Lesson Plan
Session 1 Lesson Plan
Introduce the student to the Coping Skill Quest program, define coping skills, and complete an initial individual check-in to identify current anxiety triggers.
Establishing a clear understanding of coping skills and building rapport lays the foundation for personalized skill development and trust in the process.
Audience
6th Grade
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Interactive discussion and personal reflection.
Materials
- Coping Skills Overview Slide Deck, - Coping Skills Cards, - Session 1 Reflection Sheet, - Timer or Clock, and - Comfortable Seating Space
Prep
Prepare Materials
10 minutes
- Print copies of Coping Skills Cards for hands-on use
- Print one Session 1 Reflection Sheet
- Queue up Coping Skills Overview Slide Deck on your device
- Arrange a quiet, comfortable seating area for a one-on-one session
Step 1
Welcome and Introduction
5 minutes
- Greet the student warmly and explain the purpose of the Coping Skill Quest program
- Share the 6-session overview and outline goals: explore, practice, reflect, and choose coping skills
- Display slides 1–2 of the Coping Skills Overview Slide Deck to frame the journey
Step 2
Define Coping Skills
7 minutes
- Ask the student: “What do you think a coping skill is?”
- Provide a clear definition: techniques to manage stress and anxiety
- Use slides 3–4 of the Coping Skills Overview Slide Deck for examples
- Emphasize how coping skills help in school settings
Step 3
Explore Coping Skills Cards
8 minutes
- Lay out the Coping Skills Cards face up
- Invite the student to select three cards that resonate most
- For each chosen card, ask: “Why did you pick this?” and “What situation could you use it in?”
- Note any anxiety triggers the student mentions
Step 4
Individual Check-In
7 minutes
- Have the student complete the Session 1 Reflection Sheet, noting current stressors and feelings
- Review their responses together, asking follow-up questions for clarity
- Identify one immediate area to focus on moving forward
Step 5
Session Wrap-Up
3 minutes
- Summarize the key points discussed: definition, examples, chosen cards, reflection insights
- Preview Session 2 focus: practicing the first chosen coping skill
- Encourage the student to try one of their selected strategies before the next meeting
Slide Deck
Coping Skill Quest – Session 1
Welcome to your Coping Skill Quest!
• Explore ways to manage anxiety
• Try out coping strategies
• Reflect and choose what works best
Let’s get started!
Welcome the student warmly. Introduce yourself and explain that today’s session is the first step in the Coping Skill Quest. Emphasize that this journey will help them discover new ways to feel calm and confident at school.
Today’s Overview
Objective:
• Understand what coping skills are
Agenda:
- Define coping skills
- See examples
- Hands-on card activity
- Personal reflection
- Wrap-up & next steps
Share the session’s objective and agenda. Explain that each activity builds on the last to help them discover and practice new coping skills.
What Are Coping Skills?
A coping skill is a tool or technique we use to manage stress and anxiety.
Why they matter:
• Help you stay focused in class
• Keep your emotions balanced
• Build confidence over time
Ask: “What do you think a coping skill is?” Pause for their response. Then show the definition and explain why coping skills matter in school.
Examples of Coping Skills
• Deep breathing (count to 4 in, 4 out)
• Progressive muscle relaxation (tensing/releasing)
• Positive self-talk (“I can handle this”)
• Quick movement breaks (stretch or walk)
• Visualization (imagine a calm place)
Review each example briefly. Invite the student to think of times they might use one of these strategies during a stressful moment at school.
Card Activity Instructions
- Lay out your Coping Skills Cards face up
- Choose three cards that resonate most
- For each card, discuss:
• Why did you pick it?
• Where or when could you use it?
Hand out the Coping Skills Cards. Instruct the student to pick three cards that stand out. Ask them to share why they chose each and when they might use it.
Wrap-Up & Next Steps
Key Takeaways:
• You now know what coping skills are
• You picked three strategies to try
Before next time:
• Practice one chosen skill at least once
• Notice how it makes you feel
Next session: We’ll practice your first pick!
Summarize the student’s choices and reflections. Highlight the importance of trying one strategy before the next session. Preview Session 2: practicing the first chosen coping skill.
Activity
Session 1 Coping Skills Cards
Below are 10 coping skill cards. Print and cut them out for your one-on-one session. Each card includes an icon, the skill name, and a short description. Lay them face up and invite the student to pick three that resonate most.
- 🌬️ Deep Breathing
Take slow, deep breaths in for 4 counts, then out for 4 counts to calm your mind and body.
- 💪 Progressive Muscle Relaxation
Tighten and then release different muscle groups (e.g., shoulders, hands) to reduce tension.
- 🖼️ Visualization
Close your eyes and imagine a peaceful place—focus on what you see, hear, and feel there.
- 🗣️ Positive Self-Talk
Repeat encouraging phrases (e.g., “I can handle this”) to boost confidence.
- 🚶 Quick Movement Break
Stand up and stretch, walk in place, or do a few jumping jacks to shift your energy.
- 🌍 Grounding Technique
Name 5 things you can see, 4 you can touch, 3 you can hear, 2 you can smell, 1 you can taste.
- 👀 Mindful Observation
Pick an object and study it closely: color, shape, texture. Engage your senses to stay present.
- 📓 Journaling
Write down your thoughts or draw how you feel to understand and release worry.
- 🔢 Counting Technique
Slowly count backward from 20 (or any chosen number) to help refocus your mind.
- 🤸 Stretching
Gently stretch your arms, neck, and legs—hold each stretch for 10 seconds to ease tension.
Invite the student to choose three cards and discuss:
- Why did you choose this card?
