Summer Self-Care Safari

Lindsey Ceja

Tier 3

Lesson Plan

Summer Self-Care Safari Lesson Plan

Students will explore challenges they may face during summer break, learn a variety of self-care strategies through discussion and a creative game, and develop a personalized summer self-care plan.

Summer break can disrupt routines and increase stress for students with emotional disabilities. This lesson equips them with coping tools and a concrete plan to maintain emotional well-being during an unstructured period.

Audience

6th–7th Graders with Emotional Disabilities

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Interactive discussion, game, hands-on planning

Materials

Summer Self-Care Safari Slide Deck, Self-Care Bingo Game Cards, Summer Self-Care Planning Worksheet, Poster Paper, Markers, and Timer

Prep

Setup and Material Preparation

10 minutes

Review the Summer Self-Care Safari Slide Deck.
Print enough sets of Self-Care Bingo Game Cards (one per student).
Print the Summer Self-Care Planning Worksheet for each student.
Arrange seating in a U-shape or circle to foster discussion.
Place poster paper and markers at the front or on a table for group brainstorming.
Test the timer or stopwatch to manage activity segments.

Step 1

Introduction & Objective

5 minutes

Welcome students and introduce the lesson title: Summer Self-Care Safari.
Present the lesson’s objective slide: discuss summer challenges, learn self-care, and create a plan.
Define self-care and explain why it matters for mental and emotional health.

Step 2

Group Discussion: Summer Challenges

5 minutes

Ask: “What parts of summer break sound fun? What parts feel hard?”
Prompt students to share potential stressors: boredom, isolation, heat, routine loss.
List responses on poster paper.

Step 3

Self-Care Bingo Game

10 minutes

Distribute the Self-Care Bingo Game Cards and markers.
Explain rules: find classmates who’ve tried or would try a self-care activity in each square and initial it.
First to get a Bingo (row/column/diagonal) shouts “Safari!”
After each Bingo, discuss one or two activities and how they help.

Step 4

Personalized Planning Worksheet

7 minutes

Hand out the Summer Self-Care Planning Worksheet.
Instruct students to choose at least three self-care activities they like from the worksheet or Bingo.
Guide them to fill in when, where, and with whom they’ll do each activity.
Circulate to support and prompt students who need ideas.

Step 5

Share-Out & Wrap-Up

3 minutes

Pair students to briefly share one chosen activity and plan detail.
Reinforce that plans can be adjusted anytime—self-care is flexible.
Encourage students to keep their worksheets where they’ll see them over the summer.

Slide Deck

Summer Self-Care Safari

Welcome to our 30-minute interactive session!

Today we’ll:
• Explore summer challenges
• Learn self-care strategies
• Create your personalized plan

Welcome students and set a positive tone. Introduce yourself and explain that today’s adventure is a “Summer Self-Care Safari.”

Lesson Objectives

By the end of this session, you will:

Identify potential summer stressors
Discover fun self-care activities
Build a personalized summer self-care plan

Walk through each objective and explain why it matters.

What Is Self-Care?

Self-care is any activity you do to take care of your mental, emotional, and physical health.

Why it matters:
• Keeps your mind balanced
• Helps manage stress and big emotions
• Makes free time more fun

Define self-care in student-friendly terms. Emphasize its importance for emotional well-being.

Group Discussion: Summer Challenges

Think-Pair-Share:

• What parts of summer break sound fun?
• What parts feel hard or stressful?

(Record answers on poster paper.)

Prompt students to share their thoughts. Record answers on poster paper in two columns: Fun / Hard.

Self-Care Bingo Game

Each square has a self-care activity.
Find classmates who have tried or want to try each activity.
They initial your card. First to bingo (row/column/diagonal) yells “Safari!”
We’ll discuss 1–2 activities when someone wins.

Explain game rules clearly and model one example. Circulate to support and encourage interaction.

Personalized Self-Care Plan

On your Summer Self-Care Planning Worksheet:

• Choose at least 3 activities you enjoy.
• For each, fill in:
– When will you do it?
– Where will you do it?
– Who will join you?

Distribute planning worksheets and explain each section. Encourage students to pick three activities.

Share-Out & Wrap-Up

• Pair up and share one activity and plan detail.
• Remember: self-care plans can change.
• Keep your worksheet where you’ll see it over summer!

Invite two or three volunteers to share. Reinforce flexibility and encourage keeping the plan visible.

Thank You!

Have a happy, healthy summer!

If you need support, reach out anytime.

Thank students for their participation and let them know you’re available for follow-up.

Game

Self-Care Bingo Game Cards

Instructions for Teachers:

Print one unique Bingo card per student (you can shuffle the squares or use the template below).
Distribute a card and a marker to each student.
Explain the rules:
1. Each square lists a self-care activity. The center square is a FREE space.
2. Students circulate and ask classmates if they’ve tried or would like to try each activity.
3. When a classmate says “yes,” they initial that square on the student’s card.
4. The first student to complete a row, column, or diagonal shouts “Safari!”
5. Pause to discuss one or two winning activities: How might they help you?

Bingo Card Template (5×5)

Take a Walk	Read a Book	Practice Deep Breathing	Drink Water	Draw or Paint
Call a Friend	Listen to Music	Stretch	Write in Journal	Do a Puzzle
Free Space ⭐	Spend Time Outside	Play a Board Game	Meditate 5 Minutes	Dance to a Favorite Song
Yoga Stretches	Watch a Funny Video	Organize Your Desk	Plant a Seed	Random Act of Kindness
Practice Gratitude	Color in a Coloring Book	Quick Workout	Make a Healthy Snack	Listen to an Educational Podcast

Tip: To create multiple unique cards, swap activities between squares or rotate rows.

Activity

Summer Self-Care Planning Worksheet

Use this worksheet to build a plan of self-care activities you enjoy. Be as specific as you can so you know exactly when, where, and with whom you’ll practice each one. Pick at least three activities.

Self-Care Activity #1

Activity: _____________________________

When? (Day & Time)

Where? ________________________________

Who? (Alone or with…) _________________

Why will this help me?
_______________________________

Self-Care Activity #2

Self-Care Activity #3

My Stretch Goal (Optional)

Choose one extra self-care activity to try this summer:

Activity: _______________________________

When? ____________________________

Why? (What do you hope to gain?)
_____________________________________________________

Tip: Keep this worksheet somewhere you’ll see it often—on your fridge, bedroom wall, or in your planner. Feel free to tweak your plan anytime; self-care is all about doing what works for you!