Warm-Up: My Trigger Brainstorm

Take a few minutes to quietly think about and write down any situations, thoughts, or feelings that sometimes lead to strong emotional or behavioral reactions for you. These are your 'triggers.' There are no right or wrong answers, just what you notice about yourself.

My Triggers:

Remember, everyone has triggers. Identifying them is the first step to managing them!

Trigger Response Worksheet

Name: _________________________

Part 1: Identify Your Triggers and Reactions

Think about the triggers you brainstormed earlier or any others that come to mind. For each trigger, describe the thoughts, emotions, and behaviors that usually follow.

Trigger 1:

• My Thoughts:
  
  
  
• My Emotions:
  
  
  
• My Behaviors:
  
  
  

Trigger 2:

• My Thoughts:
  
  
  
• My Emotions:
  
  
  
• My Behaviors:
  
  
  

Part 2: Choose Your Coping Strategy

Now, for each trigger you identified above, think about one or more strategies from our discussion (or your own ideas!) that you could use to manage your response.

For Trigger 1:

• Strategy I will try:
  
  
  
• How this strategy helps me:
  
  
  

For Trigger 2:

• Strategy I will try:
  
  
  
• How this strategy helps me:
  
  
  

Remember, managing triggers is a skill. Practice makes progress!

Cool-Down: My Management Plan

Name: _________________________

Reflect and Plan:

1. What is one new thing you learned about triggers or managing reactions today?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

2. Think about one specific trigger you identified. What is one coping strategy you will try the next time you encounter it?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

3. On a scale of 1-5, how confident are you that you can try this strategy (1 = not confident, 5 = very confident)?
   Circle one:    1     2     3     4     5

Thank you for being a Trigger Tracker! Keep practicing!

Teacher Script: Trigger Trackers

Introduction (Welcome & Warm-Up) - (5 minutes)

"Good morning/afternoon, everyone. Welcome to our 'Trigger Trackers' session. Today, we're going to explore something really important: understanding what makes us react strongly, and how we can learn to manage those reactions. This is a skill that will help you in school, with friends, and at home."

"To start, I've handed out a Warm-Up: My Trigger Brainstorm worksheet. I want you to take about 2-3 minutes to quietly think about and write down any situations, thoughts, or feelings that sometimes lead to strong emotional or behavioral reactions for you. These are your 'triggers.' There are no right or wrong answers, just what you notice about yourself. It's just for you, but we might share some general ideas later."

(Allow 2-3 minutes for students to write.)

"Alright, let's bring it back together. Without sharing anything too personal, can anyone give an anonymous, general example of something that sometimes makes people feel a strong reaction? Maybe a certain type of comment, a specific task, or a feeling?"

(Facilitate a brief discussion, emphasizing universality and non-judgment. Guide students to see that everyone has triggers.)

"Great job! The first step to managing our reactions is to know what our triggers are. We'll explore this more on our Trigger Trackers Slide Deck."

Introduction to Triggers (7 minutes)

(Advance to Slide 2: "What's a Trigger?")

"So, what is a trigger? As you can see, a trigger is something that causes a strong emotional or behavioral reaction. Think of it like a switch that, when flipped, starts a chain of events inside you."

"We have two main types: Internal Triggers and External Triggers."

"Internal Triggers come from inside you. These are things like certain thoughts you have – maybe 'I'm not good enough' – or feelings like anxiety, hunger, or even just being tired. Sometimes, a memory can be an internal trigger if it brings up strong feelings."

"Can anyone think of another internal trigger? Something that comes from within you?"

(Listen to student responses. Affirm and clarify.)

"Exactly. Now, External Triggers come from outside you. These are things in your environment or interactions. It could be certain people – like a friend saying something hurtful – or places, like a crowded hallway before class. It could also be situations, like a pop quiz or a loud, unexpected noise."

"What about external triggers? Any examples of things outside of us that might cause a strong reaction?"

(Listen to student responses. Affirm and clarify.)

"Good examples. Take a moment to look at your warm-up sheet. Do any of the things you wrote down fit into an internal or external category? You don't have to share, just notice."

Impact of Triggers & Coping Strategies (10 minutes)

(Advance to Slide 3: "The Trigger Chain Reaction")

"Triggers don't just happen and then stop. They often start a chain reaction inside us. A trigger leads to certain thoughts, which lead to emotions, and then to behaviors."

"Let's look at this example: If a friend ignores your text (that's an external trigger), you might think 'They're mad at me' or 'I did something wrong.' Those thoughts can lead to emotions like sadness, anger, or worry. And those emotions might lead to behaviors like withdrawing from your friend, lashing out, or constantly checking your phone."

"The good news is that recognizing this chain helps us break it! We can't always control the trigger, but we can learn to control how we respond to the thoughts and emotions."

(Advance to Slide 4: "Your Coping Toolkit: Strategies")

"This is where our coping toolkit comes in! When you feel a trigger starting this chain reaction, you can try a coping strategy. There are many different types, and what works for one person might not work for another. It's about finding what works best for you."

"We have calming strategies like deep breathing or counting. Distraction strategies, like changing your scenery or listening to music. And problem-solving strategies, like talking to a trusted adult or journaling."

"I'm going to hand out the Trigger Response Worksheet. We'll start with Part 1. I want you to pick one or two triggers you identified. For each, describe what your usual thoughts, emotions, and behaviors are. Then, start thinking about what strategies from this slide, or your own ideas, you could use. Work on this for a few minutes."

(Distribute worksheets. Guide students as they work. Provide individual support and prompt them to consider the strategies discussed.)

Application & Sharing (5 minutes)

"Alright, let's pause. In Part 2 of your Trigger Response Worksheet, take a moment to write down one strategy you could try for one of your triggers."

(Allow 1-2 minutes for students to write.)

"Would anyone like to share, voluntarily and anonymously, one trigger they identified and a strategy they might try? Remember, there's no pressure to share, and finding the right strategy takes practice."

(Facilitate a brief sharing session. Emphasize patience, experimentation, and peer support. Validate all responses.)

"Fantastic contributions, everyone. It's important to remember that becoming a 'Trigger Tracker' is a journey, not a destination. It takes practice and self-awareness."

Cool-Down: My Management Plan (3 minutes)

(Advance to Slide 5: "Practice Makes Progress!")

"We're almost out of time, but before we go, I have one last quick activity. This is the Cool-Down: My Management Plan. Please complete this quietly and independently. It's a chance to reflect on what you've learned and choose one strategy you commit to trying."

(Distribute cool-downs. Allow students to complete.)

"As you finish up, remember what it says on the slide: practice makes progress. Your ability to understand and respond to your triggers empowers you to navigate life's challenges with more confidence and calm. I'll collect these as you leave. Great work today, everyone!"