 6. Practice together twice.
  • Demonstrate a quick movement break: stand, stretch, and shake arms for 10 seconds.
  • Ask Adrian which strategy feels most helpful and why.

Step 4

Role-Play Practice

6 minutes

  • Create a short scenario where Adrian feels frustrated (e.g., a classmate won’t share).
  • Role-play the situation: have Adrian act out using one coping strategy.
  • Provide prompts as needed and reinforce appropriate self-control and voice level.
  • Praise his use of the strategy and discuss how it helped him feel calmer.

Step 5

Reflection & Goal Setting

3 minutes

  • Give Adrian the Emotion Reflection Worksheet.
  • Ask him to draw or write about a time he’ll practice deep breathing or a movement break this week.
  • Set a simple goal: "I will use deep breathing once when I feel upset at school."
  • Close with positive feedback and excitement for the next session.
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Slide Deck

Session 1: Understanding Emotions

Welcome to Session 1 of our Calm & Connect Counseling Series

Understanding Emotions to help you feel more in control

Welcome Adrian to the first session. Set a friendly tone and introduce the Calm & Connect series. Ask a quick check-in: “How are you feeling today?”

Today’s Objectives

By the end of our 30-minute session, Adrian will:
• Recognize and name basic emotions
• Learn two coping strategies to manage strong feelings
• Practice using a strategy in a role-play and set a goal

Explain today’s goals clearly. Use “we” language to build partnership.

Why Emotions Matter

• When we name what we feel, we can decide how to respond
• Understanding feelings helps prevent outbursts
• Builds confidence to handle frustration or anger

Discuss why labeling emotions matters. Relate it to everyday experiences: noticing feelings before they get too big.

Activity 1: Emotion Flashcards

  1. Spread out the Emotion Flashcards face down
  2. Pick a card, show it, and name the emotion
  3. Share a time you’ve felt that way
  4. Notice facial expressions and body cues together

Guide Adrian step-by-step through the Emotion Flashcards activity.

Flashcard Examples

🙂 Happy 😢 Sad 😡 Angry

What do these faces tell us about how someone feels?

Show three sample cards; point out visual cues. Encourage Adrian to think about how he looks when he’s happy, sad, or angry.

Introducing Coping Strategies

Let’s review our Coping Strategies Poster:
• Deep Breathing
• Movement Break

Introduce the poster and highlight our two strategies today.

Deep Breathing

Follow these steps together:

  1. Inhale slowly for 4 seconds
  2. Hold your breath for 2 seconds
  3. Exhale slowly for 6 seconds

Practice 2 times

Model each step slowly and clearly. Practice twice together, praising Adrian for calm, steady breaths.

Movement Break

Let’s do a short break:

  1. Stand up and stretch arms overhead
  2. Shake your arms gently for 10 seconds
  3. Take a deep breath and notice how you feel

Lead Adrian in a quick stretch and shake. Ask him to notice any change in how he feels.

Activity 2: Role-Play Practice

  1. Pick a scenario (e.g., someone won’t share)
  2. Act out using deep breathing or movement break
  3. Keep good personal space and a calm voice
  4. Discuss how it helped you feel calmer

Set up a simple scenario (e.g., classmate won’t share). Encourage Adrian to use a chosen strategy while keeping his voice calm.

Reflection & Goal Setting

• Complete the Emotion Reflection Worksheet
• Draw or write about when you’ll practice a strategy
• Set a goal: “I will use deep breathing once when I feel upset at school.”

Hand over the Emotion Reflection Worksheet. Help Adrian articulate a realistic goal for the week.

Wrap-Up & Next Steps

Great job today, Adrian!
Next time: Following Adult Directives & Self-Control
Looking forward to seeing you next session!

Praise Adrian’s effort and enthusiasm. Preview that next session will focus on following adult directives and self-control.

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Worksheet

Emotion Reflection Worksheet

Name: _________________________ Date: ________________

1. Emotions Today

Which emotion did you feel? (Circle one or write your own)

😊 Happy 😢 Sad 😡 Angry 😨 Nervous 😕 Frustrated Other: _______________




2. Draw It Out

Draw a picture of your face showing how you felt in the situation. Use the space below:












3. What Happened?

Describe what happened that made you feel this way:







4. Coping Strategy

Which strategy did you use to help yourself calm down? Circle one or add your own.

• Deep Breathing • Movement Break • Positive Thinking • Quiet Corner • Other: _______________



5. How Did It Help?

Before I used my strategy, I felt:



After I used my strategy, I felt:




6. Goal Setting

Write a goal for next time you feel this emotion. Start with “I will…”

_I will __________________________________________________________.







Thank you for reflecting! Bring this sheet to our next session to discuss how it went.
(use with Session 1: Understanding Emotions)

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Activity

Emotion Flashcards

Print and cut along the lines to create individual emotion cards. Use these in sessions to help Adrian identify and discuss different feelings.

🙂
Happy		😢
Sad		😡
Angry		😨
Nervous
😕
Frustrated		😲
Surprised		😃
Excited		😌
Calm

Use each card to:
• Name the emotion
• Describe a time you’ve felt this way
• Identify body cues and facial expressions

(cut on cell borders; use with Session 1: Understanding Emotions)

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Activity

Coping Strategies Poster

Use these tools whenever you start to feel upset, frustrated, or angry. Find the strategy that works best for you!

Deep Breathing 🧘‍♂️
• Inhale slowly for 4 counts
• Hold your breath for 2 counts
• Exhale gently for 6 counts



Movement Break 🏃‍♂️
• Stand up and stretch arms overhead
• Shake your arms or jump in place for 10 seconds
• Take a deep breath and notice how you feel



Positive Thinking 💭
• Think of a memory or place that makes you smile
• Say a kind phrase to yourself (e.g., “I can do this.”)



Quiet Corner 🛋️
• Find a calm spot in the room or hallway
• Sit quietly with a favorite book or fidget toy
• Take slow, steady breaths until you feel calmer

(Use this poster with Session 1: Understanding Emotions and in future sessions.)

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