Lesson Plan

Session 1 Lesson Plan

Students will learn to recognize and label their emotions using an Emotional Thermometer and will explore coping strategies to manage frustration instead of crying.

Helping the student identify their feelings and use practical coping tools builds self-advocacy skills, reduces overwhelm when work feels confusing, and supports emotional regulation.

Audience

Time

Approach

Materials

Prep

Prepare Materials

10 minutes

Step 1

Warm-Up

5 minutes

Step 2

Introduce Emotional Thermometer

10 minutes

Step 3

Guided Practice

5 minutes

Step 4

Introduce Coping Strategies

7 minutes

Step 5

Cool-Down

3 minutes

Slide Deck

Session 1: Recognizing Emotions & Coping Strategies

Warm-Up: Naming Feelings

What Is an Emotional Thermometer?

Practice with Your Thermometer

Coping Strategies Toolbox

Cool-Down & Take-Home

Worksheet

Activity

Lesson Plan

Session 2 Lesson Plan

Students will learn to advocate for themselves by using “I-messages” to express needs and practice asking for help calmly through role-play scenarios.

Teaching I-messages strengthens self-advocacy, reduces frustration, and equips the student to request support before becoming overwhelmed, building confidence and emotional regulation.

Audience

Time

Approach

Materials

Prep

Prepare Self-Advocacy Materials

10 minutes

Step 1

Warm-Up & Review

5 minutes

Step 2

Introduce I-Messages

7 minutes

Step 3

Guided Worksheet Practice

5 minutes

Step 4

Role-Play Scenarios

10 minutes

Step 5

Cool-Down & Take-Home

3 minutes

Slide Deck

Session 2: Self-Advocacy & I-Messages

Warm-Up & Review

What Is an I-Message?

Write Your I-Message

Role-Play Scenarios

Cool-Down & Take-Home

Worksheet

Activity

Lesson Plan

Session 3 Lesson Plan

Students will learn and practice a guided Mindfulness Body Scan to notice bodily tension, calm their mind, and integrate this with coping strategies like I-messages and cool-down tools.

Introducing mindfulness and body awareness helps the student regulate physical and emotional tension before it escalates, complements self-advocacy skills, and enhances overall calm and focus.

Audience

Time

Approach

Materials

Prep

Prepare Mindfulness Tools

10 minutes

Step 1

Warm-Up & Review

5 minutes

Step 2

Introduce Mindfulness & Body Scan

8 minutes

Step 3

Reflective Coloring Practice

10 minutes

Step 4

Integration & Planning

5 minutes

Step 5

Cool-Down & Take-Home

2 minutes

Slide Deck

Session 3: Mindfulness & Body Scan

Warm-Up & Review

What Is Mindfulness & Body Scan?

Guided Body Scan

Mindful Coloring

Integration & Take-Home

Script

Worksheet

Lesson Plan

Session 4 Lesson Plan

Students will integrate coping and advocacy skills into a personalized plan, practice them through role-play scenarios, and reflect on their progress to build confidence in self-advocacy.

Consolidating learned strategies and reflecting on successes empowers the student to self-manage frustration, advocate for help confidently, and apply tools independently in future challenges.

Audience

Time

Approach

Materials

Prep

Prepare Session 4 Materials

10 minutes

Step 1

Warm-Up & Review

5 minutes

Step 2

Personalized Coping Plan

10 minutes

Step 3

Integrated Role-Play

10 minutes

Step 4

Reflection & Discussion

3 minutes

Step 5

Cool-Down & Commitment

2 minutes

Slide Deck

Session 4: Putting It All Together

Warm-Up & Review

Your Personalized Coping Plan