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Reflect & Reset

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Lesson Plan

Reflect & Reset Lesson Plan

Students will recognize moments they felt upset, identify what triggered their feelings, express those feelings through drawing or simple words, and choose one calm-down strategy to use next time.

Early emotional awareness and self-regulation help younger students understand their feelings, build social-emotional skills, and make positive choices when upset.

Audience

Elementary School Students

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Guided discussion, drawing, and strategy selection

Materials

Prep

Teacher Preparation

10 minutes

  • Review the Reflection Worksheet and note spots where students can draw or write
  • Print enough copies of the worksheet and Exit Ticket Template for each student
  • Display the Behavior Triggers Poster at student eye level
  • Gather crayons and markers in a center or tray for easy access
  • Prepare a timer or visual countdown for each activity segment

Step 1

Introduction & Warm-Up

5 minutes

  • Show the Behavior Triggers Poster and explain that a trigger is something that makes us feel upset or angry
  • Use a smiling/frowning face chart (drawn or projected) and ask students to point to how they feel when upset
  • Prompt them with a simple question: “What made you feel mad or sad today?” Invite 2–3 volunteers to share verbally

Step 2

Guided Reflection Activity

10 minutes

  • Hand out the Reflection Worksheet
  • Explain they can draw a picture of the moment they felt upset and/or use one sentence to describe what happened and how it made them feel
  • Circulate to support students, helping them label emotions (e.g., mad, sad, frustrated)
  • Emphasize there are no right or wrong answers—they’re learning about their feelings

Step 3

Trigger Identification Discussion

5 minutes

  • Have students turn to a partner and show their drawing or read their sentence
  • Ask pairs to name one trigger they both had and share aloud
  • As students share, write common triggers on chart paper under simple headings (e.g., Noise, Teasing, Hard Work)
  • Reinforce that knowing triggers helps us notice our feelings sooner

Step 4

Calm-Down Strategy Selection

7 minutes

  • Distribute the Goal-Setting Chart
  • Explain each section with simple language: “Pick one thing you can do to calm down” and draw or write that strategy (e.g., take deep breaths, count to five, ask for help)
  • Encourage students to list 1–2 steps with pictures or words
  • Provide positive feedback as they work

Step 5

Cool-Down & Exit Ticket

3 minutes

  • Give out the Exit Ticket Template
  • Ask each student to circle one feeling face (happy, calm, or neutral) and draw one small picture of their chosen strategy
  • Collect exit tickets as students leave to see who might need extra support
  • Praise their effort and remind them they can use these strategies anytime they feel upset
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Slide Deck

Reflect & Reset: BIP Reflection Activities

Tier 1 • 7th Grade • 30 Minutes

Self-awareness • Accountability • Goal Setting

Welcome everyone! Today we’ll learn how to reflect on our behavior in real time, identify what sets us off, and set goals to make better choices. Emphasize that this is a safe space for honest reflection.

Today's Agenda

  1. Warm-Up: What is a Trigger?
  2. Guided Reflection Activity
  3. Trigger Identification Discussion
  4. SMART Goal Setting
  5. Cool-Down & Exit Ticket

Quickly walk through the flow so students know what to expect. Keep energy high.

Warm-Up: Understanding Triggers

• A trigger is any event, person, or feeling that leads to a reaction.
• Examples:

  • Feeling rushed when work is due
  • Teasing from classmates
  • Loud noises in the hallway

Define “trigger” in your own words then share examples. Display the Behavior Triggers Poster on screen or chart paper.

Guided Reflection Activity

On your Reflection Worksheet:

  1. Behavior: Describe what happened.
  2. Trigger: What led to it?
  3. Reaction: How did you respond?
  4. Consequence: What was the outcome?

Distribute the Reflection Worksheet. Model filling out one row with a generic example (e.g., forgetting homework). Encourage privacy and honesty.

Trigger Identification Discussion

• Share your trigger and reaction with a partner.
• On chart paper, note any triggers you both experienced.
• Add new triggers to our poster.

Have students pair up and share only their triggers and reactions. Provide chart paper for them to list any common patterns. Refer back to the poster for additional ideas.

SMART Goal Setting

  1. Write a SMART goal addressing your trigger.
  2. List 2–3 action steps to take when you notice the trigger.

SMART = Specific • Measurable • Achievable • Relevant • Time-bound

Hand out the Goal-Setting Chart. Review the SMART criteria aloud. Support students as they craft one personal SMART goal and list steps.

Cool-Down & Exit Ticket

On your exit ticket:

• One key insight from today’s reflection
• One commitment for your next class

Distribute the Exit Ticket Template. Collect as students leave. Use these to plan individual follow-ups.

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Worksheet

Reflect & Reset Worksheet (#reflect-reset-worksheet)

Let's think about a time you felt upset at school. Use the space below to draw and write to help you understand your feelings.

1. Draw a picture of when you felt upset:











2. What happened?






3. How did you feel? (Circle one)

😊 😞 😡 😢 😕

4. What can you do to calm down next time?






Great job! Remember, it’s okay to feel big feelings. You can use your calm-down idea anytime you need it.

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lenny

Activity

Calm-Down Strategy Chart (#reflect-reset-goal-chart)

When we feel upset, having a plan helps us stay calm. Choose one strategy and draw or write how you will use it.

My Calm-Down Strategy:








How I will do it (steps):

  1. ____________________________

  2. ____________________________

  3. ____________________________

Tip: Practice these steps so they feel easy when you need them.

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Activity

Behavior Triggers Poster (#behavior-triggers-poster)

This poster shows some things that can make us feel upset or frustrated. Look at the pictures (or draw your own) and add your ideas!

Common Triggers:

  • Loud noises (fire alarm, bell, sudden shout)
  • Unkind words (teasing, name-calling)
  • Hard or confusing tasks (when work feels too difficult)

Your Turn:
Draw or write one thing that makes you feel upset:







Knowing our triggers helps us notice our feelings sooner and use our calm-down plan!

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Cool Down

Exit Ticket Template (#reflect-reset-exit-ticket)

As you leave today, please complete these two quick steps:

1. How do you feel right now? (Circle one)

😊 🙂 😐 🙁 😢

2. Draw your calm-down strategy:











Thank you for sharing! Your teacher will use this to help you stay calm and ready to learn.

lenny
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