Lesson Plan
Calm in Crisis Lesson Plan
Teachers will learn and practice targeted de-escalation strategies to manage challenging student behaviors and develop their own actionable plans.
Equips teachers with evidence-based tools to reduce classroom disruptions, support student well-being, and foster a safer learning environment.
Audience
K-12 Teachers
Time
90 minutes
Approach
Interactive presentations, scenario analyses, role-plays, and personalized planning.
Materials
- De-Escalation Strategies Slide Deck, - De-Escalation Reflection Worksheet, - Personalized Action Plan Template, - Role-Play Scenarios Cards, - Whiteboard and markers, and - Timer
Prep
Prepare and Review Materials
15 minutes
- Print copies of the De-Escalation Reflection Worksheet and Personalized Action Plan Template
- Familiarize yourself with the De-Escalation Strategies Slide Deck
- Organize the Role-Play Scenarios Cards into sets for group distribution
- Ensure whiteboard, markers, and timer are available and functioning
Step 1
Welcome and Session Overview
10 minutes
- Greet participants and review session objectives and agenda
- Establish group norms: confidentiality, respect, active participation
- Brief icebreaker: share one challenging behavior they've encountered recently
Step 2
Explore De-Escalation Strategies
20 minutes
- Present key techniques using the De-Escalation Strategies Slide Deck
- Highlight evidence-based approaches: active listening, nonverbal cues, environment modifications
- Facilitate Q&A and brief discussion of applicability in participants' contexts
Step 3
Analyze Challenging Scenarios
15 minutes
- Divide teachers into small groups and distribute Role-Play Scenarios Cards
- Each group identifies triggers and selects 2–3 strategies to apply
- Record insights on the De-Escalation Reflection Worksheet
Step 4
Guided Role-Play Practice
30 minutes
- In pairs, assign roles: teacher and student, and select a scenario card
- Practice applying selected de-escalation techniques (use timer for 5-minute rounds)
- After each round, partners provide feedback and swap roles
- Optional: use whiteboard to note best practices and common challenges
Step 5
Develop Personalized Action Plans
15 minutes
- Individually complete the Personalized Action Plan Template
- Identify top 2–3 strategies to implement immediately
- Pair-share one commitment and timeline for follow-up
- Encourage ongoing peer support post-session
Slide Deck
De-Escalation Strategies
Calm in Crisis Professional Learning Session
• Tier 3 (Individual) Focus
• Purpose: Equip teachers with tools to manage and diffuse challenging behaviors
• Today’s Agenda: Explore, Analyze, Practice, Plan
Welcome participants to the session. Briefly explain that this slide deck will introduce three core evidence-based de-escalation strategies. Emphasize active participation and note that we’ll apply these techniques in upcoming activities.
Session Objectives
By the end of this session, participants will be able to:
- Define three key de-escalation strategies
- Identify common triggers and cues of escalation
- Apply techniques through guided practice
- Draft a personalized action plan
Read each objective aloud. Encourage participants to jot down personal goals for the session. Affirm that by the end, they’ll feel more confident recognizing triggers and applying techniques.
Why De-Escalation Matters
• Reduces escalation and classroom disruptions
• Fosters trust and positive teacher-student relationships
• Supports social-emotional growth and safe learning spaces
• Evidence-based: Proven to lower referrals and improve engagement
Explain why de-escalation matters: reduces disruptions, builds positive relationships, and supports student well-being. Mention relevant research: decreasing office referrals by 30% where strategies are used consistently.
Strategy 1: Active Listening
• Give full attention: eye contact, open posture
• Reflect back: “So you’re feeling…?”
• Validate feelings: “I understand this is frustrating.”
• Ask open-ended questions to clarify
Introduce Active Listening. Highlight that listening first calms both teacher and student. Invite participants to share nonjudgmental listening experiences.
Strategy 2: Nonverbal Cues
• Maintain calm, relaxed posture
• Use soft tone and steady pace
• Respect personal space: stand at an angle, 2–3 feet back
• Utilize facial expressions to convey empathy
Discuss nonverbal communication: body language often speaks louder than words. Model an open stance vs. a closed stance if possible.
Strategy 3: Environment Modifications
• Adjust seating arrangements to minimize conflict
• Provide clear visual schedules and routines
• Offer choice boards to increase student agency
• Create a designated calm-down area
Explain environmental modifications: small changes can prevent triggers. Invite participants to brainstorm other adjustments.
Discussion Prompt
Think of a recent challenging student behavior.
- What triggered the escalation?
- Which de-escalation strategy would you choose and why?
Pose the discussion prompt: ask participants to recall a recent challenging moment and identify which strategy they could have used. Facilitate 3–4 responses.
Reflection Preparation
• Get your De-Escalation Reflection Worksheet
• We’ll record triggers, chosen strategies, and takeaways
• Note questions or concerns for group discussion
Direct teachers to the worksheet. Explain they will use it later to document insights from scenario analyses.
What’s Next?
