Lesson Plan
Coping Champion Quest Lesson Plan
Sam will identify at least three preferred coping strategies and practice implementing them in role-play scenarios, demonstrating correct use in 4 out of 5 trials.
Teaching Sam to choose and use effective coping strategies builds self-regulation and resilience, reduces frustration reactions, and aligns with his IEP goal. Ongoing mastery supports independence across settings.
Audience
7th Grade Individual Student Support
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Interactive brainstorming, sorting, and role-play.
Materials
Coping Strategies Chart Worksheet, Coping Strategy Cards, Coping Reflection Prompts, Timer or Stopwatch, and Pencil and Eraser
Prep
Prepare Materials
5 minutes
- Print copies of Coping Strategies Chart Worksheet
- Cut and assemble the set of Coping Strategy Cards
- Print and review Coping Reflection Prompts
- Gather timer/stopwatch and writing tools
Step 1
Introduction and Goal Setting
5 minutes
- Greet Sam and explain that today’s mission is the Coping Champion Quest
- Share the session objective: identify and practice coping strategies when frustrated
- Show the blank Coping Strategies Chart Worksheet and explain how it will guide the session
Step 2
Brainstorming Coping Strategies
10 minutes
- Ask Sam to think of times he’s felt frustrated or disappointed
- Prompt Sam to list as many coping strategies as he can on the worksheet
- Use questions from Coping Reflection Prompts to support idea generation
- Encourage Sam to circle his top three preferred strategies
Step 3
Strategy Sorting Activity
8 minutes
- Lay out the Coping Strategy Cards facedown
- Have Sam turn over each card, read it aloud, and place it into Preferred or Less Preferred columns on the worksheet
- Discuss each choice: Why is this strategy helpful? When might it not work?
Step 4
Role-Play Practice
5 minutes
- Present 2–3 brief frustrating scenarios (e.g., missed bus, tough homework problem)
- For each scenario, Sam selects a strategy from his “Preferred” column and role-plays using it
- Time each practice (30–60 seconds) to simulate real-time use
- Provide positive reinforcement and gentle prompts as needed
Step 5
Reflection and Next Steps
2 minutes
- Use Coping Reflection Prompts to guide Sam in reflecting on which strategy felt most helpful and why
- Ask Sam to set a goal: name one situation this week where he will try his favorite coping strategy
- Remind Sam he’s on his way to becoming a Coping Champion
Slide Deck
Coping Champion Quest
Learning to identify and use coping strategies when feeling frustrated or disappointed.
Let’s embark on a journey to become a Coping Champion!
Welcome Sam and introduce the session as the “Coping Champion Quest.” Explain that by the end of our 30 minutes he’ll know and practice his top coping strategies. Show him the blank Coping Strategies Chart Worksheet (#coping-strategies-chart-worksheet) and explain how we’ll use it.
Introduction & Goal Setting
• Mission: Become a Coping Champion
• Objective: Identify at least three preferred strategies and use them correctly in 4/5 scenarios
• Tools: Coping Strategies Chart Worksheet
Review today’s objective orally: Sam will identify and practice preferred coping strategies in 4 out of 5 trials. Emphasize why coping skills matter (self-regulation, resilience). Remind him this aligns with his IEP goal.
Brainstorming Coping Strategies
- Think of times you felt frustrated or disappointed.
- List as many coping strategies as you can on your chart.
- Use reflection prompts to spark ideas.
- Circle your top three favorite strategies.
Guide Sam to recall times he felt frustrated or disappointed. Use prompts from Coping Reflection Prompts (#coping-reflection-prompts) such as “What helped you calm down last time?” Encourage open brainstorming and write every idea on the chart.
Strategy Sorting Activity
• Flip each coping strategy card.
• Sort into Preferred or Less Preferred columns.
• Discuss why each strategy is helpful or not.
Lay out the Coping Strategy Cards (#coping-strategy-cards) facedown. Have Sam flip one card at a time, read it aloud, and decide if it’s “Preferred” or “Less Preferred.” Ask “Why is this helpful?” and “When might it not work?”
