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Coping Superpowers

Eddie E

Tier 1
For Schools

Lesson Plan

Coping Superpowers Lesson Plan

Students will identify and practice three coping strategies to manage stress and emotions, apply them in a guided scenario, and reflect on their effectiveness.

Teaching coping skills empowers students to self-regulate, reduces anxiety, and builds resilience for academic and personal challenges.

Audience

6th Grade Students

Time

15 minutes

Approach

Interactive discussion, guided practice, and reflection on coping strategies.

Materials

  • Coping Strategies Chart, - Stress Scale Poster, - Scenario Prompt Cards, - Index Cards, - Timer or Stopwatch, and - Coping Reflection Worksheet

Prep

Teacher Preparation

10 minutes

  • Review the Coping Strategies Chart and familiarize yourself with each strategy
  • Print and display the Stress Scale Poster in a visible area
  • Print and cut out the Scenario Prompt Cards
  • Make enough copies of the Coping Reflection Worksheet for each student
  • Gather index cards and a timer or stopwatch

Step 1

Introduction

2 minutes

  • Display the Stress Scale Poster and ask: “What does stress feel like?”
  • Briefly define stress and its impact on thoughts and feelings
  • Introduce the idea of “Coping Superpowers” as tools to manage stress effectively

Step 2

Explore Strategies

5 minutes

  • Show the Coping Strategies Chart with visual icons for breathing, movement, and self-talk
  • Explain each strategy in one sentence:
    • Deep breathing: slow inhales/exhales to calm the body
    • Positive self-talk: using kind words to yourself
    • Movement break: short physical activity to reset energy
  • Ask students to share examples or experiences with any strategy

Step 3

Practice Activity

5 minutes

  • Distribute a Scenario Prompt Card and an index card to each student
  • Set the timer for 3 minutes
  • Students read their scenario, choose one coping strategy, and write or sketch how they would use it on the index card
  • Circulate to observe and prompt deeper thinking as needed

Step 4

Reflection and Close

3 minutes

  • Invite 2–3 volunteers to share their scenario and chosen strategy
  • Have students complete the Coping Reflection Worksheet by noting which strategy felt most helpful and why
  • Reinforce that they can use these superpowers anytime and encourage practice outside class
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Slide Deck

Coping Superpowers

Building your superpowers to manage stress and emotions.

Welcome students! Today we’re going to learn about coping skills—our “Coping Superpowers”—to help us handle stress and strong emotions.

What Is Stress?

• Stress is how our mind and body respond when things feel challenging
• We all feel it sometimes—test today, a big game, or a disagreement
• Let's learn tools to help us stay calm

Display the Stress Scale Poster and ask: “What does stress feel like for you?” Guide a brief discussion.

Meet Your Coping Superpowers

• Deep Breathing
• Positive Self-Talk
• Movement Break

Show the Coping Strategies Chart. Introduce each strategy in one sentence and ask for quick examples.

Deep Breathing

• Slow inhales and exhales
• Count to 4 on each breath
• Helps your body and mind feel calmer

Model deep breathing: inhale for 4 counts, exhale for 4 counts. Invite students to practice together.

Positive Self-Talk

• Use kind, encouraging words to yourself
• Examples: “I can do this,” “I’m doing my best”
• Boosts confidence

Give students sample phrases ("I’ve got this!", "I can handle it."). Invite them to whisper a positive phrase.

Movement Break

• Short physical activity (jump, stretch, march)
• Releases built-up energy
• Refocuses your mind

Lead a quick 30-second movement break: jumping jacks or stretches. Emphasize how it resets energy.

Practice Time

• Grab a scenario card and an index card
• Read your scenario
• Choose one coping superpower and write or sketch how you’d use it

Distribute Scenario Prompt Cards and index cards. Set a 3-minute timer and circulate to support thinking.

Reflection

• Which superpower felt most helpful?
• Why did you choose it?
• Write your thoughts on the worksheet

Ask for 2–3 volunteers to share quickly. Then have students complete the Coping Reflection Worksheet.

Use Your Superpowers Anytime!

• Deep Breathing
• Positive Self-Talk
• Movement Break

Practice these tools whenever you feel stressed or upset.

Reinforce that these strategies can be used anytime—in class, at home, or before a game.

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Worksheet

Coping Reflection Worksheet

Name: ___________________________ Date: _______________


Directions: Think about the coping superpower you practiced and answer the questions below.

  1. What scenario did you receive? Briefly describe what happened in your own words.





  2. Which coping superpower did you choose? (Circle one)
    • Deep Breathing • Positive Self-Talk • Movement Break


  3. Why did you choose this superpower? What did you hope it would help you do?










  4. How did you feel before using the superpower?





  5. How did you feel after using the superpower?





  6. When else could you use this superpower? Describe another time or situation.





  7. Draw or sketch how you used your superpower or what it looks like when it’s helping you. (Use the space below.)











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Activity

Scenario Prompt Cards

Use these scenario cards to practice your coping superpowers. Read your card, choose one strategy (deep breathing, positive self-talk, or a movement break), and sketch or write how you’d use it on your index card.

