Design Your Calm Tool Activity

Overview: In this activity, each student will design and personalize their own calming tool to use in the Calm Corner when big feelings arise. This helps build ownership, creativity, and self-regulation skills.

Materials:

• Calm Tool Design Sheet (one per student)
• Crayons, colored pencils, markers
• Stickers, pom-poms, or other embellishments
• Scissors and glue or tape (optional for 3D elements)

Instructions:

1. Introduce Calm Tools (3 minutes)

• Show examples of calm tools (e.g., sensory jar, stress ball sleeve, emotion stones).
• Explain how each tool can help us feel calm by using our senses (sight, touch, smell).

2. Design Your Tool (10 minutes)

• Distribute the Calm Tool Design Sheet.
• Ask students to think of colors, shapes, or textures that help them feel calm.
• Have them draw and decorate their tool design on the sheet.
• Encourage the use of stickers or cut-outs to personalize further.

3. Create a Simple Prototype (5 minutes)

• If time and materials allow, guide students to assemble a mini version (e.g., a paper roll stress ball, a small bottle with colored water).
• Prompt them to practice taking three deep breaths while holding or looking at their prototype.

4. Partner Share (5 minutes)

• Pair students up to share their designs.
• Each student explains:
  • What they drew or built
  • Which features help them feel calm
  • How they will use it in the Calm Corner

Reflection Questions (to discuss as a class or in journals):

• What did you include in your tool to help you feel calm?
  
  
  
• How will you use this tool when feelings get big?
  
  
  
• When might you choose this tool in your day?
  
  
  
  
  
  

Why We All Need a Break

Every day, we learn, play, and use our minds in lots of different ways. Sometimes our brains and bodies can feel tired or a little too busy. When this happens, our feelings may get big, and it can be hard to pay attention or keep trying our best.

Taking a break gives us time to pause and let our bodies and minds rest. We can sit quietly, take three deep breaths, or use a calm-down tool like a stress ball. A short pause helps us let go of tension and come back ready to learn and have fun.

Breaks can look different for everyone. Some friends like to stretch their arms, others like to squeeze a fidget toy, and some enjoy looking at a calm picture. Our Calm Corner is a special place where you can pick a tool, breathe, and feel calm. Then, when you’re ready, you can return to your work with a fresh mind.

Remember: it’s OK to notice your big feelings and take a break. A little rest can help you feel better and ready to try again!

Feelings Check-In Warm-Up

Time: 5 minutes
Materials: Emotion cards or chart, optional paper and crayons

1. Gather in a Circle (1 minute)

• Invite students to sit quietly in a circle.
• Explain: "We’re going to check in with our feelings before we start our Calm Corner lesson."

2. Show & Name Feelings (2 minutes)

• Hold up emotion cards or point to an emotion chart with faces (happy, sad, angry, calm, excited, etc.).
• Go around the circle; each student names one word to describe how they feel right now (or picks a card that shows their feeling).

3. Quick Share (1 minute)

• Ask a few volunteers to share why they chose that feeling word or card.
• Normalize all feelings: “It’s OK to feel big feelings today!”

4. (Optional) Draw or Write It (1 minute)

• Give each student a small piece of paper.
• Ask them to draw or write one word about how they feel.
  
  
  

5. Transition to Lesson

• Reinforce: “When feelings get big, we can use our Calm Corner tools to help us feel better.”
• Move on to the slide deck introduction.