Lesson Plan
Storm Chasers: Calming Fears
Students will identify common feelings associated with storms and learn simple coping strategies to manage storm-related anxiety.
Learning to manage storm anxiety is crucial for young children to feel safe and secure during severe weather events. This lesson provides them with tools to understand their feelings and respond constructively.
Audience
2nd Grade
Time
15 minutes
Approach
Interactive discussion, visual aids, and practical calming techniques.
Materials
Whiteboard or projector, Storm Chasers: Calming Fears Slide Deck, Storm Chasers: Calming Fears Script, Calm Cloud Activity, and Calm Cloud Template
Prep
Preparation
10 minutes
- Review the Storm Chasers: Calming Fears Lesson Plan and all linked materials: Storm Chasers: Calming Fears Slide Deck, Storm Chasers: Calming Fears Script, Calm Cloud Activity, and Calm Cloud Template.
- Ensure projector or whiteboard is set up for the Storm Chasers: Calming Fears Slide Deck.
- Gather drawing materials (crayons, markers, paper) for the Calm Cloud Activity.
- Print copies of the Calm Cloud Template for each student.
Step 1
Warm-Up: Weather Check-In
2 minutes
- Begin with a quick verbal check-in about feelings related to weather.
- Display Slide 2 of the Storm Chasers: Calming Fears Slide Deck.
- Ask students to share one word that describes how different types of weather make them feel. Focus on stormy feelings briefly.
Step 2
Introducing Storm Anxiety
3 minutes
- Use Slides 3-5 of the Storm Chasers: Calming Fears Slide Deck and follow the Storm Chasers: Calming Fears Script to introduce storm anxiety.
- Explain that it's normal to feel worried or scared during storms.
- Facilitate a brief discussion using prompts from the Storm Chasers: Calming Fears Script about why storms can be scary.
Step 3
Coping Strategies: Be a Storm Chaser!
6 minutes
- Transition to Slides 6-9 of the Storm Chasers: Calming Fears Slide Deck.
- Briefly introduce and explain simple coping strategies like deep breathing, talking about feelings, and creating a comfort kit.
- Practice a simple deep breathing exercise together as a class.
Step 4
Calm Cloud Activity & Wrap-Up
4 minutes
- Introduce the Calm Cloud Activity using Slide 10 of the Storm Chasers: Calming Fears Slide Deck.
- Distribute the Calm Cloud Template and have students quickly draw or write one thing that helps them feel calm during a storm on their cloud. Briefly allow a few students to share.
- Conclude using Slide 11 and the script, reinforcing their new skills.
Slide Deck
Ready to be a Storm Chaser?
Who's ready to learn how to be brave and smart when storms come?
Greet students and introduce the day's topic in an exciting way to capture their attention. Ask a quick question to get them thinking about weather.
How Does Weather Make You Feel?
🌈 Sunny? 🌧️ Rainy? ⚡ Stormy?
What words describe how you feel?
This slide sets the stage for discussing different feelings related to weather. Encourage students to share a variety of emotions.
Stormy Feelings
Have you ever felt:
- Scared?
- Worried?
- Nervous?
It's okay to feel this way!
Introduce the idea that it's okay to feel scared during storms and that many people experience this. Emphasize that feelings are normal.
Why Can Storms Be Scary?
- Loud thunder 🔊
- Bright lightning ⚡
- Strong winds 🌬️
- Heavy rain 🌧️
These are big changes!
Explain why storms can be intimidating for kids. Focus on sensory aspects like loud noises and flashing lights. Reassure them these are natural parts of a storm.
It's Normal to Feel!
Everyone feels different emotions during storms.
We can learn to be brave and calm!
Reiterate that these feelings are normal and that we can learn ways to manage them. Connect it to being a 'storm chaser' of feelings.
Strategy 1: Belly Breathing
Take a deep breath in...
Let it out slowly...
Like a balloon expanding and shrinking!
Introduce the first coping strategy: deep breathing. Demonstrate and lead the class in a simple exercise.
Strategy 2: Talk It Out!
Share your feelings with:
- A parent 👨👩👧👦
- A teacher 👩🏫
- A trusted adult 🧑🦳
It helps to share!
Introduce the second strategy: talking about feelings. Emphasize who they can talk to and why it helps.
Strategy 3: Comfort Kit
What makes you feel calm and safe?
- A favorite book 📚
- A cozy blanket 🛌
- A special toy 🧸
Put them in a special box!
Introduce the third strategy: creating a comfort kit. Brainstorm ideas for what could go in it.
Your Storm Chaser Toolkit
You have tools to help you!
- Belly Breathing
- Talk It Out!
- Comfort Kit
Briefly recap the strategies and transition to the worksheet activity, encouraging students to think about how they'd use these tools.
