Elevate Family Skills

avolis

Tier 3

Lesson Plan

Emotional Elevation Plan

Guide an individual 8th grade student and their family through targeted emotional regulation strategies and positive reinforcement techniques in a 30-minute session to improve communication and emotional awareness.

Emotional regulation and positive reinforcement strengthen family bonds, reduce conflict, and equip both students and parents with practical skills to manage stress and foster a supportive home environment.

Audience

8th Grade Student and Family

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Interactive coaching with hands-on activities and reflection.

Materials

Skill Elevate Steps, Emotion Tracker, and Progress Monitoring Guide

Prep

Prepare Coaching Environment

5 minutes

Review the Skill Elevate Steps slide deck to familiarize yourself with session flow.
Print or prepare digital access to the Emotion Tracker for family use.
Print the Progress Monitoring Guide rubric for on-the-spot note-taking.
Arrange a private, comfortable space to foster open communication.

Step 1

Introduction and Rapport Building

5 minutes

Greet the student and family, outline session goals and confidentiality norms.
Establish a positive, nonjudgmental tone and encourage open sharing of feelings.
Ask a brief icebreaker question (e.g., “What’s one thing that made you smile this week?”).

Step 2

Emotional Regulation Strategy Teaching

10 minutes

Use the Skill Elevate Steps slide deck to introduce two strategies: deep breathing and emotion labeling.
Model each technique with the family: guide them through a breathing exercise and practice naming emotions in real-time scenarios.
Discuss how and when to use these strategies during stressful moments at home.

Step 3

Practicing Positive Reinforcement Techniques

8 minutes

Explain the importance of noticing and praising small steps toward emotional control.
Role-play with parent and student: parent practices specific praise statements (e.g., “I noticed you took deep breaths—great job!”).
Coach the family to create at least two personalized reinforcement phrases to use at home.

Step 4

Reflection and Next Steps

7 minutes

Have the student and parent fill out the first entry in the Emotion Tracker reflecting on today’s session.
Review the Progress Monitoring Guide together and set one measurable goal for the coming week.
Schedule a follow-up check-in and encourage daily use of tools discussed.

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Slide Deck

Skill Elevate Steps

Master emotional regulation and positive reinforcement through two key strategies.

Welcome families! Today we will master two key strategies—deep breathing and emotion labeling—then learn how to reinforce progress with positive praise.

Agenda

Deep Breathing
Emotion Labeling
Positive Reinforcement

Briefly walk through the session flow so everyone knows what to expect.

Why Deep Breathing?

• Regulates stress response
• Calms the mind
• Improves focus

Explain the fight-or-flight response and how breath control helps calm the body.

Deep Breathing Steps

Find a comfortable seated position.
Place one hand on your abdomen.
Inhale slowly for a count of 4.
Exhale slowly for a count of 6.
Repeat 3–5 times.

Guide the family step-by-step, modeling each inhale and exhale.

Practice Deep Breathing

Let's practice together:
Inhale (4 seconds)… Exhale (6 seconds)…

Lead the group through one full cycle and observe their posture and breathing.

Why Emotion Labeling?

• Identifies feelings
• Reduces emotional intensity
• Fosters understanding

Discuss how naming feelings creates distance and reduces intensity.

Emotion Labeling Steps

Notice the feeling.
Name it (e.g., “I feel frustrated”).
Validate the emotion.
Discuss coping options.

Model by sharing a personal feeling and labeling it aloud.

Practice Emotion Labeling

Scenario: You just finished a tough test and feel upset. Label and share your emotion.

Invite each family member to practice labeling a recent emotion.

Positive Reinforcement

• Notice: Observe efforts.
• Praise: Be specific and genuine.
• Repeat: Reinforce consistently.

Emphasize praising effort and process over outcome to build confidence.

Reflection & Next Steps

• Use deep breathing daily
• Label emotions as they arise
• Offer specific praise at home
Set one goal for the week.

Help the family choose one measurable goal, then schedule a follow-up check-in.

Journal

Emotion Tracker

Instructions:
Use this tracker each day to notice and record your feelings, practice regulation strategies, and reflect on what helps you feel better.

Date: ____________________________

Context (What happened? Who was involved? Where were you?):

Emotion(s) Felt (Name your feeling[s]):

Intensity (Rate 1 – 10):

Strategy Used (e.g., deep breathing, emotion labeling):

Outcome (How did the strategy affect your emotion?):

Reflection (What will you try differently next time?):

(Use a new page or a fresh section for each day.)

Rubric

Progress Monitoring Guide

Instructions: Use this guide weekly to assess strategy use, consistency, parent support, and progress toward goals. Circle the level that best describes your performance in each area.

Criteria	4 – Exceeds Expectations	3 – Meets Expectations	2 – Approaching Expectations	1 – Needs Improvement
Strategy Implementation	Consistently and independently applies both deep breathing and emotion labeling effectively across situations.	Applies both strategies appropriately most of the time with minimal support.	Uses one strategy with guidance; application is inconsistent.	Rarely uses strategies; requires frequent prompting and support.
Tracking Consistency	Logs daily and detailed journal entries, reflecting thoughtfully on outcomes.	Logs entries at least 5 days with adequate detail.	Logs 3–4 days; reflections are brief or lack depth.	Logs fewer than 3 entries; minimal or no reflection.
Parent Reinforcement Quality	Parent provides specific, genuine praise daily, incorporating personalized reinforcement phrases.	Parent offers specific praise several times; uses personalized phrases occasionally.	Parent gives general praise infrequently; phrases are vague.	Little to no praise provided; lacks specificity and consistency.
Goal Progress	Exceeds the weekly goal with notable improvement in emotional regulation and family communication.	Meets the weekly goal; shows steady progress and positive changes.	Partially meets the goal; progress is inconsistent or limited.	Does not meet the goal; little to no progress observed.

Scoring Key: 4 = Excellent; 3 = Good; 2 = Fair; 1 = Needs Improvement

Next Review: At the end of each week, review scores and set adjusted goals for continued growth.