Lesson Plan
Calm & Connect Session 1
Guide the student to recognize and label their emotions, practice two calming strategies, and begin building a personalized coping toolbox to manage feelings.
Teaching emotional awareness and healthy coping builds self-regulation, reduces stress, and improves social interactions for long-term academic and personal success.
Audience
4th Grade Student
Time
45 minutes
Approach
Hands-on activities and guided reflection.
Materials
Emotion Cards (printed set), Feeling Thermometer Chart, Coping Toolbox Worksheet, Calming Strategies Cards, Markers or crayons, and Blank paper
Prep
Prepare Materials
10 minutes
- Print and assemble all digital materials:
- Gather markers or crayons and blank paper
- Arrange a quiet, comfortable seating area for the one-on-one session
- Review each material as needed to ensure smooth facilitation
Step 1
Introduction & Warm-Up
5 minutes
- Greet the student and explain today’s goal: noticing feelings and learning ways to calm down
- Spread out the Emotion Cards and ask the student to choose a card showing how they feel right now
Step 2
Feeling Thermometer Activity
10 minutes
- Present the Feeling Thermometer Chart and explain the scale from 1 (calm) to 5 (very upset)
- Ask the student to mark where they are on the chart today
- Discuss a recent moment that corresponded to their chosen level
Step 3
Explore Calming Strategies
10 minutes
- Introduce the Calming Strategies Cards
- Review three strategies (deep breathing, counting slowly, taking a short break)
- Model each strategy and guide the student to practice each one
Step 4
Build Coping Toolbox
10 minutes
- Hand out the Coping Toolbox Worksheet
- Have the student select their top three strategies and draw or write how they’ll use them
- Encourage personalization with colors, doodles, or labels
Step 5
Reflection & Closing
10 minutes
- Ask the student which strategy they’re most likely to use when upset
- Discuss when and how to consult their coping toolbox
- Praise their effort and set a goal to try one new strategy before the next session
use Lenny to create lessons.
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Slide Deck
Calm & Connect: Session 1
Tier 3 Individual Coaching
Emotional Regulation & Coping Skills
4th Grade – 45 minutes
Welcome the student, introduce yourself, and explain that today’s session will focus on noticing feelings and learning new ways to calm down.
Today’s Goals
• Recognize and label emotions
• Rate feelings on the Feeling Thermometer
• Practice calming strategies
• Begin your personalized Coping Toolbox
Briefly review each goal so the student knows what to expect.
Warm-Up: How Are You Feeling?
Select an Emotion Card that matches your current feeling and share why.
Spread out the Emotion Cards and ask the student to choose one that shows how they feel right now. Encourage them to name the emotion and share why.
Feeling Thermometer
Rate your feelings today:
1 (Calm) – 2 – 3 – 4 – 5 (Very Upset)
Mark your number and tell me about a time you felt that way.
Show the Feeling Thermometer Chart and explain the scale from 1 (calm) to 5 (very upset). Ask the student to mark where they are today and recall a recent moment at that level.
Explore Calming Strategies
Try these strategies together:
• Deep Breathing
• Counting Slowly
• Taking a Short Break
Introduce each strategy by name. Model deep breathing, counting slowly (1–10), and stepping away for a quick break. Guide the student through one round of each.
Build Your Coping Toolbox
On your Coping Toolbox Worksheet:
- Choose your top 3 strategies
- Draw or write how you’ll use each
- Personalize with colors and doodles
Hand out the Coping Toolbox Worksheet. Ask the student to pick their top three strategies, draw an image or write steps, and decorate the page.
Reflection & Next Steps
• Which strategy will you try first?
• When will you check your Coping Toolbox?
• Goal: Practice one new tool before our next session
Ask the student to pick one strategy they’ll try first and decide when to use it. Praise their effort and confirm their goal before closing.
Lesson Plan
Calm & Connect Session 2
Support the student in reviewing their Coping Toolbox, practicing social problem-solving through role-play, and applying calming strategies during peer interactions.
Generalizing self-regulation and coping skills to social situations builds confidence, reduces conflict, and strengthens peer relationships for long-term social and emotional success.
Audience
4th Grade Student
Time
45 minutes
Approach
Interactive role-play and guided reflection.
