Session 1 Icebreaker Worksheet

Instructions:
Find two classmates you haven’t met. For each partner, ask the questions below and record their answers.

Partner 1

1. Partner’s Name:

1. What’s your favorite hobby?

1. What’s your favorite color?

1. What’s one thing you like to do after school?

1. Share one fun fact about yourself:

Partner 2

1. Partner’s Name:

1. What’s your favorite hobby?

1. What’s your favorite color?

1. What’s one thing you like to do after school?

1. Share one fun fact about yourself:

Use the space below to jot down any other fun observations or things you have in common!

Session 1 Group Norms Worksheet

Instructions:
In pairs, brainstorm 3–4 group norms that will help everyone feel safe, respected, and heard in our support group. For each norm you suggest, write it down and explain why it’s important. Be prepared to share your ideas with the class.

Pair Brainstorm

1. Suggested Norm 1:

Why is this important?

1. Suggested Norm 2:

Why is this important?

1. Suggested Norm 3:

Why is this important?

1. (Optional) Suggested Norm 4:

Why is this important?

Next Steps:
Place your worksheet on the table when you’re done. We will combine all suggestions, discuss them as a group, and decide on our top 5 norms together.

Session 2 Discussion Guide

Discussion Guidelines:
• Confidentiality: What’s shared here stays here
• Respect: Listen actively, one person speaks at a time
• Speak from your own experience: Use “I” statements
• Support: Acknowledge each person’s feelings without judgment

Discussion Prompts

1. What emotions do you feel when you think about your incarcerated parent?
   • Follow-up: Can you describe a specific moment when you felt that emotion?
   • Follow-up: How does your body react when you feel this (e.g., chest tightness, stomach flutter)?

1. What situations or reminders tend to bring up these feelings?
   • Follow-up: Was there a recent event that surprised you by how strongly you reacted?
   • Follow-up: How did you cope in that moment?

1. Which strategies have you tried so far to manage or express these emotions?
   • Follow-up: Which strategy felt most helpful, and why?
   • Follow-up: Is there a new strategy you’d like to try?

1. When you hear others share similar emotions or experiences, how does that affect you?
   • Follow-up: Does knowing you’re not alone change how you view your feelings?
   • Follow-up: What support do you wish to receive from the group when you’re feeling this way?

Closing Check-In:
Before we move on, take a moment to name one insight or takeaway you have from today’s discussion.

Session 2 Emotion Mapping Worksheet

Instructions:
On the body outline below, mark where you feel each emotion you experience when thinking about your incarcerated parent. Use different colors or symbols to show intensity (e.g., light blue for mild sadness, dark blue for strong sadness). Then, label each emotion and write a brief description of what triggers it.

Body Outline

(Use colored pencils or markers to draw and label directly on the outline.)

              O

             /|\

              |

             / \

Label Your Emotions

For each emotion you marked on your map, complete the fields below.

1. Emotion Name:

Body Part(s) (where you felt it):

Intensity (1 = mild, 5 = very strong):

Trigger or Situation (what brings this feeling up?):

1. Emotion Name:

Body Part(s) (where you felt it):

Intensity (1 = mild, 5 = very strong):

Trigger or Situation (what brings this feeling up?):

1. Emotion Name:

Body Part(s) (where you felt it):

Intensity (1 = mild, 5 = very strong):

Trigger or Situation (what brings this feeling up?):

Reflection:
Choose one emotion from your map and describe one strategy you can use or have used to cope with it.

Session 3 Discussion Guide

Discussion Guidelines:
• Confidentiality: What’s shared here stays here
• Respect: Listen actively and one person speaks at a time
• Speak from your experience: Use “I” statements
• Support: Acknowledge each other’s ideas without judgment

Discussion Prompts

1. What coping strategies have you tried or heard about?
   • Follow-up: Which strategy felt most helpful for you?
   • Follow-up: What challenges did you face when using it?

1. What self-care activities help you feel calm or supported?
   • Follow-up: When was the last time you used this activity?
   • Follow-up: How did it change how you felt in that moment?

1. How do you decide which coping or self-care strategy to use when you’re feeling upset?
   • Follow-up: Can you share a time when you chose one strategy and it worked?
   • Follow-up: What might make it easier for you to use these strategies regularly?

Closing Reflection

Before we end, share one new idea or strategy you’d like to try this week to take care of yourself.

Session 3 Coping Plan Worksheet

Instructions:
Use this worksheet to create a personalized plan for managing stress or difficult emotions related to having an incarcerated parent. Work through each section and keep your plan somewhere you can easily reference it when you need support.

