Lesson Plan
Session 1 Lesson Plan
Introduce the concept of stress and stressors, build rapport, complete a baseline worksheet to identify personal stressors and intensity, and reinforce learning with a quick sorting game.
Establishing a clear understanding of stress and identifying personal stressors provides a foundation for self-awareness and targeted coping strategies, tailored to the student’s needs.
Audience
Time
Approach
Materials
Prep
Materials Preparation
10 minutes
Step 1
Build Rapport
5 minutes
Step 2
Define Stress & Stressors
7 minutes
Step 3
Baseline Worksheet Activity
10 minutes
Step 4
Stress Thermometer Introduction
5 minutes
Step 5
Stressors Sorting Game
3 minutes
Worksheet
Worksheet
Game
Discussion
Lesson Plan
Session 2 Lesson Plan
Help the student recognize and map physical stress signals through a guided body scan and reflective journaling to increase self-awareness.
Identifying bodily cues of stress early empowers the student to catch stress in the moment and manage it proactively, strengthening mind-body awareness.
Audience
Time
Approach
Materials
Prep
Materials Preparation
10 minutes
Step 1
Build Rapport
5 minutes
Step 2
Guided Body Scan
10 minutes
Step 3
Discuss Physical Sensations
5 minutes
Step 4
Journaling Activity
8 minutes
Step 5
Wrap-Up & Preview Next Session
2 minutes
Lesson Plan
Session 3 Lesson Plan
Teach and practice two evidence-based relaxation techniques—deep breathing and progressive muscle relaxation—to help the student calm physical and emotional stress responses.
Introducing practical relaxation strategies empowers the student to self-regulate their body’s stress response, reduce tension, and build confidence in managing stress.
Audience
Time
Approach
Materials
Prep
Materials Preparation
10 minutes
Step 1
Build Rapport
5 minutes
Step 2
Deep Breathing Instruction & Practice
10 minutes
Step 3
Progressive Muscle Relaxation Instruction & Practice
10 minutes
Step 4
Reflection & Wrap-Up
5 minutes
Lesson Plan
Session 4 Lesson Plan
Introduce grounding and mindfulness exercises to expand the student’s coping toolkit, helping them stay present and calm during stress.
Grounding techniques and mindfulness foster present-moment awareness, reduce rumination, and provide practical tools to interrupt the stress cycle.
Audience
Time
Approach
Materials
Prep
Materials Preparation
10 minutes
Step 1
Build Rapport
5 minutes
Step 2
Introduce 5-4-3-2-1 Grounding
5 minutes
Step 3
Guided Grounding Exercise
10 minutes
Step 4
Mindful Breathing Practice
7 minutes
Step 5
Reflection & Wrap-Up
3 minutes
Lesson Plan
Session 5 Lesson Plan
Help the student identify and challenge unhelpful thinking patterns and practice reframing thoughts to reduce stress.
Unhelpful thoughts can fuel anxiety and overwhelm. Teaching cognitive reframing empowers the student to spot distorted thinking and replace it with balanced, stress-reducing perspectives.
Audience
Time
Approach
Materials
Prep
Materials Preparation
10 minutes
Step 1
Build Rapport
5 minutes
Step 2
Introduce Unhelpful Thoughts
7 minutes
Step 3
Distortions Sorting Activity
8 minutes
Step 4
Reframing Practice
8 minutes
Step 5
Reflection & Wrap-Up
2 minutes
Lesson Plan
Session 6 Lesson Plan
Review and reinforce previously learned coping techniques and guide the student to build a personalized coping plan for managing stress.
Developing a personal coping plan helps the student integrate strategies, promotes ownership, and ensures they have concrete steps to follow when stressed.
Audience
Time
Approach
Materials
Prep
Materials Preparation
10 minutes
Step 1
Build Rapport
5 minutes
Step 2
Review Coping Strategies
7 minutes
Step 3
Explore Coping Toolbox
8 minutes
Step 4
Create Personal Coping Plan
8 minutes
Step 5
Wrap-Up & Next Steps
2 minutes
Lesson Plan
Session 7 Lesson Plan
Guide the student to apply their personalized coping plan in realistic scenarios through role-play and reflective journaling, boosting confidence and flexible use of strategies.
Practicing coping skills in simulated and real‐life contexts reinforces learning, builds confidence, and ensures the student can generalize strategies across situations.
Audience
Time
Approach
Materials
Prep
Materials Preparation
10 minutes
Step 1
Build Rapport
5 minutes
Step 2
Introduce Role-Play Scenarios
5 minutes
Step 3
Role-Play Practice
10 minutes
Step 4
Reflective Journaling
7 minutes
Step 5
Wrap-Up & Home Practice
3 minutes
Lesson Plan
Session 8 Lesson Plan
Identify seizure-specific stress triggers and develop a personalized safety and coping plan to reduce anxiety around seizures.
Focusing on triggers and safety empowers the student to anticipate stressful situations related to seizures, feel more in control, and respond confidently with tailored strategies.
Audience
Time
Approach
Materials
Prep
Materials Preparation
10 minutes
Step 1
Build Rapport
5 minutes
Step 2
Identify Seizure Triggers
8 minutes
Step 3
Discuss Coping Options
7 minutes
Step 4
Develop Safety Plan
8 minutes
Step 5
Wrap-Up & Next Steps
2 minutes
Lesson Plan
Session 9 Lesson Plan
Equip the student’s support network to reinforce coping and the seizure safety plan by engaging trusted adults/peers in collaborative practice and clear communication.
Involving caring adults and peers fosters a safety net, increases accountability, and ensures the student has supportive allies to help implement and maintain their coping and safety strategies.
Audience
Time
Approach
Materials
Prep
Materials Preparation
10 minutes
Step 1
Build Rapport & Introductions
5 minutes
Step 2
Review Safety Plan Together
7 minutes
Step 3
Communication Role-Play
10 minutes
Step 4
Collaborative Worksheet
5 minutes
Step 5
Wrap-Up & Action Steps
3 minutes
Lesson Plan
Session 10 Lesson Plan
Celebrate the student’s progress by reviewing all learned stress‐management skills, troubleshoot any challenges encountered, and develop a sustainable plan for ongoing practice beyond the program.
Reinforcing successes boosts confidence and commitment. Addressing hurdles ensures skills generalize effectively. A long‐term maintenance plan empowers the student to self‐manage stress and maintain resilience.
Audience
Time
Approach
Materials
Prep
Materials Preparation
10 minutes
Step 1
Build Rapport & Celebrate
5 minutes
Step 2
Progress Review
7 minutes
Step 3
Skill Checklist & Troubleshooting
8 minutes
Step 4
Long-Term Maintenance Planning
8 minutes
Step 5
Wrap-Up & Next Steps
2 minutes
Project Guide
