Lesson Plan
Super Self-Awareness!
Students will identify physical/emotional cues of anxiety and apply coping strategies to participate in activities with more confidence.
Understanding and managing emotions helps students navigate social situations, reduce stress, and engage more fully in learning and peer interactions.
Audience
3rd Grade Students
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Interactive discussion, guided practice, and a simple activity.
Materials
Super Self-Awareness! Slide Deck, My Super Feelings Worksheet Worksheet, and Coping Skills Cards Activity
Prep
Teacher Preparation
15 minutes
- Review the Super Self-Awareness! Slide Deck and associated notes.
- Print copies of the My Super Feelings Worksheet for each student.
- Prepare or print Coping Skills Cards (one set per small group or individual).
- Ensure a whiteboard or chart paper and markers are available.
- Review all generated materials as needed.
Step 1
Warm-Up: How Are You Feeling?
5 minutes
- Begin by asking students to think about different feelings they experience throughout the day.
- Use the Super Self-Awareness! Slide Deck to introduce the concept of emotions and how they can feel in our bodies.
- Ask students to share one feeling they've had recently and where they felt it in their body (e.g., butterflies in stomach for nervousness, a smile for happiness). Encourage a few volunteers to share.
Step 2
What is Anxiety? Spotting the Clues
10 minutes
- Transition to discussing anxiety, explaining it as a 'worry feeling' that can make our bodies feel different.
- Show slides from the Super Self-Awareness! Slide Deck that describe common physical and emotional cues of anxiety (e.g., fast heartbeat, shaky hands, quiet voice, wanting to hide).
- Distribute the My Super Feelings Worksheet and guide students to draw or write about a time they felt worried or anxious and what clues their body gave them. Circulate to provide support and gentle prompting, especially for Emily.
Step 3
Super Coping Strategies
10 minutes
- Introduce a few simple coping strategies using the Super Self-Awareness! Slide Deck (e.g., deep breathing, positive self-talk, asking for a break, talking to an adult).
- Model each strategy briefly.
- Divide students into small groups (or work individually with closer support for Emily) and provide each group/student with Coping Skills Cards.
- Have them discuss when they might use each card and practice one or two.
- Encourage Emily to practice a strategy with adult support if she seems hesitant.
Step 4
Share & Reflect
5 minutes
- Bring the class back together.
- Ask a few students to share one coping strategy they learned and how it might help them.
- Reiterate that it's okay to feel worried and that everyone can learn 'super skills' to manage those feelings.
- Remind students that adults are always there to help. (This also serves as a 'Cool Down' activity.)
use Lenny to create lessons.
No credit card needed
Slide Deck
Super Self-Awareness!
Understanding Our Feelings & Learning Coping Skills!
Welcome students and introduce the topic of feelings. Ask them to think about different feelings they experience.
What Are Feelings?
We all have them!
What are some feelings you know?
Engage students by asking them to name different feelings. Write down their responses if possible.
Feelings in Our Bodies!
Have you ever felt...
- Butterflies in your tummy?
- A big smile on your face?
- A heavy feeling in your chest?
Our bodies give us clues about our feelings!
Explain that feelings don't just happen in our minds, but also in our bodies. Ask for examples of where they feel certain emotions.
What is Anxiety? 🤔
It's a feeling of worry, nervousness, or unease.
It's totally normal to feel anxious sometimes!
Introduce anxiety as a 'worry feeling.' Emphasize it's normal and everyone feels it sometimes.
Anxiety Clues: In My Body 🏃
When we feel anxious, our bodies might give us clues:
- Fast Heartbeat: Thump-thump, thump-thump!
- Shaky Hands: Wobbly fingers!
- Upset Tummy: A knot or butterflies!
- Sweaty Palms: Damp hands!
- Feeling Restless: Like you want to wiggle!
Discuss common physical cues. Ask students if they've felt any of these, without pressuring them to share personal experiences.
Anxiety Clues: In My Mind/Voice 🗣️
Our minds and voices can also give us clues:
- Quiet Voice: Hard to speak up.
- Wanting to Hide: Feeling shy or wanting to be alone.
- Trouble Focusing: Hard to pay attention.
- Worried Thoughts: Thinking about things that might go wrong.
Discuss emotional cues. Connect these to how they might feel inside.
My Super Skills! ✨
When we notice those anxiety clues, we have Super Skills to help us feel better!
These are called coping strategies.
Introduce the idea of coping strategies as 'super skills.' Explain they help us feel better.
Super Skill 1: Deep Breathing 🌬️
Take a deep breath in through your nose (like smelling a flower).
Hold it for a moment.
Breathe out slowly through your mouth (like blowing out a candle).
Do this 3-5 times!
Model deep breathing. Have students practice with you.
Super Skill 2: Positive Self-Talk 💪
Say kind and helpful things to yourself:
- "I can do this!"
- "It's okay to feel nervous."
- "I am brave!"
What's a positive thought you can tell yourself?
Explain positive self-talk. Give examples and have students think of their own.
Super Skill 3: Ask for Help! 🙋♀️
It's okay to ask an adult for a break or to talk about how you're feeling.
- "May I please take a quick break?"
- "I'm feeling a little worried."
Discuss when and how to ask for a break or talk to an adult. Emphasize that it's okay to ask for help.
You've Got This! 🎉
You are a Super Self-Awareness expert!
- Notice your feelings.
- Use your Super Skills.
- Remember, adults are here to help!
Summarize the key takeaways and encourage students to use their new skills. Reiterate adult support.
Worksheet
My Super Feelings Worksheet
Name: ____________________________
Part 1: How Do I Feel?
Think about a time you felt worried or a little anxious. What was happening?
Part 2: My Body Clues
Where did you feel this worry in your body? Draw or write about it in the space below. You can draw a person and circle the spot, or write words.
(Think about a fast heart, shaky hands, a tummy ache, or feeling tense!)
Part 3: My Mind Clues
What were you thinking or wanting to do when you felt this way?
(Think about wanting to hide, having worried thoughts, or finding it hard to speak up!)
Activity
Coping Skills Cards
(Cut out these cards and discuss when you might use each 'Super Skill'!)
Card 1: Deep Breathing
What it is: Take a deep breath in through your nose (like smelling a flower), hold it, then breathe out slowly through your mouth (like blowing out a candle).
When to use it: When your heart is beating fast, or you feel shaky.
Card 2: Positive Self-Talk
What it is: Say kind and helpful things to yourself, like, "I am brave," or "I can do this!"
When to use it: When you have worried thoughts, or feel like you can't do something.
Card 3: Ask for a Break
What it is: Ask a teacher or adult if you can take a short break, or step away for a minute.
When to use it: When you feel overwhelmed, or need a moment to calm down.
Card 4: Talk to an Adult
What it is: Tell a trusted adult (like a teacher, parent, or counselor) how you are feeling.
When to use it: When your worries feel too big, or you need some help figuring things out.