DBT: What's Your Super Skill? - Lesson Script

Introduction & Hook (5 minutes)

Teacher: "Good morning, everyone! Today we're going to talk about something really interesting that can help us all feel more in control of our emotions and navigate tricky situations. To start, I want you to think about a strong feeling you've had recently. Maybe it was excitement, frustration, sadness, or joy. Don't share it out loud just yet, but think about it."

"Okay, now that you have a feeling in mind, think about this: How did that strong feeling feel in your body? Did your heart race? Did your stomach feel fluttery? Did your shoulders get tense? Take a moment to connect with that experience."

Teacher: "Sometimes, these big feelings can feel overwhelming, right? Well, today we're going to start learning about some amazing 'super skills' that can help us manage those big feelings and handle all sorts of sticky situations life throws our way. It's like building your very own emotional superpower toolkit!"

Introducing DBT & Video (10 minutes)

Teacher: "Our super toolkit comes from something called DBT. Say it with me: D-B-T. It stands for Dialectical Behavior Therapy. Don't worry about the big words right now, just think of it as a fancy name for a really helpful set of skills."

"DBT is all about learning how to handle big emotions, get through tough times without making things worse, and communicate better with the people around us. It helps us find a balance, kind of like walking a tightrope – not too far to one side, not too far to the other."

"To get a better idea of what DBT is all about, let's watch a short video together. Pay close attention to the different skills they talk about, even if they use different names. We'll chat about it after!" (Play the video from the DBT Super Skills Slide Deck - Teacher Note: Ensure the video is loaded and ready to play)

Teacher: "Welcome back! What were some of the key things you noticed in the video? Were there any skills that stood out to you?"

Teacher: "Great observations! In DBT, we often group these skills into three main 'super skill' areas, as you saw on the slides:"

1. Emotional Regulation: "This is like being the boss of your feelings. It's about understanding why you feel what you feel, and then learning ways to change or manage those feelings so they don't take over completely. It doesn't mean you don't feel them, it means you're in charge of how you respond."
2. Distress Tolerance: "This is for when things are REALLY tough, and you can't fix them right away. It's about learning how to get through those difficult moments without making them worse. Think of it as riding out a storm until it passes, without letting yourself get swept away."
3. Interpersonal Effectiveness: "This is about how we get along with others. It's learning to ask for what you need, say no when you need to, and deal with conflicts in a way that keeps your friendships and relationships strong. It's about being effective in your interactions."

My Super Skill Worksheet (10 minutes)

Teacher: "Now that we've talked about these three super skill areas, you're going to get a chance to think about them for yourselves. I'm going to hand out this My Super Skill Worksheet."

"On this worksheet, I want you to choose ONE of the three super skill areas – Emotional Regulation, Distress Tolerance, or Interpersonal Effectiveness – that you feel is most interesting or might be most useful for you right now. Then, I want you to describe in your own words what that skill means and give an example of how you might use it in your everyday life. Think about a real-life situation where this skill could come in handy."

"You have about 7-8 minutes to work on this. If you finish early, you can think of another skill and another example. I'll be walking around if you have any questions." (Distribute worksheets and circulate)

Wrap-Up & Cool Down (5 minutes)

Teacher: "Alright everyone, let's bring it back together. Who would like to quickly share one skill they chose or one insight they gained from thinking about these super skills?"

Teacher: "Fantastic! Remember, these aren't just skills for grown-ups; they are life skills that take practice. The more you think about them and try to use them, the stronger your 'super skills' will become. You've got this, and I'm really proud of your thinking today!"

"To finish up, please complete this quick Super Skill Cool Down as your exit ticket. It will help me see what resonated with you most." (Collect worksheets and distribute cool-down activity)

DBT: What's Your Super Skill? - Discussion Guide

Use these prompts to facilitate a brief discussion after the video and before the individual worksheet activity.

After the Video (5 minutes)

1. What was one new thing you learned about how we can manage our feelings or tough situations from the video?
   
   
   
2. The video talked about different ways to handle big feelings. Can you recall any of those ideas?
   
   
   
3. Why do you think it's important for us to learn skills like these?
   
   
   

Exploring the Super Skills (Optional - if time allows)

These questions can be used to deepen understanding if students need more clarification on the three main DBT skills (Emotional Regulation, Distress Tolerance, Interpersonal Effectiveness).

1. Emotional Regulation: Can someone explain in their own words what it means to "be the boss of your feelings" or regulate your emotions?
   * Follow-up: What's an example of when you might need to use emotional regulation?
   