1. Identify Your Personal Triggers

List three situations, thoughts, or events that tend to bring up strong emotions for you.

1. Trigger 1:

1. Trigger 2:

1. Trigger 3:

2. Choose Coping Strategies

Below, write at least three coping strategies you want to try or have found helpful. For each, explain how you would use it when you notice your trigger.

1. Strategy Name:

How I will use it when I feel triggered:

1. Strategy Name:

How I will use it when I feel triggered:

1. Strategy Name:

How I will use it when I feel triggered:

(Optional) 4. Strategy Name:

How I will use it when I feel triggered:

3. Create an Action Plan

Pick one trigger and one strategy from above. Then plan when, where, and how you will put the strategy into action.

• Trigger I’ll focus on:

• Strategy I’ll use:

• When will I use this strategy? (time/place/situation):

• Who can support me if I need help?

• How will I remind myself to use this strategy?
  (e.g., sticky note, alarm, buddy check-in)

4. Reflection & Next Steps

1. How will I know if this strategy is helping me?

1. If this strategy doesn’t work, what is another strategy I can try next?

1. One goal I have for practicing my coping plan this week:

Session 3 Relaxation Activity Script

Teacher Note: Read each line slowly. Pause 5–10 seconds after each prompt to give students time to follow along. Maintain a calm, even tone.

1. “Alright, everyone, let’s get ready for a short relaxation exercise. Sit comfortably in your chair with both feet on the floor and your hands resting gently in your lap.”
   
   
   
   
   
   
2. “Now, if you feel comfortable, softly close your eyes or lower your gaze to the floor.”
   
   
   
   
   
   
3. “Take a slow, deep breath in through your nose… 1… 2… 3… 4… Hold it for just a moment… and now gently exhale through your mouth for a count of six… 1… 2… 3… 4… 5… 6…”
   
   
   
   
   
   
4. “Again, breathe in slowly through your nose… 1… 2… 3… 4… pause… and breathe out longer through your mouth… 1… 2… 3… 4… 5… 6…”
   
   
   
   
   
   
5. “Allow your breath to find its own natural, comfortable rhythm now. Notice how your chest and belly rise as you breathe in and fall as you breathe out.”
   
   
   
   
   
   
6. “As you continue breathing, imagine a peaceful place—a quiet beach, a gentle forest, or anywhere you feel safe. Picture the details: the sound of waves, the feeling of soft grass, or the warmth of sunshine.”
   
   
   
   
   
   
7. “With each inhale, imagine drawing in calm and strength. With each exhale, imagine letting go of any tension or worry you’re carrying.”
   
   
   
   
   
   
8. (Pause silently for about 30 seconds to 1 minute.)
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
9. “Now, bring your attention back to your breath. Take one final deep breath in… and slowly release it.”
   
   
   
   
   
   
10. “When you’re ready, gently open your eyes or lift your gaze. Notice how your body feels. You might feel a little more calm or centered—and that’s wonderful.”

1. “Thank you for participating. Remember, you can use this breathing exercise anytime you feel stressed or need a moment of calm.”

Coping Toolkit Template

Instructions:
Use this template to assemble your personal coping toolkit. Fill in, decorate, and personalize each section. Keep your completed toolkit somewhere you can see it when you need support.

1. Emotion Map Highlight

Select one part of your emotion map that stands out to you.

• Briefly describe the emotion and why you chose this highlight:

• (Optional) Redraw or paste a small sketch of that area here:

2. Top 3 Coping Strategies

List your three most helpful or promising coping strategies. For each, write how and when you will use it.

1. Strategy 1:
   
   When/how I will use it:

1. Strategy 2:
   
   When/how I will use it:

1. Strategy 3:
   
   When/how I will use it:

3. Favorite Self-Care Activity

Describe your go-to self-care activity that helps you feel calm or supported.

• What is the activity?

• When can you fit this into your week?

4. Relaxation Reminder

Write a short cue or draw a symbol to remind yourself of the relaxation exercise you practiced.
(e.g., “Breathe in calm, breathe out stress,” or a small breathing icon)

5. Personal Encouragement Note

Write an encouraging message to yourself.
(Something you can read on tough days.)

You’ve created your Coping Toolkit!
Keep it visible—on your wall, in your binder, or on your desk—to remind yourself of the tools and strengths you’ve developed. Use it anytime you need a moment of support or calm.