Stress-Busting Toolkit

kiana.james

Tier 1

Lesson Plan

Stress-Busting Toolkit

Students will be able to identify personal stressors and apply healthy coping strategies.

Learning to identify and manage stress is crucial for 5th graders. This lesson provides them with practical tools to handle academic and social challenges, build resilience, and maintain their emotional well-being.

Audience

5th Grade

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Interactive discussion, guided practice, and hands-on game activity.

Materials

Whiteboard or projector, Slide Deck Presentation, Markers or pens, Design a Stress-Less Plan Worksheet, Coping Strategies Exploration Worksheet, Crayons/colored pencils, and Stress-Buster Scenario Game cards

Prep

Preparation

15 minutes

Review the Stress-Busting Toolkit Lesson Plan and all generated materials, making any necessary adjustments.
* Print one copy of the Design a Stress-Less Plan Worksheet per student.
* Print one copy of the Coping Strategies Exploration Worksheet per student.
* Prepare the Slide Deck Presentation for display.
* Print and cut out the Stress-Buster Scenario Game cards.

Step 1

Welcome & Warm-Up: What Gets Under Your Skin?

5 minutes

Teacher: "Good morning/afternoon, 5th graders! Today, we're going to tackle something important that everyone experiences: stress. It's that feeling of being overwhelmed, frustrated, or worried. But don't worry, we're also going to learn some awesome ways to deal with it! Let's start with a quick warm-up. Think about something that sometimes makes you feel stressed or overwhelmed. It could be a big project, a disagreement with a friend, or even just feeling like you have too much homework. Take a moment to think about one thing."
* Teacher: "Now, quickly share with a partner one thing that sometimes gets 'under your skin.' Just a quick share, then we'll come back together." (Allow 2 minutes for partner sharing).

Step 2

Introduce Key Concept: Stress Signals & Coping Strategies

7 minutes

Teacher: "Great sharing, everyone! It sounds like we all have situations that can make us feel stressed. Today, we're going to learn about 'Stress Signals' – how our bodies give us clues that we're feeling stressed – and 'Healthy Coping Mechanisms' – smart, positive ways to manage those feelings."
* Teacher: "(Display Slide 2: What Are Stress Signals?) Stress signals are like warning signs from our bodies. They can be things like a racing heart, a knot in your stomach, feeling tired, or even getting easily frustrated or snappy. Has anyone ever felt any of these when they were stressed? (Allow a few quick shares)."
* Teacher: "(Display Slide 3: Healthy Coping Mechanisms) Now for the good news! We can learn healthy ways to 'bust' that stress! These are called coping mechanisms. They are positive things we can do to feel better. Let's look at some examples: taking deep breaths, talking to a trusted adult, exercising, journaling, or listening to calming music."
* Teacher: "(Display Slide 4: Your Personal Stress-Buster!) We're going to create our own 'Stress-Busting Toolkits'! You'll think about a stressor and pick a healthy coping strategy that works for you." (Introduce the Design a Stress-Less Plan Worksheet).

Step 3

Worksheet: Explore Coping Strategies

5 minutes

Teacher: "Now that we've talked about different coping mechanisms, let's explore them a bit more with our Coping Strategies Exploration Worksheet. You'll get to think about what a coping strategy is and why different ones help us. Take about 5 minutes to work on this independently." (Distribute the worksheets and circulate to assist students).

Step 4

Guided Practice: Stress-Buster Scenario Game!

8 minutes

Teacher: "To help us practice, we're going to play the Stress-Buster Scenario Game! I'll divide you into small groups. Each group will get some scenario cards. Your task is to read each scenario and, as a group, decide what healthy coping mechanism would be best for that situation. Be ready to share why you chose that strategy!"
* Teacher: "Remember, there might be more than one good answer, but try to pick the best one and explain your thinking." (Divide students into groups, distribute Stress-Buster Scenario Game cards, and allow 6 minutes for group work).

Step 5

Reflect & Share: Our Stress-Busting Powers!

5 minutes

Teacher: "Time is almost up! Let's hear from each group. Who would like to share one scenario and the coping strategy your group chose? Why did you pick that one?" (Call on a few volunteers, ensuring each group shares at least one).
* Teacher: "Excellent job, everyone! You've shown amazing stress-busting powers today. Remember, it's normal to feel stressed, but it's powerful to have a plan to deal with it. You all have incredible 'Stress-Busting Toolkits' now! Keep practicing these strategies, and you'll be stress-busting pros in no time!"
* Collect worksheets and game cards.

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Slide Deck

Welcome to Our Stress-Busting Mission!

Ever feel a little... overwhelmed? 🤯

Sometimes, things make us feel worried, frustrated, or like there's too much to do. That feeling is often called stress.

Today, we're going to learn how to be Stress-Busting Superheroes!

Warm-Up Activity:

Think about something that makes you feel a little overwhelmed or stressed.
Share a quick thought with a partner.

Welcome students and introduce the concept of stress in an age-appropriate way for 5th graders. Explain that everyone feels stress sometimes. Guide them through the warm-up activity, encouraging them to think about things that make them feel worried, overwhelmed, or frustrated. Observe their discussions to gauge prior understanding.

What Are Stress Signals?

