Calm Crew Script Template

This script aligns with the Slide Deck Template and guides you through each section of the 15-minute session.

Warm-Up (2 minutes)

Teacher: “Welcome, Calm Crew! I’m so happy to see you today. Let’s settle in and get ready to learn.”
(Show Slide 1: “Welcome to Calm Crew Session”)
Teacher: “Let’s take three deep breaths together. Breathe in through your nose… and out through your mouth…”
(Play mindfulness bell)
Teacher: “Remember our group norms: we show respect by listening when others speak, and we raise our hand to share.”

Introduction (2 minutes)

Teacher: “Today’s skill is [Skill Name]. By the end of our session, you’ll be able to [Brief Objective].”
(Show Slide 2: “What Is [Skill Name]?”)
Teacher (reading slide):
• Definition: [Brief explanation of the skill]
• Why It Matters: Helps us stay calm, make good choices, and feel better.
Teacher: “Who can share a time you might use this skill?”
(Pause, call on a student)

Teaching Activity (4 minutes)

(Show Slide 3: “Role-Play Steps”)
Teacher: “Watch me demonstrate. [Student Volunteer], you’ll be Person A and I’ll be Person B. Person A says: ‘I’m feeling frustrated.’ I respond by using [Skill Name] by taking deep breaths and using calm words.”
(Model role-play)
Teacher: “Now, turn to your partner and practice those steps. I’ll give you one minute. Remember: Person A states a feeling, Person B uses the skill, then swap!”

Discussion (2 minutes)

Teacher: “Great job! Now let’s draw a Discussion Prompt card.”
(Draw a card from the Discussion Prompt Cards)
Teacher (reading card): “[Prompt Question]”
Teacher: “Who would like to share their answer? Just one sentence is perfect.”
(Encourage several students to respond)

Game (2 minutes)

(Show Slide 5: “Game Time: [Game Name]”)
Teacher: “Let’s play [Game Name]! I’ll call out actions, and you’ll follow while practicing [Skill Name]. Everyone gets a turn. Ready? Simon says… [play game]!”

Quick Quiz (1 minute)

(Show Slide 6: “Quick Quiz”)
Teacher: “On the count of three, show me your thumbs! Will you remember to use [Skill Name] when you feel ______? Thumbs-up = Yes. Thumbs-down = Not sure. One… two… three!”
(Students respond)

Reflection (2 minutes)

(Show Slide 7: “Reflection & Journal”)
Teacher: “Open your worksheet. Finish this sentence in your journal: ‘Today I will use [Skill Name] when…’”

Teacher: “Who would like to share their sentence?”
(Invite volunteers)
Teacher: “Fantastic work today! You all did a great job. Next time, we’ll learn about [Next Skill Name]. Keep practicing [Skill Name] this week – you’ve got this!”

Calm Crew Worksheet

Name: _________________________ Date: ______________ Session #: ________

Skill of the Day: _______________________________________________

1. Draw It Out:

Draw a picture of you using this skill when you feel __________.

1. Write It Out:

Complete the sentence: “When I feel __________, I will use this skill by __________.”

1. Check-In:

Will you remember to use this skill when you need it?
Circle one: Yes Not sure

1. My Plan:

Finish this sentence: “Today I will use this skill when __________.”

Good work, Calm Crew! Keep this worksheet as a reminder of your plan for using today’s skill.

Discussion Prompt Cards

Use these cards to spark conversation and deepen understanding of coping skills in everyday situations. Draw one card per session during the Discussion segment. Encourage turn-and-talk and whole-group sharing.

1. “Think of a time you felt really angry. What did your body feel like? What could you do next time to calm down?”
   
   
   
2. “When you feel worried or nervous, what is one thing you can do to help yourself feel safer or more calm?”
   
   
   
3. “Share a moment you felt left out at school or on the playground. How did you handle it, and what might you try next time?”
   
   
   
4. “If you see a friend looking upset or anxious, what could you say or do to help them feel better?”
   
   
   
5. “What are three deep-breathing steps (count, inhale, exhale) you can use when you’re frustrated?”
   
   
   
6. “Describe a time you used kind words to solve a problem. How did it make you feel?”
   
   
   
7. “What is one positive phrase you can tell yourself when you’re feeling angry or upset?”
   