Materials
Scenario Cards (printed set), Social Scripts Worksheet, Coping Toolbox Worksheet, Calming Strategies Cards, Social Skills Reflection Worksheet, Puppets or character figures, Markers or crayons, and Blank paper
Prep
Prepare Materials
10 minutes
- Print and assemble all materials:
- Gather puppets or character figures, markers or crayons, and blank paper
- Arrange a quiet, comfortable seating area for role-play
- Review each material and plan two or three scenarios to practice
Step 1
Introduction & Review
5 minutes
- Greet the student and revisit last session’s goal
- Show the Feeling Thermometer Chart and ask the student to rate how often they used their coping toolbox this week
- Discuss one success and one challenge when using a strategy with friends
Step 2
Introduce Social Scenarios
5 minutes
- Present the Scenario Cards
- Read two example scenarios aloud (e.g., someone cutting in line, being teased)
- Ask the student to name possible feelings in each situation
Step 3
Role-Play Social Interactions
15 minutes
- Invite the student to pick a Scenario Card
- Use puppets or figures to act out the interaction
- Pause when emotions run high; prompt the student to choose and practice a strategy from the Calming Strategies Cards
- Repeat with a second scenario, encouraging different coping tools
Step 4
Apply Coping Strategies
10 minutes
- Hand out the Coping Toolbox Worksheet
- For each practiced scenario, have the student draw or write which strategy they’d use and the steps to follow
- Encourage personalization with colors, doodles, or labels
Step 5
Reflection & Next Steps
10 minutes
- Give the student the Social Skills Reflection Worksheet
- Ask them to record:
- What they learned about handling feelings with others
- Which strategy felt most helpful
- A social goal for the coming week
- Praise their effort and confirm the next session’s focus
Slide Deck
Calm & Connect: Session 2
Tier 3 Individual Coaching
Social Skills & Coping
4th Grade – 45 minutes
Welcome the student, introduce yourself, and explain that today’s session will focus on reviewing coping skills and practicing them in social situations.
Today’s Goals
• Review your Coping Toolbox use
• Explore social scenarios
• Role-play and apply calming tools
• Reflect and set a social goal
Briefly review what we’ll cover today so the student knows the session flow.
Review & Check-In
Rate your toolbox use on the Feeling Thermometer Chart
Share:
• One success using a tool
• One challenge you faced
Show the Feeling Thermometer Chart and ask the student to rate how often they used their coping toolbox this week. Then prompt them to share one success and one challenge.
Social Scenarios
Explore these situations with Scenario Cards:
• Someone cuts in line
• Being teased
Name how you might feel in each.
Present two example Scenario Cards (e.g., someone cutting in line, being teased) and ask the student to name possible feelings in each situation.
Role-Play Activity
- Pick a Scenario Card
- Use puppets or figures to act it out
- Pause and choose a tool from the Calming Strategies Cards when you feel upset
Invite the student to select a Scenario Card, use puppets or figures to act it out, and pause when emotions run high to choose and practice a calming strategy.
Apply Coping Strategies
On your Coping Toolbox Worksheet:
• For each scenario, draw or write which strategy you’ll use
• List the steps you’ll take
Hand out the Coping Toolbox Worksheet. For each practiced scenario, have the student draw or write which strategy they’d use and the steps to follow.
Reflection & Next Steps
Use the Social Skills Reflection Worksheet to record:
• What you learned about handling feelings with others
• Which strategy felt most helpful
• A social goal for the coming week
Give the student the Social Skills Reflection Worksheet and guide them to record their learning, helpful strategies, and set a social goal for the week.
Worksheet
Coping Toolbox Worksheet
Use your Calming Strategies Cards to pick three calming tools you’d like to keep in your personal Coping Toolbox. For each tool, fill in the sections below.
Strategy 1: ____________________________
How this strategy helps me:
Steps to follow:
1. ___________________________________
2. ___________________________________
3. ___________________________________
Draw yourself using this strategy:
Strategy 2: ____________________________
How this strategy helps me:
Steps to follow:
1. ___________________________________
2. ___________________________________
3. ___________________________________
Draw yourself using this strategy:
Strategy 3: ____________________________
How this strategy helps me:
Steps to follow:
1. ___________________________________
2. ___________________________________
3. ___________________________________
Draw yourself using this strategy:
Decorate Your Coping Toolbox Cover
Create a design for the outside of your toolbox. Draw pictures, add colors, and write a title so you’ll recognize it when you need it most!
Activity
Emotion Cards
Use these cards to explore and share your feelings. Cut out each card along the dotted lines. Each card has a face showing an emotion and the emotion word to help you name how you feel.
| 😃 Happy I feel good, joyful, or glad. | 😢 Sad I feel unhappy or like I might cry. |
|---|---|
| 😡 Angry I feel mad or like yelling. | 😨 Scared I feel afraid or worried. |
| 😟 Worried I feel nervous or uneasy. | 😲 Surprised I feel shocked or amazed. |
| 🙂 Calm I feel relaxed and at ease. | 😤 Frustrated I feel upset when things go wrong. |
Instructions:
- Cut out each card carefully.
