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Coping Superpowers: My Calm Kit

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Lesson Plan

Coping Strategies Lesson Plan

Students will identify and practice 2-3 coping strategies to use in school to manage their emotions and stress.

Learning coping strategies helps students effectively manage their emotions and stress, leading to a more positive and productive school experience. It empowers them with tools for self-regulation.

Audience

5th Grade

Time

15 minutes

Approach

Discussion, guided practice, and personal reflection.

Materials

Prep

Teacher Preparation

13 minutes

  • Review all generated materials for familiarity and to ensure you're comfortable with the content. (5 min)
  • Print enough copies of the My Calm Kit Worksheet for each student in the group. (3 min)
  • Optional: Gather a few simple items that can act as coping tools for demonstration, such as a stress ball, a small notebook for doodling, or a soft item to squeeze. (5 min)

Step 1

Warm-Up: How Are You Feeling? (2 min)

2 minutes

  • Begin by asking students to briefly share (verbally or non-verbally with a thumbs up/down, or by describing a color that matches their mood) how they are feeling today.
  • Acknowledge all feelings and introduce the idea that it's normal to have big emotions sometimes, but we can learn ways to manage them.

Step 2

What Are Coping Superpowers? (3 min)

3 minutes

  • Display the Coping Superpowers Slide Deck on the screen, starting with the slide that introduces coping strategies.
  • Explain that coping strategies are like 'superpowers' or 'secret tools' that help us handle big feelings or tough situations when we're at school.
  • Ask students: "What are some things you already do when you feel really frustrated, sad, or overwhelmed?" Allow for a few brief shares.

Step 3

Explore Your Calm Kit (5 min)

5 minutes

  • Distribute the My Calm Kit Worksheet to each student.
  • Go through the list of coping strategies on the worksheet together. Briefly explain or demonstrate each one (e.g., show deep breathing, simple stretch).
  • Encourage students to think about which strategies they might want to try or those they've found helpful in the past. Have them circle 2-3 strategies on their worksheet that they think would work best for them at school.

Step 4

Practice A Strategy (3 min)

3 minutes

  • Choose one simple, easy-to-implement strategy from the worksheet, such as deep breathing or a quick stretch, and lead the group in practicing it.
  • For deep breathing: Instruct students to sit comfortably, inhale slowly through their nose for a count of four, hold for a count of three, and then exhale slowly through their mouth for a count of five. Repeat 2-3 times.
  • Ask: "How did that feel? Did you notice any changes?"

Step 5

Wrap-Up: Your Go-To Power (2 min)

2 minutes

  • Ask each student to share one coping strategy from their worksheet that they are most likely to use this week if they encounter a challenging situation at school.
  • Reinforce that having a 'Calm Kit' of strategies is a great way to take care of themselves and that it's always okay to ask for help from a trusted adult (like a teacher or counselor) when feelings are too big to manage alone.
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Slide Deck

Coping Superpowers: Your Secret Tools!

How do you handle big feelings?

Welcome students. Ask them to think about how they handle different emotions. "Today we're going to talk about special tools we all have inside us to help with tricky feelings or tough moments."

What Are Coping Superpowers?


💪 Ways to deal with big emotions
🧠 Help you calm down
🛡️ Keep you focused on learning

Explain that coping strategies are positive actions we take to manage stress, sadness, anger, or frustration. They help us feel better and think clearly.

Introducing Your Calm Kit

Your personal toolkit of strategies!
What goes in YOUR kit?

"Imagine you have a special kit just for you, filled with things that help you feel calm and strong. We call these 'coping strategies' or 'calm kit items.' We're going to explore some ideas today using our worksheet: My Calm Kit Worksheet."

Practice One Together: Deep Breathing

Inhale for 4, Hold for 3, Exhale for 5.
Feel your belly rise and fall.

Lead the group in the deep breathing exercise as outlined in the lesson plan. Emphasize practicing regularly. "Let's all try this together. Find a comfortable position."

You've Got This!


Choose your superpowers wisely.
Remember to ask for help if you need it!

Encourage students to keep their worksheet handy (or remember their chosen strategies). Remind them that it's brave to use these tools and to reach out to a trusted adult if they are feeling overwhelmed. "Your calm kit is always with you!"

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Worksheet

My Calm Kit: Coping Strategies for School

What are Coping Strategies?

Coping strategies are helpful actions you can take when you feel big emotions like frustration, sadness, worry, or anger. They help you calm down and think clearly so you can get back to learning!

Building Your Calm Kit

Read through the strategies below. Circle the 2-3 strategies you think would work best for YOU in school.

Strategies to Try:

  • Deep Breathing: Take a few slow, deep breaths. Breathe in through your nose, hold, and breathe out through your mouth.
  • Count to Ten: Slowly count to ten (or even twenty!) in your head.
  • Take a Break: Ask your teacher if you can take a quick break, maybe get a drink of water, or walk to the pencil sharpener.
  • Stretch: Do a few gentle stretches at your desk.
  • Doodle or Draw: Grab a piece of paper and quietly doodle for a few minutes.
  • Squeeze a Stress Ball: Keep a stress ball or a fidget toy handy to squeeze when you feel tense.
  • Talk to a Trusted Adult: Find your teacher, a counselor, or another grown-up you trust and tell them how you're feeling.
  • Listen to Music: If allowed, put on some calming music with headphones during independent work.
  • Positive Self-Talk: Say kind and encouraging things to yourself in your head, like "I can do this" or "It's okay to feel this way, and I'll get through it."
  • Visualize a Calm Place: Close your eyes for a moment and imagine your favorite peaceful place.

My Top Coping Superpowers!

My #1 Strategy:



When I would use it:


My #2 Strategy:



When I would use it:


My #3 Strategy (Optional):



When I would use it:


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