- When or where could you use this skill?
Use the space below for notes:
Worksheet
Session 1 Reflection Sheet
Write your responses to the questions below. Use the space to write or draw your thoughts.
- Think about a recent time you felt anxious at school. What was happening?
- What did you notice in your body (e.g., tight chest, butterflies in stomach)?
- What thoughts or worries were going through your mind at that moment?
- How did you feel (e.g., worried, scared, frustrated)?
- If you could try one new coping skill before our next session, what would you choose and why?
Anxiety level (1 – low to 5 – high): _____
Lesson Plan
Session 2 Lesson Plan
Guide the student to apply their chosen coping skills in realistic school scenarios through discussion and a scenario worksheet, building confidence without in-session practice.
Scenario-based thinking helps students plan how to use coping skills in context, reinforcing decision-making and readiness without needing to practice skills live.
Audience
6th Grade
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Scenario discussion and guided reflection.
Materials
Prep
Prepare Materials
10 minutes
- Print one Session 2 Scenario Worksheet for hands-on use
- Print one Session 2 Reflection Sheet
- Queue up Session 2 Slide Deck on your device
- Review the student’s three chosen coping skills from Session 1 notes
Step 1
Welcome Back
5 minutes
- Greet the student and recap Session 1 highlights: definition of coping skills and their three chosen strategies
- Display slides 1–2 of the Session 2 Slide Deck to frame today’s focus
Step 2
Experience Review
7 minutes
- Ask the student to share any real-life attempts using their chosen skills:
- What situations did you try them in?
- What went well or felt challenging?
- Use slides 3–4 to prompt deeper insights
Step 3
Scenario Discussion
10 minutes
- Hand out the Session 2 Scenario Worksheet
- Read each scenario aloud, and for each:
- Ask: “Which coping skill would you choose here?”
- Discuss how you would apply it step by step
- Note student responses and strategies
Step 4
Worksheet Completion
5 minutes
- Instruct the student to complete the final section of the Session 2 Scenario Worksheet:
- Choose your top two scenarios
- Write one sentence for how you would use a coping skill in each
- Offer support or prompts as needed
Step 5
Reflection & Next Steps
3 minutes
- Have the student fill out the Session 2 Reflection Sheet:
- What did you learn today?
- Which scenario felt most realistic?
- When and where will you think through similar scenarios before our next session?
- Summarize their takeaways and preview Session 3’s new skill introduction
Slide Deck
Coping Skill Quest – Session 2
• Review your at-home experiences
• Discuss coping skills in real situations
• Plan how to use them going forward
Welcome the student back. Recap Session 1 highlights—definition of coping skills and their three chosen strategies. Use this slide to frame today’s focus on applying skills in real situations.
Today’s Overview
Objective:
• Apply your chosen coping skills to realistic school scenarios
Agenda:
- Review your attempts
- Scenario discussion
- Scenario worksheet completion
- Reflection & next steps
Share today’s objective and agenda. Emphasize that we’re shifting from practicing to planning how to use skills when it matters.
Review Your Experiences
• When did you try your chosen skill?
• What helped or felt challenging?
• How did it affect your anxiety or focus?
Prompt the student to reflect on any attempts using their chosen skills since Session 1. Note successes and challenges.
Scenario Discussion
- Open your Session 2 Scenario Worksheet
- We’ll read scenarios aloud
- For each:
• Which skill fits best?
• How would you use it step by step?
Introduce the scenario worksheet. Explain how you’ll read each scenario, pick a coping skill, and discuss step by step how to apply it.
Sample Scenarios
• Scenario 1: Feeling nervous before a math test
• Scenario 2: Upset after a disagreement with a friend
• Scenario 3: Can’t focus in a noisy classroom
• Scenario 4: Overwhelmed by homework
Provide sample scenarios for discussion. Encourage the student to think beyond these examples when filling out the worksheet.
Reflection & Next Steps
Fill out your Session 2 Reflection Sheet:
• What did you learn today?
• Which scenario felt most realistic?
• When & where will you think through similar scenarios before our next session?
Guide the student to complete their reflection sheet. Highlight the importance of planning ahead in real settings and preview Session 3’s new skill introduction.
Worksheet
Session 2 Reflection Sheet
- What was the most helpful insight from today’s scenario discussion?
- Which scenario felt the most realistic for you, and why?
- How confident do you feel about applying your chosen coping skills in real situations? (1 – low to 5 – high): ____
- When and where will you mentally prepare to use these skills before a similar situation arises?
- Any additional thoughts or questions for our next session?
Worksheet
Session 2 Scenario Worksheet
Read each scenario below. For each:
- Which coping skill would you choose?
- How would you apply this skill step by step?
Scenario 1: You feel butterflies in your stomach and worry before a big math test.
- Which coping skill would you choose?
- How would you apply this skill step by step?
Scenario 2: You’re upset after a disagreement with a friend at recess.
- Which coping skill would you choose?
- How would you apply this skill step by step?
Scenario 3: It’s hard to focus when the classroom is noisy during group work.
- Which coping skill would you choose?
- How would you apply this skill step by step?
Scenario 4: You feel overwhelmed by a pile of homework assignments at the end of the day.
- Which coping skill would you choose?
- How would you apply this skill step by step?
Your Top Two Scenarios
Choose two scenarios above and plan how you’ll use your coping skill ahead of time:
A. Scenario :
• Scenario number: ____
• Coping skill: ____
• Application plan (one or two sentences):
B. Scenario :
• Scenario number: ____
• Coping skill: ____
• Application plan (one or two sentences):