Lesson Plan
Creating a Safety Blueprint
Guide a 6th grade student to identify personal triggers, coping strategies, support contacts, and action steps, then document a clear, step-by-step safety plan to use during moments of crisis.
Equipping students with personalized safety plans improves crisis self-management, reduces anxiety, and fosters confidence by providing clear steps and supports when they feel overwhelmed.
Audience
6th Grade Student
Time
45 minutes
Approach
Explore plan elements, then complete and review a personalized worksheet.
Materials
- Safety Plan Components Slide Deck, - Safety Plan Blueprint Worksheet, - Writing Utensil, and - Timer or Clock
Prep
Teacher Preparation
10 minutes
- Review the Safety Plan Components Slide Deck to ensure familiarity with each component.
- Print one copy of the Safety Plan Blueprint Worksheet or prepare it digitally.
- Gather writing utensils and set a timer or ensure a visible clock is available.
- Arrange a quiet, private workspace for focused individual instruction.
Step 1
Introduction
5 minutes
- Welcome the student and explain the purpose: creating a personal safety plan for moments of crisis.
- Emphasize confidentiality and that the plan is for their own use and empowerment.
- Briefly outline the session steps: discuss components, complete worksheet, then review.
Step 2
Explore Safety Plan Components
10 minutes
- Open the Safety Plan Components Slide Deck.
- Walk through each section: triggers, early warning signs, coping strategies, safe spaces, support contacts, and step-by-step actions.
- Pause after each slide to ask the student for examples or questions.
- Confirm understanding of why each component matters in a crisis.
Step 3
Guided Worksheet Completion
20 minutes
- Provide the Safety Plan Blueprint Worksheet.
- Guide the student to fill out each section:
• Identify personal triggers and warning signs.
• List at least three coping strategies they can use.
• Note safe places or people they trust.
• Record emergency contacts (names and phone numbers).
• Outline clear action steps they will take during a crisis. - Encourage the student to think aloud; offer prompts if they struggle.
Step 4
Reflection and Review
10 minutes
- Review the completed worksheet together, checking for clarity and completeness.
- Ask the student how confident they feel about using their plan.
- Discuss any adjustments or additional details needed.
- Decide where the student will keep the plan and how they will access it when needed.
- Encourage the student to share the plan with a trusted adult if they feel comfortable.
Slide Deck
Safety Plan Components
Today we’ll explore the key parts of your personal safety plan:
- Recognizing Triggers
- Early Warning Signs
- Coping Strategies
- Safe Spaces & People
- Support Contacts
- Clear Action Steps
Let’s dive in one by one!
Introduce the purpose of this deck: to break down each essential part of a personal safety plan. Keep the tone supportive and open. Let the student know they can ask questions at any time.
Recognizing Triggers
• Events, situations, or people that cause stress or upset
• Examples: loud noises, crowded places, arguments
• Think about what has upset you in the past
Why it matters: Knowing your triggers helps you prepare and avoid feeling overwhelmed.
Explain that triggers are external events or situations that can make you feel uncomfortable or distressed. Encourage the student to think of personal examples.
Early Warning Signs
• Physical signals: tense muscles, headache, stomach ache
• Emotional signals: feeling irritable, racing thoughts, tearfulness
• Behavioral signals: pacing, fidgeting, withdrawal
Why it matters: Spotting these signs early helps you use coping strategies before a crisis.
Clarify early warning signs as physical or emotional signals that stress is building. Illustrate common examples and ask the student to notice their own signs.
Coping Strategies
• Deep breathing or counting slowly
• Listening to music or drawing
• Going for a short walk or stretching
• Talking to a pet or favorite stuffed animal
Why it matters: Having a toolbox of strategies lets you choose what works best in the moment.
Present coping strategies as tools to calm down and manage stress. Provide sample activities and ask the student to identify which might work for them.
Safe Spaces & People
• Safe spaces: bedroom, library nook, school counselor’s office
• Safe people: parent, friend, teacher, coach
• Write down at least two of each
Why it matters: Identifying places and people you trust gives you a go-to option when you need help.
Discuss safe spaces and trusted people. Encourage the student to think of physical locations and individuals who make them feel secure.
Support Contacts
• Emergency: 911 or local crisis line
• Trusted adults: name and phone number
• School supports: counselor, nurse
Why it matters: Having numbers ready means you can reach out quickly when you feel unsafe.
Explain the importance of having a list of adults and resources to contact in a crisis. Stress privacy and the importance of sharing with trusted adults.
Action Steps
- Notice your trigger and warning signs
- Use a coping strategy right away
- Go to a safe space or find a safe person
- Call or text a support contact if needed
- Repeat coping strategies until you feel calmer
Why it matters: A clear sequence reduces confusion and helps you stay in control during tough moments.
Bring all components together into clear, step-by-step actions. Show how to follow the plan from start to finish during a crisis.
Worksheet
Safety Plan Blueprint Worksheet
Use this worksheet to create your personalized safety plan. Fill in each section with details that fit you best. If you need help, review the Safety Plan Components.
1. Personal Triggers
List at least three events, situations, or people that tend to upset or overwhelm you.
- ________________________________________________________
- ________________________________________________________
- ________________________________________________________
2. Early Warning Signs
Describe at least three signals you notice when stress or worry starts to build (physical, emotional, or behavioral).
- ________________________________________________________
- ________________________________________________________
- ________________________________________________________
3. Coping Strategies
List at least three activities or techniques you can use to calm down and manage stress.
- ________________________________________________________
- ________________________________________________________
- ________________________________________________________
4. Safe Spaces & People
Identify places and people you can turn to when you need support.
- Safe Spaces:
- ________________________________________________________
- ________________________________________________________
- ________________________________________________________
- Safe People:
- Name: ______________________ Relationship: _____________
- Name: ______________________ Relationship: _____________
- Name: ______________________ Relationship: _____________
5. Support Contacts
List at least three trusted contacts you can call or text in a crisis. Include name, relationship, and phone number.
- Name: ______________________ Relationship: _____________ Phone: ______________
- Name: ______________________ Relationship: _____________ Phone: ______________
- Name: ______________________ Relationship: _____________ Phone: ______________
6. Action Steps
Write a clear, step-by-step plan you will follow when you notice your triggers or warning signs. Use the order that works best for you.
- _______________________________________________________________________________
- _______________________________________________________________________________
- _______________________________________________________________________________
- _______________________________________________________________________________
- _______________________________________________________________________________