Lesson Plan
Taming the Tempest
Students will learn to notice strong feelings, explore simple calming techniques, and practice ways to stay in control when emotions feel like storms.
By helping 5th graders identify and manage big feelings, we boost their confidence, lower classroom disruptions, and build a caring community where everyone supports each other.
Audience
5th Grade (Tier 2 Group Lesson)
Time
45 minutes
Approach
Hands‐on activities with guided chat and practice.
Prep
Prepare Materials
10 minutes
- Review Taming Tempest Slide Deck
- Print and copy:
- Cut apart sets of Calm-Down Tool Cards and group by table
- Arrange seating into small teams of 3–4 students
Step 1
Emotion Iceberg Exploration
10 minutes
- Give each pair the Emotion Iceberg Warm-Up Worksheet
- Have partners draw an iceberg and list what you see above (crying, frowning) vs. hidden below (worry, embarrassment)
- Invite 2–3 pairs to share one hidden feeling they discovered
- Emphasize how big emotions often have hidden parts
Step 2
Understanding Intense Emotions
10 minutes
- Show slide defining “intense emotions” with Taming Tempest Slide Deck
- Explain how our brain can feel “hijacked” by strong feelings
- Ask: “When did you feel really upset or excited?” and collect examples
Step 3
Managing the Storm Discussion
10 minutes
- Split into small teams and hand out Emotion Management Discussion Guide
- Read each short scenario, talk about what the person feels, and list calming tools from the handout
- Encourage thinking: “Why would deep breathing help here?” “How could you remember to use it?”
Step 4
Calm-Down Tool Practice
10 minutes
- Give each student a Calm-Down Tool Card
- In pairs, pick a scenario and practice using that tool (e.g., counting, squeezing a ball)
- Peers offer friendly feedback: What worked? What felt tricky?
Step 5
Reflection & Wrap-Up
5 minutes
- Distribute Self-Regulation Strategies Handout
- Ask students to write one strategy they’ll try this week and one feeling that might trigger it
- Invite 2–3 volunteers to share their plan
- Close by reminding everyone they have tools—and each other—for support
Slide Deck
Taming the Tempest
Managing Big Feelings
5th Grade Tier 2 Lesson • 45 Minutes
Today’s Goals:
• Notice what feelings show on the outside vs. what you feel inside
• Learn how our brain alarm makes feelings feel stronger
• Practice at least one calm-down tool
Let’s jump in!
Welcome everyone! Today we’ll learn how to handle big feelings so they don’t feel like a storm inside us.
Walk through today’s plan: Iceberg warm-up, brain alarm, small-group chat, tool practice, and reflection.
Lesson Objectives
By the end of our lesson, you will:
- Name examples of big feelings.
- Explain how our brain alarm works.
- Try a calm-down strategy when you feel strong emotions.
Read each objective aloud. Ask students if they’ve ever felt so upset that they couldn’t think clearly.
What Are Big Feelings?
• Feelings that feel very strong inside (like very angry or very shy)
• Can make our heart race and our mind go fast
• Sometimes we act before we think when feelings get big
Ask: "What’s a feeling you sometimes feel super strongly?" Record answers (happy, scared, angry).
Emotion Iceberg Exploration
Tip of the Iceberg: What others see (crying, shaking)
Below the Surface: What you feel inside (fear, worry, excitement)
Hand out the Emotion Iceberg Warm-Up Worksheet.
Instructions:
• Work in pairs to draw an iceberg.
• List what others see (top) and what you feel inside (bottom).
After 5 minutes, ask a few pairs to share.
Brain Alarm
• The brain alarm (amygdala) warns us of strong feelings
• It can make our body react before our mind thinks
• We can learn to calm the alarm down
Show a simple brain picture. Point out the "brain alarm" (amygdala). Ask: "Why do you think our brain alarm can make us jumpy?"
Calm-Down Strategies
- Deep Breathing: Breathe in slowly, breathe out slowly.
- Counting & Imagining: Count 1–10 or picture a favorite place.
- Positive Words: Say, “I am safe” or “I can do this.”
- Sensory Tools: Squeeze a ball or listen to quiet music.
Go through each calm-down tool. Invite students to share if they’ve tried deep breathing or counting.
Group Discussion
• Read one short scenario together
• Talk about what the person feels
• Pick 2–3 calm-down tools and say why they help
Divide into small groups and give each group the Emotion Management Discussion Guide.
