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Mindful Me Skills

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Lesson Plan

Mindful Me Lesson Plan

Students will learn and practice self-management strategies by assessing their current skills, learning techniques for recognizing and regulating emotions, setting goals, and applying focus strategies in everyday scenarios.

Self-management skills enable students to regulate emotions, set and achieve goals, and maintain focus—key competencies for academic success, positive relationships, and lifelong well-being.

Audience

Grade 5–7 Students

Time

2 sessions of 15 minutes each

Approach

Interactive assessments and guided practice

Prep

Teacher Preparation

10 minutes

Step 1

Session 1: Pre-Test and Introduction

15 minutes

  • Distribute Self-Management Pre-Test; students complete independently (5 minutes)
  • Briefly explain: purpose of self-management and the two-session flow (2 minutes)
  • Introduce key strategies (e.g., deep breathing, positive self-talk) using the Self-Regulation Strategies Handout (3 minutes)
  • Model a deep-breathing exercise; guide the class through one cycle (5 minutes)

Step 2

Session 2: Practice and Post-Test

15 minutes

  • Quick review: ask students to name one strategy from last session (3 minutes)
  • In pairs, complete Goal-Setting Worksheet: identify a personal goal and choose a self-management strategy to support it (4 minutes)
  • Present short scenarios; students use the Emotion Temperature Scale Poster to label feelings, then role-play applying a strategy (4 minutes)
  • Distribute Self-Management Post-Test; students complete independently (4 minutes)
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Slide Deck

Mindful Me: Self-Management Skills

Grade 5–7 • Two 15-Minute Sessions

Welcome students! Introduce yourself and today’s topic: self-management. Explain that over two short sessions, they’ll learn simple strategies to recognize and regulate their emotions, set goals, and stay focused.

Session Overview

Session 1: Pre-Test & Introduction

Session 2: Practice & Post-Test

Outline the flow so students know what to expect. Emphasize that today is Session 1: Pre-Test and Introduction; next time is Session 2: Practice and Post-Test.

Pre-Test Instructions

Please complete the Self-Management Pre-Test now.
• 5 minutes
• Be honest—no right or wrong answers

Distribute the Self-Management Pre-Test. Give clear instructions: students work quietly and honestly for 5 minutes. Collect when done.

What Is Self-Management?

Self-management means:
• Recognizing and regulating your emotions
• Setting and working toward personal goals
• Staying focused on tasks

Why it matters: helps you succeed in school and life!

Define self-management in student-friendly terms. Connect why it’s important: helps in school, friendships, and when things get tough.

Key Strategies

  1. Deep Breathing
    – Take slow, full breaths to calm your mind.

  2. Positive Self-Talk
    – Use encouraging words to boost confidence.

Introduce two core strategies. Give an example for each. Ask for student examples.

Practice: Deep Breathing

Let’s try it:
• Inhale for 4 seconds
• Hold for 2 seconds
• Exhale for 6 seconds

Repeat 3 times.

Guide students step-by-step through the breathing exercise. Model first, then lead the class together.

Session 2 Activities

  1. Goal-Setting (4 min)
    • In pairs, choose a personal goal on the worksheet.
    • Pick one self-management strategy to support it.
  2. Role-Play (4 min)
    • Use the Emotion Temperature Scale to label a feeling.
    • Act out using your chosen strategy.

Hand out the Goal-Setting Worksheet and Emotion Temperature Scale Poster. Explain both activities and time limits.

Post-Test Instructions

Please complete the Self-Management Post-Test now.
• 5 minutes
• Notice how your answers compare to the first time.

Distribute the Self-Management Post-Test. Instruct students to answer honestly and consider how their confidence or understanding might have changed.

Wrap-Up & Reminder

Great job today!

Keep practicing your strategy every day to stay calm, focused, and ready to learn.

Congratulate the students on completing both sessions. Remind them to practice their breathing or positive self-talk daily.

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Worksheet

Self-Management Pre-Test

Name: _________________________ Date: ____________

Part 1: Self-Rating

For each statement below, circle the number that best describes how often you do this in school or at home. (1 = Never, 5 = Always)

  1. I stay calm when things don’t go my way.
    1 2 3 4 5
  2. I can focus on my schoolwork even when it’s boring.
    1 2 3 4 5
  3. I set a personal goal and work toward it step by step.
    1 2 3 4 5
  4. I use strategies (like deep breathing or positive talk) to calm down if I feel upset.
    1 2 3 4 5
  5. When I feel distracted, I know how to refocus on my task.
    1 2 3 4 5

Part 2: Short Answer

  1. Think of a time you felt angry, frustrated, or upset at school. What did you do to handle those feelings?






  1. Describe one thing you do (or could do) to help yourself stay focused during a long assignment or project.






  1. List two self-management strategies you already use or would like to learn more about. Explain why you chose each one.









Thank you for your honest answers! Your teacher will use this information to help guide our lessons on self-management skills.

