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My Zones Plan

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Lesson Plan

My Zones Plan

Students will be able to create a personalized Zones Plan, identifying coping strategies for each emotional zone.

Learning to create a personal Zones Plan empowers students to take ownership of their emotional regulation. This skill helps them develop self-awareness and provides actionable strategies for managing feelings, leading to increased confidence and better social-emotional health.

Audience

K-2 Students

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Interactive discussion, personalized worksheet activity, and guided reflection.

Materials

My Zones Plan Slide Deck, Zones Toolbox Worksheet, My Zones Plan Game, My Zones Plan Discussion Prompts, and My Zones Plan Test

Prep

Prepare Materials

10 minutes

Step 1

Warm-Up: Zones Check-in (5 minutes)

5 minutes

  • Begin with a quick check-in. Ask students: "What zone are you in right now and why?"
    - Briefly review the concept of the Zones of Regulation, emphasizing that all zones are okay.
    - Use My Zones Plan Slide Deck for a visual reminder of the zones.

Step 2

Introduce My Zones Plan (5 minutes)

5 minutes

  • Display the title slide: "My Own Zones Plan" on the My Zones Plan Slide Deck.
    - Explain that today, students will create their own personal plan for how to handle different zones.
    - Move to the second slide: "Create a personal plan – 'When I’m in the ___ Zone, I can ___.'" on the My Zones Plan Slide Deck.
    - Briefly discuss examples for one or two zones as a group (e.g., "When I'm in the Red Zone, I can take three deep breaths.")

Step 3

Zones Toolbox Activity (10 minutes)

10 minutes

  • Distribute the Zones Toolbox Worksheet to each student.
    - Guide students through filling out their personal plan for each zone.
    - Encourage them to think of strategies they already use or new ones they want to try.
    - Circulate and provide individual support and prompting.
    - Play the video link: "Mindfulness for Kids" (if time allows and appropriate for group) as shown on the My Zones Plan Slide Deck.

Step 4

Share & Discuss (7 minutes)

7 minutes

Step 5

Cool-Down & Wrap-Up (3 minutes)

3 minutes

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Slide Deck

My Own Zones Plan

Let's create a plan to help us with our feelings!

Welcome students and introduce the idea of creating a personal plan for their zones.

When I'm in the ___ Zone, I can ___.

What helps you when you're feeling...?

  • Blue Zone (Sad, Tired, Sick)
  • Green Zone (Happy, Calm, Focused)
  • Yellow Zone (Wiggly, Frustrated, Excited)
  • Red Zone (Mad, Scared, Out of Control)

Explain what this slide means. Ask students to think about what they can do when they feel certain ways.

My Zones Toolbox

Time to build your own toolbox of strategies!
Fill out your Zones Toolbox Worksheet to create your personal plan.

Introduce the 'Zones Toolbox' worksheet and explain that they will fill this out with their own ideas.

Let's take a moment to be calm and mindful.

If time allows, play this video to help students relax and focus. This can be used during or after the worksheet activity.

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Worksheet

My Zones Toolbox Plan

Name:

My Plan for the BLUE ZONE (Sad, Tired, Sick)

When I am in the Blue Zone, I can...






My Plan for the GREEN ZONE (Happy, Calm, Focused)

When I am in the Green Zone, I can...






My Plan for the YELLOW ZONE (Wiggly, Frustrated, Excited)

When I am in the Yellow Zone, I can...






My Plan for the RED ZONE (Mad, Scared, Out of Control)

When I am in the Red Zone, I can...






My favorite strategy from my toolbox is: ___________________________________

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Test

My Zones Plan Test

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Discussion

My Zones Plan Discussion Prompts

Use these questions to guide a group discussion about creating and using a Zones Plan.

  1. Why is it helpful to have a plan for when you're in different zones?


  2. What was one new strategy you thought of today for your Zones Toolbox?


  3. Is it okay to ask for help from a grown-up when you are in a different zone? Why or why not?


  4. How can having a Zones Plan help you at school or at home?


  5. Can you share one strategy from your Zones Toolbox Worksheet that you think would be good for a friend to try?
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Game

Zone It Out! Game

Objective: To practice identifying different Zones of Regulation and naming strategies to return to the Green Zone.