- When asked, pick the card that shows how you feel right now.
- Share with your coach why you chose that card.
Keep these cards handy for our sessions and whenever you need help naming your emotions!
Worksheet
Feeling Thermometer Chart
Use this chart to rate how calm or upset you feel. Circle a number, color the thermometer, and then share a quick reflection.
| Level | How I Feel | My Circle |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | I feel extremely upset | ○ |
| 4 | I feel very upset | ○ |
| 3 | I feel upset | ○ |
| 2 | I feel a little bothered | ○ |
| 1 | I feel calm | ○ |
1. Circle and Color
- Circle the number that matches your feeling right now.
- Color the thermometer from the bottom (calm) up to your circled level: cool colors (blue/green) for calm, warm colors (yellow/red) for upset.
2. Draw a Face
Draw a face showing how you look when you feel this way:
3. Think of a Moment
Describe a time when you felt this level of emotion:
Activity
Calming Strategies Cards
Use these cards to learn and practice ways to calm down. Cut out each card along the dotted lines. Each card shows an icon, a strategy name, and simple steps to follow when you feel upset.
| 🧘♂️ Deep Breathing Take slow, deep breaths to help your body relax. Steps: 1. Breathe in for 4 seconds 2. Hold for 2 seconds 3. Breathe out for 4 seconds | 🔢 Counting Slowly Count to calm your mind and focus. Steps: 1. Count slowly to 10 2. Watch your breath 3. Repeat if needed |
|---|---|
| 🏃♂️ Taking a Short Break Step away and change your focus. Steps: 1. Find a quiet spot 2. Take a short walk or stretch 3. Return when you feel calmer | 🗣️ Positive Self-Talk Use kind words to support yourself. Steps: 1. Think of a helpful phrase (e.g., “I can do this.”) 2. Say it out loud or whisper 3. Repeat as needed |
| 🤲 Progressive Muscle Relaxation Tense and release your muscles. Steps: 1. Tighten one muscle group (e.g., fists) for 5 seconds 2. Let go and feel the release 3. Move to the next muscle group | 🎵 Listen to Music Use calming sounds to soothe you. Steps: 1. Choose a favorite calm song 2. Listen quietly for a few minutes 3. Breathe deeply as you listen |
Instructions:
- Carefully cut out each card along the dotted lines.
- When you feel upset, pick a card and follow its steps.
- Add any new favorites to your Coping Toolbox Worksheet so you can use them anytime.
Activity
Scenario Cards
Use these cards to explore common social situations and practice how you might handle them. Cut out each card along the dotted lines. For each scenario:
- Read the situation aloud.
- Name how you might feel.
- Role-play the scene using puppets or figures.
- Pause if you feel upset and pick a tool from your Calming Strategies Cards.
| Someone Cuts in Line Another kid steps in front of you without asking. | Being Teased A classmate makes fun of you during recess. | Friend Won't Share a Toy Your friend refuses to let you play with their toy. |
|---|---|---|
| Accidentally Breaking Something You knock over and break something important. | Not Being Chosen for a Game Nobody picks you when teams are made. | Misunderstanding with a Friend A friend thinks you said something you didn’t. |
Instructions:
- Carefully cut out each scenario card.
- Pick one card and read it aloud.
- Act out the situation with puppets or figures.
- Pause if emotions run high; choose a strategy from your Calming Strategies Cards and practice it.
- Discuss which coping tool helped most and why.
Keep these cards handy to role-play new situations and grow your social skills!
Worksheet
Social Skills Reflection Worksheet
Use this worksheet to think about how you handled social situations and make a plan for next time.
1. Scenario Reflection
Which scenario did you practice? (e.g., someone cuts in line, being teased, not chosen for a game)
a) How did you feel during this situation?
b) What coping strategy did you use? (Pick one from your Calming Strategies Cards)
c) How did this strategy help you? Describe what happened and how you felt afterward.
2. What Did You Learn?
Write one thing you learned about handling your feelings when you’re with friends or classmates.
3. My Social Goal
Set one goal for the coming week. Think about a real situation and how you will use your coping toolbox. (e.g., “If someone teases me, I will take three deep breaths.”)
4. Celebrations
What is one thing you can celebrate about how you handled today’s activity or used a strategy?