Warm Up
Emotion Charades Warm-Up
Objective: Students will identify and express different emotions.
Instructions:
- The teacher will explain that today we're going to talk about feelings and how to handle them.
- The teacher will demonstrate a few emotions (happy, sad, angry, surprised) without speaking, and students will guess the emotion.
- Students will then take turns acting out an emotion while their classmates guess. Encourage students to think about how their body feels when they experience that emotion.
Prompt for Discussion:
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Lesson Plan
Calm Superpowers: De-escalation!
Students will learn to identify strong emotions and apply basic de-escalation strategies to calm themselves down.
Learning to manage big emotions is crucial for children's social-emotional development, helping them navigate challenging situations, build positive relationships, and improve overall well-being. This lesson provides practical tools for self-regulation.
Audience
1st Grade Students
Time
60 minutes
Approach
Interactive activities, discussions, and a game will teach practical calming strategies.
Materials
Whiteboard or projector, Markers, Calm Superpowers Slide Deck, Emotion Charades Warm-Up, Calm Down Corner Activity Cards, Calm Superpowers Bingo Game, De-escalation Discussion Prompts, and Construction paper or drawing materials
Prep
Teacher Preparation
15 minutes
- Review the Calm Superpowers Slide Deck and ensure all technological components are working.
- Print and cut out the Calm Down Corner Activity Cards.
- Prepare materials for the Calm Superpowers Bingo Game (print bingo cards, gather small markers/tokens).
- Review Emotion Charades Warm-Up instructions.
- Review De-escalation Discussion Prompts to facilitate class conversation.
- Gather construction paper or drawing materials for the activity.
Step 1
Introduction & Warm-Up: Emotion Charades
10 minutes
- Begin with the Emotion Charades Warm-Up to get students thinking about different feelings.
2. Lead a brief discussion after the warm-up: "How did it feel to act out those emotions? Have you ever felt a really big emotion?" (5 minutes)
Step 2
Introducing De-escalation (Slide Deck)
15 minutes
- Use the Calm Superpowers Slide Deck to introduce the concept of 'big emotions' and 'calm superpowers' (de-escalation strategies).
2. Go through slides explaining simple strategies like deep breaths, counting, finding a calm space, or talking about feelings.
3. Engage students with questions throughout the presentation to check for understanding and encourage sharing.
Step 3
Activity: My Calm Down Corner
15 minutes
- Introduce the Calm Down Corner Activity Cards. Explain that everyone can create their own 'calm down corner' in their mind or find a quiet space.
2. Have students choose one or two strategies from the cards or brainstorm their own.
3. Students will draw or write about their chosen 'calm superpower' on a piece of paper. Provide sentence starters if needed (e.g., "When I feel mad, I can...").
Step 4
Game: Calm Superpowers Bingo
10 minutes
- Play the Calm Superpowers Bingo Game. This reinforces the de-escalation strategies learned.
2. Call out different calming strategies, and students mark them on their bingo cards. The first student to get bingo shares their favorite strategy.
Step 5
Discussion & Wrap-Up
10 minutes
- Facilitate a class discussion using the De-escalation Discussion Prompts. Focus on how and when to use these strategies.
2. Ask students to share one new "calm superpower" they learned today.
3. Reinforce that it's okay to feel big emotions and that they now have tools to help themselves.
Slide Deck
Welcome! Let's Talk About Feelings!
Have you ever felt a REALLY BIG feeling?
- Like super mad?
- Super sad?
- Super frustrated?
It's okay to feel these! Every feeling is important.
Welcome students and introduce the idea of 'big feelings.' Ask them to think about a time they felt a big emotion. Emphasize that all feelings are okay.
Big Feelings Need Calm Superpowers!
Sometimes big feelings can feel too big!
- They can make our bodies feel shaky or tight.
- They can make us want to yell or cry.
But guess what? You have special CALM SUPERPOWERS inside you to help!
Explain that big feelings can sometimes feel overwhelming. Introduce the idea of 'Calm Superpowers' as special tools to help us manage these feelings. Ask: "What do you think a 'Calm Superpower' might be?"