Materials:

  • Zone It Out! Scenario Cards (see below)
  • Optional: Paper and crayons for drawing strategies

How to Play:

  1. Prepare Cards: Cut out the scenario cards below. You can also create more based on common situations your students experience.
  2. Explain the Zones: Briefly review the four Zones of Regulation (Blue, Green, Yellow, Red) and what feelings are typically associated with each.
  3. Read a Scenario: The teacher reads one scenario card aloud to the group.
  4. Identify the Zone: Students identify which Zone of Regulation the person in the scenario is likely in. They can show this by holding up a colored card (if you have them), pointing to a zone poster, or verbally stating the zone.
  5. Brainstorm Strategies: As a group, or individually, students name one or more strategies that the person in the scenario could use to move towards or stay in the Green Zone. Encourage them to refer to their Zones Toolbox Worksheet.
  6. Discuss and Reinforce: Briefly discuss why that strategy might be helpful. Emphasize that different strategies work for different people and situations.
  7. Continue: Play through as many scenario cards as time allows.

Zone It Out! Scenario Cards

Scenario 1: Liam is sitting at his desk with his head down. He looks very sleepy and a little sad.


  • What Zone is Liam in?
  • What could Liam do to feel better?




Scenario 2: Maya is jumping up and down and can't stop talking about her birthday party this weekend! She's giggling and moving all over.


  • What Zone is Maya in?
  • What could Maya do to calm her body a little?




Scenario 3: David just finished his puzzle and he feels so proud! He has a big smile on his face and is sitting calmly.


  • What Zone is David in?
  • What can David do to stay in this zone?




Scenario 4: Sarah's tower just fell down and she screamed and threw a block across the room. Her face is red and she looks very angry.


  • What Zone is Sarah in?
  • What could Sarah do to calm down?




Scenario 5: Omar is trying to draw a picture, but his crayon broke. He is starting to get a little frustrated and is tapping his foot fast.


  • What Zone is Omar in?
  • What could Omar do to help himself?




lenny
lenny

Lesson Plan

My Zones Plan

Students will be able to create a personalized Zones Plan, identifying coping strategies for each emotional zone.

Learning to create a personal Zones Plan empowers students to take ownership of their emotional regulation. This skill helps them develop self-awareness and provides actionable strategies for managing feelings, leading to increased confidence and better social-emotional health.

Audience

K-2 Students

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Interactive discussion, personalized worksheet activity, and guided reflection.

Materials

My Zones Plan Slide Deck, Zones Toolbox Worksheet, My Zones Plan Game, My Zones Plan Discussion Prompts, and My Zones Plan Test

Prep

Prepare Materials

10 minutes

Step 1

Warm-Up: Zones Check-in (5 minutes)

5 minutes

  • Begin with a quick check-in. Ask students: "What zone are you in right now and why?"
    - Briefly review the concept of the Zones of Regulation, emphasizing that all zones are okay.
    - Use My Zones Plan Slide Deck for a visual reminder of the zones.

Step 2

Introduce My Zones Plan (5 minutes)

5 minutes

  • Display the title slide: "My Own Zones Plan" on the My Zones Plan Slide Deck.
    - Explain that today, students will create their own personal plan for how to handle different zones.
    - Move to the second slide: "Create a personal plan – 'When I’m in the ___ Zone, I can ___.'" on the My Zones Plan Slide Deck.
    - Briefly discuss examples for one or two zones as a group (e.g., "When I'm in the Red Zone, I can take three deep breaths.")

Step 3

Zones Toolbox Activity (10 minutes)

10 minutes

  • Distribute the Zones Toolbox Worksheet to each student.
    - Guide students through filling out their personal plan for each zone.
    - Encourage them to think of strategies they already use or new ones they want to try.
    - Circulate and provide individual support and prompting.
    - Play the video link: "Mindfulness for Kids" (if time allows and appropriate for group) as shown on the My Zones Plan Slide Deck.

Step 4

Share & Discuss (7 minutes)

7 minutes

Step 5

Cool-Down & Wrap-Up (3 minutes)

3 minutes

lenny