Scenarios:

  1. You have a big math test tomorrow and your heart is racing with nerves.



  2. You didn’t get picked for the basketball team and feel disappointed and sad.



  3. A friend said something mean to you in front of others and you feel hurt.



  4. You have three major assignments due on the same day and feel overwhelmed.



  5. You forgot your lunch at home and now you’re hungry and distracted.



  6. You got a grade lower than you expected in your favorite class and feel discouraged.



  7. You’re starting at a new school and feel nervous about making friends.



  8. You missed the bus to school and must wait outside in the cold.



  9. You and your sibling are arguing over whose turn it is on the video game.



  10. You lost your favorite notebook and can’t find your homework notes.



(Feel free to adapt or add details to fit your class.)

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Warm Up

Stress Scale Poster

Use this scale to identify how calm or stressed you feel right now. Encourage students to point, place a sticky note, or circle their number.

LevelFeelingWhat It Feels Like
1 😌Very CalmI feel peaceful, relaxed, ready to learn
2 🙂Slightly UneasyA little nervous but okay
3 😐Moderate StressMy heart is beating faster, mind busy
4 😟Very StressedI feel tense, worried, distracted
5 😫OverwhelmedI can’t focus, my body feels on edge

Teacher Tip:

  • Ask students to silently rate themselves at the start of class.
  • Revisit the scale mid-lesson or end-of-day to see how stress levels changed.
  • Use this as a springboard for discussions on coping strategies.
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Discussion

Coping Strategies Discussion

Purpose: Deepen our understanding of how and when to use coping superpowers in real life.

Discussion Norms:

  1. Listen respectfully and wait your turn to speak.
  2. Use "I" statements (e.g., “I felt…”).
  3. Build on each other’s ideas with positive feedback.
  4. Keep comments focused on coping strategies and experiences.

1. Reflecting on Your Practice (5 minutes)

Question: Which coping superpower (deep breathing, positive self-talk, or movement break) felt most helpful during our practice activity?

  • Follow-Up 1: What about this strategy made you feel calmer or more focused?
  • Follow-Up 2: Did you notice any changes in your body (heartbeat, shoulders) or mind (thoughts)?

2. Real-Life Applications (4 minutes)

Question: Think of another time when you felt stressed or upset. Which superpower would you choose in that situation?

  • Follow-Up 1: How would you set yourself up to remember and use that strategy when you need it? (e.g., sticky note, reminder on your phone)
  • Follow-Up 2: Who could you teach this strategy to? How would you explain it?

3. Overcoming Barriers (3 minutes)

Question: What might make it hard to use these strategies when you’re really upset (e.g., feeling embarrassed, forgetting)?

  • Follow-Up 1: How could you prepare or practice ahead of time to overcome that barrier?
  • Follow-Up 2: What classroom or home reminders could help you? (Link to Stress Scale Poster)

4. Building on Your Superpowers (3 minutes)

Activity: In pairs, choose one strategy and brainstorm one new way to deliver it. For example:

  • Deep Breathing with a scented stress ball
  • Positive Self-Talk using picture cards
  • Movement Break as a quick dance move

Share your new idea with the class.

Closing Prompt:

  • Complete the final question on the Coping Reflection Worksheet: “When else could you use this superpower? Describe another time or situation.”
  • Think about one way you’ll practice outside of class this week and be ready to share tomorrow.
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Reading

Coping Strategies Chart

Use these quick-reference icons and descriptions to remind yourself of your “Coping Superpowers.”

IconStrategyDescription & How to Do It
🧘Deep BreathingWhat it does: Calms your body and mind.
How to do it:
1. Inhale slowly for 4 counts.
2. Exhale slowly for 4 counts.
3. Repeat 3–5 times, focusing on the breath.
💬Positive Self-TalkWhat it does: Shifts your mindset to boost confidence.
How to do it:
1. Choose a kind, encouraging phrase (e.g., “I’ve got this!”).
2. Whisper or think it when you feel stressed.
3. Repeat as needed to calm your thoughts.
🏃Movement BreakWhat it does: Releases built-up energy and resets focus.
How to do it:
1. Stand up and stretch or march in place.
2. Do jumping jacks or a quick dance for 30 seconds.
3. Return to your task feeling more alert.

Teacher Tip:

  • Display this chart in a visible spot or give each student a mini-card version.
  • Encourage students to point to or name the icon when they choose a strategy.
  • Practice each technique together until it feels familiar.
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