Ask them to read one scenario and pick tools to calm the person.
Tool Practice
• Choose one calm-down tool card
• Act out using it in a scenario
• Share what worked and what felt hard
Hand out Calm-Down Tool Cards.
Instructions:
• Choose a card and role-play your scenario with a partner.
• Give each other kind feedback: What felt easy? What was tricky?
Reflection & Next Steps
- Pick one strategy to practice this week.
- Identify a feeling that might trigger it.
- Share your plan with a friend or our class.
Remember: You have tools—and each other—to help!
Give each student the Self-Regulation Strategies Handout.
Prompt:
• Write one strategy to try this week.
• Name one trigger you’ll watch for.
Invite 2–3 volunteers to share.
Warm Up
Emotion Iceberg Warm-Up
Instructions (work with your partner)
-
Sketch an iceberg: draw the waterline and the iceberg above and below it.
-
Tip of the Iceberg (What others can see)
- Describe behaviors or expressions (e.g., crying, yelling, tense body language)
• 1. ___________________________________________
• 2. ___________________________________________
• 3. ___________________________________________
- Below the Surface (Hidden feelings or thoughts)
- List emotions that people may not notice right away (e.g., shame, fear, loneliness)
• 1. ___________________________________________
• 2. ___________________________________________
• 3. ___________________________________________
- Reflection: Which hidden emotion surprised you the most, and why?
Discussion
Emotion Management Discussion Guide
How to Discuss
- Read the scenario out loud.
- Work as a team to answer each question below.
- Strong Feeling(s): What is the main emotion?
- What You See: What do you notice on the outside?
- What’s Inside: What might the person feel inside?
- Calming Ideas: Pick 2 tools from the Self-Regulation Strategies Handout.
• Tool 1: ____________________________
• Tool 2: ____________________________ - Reminder Plan: How can they remember to use these tools next time?
Scenario 1: Math Test Shock
Sara studied hard but scored much lower than she expected. She feels her heart pounding and wants to crumple her paper.
Strong Feeling(s): ___________________________
What You See: ________________________________
What’s Inside: _______________________________
Calming Ideas:
1. _______________________________________________
2. _______________________________________________
Reminder Plan: ________________________________
Scenario 2: Feeling Left Out
Alex scrolls social media and sees friends at a pizza party he wasn’t invited to.
Strong Feeling(s): ___________________________
What You See: ________________________________
What’s Inside: _______________________________
Calming Ideas:
1. _______________________________________________
2. _______________________________________________
Reminder Plan: ________________________________
Scenario 3: Hallway Oops
Jamal spills his lunch tray in front of classmates. He feels his face go hot and wants to run away.
Strong Feeling(s): ___________________________
What You See: ________________________________
What’s Inside: _______________________________
Calming Ideas:
1. _______________________________________________
2. _______________________________________________
Reminder Plan: ________________________________
Scenario 4: Project Frustration
Mia’s model keeps collapsing. She feels like giving up and is holding her breath.
Strong Feeling(s): ___________________________
What You See: ________________________________
What’s Inside: _______________________________
Calming Ideas:
1. _______________________________________________
2. _______________________________________________
Reminder Plan: ________________________________
Activity
Self-Regulation Strategies Handout
Use this handout as a quick reference to choose and plan calming strategies when you feel intense emotions.
Calming Strategies Reference
- Deep Breathing
• Inhale slowly through your nose for 4 counts, hold for 2, exhale through your mouth for 6. - Counting & Visualization
• Count backward from 10 or picture a peaceful scene (the beach, a forest). - Positive Self-Talk
• Repeat calming phrases: “I can handle this,” “This feeling will pass.” - Progressive Muscle Relaxation
• Tense and release each muscle group (hands, arms, shoulders) to relieve tension. - Sensory Tools
• Squeeze a stress ball, listen to soothing music, or carry a small fidget.
My Regulation Plan
-
Strategy I will practice this week:
____________________________________________ -
My personal trigger(s) (what makes me feel intense emotions?):
____________________________________________ -
When I notice this trigger, I will use my strategy by:
____________________________________________ -
Reminder plan (how will I remember to use it?):
____________________________________________
Keep this handout in your binder or on your desk as a reminder that you have tools to calm your emotional storms. You’re not alone—ask a friend or teacher if you need help using your plan!