Your Body's Clues! 🕵️‍♀️

Our bodies are super smart! They often give us clues when we're feeling stressed.

These clues are called Stress Signals.

Common Stress Signals:

Fast heartbeat or racing heart ❤️‍🩹
Stomach ache or a 'knot' in your stomach 🦋
Feeling extra tired or restless 😴
Getting easily frustrated, annoyed, or snappy 😠
Headache or tense shoulders 🤕

Have you ever felt any of these when you were worried or overwhelmed?

Introduce the idea of stress signals as clues from our bodies. Give clear, relatable examples like a racing heart or a knot in your stomach. Ask open-ended questions to encourage student participation and help them connect with the concept.

Healthy Coping Mechanisms

Your Stress-Busting Toolkit! 🛠️

Good news! We can learn healthy ways to feel better when we're stressed. These are called Healthy Coping Mechanisms.

They are like tools in your personal stress-busting toolkit!

Some Awesome Tools:

Deep Breathing: Take 3 slow, deep breaths. 🌬️
Talk it Out: Share your feelings with a trusted adult. 🗣️
Get Moving: Play outside, do some stretches, or dance! 🏃‍♀️
Be Creative: Draw, journal, write, or listen to music. 🎨🎶
Mindful Moments: Read a book, meditate briefly, or just relax quietly. 📖🧘

Which tool sounds good to you?

Present various healthy coping mechanisms using simple language and visuals. Emphasize that these are positive actions. Briefly discuss why each strategy is helpful. Encourage students to think about which ones they might like to try. Offer more examples relevant to 5th graders.

Play the Stress-Buster Scenario Game!

Practice Your Skills! 📝

Now it's YOUR turn to be a Stress-Busting Superhero!

We're going to play the Stress-Buster Scenario Game!

Here's what you'll do:

Read Scenarios: Work with your group to read different stressful situations.
Choose a Strategy: Decide which healthy coping mechanism would be best.
Explain Your Choice: Be ready to share why you picked that strategy.

Let's get started!

Explain the upcoming game activity. Guide students to understand that they will identify a personal stressor and choose a coping strategy. Reiterate that the goal is to find what works for them. Be ready to answer questions and circulate to offer support.

You're a Stress-Busting Pro!

Awesome Job, Stress-Busters! 🎉

Remember:

Everyone feels stress sometimes.
Your body gives you Stress Signals.
You have amazing Healthy Coping Mechanisms in your toolkit!

Keep practicing your Stress-Less Plan and your new stress-busting skills!

You've got this! 💪

Conclude the lesson by reinforcing the main message: it's okay to feel stressed, and there are healthy ways to cope. Encourage students to practice their strategies and remind them that they have their own personal stress-busting toolkits. Facilitate sharing if time permits.

Worksheet

Design a Stress-Less Plan!

Name: _____________________________
Date: _____________________________

Part 1: My Stress Signals

Think about a time when you felt overwhelmed, worried, or frustrated. What did your body tell you? (e.g., racing heart, stomach ache, feeling tired, easily frustrated, headache, tense shoulders)

My Stress Signals:

Part 2: My Personal Stressor

What is ONE specific thing that sometimes makes you feel stressed or overwhelmed? Describe the situation.

Part 3: My Stress-Busting Strategy!

Now, choose ONE healthy way to deal with that stress. This is your Stress-Busting Strategy!

Draw a picture or write about how you will use this strategy to feel better. Explain why you think this strategy will work for you.

Worksheet

Coping Strategies Exploration!

Name: _____________________________
Date: _____________________________

Part 1: What Are Coping Strategies?

In your own words, what is a "coping strategy"? Why do you think they are important?

Part 2: My Coping Toolkit!

Here are some healthy coping mechanisms. Read each one and then draw a small picture or write a short sentence about why it helps.

1. Deep Breathing (Take 3 slow, deep breaths)

Why it helps:

2. Talk it Out (Share your feelings with a trusted adult)

Why it helps:

3. Get Moving (Play outside, do some stretches, or dance!)

Why it helps:

4. Be Creative (Draw, journal, write, or listen to music)

Why it helps:

5. Mindful Moments (Read a book, meditate briefly, or just relax quietly)

Why it helps:

Part 3: My Favorite Strategy

Which coping strategy do you think you would use the most? Why?

Part 4: More Stress-Busting Ideas!

Here are even more ways to cope with stress. Think about which ones you might like to try!

Listen to your favorite song: Music can change your mood!
Drink a glass of water: Sometimes a little hydration can help you feel better.
Help someone else: Doing something kind for others can make you feel good too.
Cuddle with a pet: Pets can be very comforting.
Spend time in nature: Being outside can be very calming.
Laugh! Watch a funny video or tell a joke to a friend. Laughter is powerful!
Take a short break: Step away from what's stressing you for a few minutes.

Game

Stress-Buster Scenario Game!

Instructions:

Divide into small groups.
Take turns drawing a scenario card.
As a group, discuss the scenario and identify the stressor.
Then, choose the best healthy coping mechanism from your 'Stress-Busting Toolkit' that you would use in that situation.
Be ready to explain why you chose that strategy to the class!

Scenario Cards (Cut these out!)

Card 1

You have a big math test tomorrow, and you feel like you don't understand anything. Your heart is racing, and you have a pit in your stomach.