Role-Play Practice
- Read a frustrating scenario.
- Select a strategy from your Preferred column.
- Role-play using that strategy (30–60 sec).
- Receive feedback and celebrate successes.
Present 2–3 quick scenarios (e.g., missed bus, tough homework). For each, ask Sam to pick a preferred strategy and role-play using it. Time each practice (30–60 sec) to mimic real-life. Provide praise and gentle prompts.
Reflection & Next Steps
• Which strategy felt most helpful and why?
• Set a goal: Where will you try your favorite strategy this week?
• Reminder: You’re on your way to becoming a Coping Champion!
Use Coping Reflection Prompts to ask which strategy felt most helpful and why. Encourage Sam to set a real-life goal for this week (e.g., “If I get stuck on homework, I will take three deep breaths”). Record his goal on the worksheet.
Mission Complete!
Congratulations, Coping Champion! 🎉
You’ve identified and practiced your top coping strategies. Keep this toolkit handy and continue building your self-regulation skills.
Praise Sam for his effort and progress. Encourage him to review his chart and cards whenever he feels frustration coming on. Leave materials with him for easy reference.
Worksheet
Coping Strategies Chart Worksheet
Use this worksheet to brainstorm and sort your coping strategies. Keep it handy during your Coping Champion Quest.
Part 1: Brainstorm Coping Strategies
Think of times you’ve felt frustrated or disappointed. Write down as many strategies as you can to help yourself calm down or feel better.
- ___________________________________________________________
- ___________________________________________________________
- ___________________________________________________________
- ___________________________________________________________
- ___________________________________________________________
- ___________________________________________________________
- ___________________________________________________________
Part 2: Choose Your Top 3
Circle your three favorite strategies from your list above and then write them here:
- ___________________________________________________________
- ___________________________________________________________
- ___________________________________________________________
Part 3: Strategy Sorting
Using the Coping Strategy Cards, flip each card and decide if it belongs under Preferred or Less Preferred. Then write each strategy in the correct column below.
Preferred Strategies:
- ___________________________________________________________
- ___________________________________________________________
- ___________________________________________________________
Less Preferred Strategies:
- ___________________________________________________________
- ___________________________________________________________
- ___________________________________________________________
Part 4: Reflection & Goal Setting
Use questions from the Coping Reflection Prompts to guide your responses.
Which strategy felt most helpful, and why?
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
My goal this week: Identify one real situation where you will try your favorite coping strategy. Describe it below:
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
Activity
Coping Strategy Cards
Use these cards during the Strategy Sorting Activity. Lay them face-down, flip one at a time, read aloud, and decide if it belongs under Preferred or Less Preferred.
- Take three deep breaths
- Count slowly to ten
- Use positive self-talk (“I can do this!”)
- Stretch your arms and legs
- Draw or doodle for a minute
- Write down how you feel
- Listen to a favorite song in your head
- Take a quick walk around the room
- Talk to a friend or trusted adult
- Visualize a calm, happy place
- Squeeze a stress ball (or pretend to)
- Notice five things you can see, hear, or touch
- Stretch your shoulders up to your ears
- Yawn and shake out your hands
Reading
Coping Reflection Prompts
Use these questions during your Coping Champion Quest to help you think about your feelings and the strategies you use to cope with frustration or disappointment.
Getting to Know Your Feelings
- Think of a recent time you felt frustrated or disappointed. What happened?
- How did your body feel? (e.g., tight muscles, fast heartbeat, butterflies in your stomach)
- What thoughts were going through your mind in that moment?
Reflecting on Your Strategies
- What did you do to try to calm down or feel better?
- Which strategy seemed to help the most? Why?
- Was there a strategy you tried that didn’t work? What made it less helpful?
- If you could try something new next time, what would it be?
- How will you remind yourself to use your favorite strategy when you get frustrated again?
Use these prompts to guide your ideas as you fill out the Coping Strategies Chart Worksheet and plan your next steps!