Stress Ball Relay

Objective: Students will practice controlled breathing, teamwork, and physical activity to experience a quick stress-busters game they can adapt at home with family members.

Materials Needed:

• Stress balls (one per team)
• Cones or markers to designate relay zones (4–6 cones)
• Stopwatch or timer
• Whistle or signal device (optional)
• Team name signs (optional)

Setup (5 minutes):

1. Divide the playing area into lanes using cones or markers. Each lane should be about 10–15 feet long.
2. Place one stress ball at the start cone of each lane.
3. Position a timer or stopwatch at the teacher’s station.
4. Assign students into 4 teams of equal size; have each team line up behind their start cone.

Game Instructions (15 minutes):

1. Explain the Breathing Cycle:
   • Before each pass, each student practices a 4-7-8 breathing cycle:
     • Inhale quietly through the nose for 4 seconds
     • Hold the breath for 7 seconds
     • Exhale audibly through the mouth for 8 seconds
2. Relay Rules:
   • On the teacher’s signal (whistle or “Go!”), the first student in each line picks up the stress ball, completes the breathing cycle, then runs to the turn cone and back.
   • Upon returning, they pass the stress ball and baton (if using) to the next teammate, who repeats the cycle.
   • If a breathing cycle is incomplete, the student returns to the cone and tries again before running.
3. Timing Rounds:
   • Conduct two relay rounds. Time each team separately.
   • After each round, record times on the board.
   • Optionally, allow teams to strategize: Who in the family would you challenge next time?
4. Debrief (5 minutes):
   • Ask: How did the breathing cycle affect your heart rate or feelings?
   • Brainstorm: How could you turn this into a home activity with siblings or parents? What variations (walking instead of running, adding a family check-in) might work?

Differentiation & Accessibility:

• Pair stronger readers with ELL or emerging learners to guide breathing prompts.
• Allow students who need breaks to walk at a slower pace or complete a shorter relay distance.
• Use visual countdown cards (4-7-8) for students who benefit from visual supports.

Extension at Home:
Challenge families to organize a “Home Stress Ball Relay” after dinner or on weekends. Students can teach their families the 4-7-8 cycle, time each other, and share reflections in the next class.

Home Wellness Share Discussion Guide

Objective

Help students and their families identify effective stress-management practices they already use, brainstorm new strategies to try at home, and commit to a family wellness plan.

Time

15 minutes

Materials

• Home Wellness Share Discussion Guide
• Whiteboard or chart paper
• Markers
• Sticky notes or index cards (optional)

Setup

1. Arrange students in small groups of 3–4 around tables or in clusters.
2. Display the three main prompts on the board or on chart paper.
3. Provide each group with sticky notes or index cards for jotting ideas.

Discussion Structure

1. Warm-Up (2 minutes)

• Prompt students: “Name one stress-buster your family already practices.”
• Students turn-and-talk with a partner for 30 seconds, then share one example aloud.

2. Small-Group Brainstorm (10 minutes)

Within each group, rotate through these prompts. Allow 2–3 minutes per prompt.

Prompt 1: What Works Well?
• What stress-busting activities does your family do now?
• Why do these activities help?

Prompt 2: Challenges & Solutions
• What keeps your family from practicing wellness routines more often?
• How might you solve or work around these challenges?

Prompt 3: New Ideas for Home
• Brainstorm 2–3 fresh stress-buster activities to try together weekly.
• Who will lead each activity, and when will you schedule it?

3. Group Share-Out (3 minutes)

• Each group selects one idea to share with the class.
• Teacher records the ideas on the board for all to see.

Sentence Frames & Supports

• “One thing my family already does is ______________ because ______________.”
• “A barrier we have is ______________, so we could try ______________ to help.”
• “Each week, I will invite my family to ______________ at ______________.”

Follow-Up Questions

• “How will you remind your family to practice this new activity?”
• “Who will take the lead at home, and how will you share progress?”
• “What will you observe or measure to know it’s working?”

Facilitation Tips

• Encourage every student to contribute by using talking tokens or passing a “share” object.
• Offer bilingual vocabulary cards or visual supports for ELL students.
• For students who prefer writing, let them jot ideas on sticky notes instead of speaking.
• Summarize key points on the board to keep everyone on track.

Differentiation

• Provide simplified prompt cards or graphic organizers for students who need extra structure.
• Allow drawing or role-play to express ideas instead of only writing or speaking.
• Pair students strategically to balance language proficiency and confidence.

Extension at Home

Challenge families to choose one brainstormed idea, practice it together at least three times this week, and bring back a short note or photo sharing how it went for the next class discussion.

Relaxation Reflection Worksheet

Objective: Reflect on how a relaxation exercise affects your mind and body, and plan how to share this technique with your family at home.
Time: 15 minutes

1. Guided Relaxation

Follow your teacher’s lead for a brief deep-breathing or muscle-relaxation exercise. Pay close attention to how your body and mind feel before and after.

2. Before Relaxation

1. Rate how you feel right now on a scale of 1 (very tense) to 5 (very calm):
   • Rating: ___
2. Describe one word or phrase that best captures your current feelings:

3. After Relaxation

1. Rate how you feel now, after the exercise (1 = still tense, 5 = very calm):
   • Rating: ___
2. Describe any changes you notice in your body or thoughts:

4. My Family Introduction Plan

Choose one technique you experienced today (deep breathing or progressive muscle relaxation).

1. Technique I will share: __________________________
2. Step-by-step plan to lead my family (when, where, how):

1. Commitment: I will practice this with my family ____ times this week, on day(s): __________.

5. Reflection & Next Steps

• How will I remind my family to practice?

• What change do I hope to see in my family after practicing this technique?

Keep this worksheet and bring it back next class to share your family’s experience.