lenny

Coping Skills Challenge

user image

Lesson Plan

Coping Skills Challenge Plan

Students will learn two specific coping strategies—the 5-4-3-2-1 countdown technique and a mindful music activity—through direct instruction, discussions, and guided practice.

Focusing on these two key coping skills provides students with concrete, experiential strategies to manage anxiety and enhance mindfulness in everyday life.

Audience

7th Grade Students

Time

45 minutes

Approach

Direct instruction, guided practice, and class discussion.

Materials

Coping Skills Challenge Slides

Prep

Preparation and Material Review

10 minutes

Step 1

Introduction and Context Setting

5 minutes

  • Welcome students and introduce the focus on coping skills in honor of Mental Health Awareness Month.
  • Explain the importance of learning specific strategies to manage anxiety and promote mindfulness.

Step 2

Direct Instruction: 5-4-3-2-1 Countdown

10 minutes

  • Introduce the 5-4-3-2-1 countdown technique as a grounding exercise to manage anxiety.
  • Explain the steps: identify 5 things you can see, 4 things you can touch, 3 things you can hear, 2 things you can smell, and 1 thing you can taste.
  • Guide the class through a demonstration of the technique.

Step 3

Direct Instruction: Mindful Music Activity

10 minutes

  • Introduce the mindful music activity as a tool for relaxation and focus.
  • Explain how listening carefully to music can help smooth emotions and bring awareness to the present moment.
  • Provide examples of calming music selections and discuss how different sounds can evoke various feelings.
  • Optionally, play a short clip for demonstration.

Step 4

Guided Activity: Practice and Share

10 minutes

  • Divide students into small groups or pairs.
  • In their groups, have students practice the 5-4-3-2-1 countdown together and discuss their observations.
  • Then, listen to a short piece of calming music and share how it made them feel.
  • Circulate and provide support as needed.

Step 5

Reflection and Closing

10 minutes

  • Prompt students to reflect on which strategy they feel most confident using and why.
  • Facilitate a class discussion or use exit tickets to gather feedback about their experiences using the 5-4-3-2-1 countdown and the mindful music activity.
  • Summarize key takeaways and encourage continued practice of these skills.
lenny
0 educators
use Lenny to create lessons.

No credit card needed

Slide Deck

Welcome to the Coping Skills Challenge!

Today we will learn two key coping skills: the 5-4-3-2-1 countdown and a mindful music activity. Let's explore strategies to manage stress and enhance emotional well-being.

Welcome students to the session. Introduce Mental Health Awareness Month and explain that today's lesson will focus on two specific coping skills: the 5-4-3-2-1 countdown technique and a mindful music activity. Emphasize the importance of these practices for daily stress management.

Direct Instruction: 5-4-3-2-1 Countdown

What is the 5-4-3-2-1 Countdown?

  • A grounding exercise to manage anxiety.

Steps:

  1. Identify 5 things you can see.
  2. Identify 4 things you can touch.
  3. Identify 3 things you can hear.
  4. Identify 2 things you can smell.
  5. Identify 1 thing you can taste.

Benefits:

  • Reduces anxiety
  • Focuses your mind on the present moment
  • Enhances mindfulness

Explain the 5-4-3-2-1 countdown as a grounding exercise. Discuss each of the five steps and how this technique helps students focus on the present moment and reduce anxiety.

Practice the 5-4-3-2-1 Countdown

Let's practice together!

  • Look around and name 5 things you can see.
  • Touch or think of 4 things you can feel.
  • Listen and identify 3 sounds.
  • Notice 2 different smells.
  • Name 1 thing you can taste.

Focus on each sense and observe how you feel.

Guide students through a demonstration of the 5-4-3-2-1 countdown. Encourage participation and ensure they verbalize their observations during the practice.

Direct Instruction: Mindful Music Activity

What is the Mindful Music Activity?

  • A method to relax and focus by listening carefully to music.

Benefits:

  • Smooths emotions
  • Enhances concentration
  • Promotes relaxation

Instructions:

  • Listen to a piece of calming music.
  • Pay attention to how the music makes you feel.
  • Notice the different instruments and sounds.

Introduce the mindful music activity. Explain how mindful listening to music can help soothe emotions and maintain focus, and share examples of calming music selections.

Guided Activity: Practice and Share

In small groups or pairs:

  1. Practice the 5-4-3-2-1 countdown together.
  2. Listen to a short, calming music clip.
  3. Discuss your experience:
    • What did you notice during the countdown?
    • How did the music affect your mood?

Facilitate a group activity where students work in pairs or small groups. They practice the 5-4-3-2-1 countdown and then experience the mindful music activity before sharing how they felt.

Reflection and Closing

Reflect on today's session:

  • Which activity do you feel would help you manage stress better: the 5-4-3-2-1 countdown or the mindful music activity?
  • How can these techniques be applied in your daily routine?

Let's share your thoughts and experiences.

Conclude the lesson by inviting students to reflect on which activity they found more helpful and why. Summarize the benefits of both techniques and encourage them to use these skills in daily life.

lenny

Activity

Coping Skills Group Activity

This engaging activity is designed to help 7th grade students explore a variety of coping strategies in a hands-on, collaborative environment. Working in small groups, students will investigate a specific coping strategy, prepare a short presentation, and share insights with the class.

Activity Overview

  • Objective: Develop a deeper understanding of different coping strategies and learn how to apply them in daily life to manage stress and emotions.
  • Duration: 15 minutes for group work + 5 minutes for group presentations and discussion.
  • Group Formation: Divide the class into small groups of 3-4 students.

Instructions

  1. Strategy Assignment: Each group is assigned a specific coping strategy such as deep breathing, journaling, physical activity, mindfulness, or talking to someone they trust.

  2. Research & Discussion: Within your group, discuss the following:

    • What is the specific coping strategy?
    • How does it work to reduce stress?
    • Can you think of examples when this strategy might be useful?
    • How would you demonstrate or explain this strategy to someone?

  3. Group Preparation: Create a short presentation or demonstration (e.g., role-play, a quick experiment, drawing) that explains and showcases the benefits and application of your assigned strategy.

  4. Sharing: Present your findings to the class. Listen to other groups, and be ready to ask questions or share personal experiences related to the strategies presented.




Reflection Questions

After all groups have presented, take a few minutes to answer these reflection questions:

  • Which coping strategy did you find most interesting and why?


  • How might the strategy you learned today help you manage stress in the future?


  • Do you think these strategies are applicable in everyday life? Provide a brief explanation.


Follow-Up Discussion

  • Invite students to share if they've ever used similar strategies before. How did those experiences turn out?


  • Ask: What are some barriers to using these coping strategies, and how can we overcome them?


  • Sum up by highlighting that experimenting with different strategies can help each person find what works best for them.

Good luck and have fun learning to manage stress and emotions effectively!

lenny
lenny
Coping Skills Challenge • Lenny Learning