Lesson Plan
Calming Strategies Lesson Plan
Equip 7th graders with practical techniques to manage stress and calm down during challenging situations, enhancing their emotional regulation.
This lesson is crucial for students' well-being, helping them recognize stress and adopt healthy responses that promote emotional intelligence and resilience.
Audience
7th Grade Group
Time
35 minutes
Approach
Interactive discussion, guided practice, and engaging activities.
Prep
Preparation
5 minutes
- Review the Calming Strategies Lesson Plan to confirm the session structure.
- Familiarize yourself with the Stress Management Slide Deck to guide the discussion about stress impact.
- Set up the Breathing Exercises Activity and Calm Down Charades Game for smooth transitions during the interactive segments.
Step 1
Introduction and Discussion
10 minutes
- Use visuals from the Stress Management Slide Deck to introduce stress and its impact on the body and mind.
- Engage students by discussing personal experiences of stress and identifying healthy responses.
- Clearly present the session's goal: learning practical techniques to manage and reduce stress.
Step 2
Guided Breathing Exercise
10 minutes
- Lead the class through a structured breathing exercise using instructions from the Breathing Exercises Activity.
- Encourage students to focus on deep, slow breaths to help center their attention and calm down.
Step 3
Interactive Activity - Calm Down Charades
10 minutes
- Organize students into small groups and play the Calm Down Charades Game.
- Reinforce learning by having students act out scenarios and techniques that help reduce stress, fostering non-verbal recognition of calming strategies.
Step 4
Conclusion and Reflection
5 minutes
- Recap the key lessons learned about stress and calming techniques using the Stress Management Slide Deck.
- Invite a few students to share one calming technique they plan to adopt in daily situations.
- Encourage ongoing practice and reflection to effectively manage stress.
Slide Deck
Understanding Stress Management
Welcome! Let's explore what stress is and how we can manage it effectively. Today, we'll learn about stress, its impact, and calming techniques.
Introduce the topic with a warm welcome and explain that today we'll talk about stress and how to manage it. Emphasize the importance of understanding stress and introduce that we will learn some cool techniques to help calm down.
What is Stress?
- Stress is a reaction to challenging situations.
- It can affect our thoughts, feelings, and body.
- Examples include school tests, sports events, and social conflicts.
Explain what stress is in simple terms. Provide relatable examples such as exams, sports, and friendship issues. Use visuals to support the explanation.
Calm Down Techniques
- Deep Breathing Exercises
- Mindfulness and Meditation
- Interactive Games like Calm Down Charades
- Talking about feelings
Introduce various calming techniques. Highlight each method briefly and build curiosity among students about trying these techniques out.
Recap & Reflection
Review:
- Stress: Its definition and impact.
- Techniques to calm down such as deep breathing, mindfulness, and interactive activities.
What is one stress management technique you will use?
Summarize the key takeaways about stress and calming down. Encourage students to think of one technique they plan to use and share their thoughts.
Activity
Breathing Exercises Activity
This activity is designed to guide students through a series of breathing exercises to help calm down and manage stress. The activity provides step-by-step instructions and tips for effective practice.
Instructions
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Introduction (2 minutes)
- Start by explaining to students the benefits of deep breathing: reducing stress, calming the mind, and regaining focus.
- Start by explaining to students the benefits of deep breathing: reducing stress, calming the mind, and regaining focus.
-
Guided Breathing Exercise (5 minutes)
- Ask students to sit comfortably, close their eyes, and relax their shoulders.
- Instruct them to take a slow, deep breath in through the nose for a count of 4, hold for a count of 4, and then slowly exhale through the mouth for a count of 6.
- Repeat this cycle 4-6 times.
- Ask students to sit comfortably, close their eyes, and relax their shoulders.
-
Reflective Practice (2 minutes)
- Invite students to reflect on how they feel after the exercise. They can share verbally or jot down their thoughts.
- Prompt: What changes did you notice in your body or mind after focusing on your breath?
- Invite students to reflect on how they feel after the exercise. They can share verbally or jot down their thoughts.
Tips for Effective Practice
- Stay Consistent: Practice the exercise daily to build a calming routine.
- Create a Peaceful Environment: Find a quiet spot free from distractions.
- Focus on the Breath: Keep your attention on the sensation of breathing in and out, and gently bring your mind back to the breath if it wanders.
This activity serves as both a standalone exercise and a complement to the overall lesson on stress management. Encourage students to use these techniques whenever they feel overwhelmed.
Happy breathing!
Game
Calm Down Charades Game
This interactive game engages students by having them act out various scenarios and techniques to manage stress and remain calm. The game is designed to reinforce concepts from the lesson in a playful and creative way.
How to Play:
-
Setup:
- Divide students into small groups.
- Ensure there is a clear space for acting out scenarios.
- Divide students into small groups.
-
Instructions:
- Each group takes turns drawing a card or receiving a prompt related to stressful situations or calming techniques (e.g., deep breathing, mindfulness, taking a break, using a calming phrase, etc.).
- Without using words, a group member acts out the scenario or technique, while the rest of the group guesses what is being acted out.
- Each group takes turns drawing a card or receiving a prompt related to stressful situations or calming techniques (e.g., deep breathing, mindfulness, taking a break, using a calming phrase, etc.).
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Discussion:
- After each round, discuss how the technique or action can help in actual stressful situations.
- Encourage students to share personal experiences or additional suggestions related to the technique.
- After each round, discuss how the technique or action can help in actual stressful situations.
Learning Points:
- Recognize Stress Indicators: Acting out scenarios helps students identify physical and behavioral signs of stress.
- Explore Calming Techniques: Students will become familiar with different methods to manage stress, such as deep breathing, mindfulness, or talking about their feelings.
- Team Collaboration: This game fosters teamwork and helps build a supportive community among students.
Encourage creativity and remind students that there is no single 'right' way to calm down—it's all about finding what works best for you! Enjoy the game and have fun learning to manage stress together.