Calm Superpower #1: Super Breathing!
When you feel a big feeling, try this:
- Smell the Flower: Take a slow, deep breath in through your nose. (Count to 3)
- Blow out the Candle: Slowly let the air out through your mouth. (Count to 5)
Let's try it together!
Introduce deep breathing. Model taking a slow, deep breath. Have students practice with you. Emphasize 'smelling the flower' and 'blowing out the candle.'
Calm Superpower #2: Counting Calm!
Your brain is super smart!
- When your feelings are too big, sometimes your brain needs a little break.
- Try counting slowly to 5, or even 10!
Let's count together!
Introduce counting. Explain that focusing on numbers can help distract from the big feeling and calm the brain. Have students count to 5 or 10 with you.
Calm Superpower #3: Find Your Calm Spot!
Sometimes, you need a quiet place.
- This could be a cozy corner in your room.
- A special spot in the classroom.
- Even just closing your eyes for a moment!
What makes a spot feel calm to you?
Introduce the idea of a 'Calm Corner' or finding a safe space. Explain that it's okay to step away to calm down. Ask: "Where could your calm space be at home or at school?"
Calm Superpower #4: Talk it Out!
When you're ready, talk about it!
- Use your words: "I feel (sad/mad/frustrated) because (what happened)."
- Talk to a grown-up you trust, like a parent or teacher.
Using your words is a super strong superpower!
Introduce talking about feelings. Emphasize using 'I feel...' statements and finding a trusted adult. Role-play a simple scenario if time permits.
Your Calm Superpowers!
You have amazing powers to help yourself!
- Super Breathing!
- Counting Calm!
- Find Your Calm Spot!
- Talk it Out!
Which superpower will you try first when a big feeling comes?
Summarize the 'Calm Superpowers' and encourage students to choose one or two they want to try. Transition to the next activity.
Activity
My Calm Down Corner Activity Cards
Objective: Students will identify and personalize de-escalation strategies.
Instructions for Students:
- Look at the cards below. Each card shows a different "Calm Superpower" or idea to help you calm down.
- Choose one or two strategies that you think would work best for you when you feel a big emotion.
- On your paper, draw a picture of yourself using your chosen "Calm Superpower" or write about how you would use it.
- You can also draw your own "Calm Down Corner" and what would be in it!
Calm Superpower Cards (Cut these out for students to choose from)
Card 1: Super Breathing!
- Idea: Take 3 slow, deep breaths. Smell a flower, blow out a candle.
- What it looks like: Your chest goes up and down slowly, you feel air moving in and out.
Card 2: Counting Calm!
- Idea: Count slowly to 5 or 10 in your head or out loud.
- What it looks like: Your eyes might be closed, you are thinking about numbers.
Card 3: Find Your Calm Spot!
- Idea: Go to a quiet place in the classroom or at home. Sit and relax.
- What it looks like: You are sitting quietly, perhaps in a special chair or corner.
Card 4: Talk it Out!
- Idea: Tell a trusted grown-up (teacher, parent) how you feel.
- What it looks like: You are using your words to say, "I feel..."
Card 5: Squeeze and Release!
- Idea: Squeeze your hands into tight fists, hold for 3 seconds, then let go! Do it a few times.
- What it looks like: Your muscles get tight, then soft.
Card 6: Think Happy Thoughts!
- Idea: Close your eyes and think about something that makes you happy, like a favorite toy or a fun memory.
- What it looks like: You are smiling inside your head!
My Calm Superpower Drawing/Writing Space
Choose your favorite Calm Superpower(s)!
Draw a picture here:
Write about it here:
When I feel a big emotion, I can use my superpower:
I will (how you use it):
This will help me feel:
Game
Calm Superpowers Bingo Game
Objective: Students will identify and recall various de-escalation strategies.
Materials:
- Printed Bingo cards (one per student)
- Small markers or tokens (beans, pennies, small paper squares) for each student
Instructions:
- Give each student a Calm Superpowers Bingo Card and a handful of markers.