Our Calm Cloud
What makes you feel calm during a storm?
Draw or write it on your cloud! ☁️
Explain the Calm Cloud Activity. Encourage creativity and personal connections to calming strategies.
You Are a Brave Storm Chaser!
You have learned how to be calm and strong, even when storms come! ✨
Conclude the lesson by reinforcing that they are brave and capable of managing their feelings.
Script
Storm Chasers: Calming Fears Script
Introduction (Warm-Up)
Teacher: "Good morning, future Storm Chasers! Today, we're going on an adventure to learn how to be brave and smart when big weather happens! Who's ready?"
(Display Storm Chasers: Calming Fears Slide Deck - Slide 1)
Teacher: "Let's do a quick weather check-in! Look at the screen. What's one word that describes how a stormy day makes you feel? It's okay to share any feeling!"
(Display Storm Chasers: Calming Fears Slide Deck - Slide 2)
Teacher: "Great sharing! It's totally okay to feel scared, worried, or nervous when a storm is happening. Many people do!"
Introducing Storm Anxiety
(Display Storm Chasers: Calming Fears Slide Deck - Slide 3)
Teacher: "Sometimes, when there's a big storm with lots of thunder and lightning, our bodies can feel a bit wiggly or worried. This is called storm anxiety. It's like our body is saying, 'Whoa! This is big!'"
(Display Storm Chasers: Calming Fears Slide Deck - Slide 4)
Teacher: "Storms have loud noises and bright flashes, which can feel a bit unpredictable. It's perfectly normal to react to these big changes. But here's the good news: we can learn to be super brave and calm, even when storms are happening!"
(Display Storm Chasers: Calming Fears Slide Deck - Slide 5)
Coping Strategies: Be a Storm Chaser!
Teacher: "Now, let's learn some quick tools for our 'Storm Chaser Toolkit' to help us feel calm and strong."
Strategy 1: Belly Breathing
(Display Storm Chasers: Calming Fears Slide Deck - Slide 6)
Teacher: "First up is 'Belly Breathing.' When we're worried, our breath can get fast. Let's try it! Put one hand on your belly. Breathe in slowly through your nose, like smelling a flower, and feel your belly get big like a balloon. Hold, then slowly breathe out through your mouth, like gently blowing out a candle. Let's do two together!"
(Lead the class in two deep belly breaths.)
Teacher: "Great job! You can do this any time you feel a bit worried."
Strategy 2: Talk It Out!
(Display Storm Chasers: Calming Fears Slide Deck - Slide 7)
Teacher: "Our next tool is 'Talk It Out!' Telling someone how you feel can make you feel much better. Remember, your parents, a teacher, or another trusted grown-up can help you."
Strategy 3: Comfort Kit
(Display Storm Chasers: Calming Fears Slide Deck - Slide 8)
Teacher: "And our third tool is a 'Comfort Kit.' This is a special box where you keep things that make you feel calm and safe, like a favorite book or a cozy blanket."
(Display Storm Chasers: Calming Fears Slide Deck - Slide 9)
Teacher: "You now have an amazing 'Storm Chaser Toolkit' with Belly Breathing, Talk It Out, and a Comfort Kit!"
Calm Cloud Activity & Wrap-Up
(Display Storm Chasers: Calming Fears Slide Deck - Slide 10)
Teacher: "Fantastic work, everyone! To wrap up, we're going to quickly create a 'Calm Cloud.' I'm giving each of you a Calm Cloud Template to draw or write one thing that makes you feel calm during a storm. If you want, hold it up for us to see!"
(Give students about 2 minutes to draw/write. Encourage quick sharing if time allows, maybe 1-2 students.)
(Display Storm Chasers: Calming Fears Slide Deck - Slide 11)
Teacher: "Wow, you are all incredible Storm Chasers! You've learned that it's okay to feel worried, and you've got super cool tools to help you feel calm and strong. Remember, you are brave, and you have the power to manage your feelings! Great job today!"
Activity
Calm Cloud Activity
Instructions: What makes you feel calm during a storm? On your cloud, draw a picture or write a word/sentence about one thing that helps you feel peaceful or safe when a storm is happening.
Then, if you'd like, share your calm cloud with the class!
(Provide students with pre-cut paper clouds or instruct them to draw a cloud shape on a blank piece of paper.)
Activity
Calm Cloud Template
Instructions: This is your very own Calm Cloud! Use the space inside the cloud to draw a picture or write a word/sentence about one thing that makes you feel peaceful or safe when a storm is happening.
.--.
|o_o |
|:_/ |
// \ \
(| | )
/\_ _/\/
\__/|\__/
" " "
```<br/><br/><br/>*(Distribute this paper to students for the Calm Cloud Activity.)*