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lenny

Worksheet

Self-Management Post-Test

Name: _________________________ Date: ____________

Part 1: Self-Rating

For each statement below, circle the number that best describes how often you do this in school or at home now, after our lessons. (1 = Never, 5 = Always)

  1. I stay calm when things don’t go my way.
    1 2 3 4 5
  2. I can focus on my schoolwork even when it feels challenging.
    1 2 3 4 5
  3. I set a personal goal and work toward it step by step.
    1 2 3 4 5
  4. I use a strategy (like deep breathing or positive self-talk) to calm down if I feel upset.
    1 2 3 4 5
  5. When I feel distracted, I know how to refocus on my task.
    1 2 3 4 5

Part 2: Reflection

  1. Think of a time you felt angry, frustrated, or upset at school. How would you handle those feelings now using the strategies you’ve learned?






  1. Describe one self-management strategy you found most helpful. Explain how you will use it in a real situation.






  1. Set one personal goal for improving your self-management skills over the next week. List the steps you will take to reach this goal.









Thank you for reflecting on your growth! Your teacher will use this to see how much you’ve learned and to help you keep improving.

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lenny

Activity

Self-Regulation Strategies Handout

Use these strategies to recognize your feelings, calm your mind, and stay focused. Try each one and pick the ones you like best!

1. Deep Breathing

What it is: Slow, full breaths to bring calm.

How to do it:

  1. Sit or stand comfortably.
  2. Inhale through your nose for 4 seconds.
  3. Hold for 2 seconds.
  4. Exhale through your mouth for 6 seconds.
  5. Repeat 3–5 times.

When to use it: Before a test, when upset, or anytime you need to calm down.


2. Positive Self-Talk

What it is: Using kind, encouraging words in your mind.

How to do it:

  • Choose a short phrase like “I can do this,” “I am calm,” or “I’ve got this.”
  • Repeat it quietly to yourself when you notice negative thoughts.

When to use it: When you feel nervous, unconfident, or overwhelmed.


3. Mindful Pause

What it is: A quick break to notice the present moment.

How to do it:

  1. Stop your current activity.
  2. Look around and name one thing you see, hear, or feel.
  3. Take 3 slow, deep breaths.
  4. Return to your task with fresh focus.

When to use it: During a busy day, before starting work, or when feeling distracted.


4. Visualization

What it is: Imagining a calm, safe place in your mind.

How to do it:

  1. Close your eyes for a moment.
  2. Picture a favorite place (a beach, forest, or cozy room).
  3. Notice details—colors, sounds, and smells.
  4. Stay there for 20–30 seconds.

When to use it: When stress is high or before a big challenge.


5. Stretch & Movement

What it is: Simple physical moves to release tension.

How to do it:

  • Roll your shoulders backward and forward.
  • Tilt your head side-to-side, stretching gently.
  • Stand up, reach your arms overhead, and take a deep breath.

When to use it: After sitting a long time or when your body feels tight.


Tip: Practice these strategies daily. Notice which ones help you the most, and use them whenever you need to manage your emotions or stay focused!

lenny
lenny

Worksheet

Goal-Setting Worksheet

Name: _________________________ Date: ____________

Part 1: Identify Your Goal

  1. Write one personal goal you want to accomplish in the next week:






  1. Why is this goal important to you?






Part 2: Plan the Steps

  1. List three steps you will take to reach this goal:

• Step 1: _________________________________



• Step 2: _________________________________



• Step 3: _________________________________



Part 3: Choose a Strategy

  1. Which self-management strategy will help you with this goal? (See Self-Regulation Strategies Handout)






  1. How will you use that strategy to support your goal? Describe what you will do and when.









Part 4: Anticipate Challenges

  1. What challenges might you face while working on your goal? How will you handle them?










Good luck achieving your goal! Remember to review your plan each day and adjust as needed. Any questions? Ask your teacher for help at any time.

lenny
lenny

Activity

Emotion Temperature Scale Poster

Use the Emotion Temperature Scale to notice how “hot” or “cool” your feelings are. This helps you choose the right strategy to calm down or stay focused.

Temperature LevelLabelFeelingsColor Cue
1 – Ice-Cold CalmCalm / RelaxedPeaceful, content, safeBlue
2 – CoolNeutral / OkayContent, steady, okayLight Blue
3 – WarmAlert / FocusedCurious, motivated, mildly excitedYellow
4 – HotFrustrated / AnxiousImpatient, worried, tenseOrange
5 – Boiling HotAngry / OverwhelmedMad, panicked, out of controlRed

How to Use the Scale

  1. Check in: Pause and ask yourself, “How hot do my feelings feel right now?”
  2. Locate: Point to the level (1–5) that best matches your emotion’s intensity.
  3. Reflect: Notice what you’re feeling and why (e.g., “I’m at Level 4 because I’m stuck on my math problem.”).
  4. Choose a Strategy: Use Self-Regulation Strategies Handout to cool down one level.
    • If you’re at Level 4, pick a strategy (like deep breathing) to bring yourself closer to Level 3.
  5. Re-check: After practicing your strategy, see if your temperature has shifted lower.

Tip: Keep this poster visible. Use it throughout the day—before tests, during group work, or anytime you notice strong emotions.

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