- Explain that you will call out different "Calm Superpowers" (de-escalation strategies) that they learned today.
- When a student hears a superpower on their card, they should place a marker on that square.
- The first student to get three in a row (horizontally, vertically, or diagonally) shouts "Bingo!"
- When a student gets Bingo, have them share their favorite strategy from their marked squares.
Calm Superpowers Bingo Card Template
(Print multiple copies of this template, ideally with varied arrangements of strategies for each student.)
| FREE SPACE | Super Breathing! | Count to 10 | Find a Calm Spot | Talk to a Grown-Up |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Drink Water | Squeeze and Release | FREE SPACE | Think Happy Thoughts | Listen to Music |
| Ask for a Hug | Stretch Your Body | Read a Book | Play Quietly | Draw a Picture |
Teacher's Call List (Cut these out and draw them from a hat):
- Super Breathing! (Deep breaths)
- Count to 10
- Find a Calm Spot
- Talk to a Grown-Up
- Drink Water
- Squeeze and Release (Tighten and relax muscles)
- Think Happy Thoughts
- Listen to Music (Quiet music)
- Ask for a Hug (From a trusted adult)
- Stretch Your Body
- Read a Book (Look at a book quietly)
- Play Quietly (With a toy or alone)
- Draw a Picture
Discussion
De-escalation Discussion Prompts
Objective: Students will reflect on and share their understanding of de-escalation strategies.
Instructions:
- Gather students in a circle or in their seats for a class discussion.
- Use the prompts below to facilitate conversation, encouraging all students to participate and share their thoughts respectfully.
Discussion Prompts:
-
What is one "Calm Superpower" you learned today that you think you might try the next time you feel a really big emotion?
-
Can anyone share a time when they felt a big emotion and wished they had a superpower to help them calm down? What happened?
-
Why do you think it's important to have ways to calm down when we feel angry or sad?
-
If a friend was having a big feeling, what "Calm Superpower" could you gently suggest they try?
-
What is one thing you will remember about managing big feelings from today's lesson?
-
Is it okay to feel big emotions? Why or why not?
Activity
My Calm Down Corner Activity Cards
Objective: Students will identify and personalize de-escalation strategies.
Instructions for Students:
- Look at the cards below. Each card shows a different "Calm Superpower" or idea to help you calm down.
- Choose one or two strategies that you think would work best for you when you feel a big emotion.
- On your paper, draw a picture of yourself using your chosen "Calm Superpower" or write about how you would use it.
- You can also draw your own "Calm Down Corner" and what would be in it!
Calm Superpower Cards (Cut these out for students to choose from)
Card 1: Super Breathing!
- Idea: Take 3 slow, deep breaths. Smell a flower, blow out a candle.
- What it looks like: Your chest goes up and down slowly, you feel air moving in and out.
Card 2: Counting Calm!
- Idea: Count slowly to 5 or 10 in your head or out loud.
- What it looks like: Your eyes might be closed, you are thinking about numbers.
Card 3: Find Your Calm Spot!
- Idea: Go to a quiet place in the classroom or at home. Sit and relax.
- What it looks like: You are sitting quietly, perhaps in a special chair or corner.
Card 4: Talk it Out!
- Idea: Tell a trusted grown-up (teacher, parent) how you feel.
- What it looks like: You are using your words to say, "I feel..."
Card 5: Squeeze and Release!
- Idea: Squeeze your hands into tight fists, hold for 3 seconds, then let go! Do it a few times.
- What it looks like: Your muscles get tight, then soft.
Card 6: Think Happy Thoughts!
- Idea: Close your eyes and think about something that makes you happy, like a favorite toy or a fun memory.
- What it looks like: You are smiling inside your head!
My Calm Superpower Drawing/Writing Space
Choose your favorite Calm Superpower(s)!
Draw a picture here:
Write about it here:
When I feel a big emotion, I can use my superpower:
I will (how you use it):
This will help me feel: