Lesson Plan
Break Strategy Lesson Plan
Help the student recognize early signs of overwhelm, learn to verbalize feelings, and effectively take a break to return to tasks refreshed.
This lesson empowers the student with self-regulation tools to express emotions constructively and manage stress, reducing frustration and improving task focus.
Audience
9th Grade Student
Time
35 minutes
Approach
Guided discussion and hands-on activities.
Prep
Preparation
5 minutes
- Review the Break Strategy Lesson Plan to understand overall objectives.
- Familiarize yourself with the Mindful Moments Practice and Personal Reflection Exercise materials.
- Prepare a quiet space for the student to practice these strategies.
- Reflect on discussion points regarding expressing emotions and appropriate break strategies.
Step 1
Introduction & Discussion
10 minutes
- Begin with a brief discussion about feelings and recognizing stress signals.
- Ask the student to share experiences of frustration or anger and what they felt was needed at that moment.
- Explain the importance of verbalizing feelings (e.g., 'I feel angry because...') and how asking for a break helps reset the mind.
Step 2
Mindfulness Activity
10 minutes
- Guide the student through the Mindful Moments Practice to practice calming exercises.
- Encourage the student to focus on deep breathing, mindfulness, or a short visualization exercise.
- Emphasize that these techniques can be used whenever feelings of overwhelm arise.
Step 3
Personal Reflection and Wrap-Up
10 minutes
- Have the student complete the Personal Reflection Exercise to record thoughts on the experience.
- Review what strategies worked and discuss any adjustments needed for future situations.
- Conclude by reiterating that expressing emotions in an appropriate manner and taking breaks is a powerful tool for managing challenges.
Activity
Mindful Moments Practice
This activity provides you with practical mindfulness exercises to help calm your mind and bring your focus back when you feel overwhelmed. Follow these steps and remember: you can always revisit these techniques anytime you need a break or a moment of calm.
Instructions:
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Prepare Your Space: Find a quiet and comfortable place where you can sit without distractions.
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Deep Breathing:
- Sit comfortably and close your eyes.
- Inhale slowly through your nose for a count of 4.
- Hold your breath for 4 counts.
- Exhale slowly through your mouth for 6 counts.
- Repeat this process for 2 minutes.
-
Visualization Exercise:
- Imagine a peaceful place, like a quiet beach or a serene forest.
- Visualize the details: Colors, sounds, textures, and smells.
- Stay in this visualization for about 2 minutes, letting the calmness wash over you.
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Grounding Technique:
- Look around and gently identify 5 things you can see.
- Identify 4 things you can touch.
- Notice 3 things you can hear.
- Acknowledge 2 things you can smell (or 2 memories of comforting smells).
- Recognize 1 thing you can taste (or recall a taste that makes you feel grounded).
- This is known as the 5-4-3-2-1 grounding exercise and should take around 2 minutes.
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Reflection:
- After completing these exercises, take a moment to reflect on how you feel.
- Write down any thoughts or sensations that stood out for you during this practice.
Follow-Up Questions:
- Which mindfulness technique did you find most helpful and why?
- How might you incorporate one of these techniques when you start feeling stressed or overwhelmed?
- Can you think of a time when taking a mindful break helped you refocus on your tasks? Describe it briefly.
Take your time with these exercises, and remember: It's completely normal to need a pause. Mindfulness is a skill that grows with practice!
Happy practicing!
Cool Down
Personal Reflection Exercise
This exercise is designed to help you process and understand your experience during the lesson. Take a few moments to reflect on the activities and think about how you can apply these strategies in your everyday life.
Reflection Prompts:
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Mindfulness Connection:
- What did you notice about your body and mind during the Mindful Moments Practice?
- What did you notice about your body and mind during the Mindful Moments Practice?
-
Emotional Awareness:
- Describe a moment during the exercise when you recognized a change in your emotions. What did you observe?
- Describe a moment during the exercise when you recognized a change in your emotions. What did you observe?
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Applying Strategies:
- How can you use the techniques learned today when you start to feel overwhelmed in the future?
- How can you use the techniques learned today when you start to feel overwhelmed in the future?
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Future Steps:
- What is one new insight or strategy that you plan to use moving forward in managing your emotions effectively?
- What is one new insight or strategy that you plan to use moving forward in managing your emotions effectively?
Take your time and write as much as you need. Your reflections are a personal record of your progress and understanding of self-regulation strategies.