   
   
8. “How does drawing, writing, or talking to someone help you when you feel sad?”
   
   
   
9. “When you feel nervous about something new (like a test), what calming skill can you practice first?”
   
   
   
10. “What can counting to ten do for your body and mind when you feel like yelling?”
    
    
    
11. “Tell us about a time you asked for help when you felt overwhelmed. How did that help you?”
    
    
    
12. “Imagine you’re feeling upset. Show or tell us your favorite calm-down strategy (like mindful breathing or squeezing a stress ball).”
    
    
    

Activity Materials for Calm Crew Sessions

Use these simple, adaptable activities in each session’s Teaching Activity segment. Rotate or choose the one that best fits your students’ needs and the skill focus.

1. Mindful Breathing Exercise

Materials:

• Breathing Visuals (e.g., balloon or flower picture)
• Optional mindfulness bell or chime

Steps:

1. Show the breathing visual and explain the pattern: “Breathe in for 3 seconds, hold for 2, breathe out for 4.”
2. Lead students: “Ready? In…2…3, hold…2, out…2…3…4.”
3. Repeat 3 times, inviting them to place hands on their belly or heart.

2. Posture & Body Scan

Materials:

• Posture Reminder Poster or quick drawn stick-figure on board
• Space for students to stand beside their chairs

Steps:

1. Ask students to stand tall with feet hip-width apart.
2. Guide a brief body scan: “Roll your shoulders up and back, relax your jaw, soften your belly.”
3. Connect posture to confidence and calm: “Good posture helps our brain know we’re ready to handle big feelings.”

3. Partner Practice Prompts

Materials:

• Scenario prompt list (print or read aloud)

Steps:

1. Pair up students and give each pair a scenario, for example:
   • “You feel angry because someone took your marker.”
   • “You’re nervous about trying a new game at recess.”
2. Student A reads the scenario and states how they feel.
3. Student B practices today’s skill (e.g., deep breaths, calm words, counting).
4. Swap roles and repeat with a new prompt.

4. Quick Movement Break

Materials:

• Open floor space

Steps:

1. Lead students in 5 simple stretches (reach for the sky, touch toes, twist gently).
2. Encourage them to notice how their body feels before and after.
3. Tie back to coping: “Moving helps our body let go of tension so we can feel calmer.”

Feel free to adapt these activities to the day’s specific skill and your students’ preferences. Rotate breathing, body scan, partner practice, or calming movement to keep sessions fresh and engaging.

Game Materials for Calm Crew Sessions

Use these quick, 2-minute games to reinforce each session’s coping skill. Pick one per session and swap throughout the program.

1. Skill Simon Says

• Rules: Teacher calls out actions (“Simon says take three deep breaths,” “Simon says show me a calm face,” etc.).
• Focus: Students only follow commands that start with “Simon says,” practicing the target skill each time.
• Goal: Keep energy high and reinforce skill steps in a fun way.

2. Feelings Charades

• Materials: Slips of paper with emotion words or pictures.
• Rules: Students take turns drawing a slip and acting out the feeling without words. The group guesses the emotion and names one calming strategy for it.
• Focus: Connecting emotions to coping skills.

3. Calm Ball Pass

• Materials: Soft ball or beanbag.
• Rules: Students stand or sit in a circle. Teacher plays music or counts down as students pass the ball. When the music stops or count ends, the holder names one step of today’s skill (e.g., “I breathe in for 3 seconds”).
• Focus: Reviewing skill sequence under low-pressure conditions.

4. Breathing Rhythm Freeze

• Rules: Teacher leads a simple movement (marching in place) while guiding breathing: “March in…breathe in…march out…breathe out.” After 6 counts, say “Freeze!” Students hold their breath and posture until you say “Unfreeze!”
• Focus: Combining movement, breath, and body awareness.

5. Emotion Hot Potato

• Materials: Small stress ball or beanbag.
• Rules: Music plays while students pass the “hot potato.” When music stops, the student holding the ball names one situation that makes them feel the session’s emotion and one thing they can do to calm down.
• Focus: Quick recall of real-life triggers and solutions.

Tips for All Games:

• Keep instructions brief and model one round first.
• Encourage positive language and respectful turn-taking.
• Adapt pacing to fit a 2-minute window: limit rounds or use a short timer.
• Celebrate participation with verbal praise or a quick sticker.