Anxiety Triggers Sorting Activity Sheet

Description: In small groups, students will sort anxiety triggers into Internal (thoughts, feelings, physical sensations) and External (people, places, situations) categories, then discuss key insights.

Group Instructions:

1. Use sticky notes from your brainstorm or a provided list of triggers.
2. Place each trigger under the correct column on this sheet.
3. Once complete, discuss one insight about why certain triggers belong in each category.

Anxiety Triggers Reflection Worksheet

Directions: From today’s brainstorm activity, choose your two most significant anxiety triggers. For each, reflect on how you experience them and how you might begin to respond differently.

1. Trigger #1

a) What is the trigger? Describe it in your own words.

b) What physical sensations do you notice when this trigger occurs? (e.g., racing heart, sweaty palms, tension)

c) What thoughts go through your mind when you encounter this trigger?

d) How do you usually respond or behave when you feel this anxiety?

2. Trigger #2

a) What is the trigger? Describe it in your own words.

b) What physical sensations do you notice when this trigger occurs?

c) What thoughts go through your mind when you encounter this trigger?

d) How do you usually respond or behave when you feel this anxiety?

3. Early Coping Strategy

Think of one practical strategy you can try the next time you experience either of these triggers. Describe the strategy and how you will use it.

Remember: This reflection helps you notice early signs of anxiety so you can use effective coping strategies sooner.

Session 1 Instructor Script

Below is a word-for-word script for each segment of Session 1. Read exactly what’s in bold, and feel free to use the italicized prompts if you need extra ways to engage students.

1. Welcome & Icebreaker (5 minutes)

“Good morning, everyone! Welcome to our first session of Master Your Calm. Over the next eight sessions, we’re going to learn how to spot and manage anxiety so school feels more manageable and even enjoyable.

“Let’s start by defining a key term. Please look up at the screen. You’ll see a slide that says ‘What Is Anxiety?’”
(Click to Slide 2 of Unmasking Anxiety Slide Deck)

“Anxiety is a natural response to perceived threats or pressure. It involves thoughts, feelings, and physical reactions. Sometimes it motivates us, but it can also feel overwhelming.

“Any quick questions about that definition? … Great. Now, let’s do a one-sentence icebreaker. I’ll go first: this morning I felt a bit nervous driving to school because I was excited for this session! Now, I want each of you to share one thing that made you nervous today. Please keep it short—just your trigger and a one-word feeling if you can.”

(Allow each student 5–7 seconds to share. Encourage brief responses.)

2. Group Brainstorm (10 minutes)

“Fantastic sharing, everyone. Next, we’re going to brainstorm all the things at school that make us anxious. Please come gather in a circle around this chart paper at the front.

“Here’s a stack of sticky notes and markers. I want you to think of one thing that makes you feel anxious at school—write it on a sticky note. Then, place it on the chart paper. Write only one trigger per note.”

(Distribute sticky notes and markers. Circulate and encourage students.)

“You have three minutes—go for it!”

(After 2 minutes, give a 1-minute warning.)

“Time’s up! Let’s look at what you wrote.”

(Read clusters aloud as you group similar sticky notes.)

“I see themes like tests, presentations, crowded halls... Excellent work—this is our full list of school triggers.”

3. Sorting Activity (10 minutes)

“Now we’ll sort these triggers into Internal (thoughts or feelings inside us) and External (people, places, or situations). Please break into groups of three or four at the tables.

(Help students form groups and hand out Anxiety Triggers Sorting Activity sheets.)

“On your sheet, list five internal triggers on the left and five external triggers on the right. You can use the sticky notes you placed or ideas from the board. Then, discuss one insight: why does that trigger fit the category?”

“You have seven minutes. I’ll come around to answer questions. Ready? Go!”

(After six minutes, give a one-minute warning.)

“Time’s up! Let’s have each group share one key insight.”

(Invite Group 1, Group 2, etc., to share briefly.)

4. Worksheet & Reflection (3 minutes)

“Great insights, everyone. Now, here is your personal Anxiety Triggers Worksheet. Choose your top two triggers from today’s brainstorm. For each, describe what the trigger is, how it feels in your body, what thoughts pop in your head, and how you usually respond.”

(Hand out worksheets.)

“Take three minutes to complete that reflection. If you finish early, you may start thinking of a coping strategy for Question 3.”

(Circulate and support individual students.)

5. Quiz & Baseline Test (2 minutes)

“Nice work reflecting. Finally, I’d like everyone to complete this short Anxiety Awareness Quiz quietly. It’s just five questions to check our learning so far. After you finish, please hand me your Baseline Knowledge Test so I can save it for progress monitoring.”

(Distribute Anxiety Awareness Quiz and collect Baseline Knowledge Test.)

“Thank you all. That wraps up Session 1. Next time, we’ll explore practical coping skills you can use the moment anxiety starts. See you then!”