Lesson Plan
Mapping Emotional Safety
Students will identify and articulate personal coping strategies and map classroom “safe spaces” through discussion and creative drawing, fostering emotional self-awareness and resilience.
Teaching 5th graders to recognize and map their safe zones builds emotional vocabulary, empowers self-regulation, and provides concrete tools for coping with grief or stress within the classroom.
Audience
5th Grade Class
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Guided discussion, creative mapping, and reflective check-ins
Materials
Slide Deck: Your Safe Space Blueprint, Prompt Cards: Quick Emotion Check-In, Worksheets: Draw Your Sanctuary, Reflection Cards: Check-Out Circle, Chart Paper and Markers, Individual Drawing Paper and Colored Pencils/Markers, and Post-It Notes
Prep
Teacher Preparation
5 minutes
- Review the slide deck Your Safe Space Blueprint to familiarize with key definitions and prompts.
- Prepare emotion prompt cards from Quick Emotion Check-In.
- Print enough copies of Draw Your Sanctuary worksheets for each student.
- Layout chart paper and markers in a visible area for group discussion.
- Arrange seating into a circle for the closing Check-Out Circle activity.
Step 1
Warm-Up: Quick Emotion Check-In
5 minutes
- Distribute one Quick Emotion Check-In card to each student.
- Ask learners to quietly choose the card that best matches how they feel right now.
- Pair students to share why they picked that emotion, modeling respectful listening.
- Reinforce that all feelings are valid and confidential within the class.
Step 2
Introduction: Defining Safe Spaces
5 minutes
- Project Your Safe Space Blueprint slides 1–3.
- Define “safe space” as a place (physical or emotional) where one feels calm and supported.
- Facilitate a brief whole-group discussion: “What makes you feel safe when you’re upset?”
- Chart student responses on poster paper for reference.
Step 3
Main Activity: Draw Your Sanctuary
15 minutes
- Hand out the Draw Your Sanctuary worksheet and colored supplies.
- Instruct students to draw a corner or object in the classroom that feels like a safe zone.
- On the back, have them list three personal coping strategies they might use there.
- Circulate to ask guiding questions (e.g., “Why does this spot feel safe?” “How will you use your strategies?”).
- Encourage creativity and individual expression.
Step 4
Cool-Down: Check-Out Circle
5 minutes
- Invite students to form a circle.
- Pass out Check-Out Circle reflection cards.
- Prompt each learner to share one coping strategy they listed and why it’s helpful.
- Lead the group in three slow, deep breaths to close the session calmly.
- Thank everyone for their honest sharing and remind them these tools are always available.
Slide Deck
Your Safe Space Blueprint
Guiding students to identify and create personal “safe spaces” and coping strategies to help with big feelings.
Welcome students! Today we’re going to learn about safe spaces—places where you can go (physically or in your mind) when you’re feeling upset or overwhelmed. Introduce our agenda: define safe spaces, explore examples, learn coping strategies, and then you’ll draw your own sanctuary.
What Is a Safe Space?
• A place (physical or emotional) where you feel calm and supported.
• Somewhere you can go when you’re upset, worried, or sad.
• A zone that helps you breathe, think, and feel more in control.
Ask: “What comes to mind when you hear the words ‘safe space’?” After a couple of responses, show the definition below.
Why Are Safe Spaces Important?
• Help us name and understand our feelings.
• Give us tools to calm down and refocus.
• Remind us we’re not alone when we’re struggling.
Explain how safe spaces help our emotions and behavior. Invite students to share examples from home or school.
Examples of Safe Spaces
Physical:
• Reading corner
• Under-desk cushion fort
• Quiet table or cozy rug
Emotional:
• Talking with a trusted friend or adult
• Imagining a relaxing place (beach, forest)
Show a few concrete examples to spark ideas. Encourage students to add to the list after you present.
Coping Strategies to Use
• Deep breathing or counting breaths
• Drawing or coloring
• Writing or journaling
• Using a stress ball or fidget toy
• Positive self-talk (e.g., “I can handle this”)
Introduce coping strategies students can practice in their safe spaces. Model one strategy if time allows.
Your Turn: Create Your Safe Space
On your worksheet:
- Draw a spot in this classroom where you feel calm and supported.
- Label objects or colors that make it feel safe.
- List three coping strategies you’ll use when you visit your space.
Explain the upcoming activity: students will map their own safe space on the worksheet Draw Your Sanctuary, then list three coping strategies they’ll use there.
Warm Up
Quick Emotion Check-In
Purpose: Help students tune into their current feelings and practice sharing in pairs.
Materials:
- One Quick Emotion Check-In card per student featuring simple icons and emotion words (e.g., happy, sad, angry, calm, excited, worried, frustrated, relaxed).
Instructions:
1. Distribute one emotion card to each learner.
2. Ask students to silently choose the card that best matches how they feel right now.
3. Once everyone has selected, pair students up.
4. In pairs, each student shows their card and explains why they picked that emotion.
5. Model respectful listening: one partner speaks while the other listens without interrupting, then switch.
6. Reconvene as a whole group and briefly highlight that all emotions are valid and it’s okay to feel different ways.
Tip for Teachers:
- Use cards with clear visuals and words to support diverse learners.
- Keep sharing time to 1–2 minutes per pair to stay on schedule.
Activity
Draw Your Sanctuary
Instructions: Use this worksheet to map a corner or object in our classroom that feels like a personal safe space where you can calm your mind and body when you’re upset or overwhelmed.
- Draw Your Safe Spot
Use the space below to sketch your sanctuary in the classroom. Include any details—colors, shapes, objects—that make this place feel safe and comforting.
- Label Your Space
On your drawing, circle and label three features that make this spot feel calm. For example: “soft cushion,” “gentle lighting,” or “favorite book corner.”
• Feature 1: ______________________________________
• Feature 2: ______________________________________
• Feature 3: ______________________________________
- Plan Your Coping Strategies
List three ways you can help yourself feel calm when you visit this space. Think of strategies we discussed, like deep breathing or drawing.
Strategy 1: ______________________________________
Strategy 2: ______________________________________
Strategy 3: ______________________________________
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- Reflection Prompt
When you’ve finished, think for a moment or share with a partner:
- Why did you choose this spot?
- How will each strategy help you feel more in control?
(You can write a short sentence or discuss aloud.)
Cool Down
Check-Out Circle
Purpose: Provide a calm, reflective closure by sharing personal coping strategies and practicing a group breathing exercise.
Materials:
- One Check-Out Circle reflection card per student with sentence prompts.
Instructions:
1. Invite students to sit in a circle, facing inward.
2. Distribute one reflection card to each learner.
3. Explain that each card has a sentence starter; students will complete the prompt and share aloud when it’s their turn.
4. Sample prompts on reflection cards:
• “One coping strategy I will use is ___.”
• “My safe space in the classroom is ___.”
• “I feel calmer when I ___.”
5. Go around the circle until every student has shared. Encourage respectful listening—no interruptions, just attention.
6. After sharing, lead the class in three slow, deep breaths:
• Inhale for 4 counts.
• Hold for 2 counts.
• Exhale for 6 counts.
7. Thank students for their honest reflections and remind them they can visit their safe spaces and use these strategies anytime they need.