• Analyze scenarios with Role-Play Scenarios Cards
• Practice techniques in pairs
• Develop individualized commitments with the Personalized Action Plan Template
Preview next steps: small-group scenario work, role-plays, and personalized planning using additional materials.
Ready to Begin!
Let’s dive into analyzing challenging scenarios.
Group into small teams.
Distribute scenario cards.
Record insights on reflection worksheets.
Thank participants and transition to the first interactive activity: scenario analysis. Remind them of time limits and group norms.
Worksheet
De-Escalation Reflection Worksheet
Use this worksheet to analyze a challenging scenario, identify triggers, select de-escalation strategies, and plan your next steps.
1. Scenario Description
Briefly describe the challenging student behavior or situation you observed or experienced:
2. Identified Triggers
List the specific triggers or cues that appeared to lead to escalation (e.g., tone of voice, environmental factors, task difficulty):
- Trigger 1:
- Trigger 2:
- Additional Triggers:
3. Selected De-Escalation Strategies
From the De-Escalation Strategies Slide Deck, choose 2–3 strategies you believe would be most effective in this scenario.
Strategy 1: _______________________________
Why this strategy?
Strategy 2: _______________________________
Why this strategy?
Strategy 3 (optional): _____________________
Why this strategy?
4. Implementation Steps
Outline the concrete steps you will take to apply your selected strategies the next time this behavior arises. Be specific about language, actions, and timing.
1.
2.
3.
5. Reflection and Next Steps
After implementing your strategies, use these prompts to reflect and plan further action:
• What went well?
• What challenges did you encounter?
• How might you adjust your approach next time?
Once you’ve completed this reflection, proceed to develop a personalized commitment with the Personalized Action Plan Template.
Worksheet
Personalized Action Plan Template
Use this template to finalize your individualized commitments and track your progress after the session.
1. Commitment Statement
Summarize your main goal for implementing de-escalation strategies in your classroom:
2. Key Strategies to Implement
From the De-Escalation Strategies Slide Deck, identify 2–3 strategies you will focus on:
Strategy 1: ____________________________
Why this strategy?
Implementation Steps:
Strategy 2: ____________________________
Why this strategy?
Implementation Steps:
Strategy 3 (optional): __________________
3. Timeline and Checkpoints
Define when you’ll take each action and how you’ll reflect on progress:
Action 1: ________________________________
Target Date: ____________________________
Checkpoint Reflection:
Action 2: ________________________________
Target Date: ____________________________
Checkpoint Reflection:
4. Success Indicators
What will you observe or measure to determine whether your strategies are having the desired effect?
5. Support and Accountability
Who will support you (peer, coach, team) and when will you check in to review your progress?
Once you’ve completed this action plan, schedule a follow-up conversation with your support partner within 2–4 weeks to review outcomes and refine your approach as needed.
Activity
Role-Play Scenarios Cards
Use these scenario cards in pairs to practice applying de-escalation strategies. Assign one person the teacher role and one the student role. After each 5-minute round, swap roles and debrief.
Card 1: The Reluctant Learner
Scenario: A 4th-grade student crosses their arms, leans back in their chair, and says, “I’m not doing that—this is too hard.”
Key Details:
- The class has just started a new math concept.
- The student has a history of avoiding challenging tasks.
- Other students are working quietly.
Card 2: The Shouting Student
Scenario: During a redirection, a 7th-grade student suddenly stands up and shouts, “Leave me alone!”
Key Details:
- Redirection followed a question about late homework.
- Peers look uneasy and stop working.
- The student’s face is flushed and tone is aggressive.
Card 3: Off-Task Group Talker
Scenario: A 2nd-grade student continues whispering and making funny faces at a neighbor after two warnings, disrupting nearby classmates.
Key Details:
- Partner work is in progress.
- The student giggles when corrected.
- Nearby students are losing focus.
Card 4: The Frustrated Piler
Scenario: A 9th-grade student huffs loudly, pushes books off the desk, and says, “I’ll never get this done!”
Key Details:
- Task: writing an in-class essay.
- The student has limited confidence in writing.
- Other students glance over, worried.
Card 5: Peer Conflict
Scenario: Two 5th-graders stand up, point fingers, and argue over whose turn it is on a shared computer.
Key Details:
- It’s center time—students choose activities.
- Both claim they arrived first.
- Voices are rising and classmates are staring.
Card 6: Escalating Tantrum
Scenario: A kindergarten student pushes a chair, stomps feet, and screeches when asked to clean up.
Key Details:
- Cleanup follows free-play time.
- Student has sensory sensitivities (noise).
- The volume is escalating rapidly.
Tips for Use:
- Identify triggers and select 2–3 strategies from the De-Escalation Strategies Slide Deck.
- Practice active listening and nonverbal cues first to calm the student.
- If needed, suggest a brief environment modification (e.g., stepping aside for a moment).
- Debrief: What worked? What felt challenging?
- Record insights on the De-Escalation Reflection Worksheet.