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School Adventure

Lesson Plan

School Adventure Lesson Plan

Support a kindergarten student in identifying feelings about school, understanding daily routines, and learning simple coping strategies through interactive visuals and creative expression.

This lesson eases anxiety around the school transition by building emotional vocabulary, routine familiarity, and self-regulation skills in a safe one-on-one setting.

Audience

Kindergarten

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Interactive visuals, guided discussion, and drawing activities.

Materials

Prep

Prepare Materials

5 minutes

Step 1

Welcome and Warm-Up

5 minutes

  • Greet the student warmly and introduce today’s "School Adventure."
  • Ask how they feel this morning and model a simple response (e.g., “I feel happy!”).
  • Explain we’ll explore feelings, routines, and ways to feel calm at school.

Step 2

Explore Feelings

7 minutes

  • Show the Feelings Flashcards face down.
  • Invite the student to pick one card that shows how they feel about coming to school.
  • Ask: “Why did you choose this feeling?” and validate their response.

Step 3

Discuss School Routine

7 minutes

  • Present the School Routine Picture Cards in mixed order.
  • Have the student sequence the cards to show a typical school day (arrival, circle time, snack, play, etc.).
  • Talk through each step and ask if they’ve tried these before.

Step 4

Introduce Coping Strategies

6 minutes

  • Display the Coping Strategy Visual Cards one at a time (deep breathing, asking for help, drawing).
  • Model deep breathing: inhale for 3 seconds, exhale for 3 seconds.
  • Practice with the student and encourage them to choose a favorite strategy.

Step 5

Reflection, Creative Expression, and Closing

5 minutes

  • Give the student the School Adventure Reflection Sheet and crayons.
  • Ask them to draw one thing they’re excited about and one thing they might feel nervous about.
  • Review their drawings, praise effort, and remind them to use their chosen coping strategy.
  • Close with encouragement: “You did great! Remember your strategy whenever you feel worried.”
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Slide Deck

School Adventure

Welcome to our School Adventure!
Today we will explore how you feel about school, what your school day looks like, and ways to feel calm.

Use a friendly, welcoming tone. Introduce the lesson as a fun adventure. Ensure the student sees the title and feels excited.

Our Goals

  1. Identify your feelings about school
  2. Sequence a typical school day routine
  3. Learn simple coping strategies to feel calm

Explain the three goals: feelings, routines, and strategies. Ask if they can count to three to add interactivity.

How Do You Feel?

Let's look at your Feelings Flashcards.
Pick the card that shows how you feel about coming to school.

Prompt them to pick a feeling card. Show Feelings Flashcards face down and invite selection.

Talking About Feelings

Tell me why you chose that card.
It's okay to feel any emotion—happy, excited, nervous, or scared.

Review the selected card. Ask why they chose it and validate their response.

Sequencing Our Day

Here are our School Routine Picture Cards.
Let's mix them up and put the school day in the right order.

Present all School Routine Picture Cards mixed up. Encourage them to arrange the sequence.

Our School Routine

Great job! Here's a typical school day:
• Arrival
• Circle Time
• Snack
• Play
• Story Time

Once arranged, discuss each step. Ask if they’ve tried these before.

Coping Strategy: Deep Breathing

Deep breathing helps us feel calm.
Breathe in slowly for 3 seconds, then breathe out for 3 seconds.
Try it with me now!

Demonstrate deep breathing. Count out loud with the student and guide them through inhale/exhale.

Other Coping Strategies

Look at your Coping Strategy Visual Cards:
• Ask for help
• Draw your feelings
Choose the one you like best.

Show the rest of the Coping Strategy Visual Cards: asking for help and drawing. Let the student pick a favorite.

Draw & Reflect

On your School Adventure Reflection Sheet:
• Draw something you're excited about
• Draw something you're a bit nervous about

Hand over the reflection sheet and crayons. Encourage creativity and praise effort.

You Did It!

Fantastic work today!
Remember your favorite coping strategy whenever you feel worried.
See you next time, school adventurer!

Congratulate the student. Remind them to use their chosen coping strategy and end on an upbeat note.

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Worksheet

Feelings Flashcards Worksheet

Print, cut along the dotted lines, and use these flashcards to help students talk about how they feel.

Happy

😊

Happy







Excited

😃

Excited







Nervous

😟

Nervous







Scared

😨

Scared







Instructions: Print on sturdy paper and cut along the lines. Use these cards during the “Explore Feelings” activity to identify and discuss emotions.

lenny
lenny

Worksheet

School Routine Picture Cards Worksheet

Print, laminate, and use these cards to help students sequence a typical school day.

Arrival

📚🚪

Arrival







Circle Time

🪑🔵

Circle Time







Snack

🍎🥪

Snack Time







Play

⚽️🎨

Play Time







Story Time

📖🐻

Story Time







Instructions: Print on sturdy paper or laminate, cut along the lines, and mix up the cards. Have the student arrange them in the order they think their school day goes.

lenny
lenny

Worksheet

Coping Strategy Visual Cards Worksheet

Print, laminate, and use these cards to help students practice simple coping strategies when they feel worried or nervous.

Deep Breathing

😮‍💨

Take slow, deep breaths to help you feel calm:
• Breathe in for 3 seconds
• Breathe out for 3 seconds







Ask for Help

🙋‍♀️📣

Raise your hand and ask a teacher or friend:
"Can you help me, please?"







Draw Your Feelings

✏️🖼️

Grab paper and crayons. Draw how you feel inside—
sad, happy, excited, or nervous.







Instructions: Print on sturdy paper or laminate, cut along the lines, and use during the “Introduce Coping Strategies” activity. Encourage the student to choose and practice their favorite card.

lenny
lenny

Worksheet

School Adventure Reflection Sheet

Use your crayons to draw and think about your school adventure.

  1. Draw something you are excited about for school:











  2. Draw something you might feel nervous about at school:











Tip: Remember to use your favorite coping strategy whenever you feel worried!

lenny
lenny