   
   
2. Distress Tolerance: The video mentioned getting through really tough moments. What does "distress tolerance" mean to you? How is it different from just ignoring a problem?
   * Follow-up: Imagine you're super frustrated with a game, but you can't stop playing right away. How might distress tolerance help?
   
   
   
3. Interpersonal Effectiveness: This skill helps us with our relationships. What does it mean to communicate effectively with others? Why is that important?
   * Follow-up: If you needed to ask a friend for something important, how would being interpersonally effective help you?
   
   
   

My Super Skill: DBT in Action!

Name: ____________________________

Welcome, superhero-in-training! Today we learned about three amazing DBT "super skill" areas:

1. Emotional Regulation: Managing your feelings so they don't take over.
2. Distress Tolerance: Getting through tough moments without making things worse.
3. Interpersonal Effectiveness: Communicating what you need and want while keeping good relationships.

Your Mission:

Step 1: Choose ONE Super Skill.

Look at the three super skills above. Which one do you think is most interesting, or which one do you feel would be most helpful for you to learn right now? Circle or write down your chosen skill.

My chosen Super Skill is: _____________________________________________________

Step 2: Explain Your Super Skill.

In your own words, describe what this super skill means. How would you explain it to a friend?

Step 3: Super Skill in Action!

Think of a real-life situation where you could use your chosen super skill. Describe the situation and how you would use the skill to help yourself.

• Situation:
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

• How I would use my Super Skill:
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

Bonus Challenge (Optional): What's one question you still have about DBT or these super skills?

My Super Skill: DBT in Action! - Answer Key

General Guidance for Grading:

• Student responses will vary as they are asked to use their own words and personal examples.
• Look for understanding of the chosen skill and a logical connection between the skill and the described situation/application.
• Effort and engagement with the concepts are key for 6th-grade level.

Example Responses for Chosen Super Skills:

1. Emotional Regulation

Example Explanation:
Emotional Regulation means I can understand what I'm feeling and find healthy ways to manage those strong emotions so they don't completely take over. It's about calming myself down or changing a really negative feeling into a more manageable one.

Example Situation & How to Use Skill:

• Situation: I got a bad grade on a test, and I feel really angry and disappointed. I want to yell or throw my book.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• How I would use my Super Skill: I would notice my anger and disappointment. Instead of yelling, I might take a few deep breaths, count to ten, or go for a quick walk to cool down. Then, I could think about what I can do to improve next time instead of just being mad.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

2. Distress Tolerance

Example Explanation:
Distress Tolerance is about getting through really difficult or painful moments without doing something that would make things worse in the long run. It's when you can't solve the problem right away, but you can find ways to cope until the intensity of the feeling passes.

Example Situation & How to Use Skill:

• Situation: My parents told me I can't go to my friend's house this weekend because I didn't finish my chores. I feel super upset and want to stomp my feet and argue.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• How I would use my Super Skill: I know arguing will just make my parents more upset and won't change their mind. So, I would try to distract myself by listening to music, drawing, or playing a video game for a bit. I would remind myself that this intense feeling won't last forever and that I can calm down before I talk to my parents about it later.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

3. Interpersonal Effectiveness

Example Explanation:
Interpersonal Effectiveness means I can communicate what I want or need to others while also making sure I keep my relationships strong. It's about being clear, respectful, and knowing how to ask for things or say no without causing a big fight.

Example Situation & How to Use Skill:

• Situation: My friend keeps interrupting me when I'm trying to tell a story, and it makes me feel unheard.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• How I would use my Super Skill: I would wait for a calm moment and say something like, "Hey, I noticed that sometimes when I'm talking, I get interrupted, and it makes it hard for me to finish my thought. Could you try to let me finish before you jump in?" I would say it kindly so my friend doesn't feel attacked.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

Bonus Challenge (Optional): Students may ask questions about specific skills, how to apply them, or the origins of DBT. Look for genuine curiosity.

Super Skill Cool Down: Your Exit Ticket

Name: ____________________________

Take a moment to reflect on our lesson about DBT super skills. This will help me understand what resonated with you today!

1. What is ONE DBT "super skill" you learned about today that you think could help you in your life? (Choose from Emotional Regulation, Distress Tolerance, or Interpersonal Effectiveness, or another skill mentioned in the video/discussion.)

   
   
   
   
   
   
   

2. Why do you think this particular skill would be helpful for you?

   
   
   
   
   
   
   

3. In one word, how do you feel about learning these new "super skills"?