Lesson Plan
Your Body's Superpower: An Introduction
Students will be able to define the autonomic nervous system and explain the purpose of the coregulation group.
Understanding how our bodies respond to stress and how we can support each other in regulating emotions is crucial for developing self-awareness and fostering a supportive community. This lesson helps students build a foundation for emotional intelligence and positive social interaction.
Audience
7th Grade
Time
45 minutes
Approach
Interactive discussion, body awareness activity, and group agreement creation.
Materials
Whiteboard or Projector, Introductory Slide Deck, Our Group Agreements Worksheet, and Writing Utensils
Prep
Teacher Preparation
15 minutes
- Review the Lesson Plan and all generated materials, including the Introductory Slide Deck and Our Group Agreements Worksheet.
- Ensure projector/whiteboard is set up for the slide deck.
- Print enough copies of the Our Group Agreements Worksheet for all students.
- Prepare writing utensils for students if needed.
Step 1
Welcome & Check-in
5 minutes
- Greet students warmly.
- Briefly introduce the topic: "Today, we're going to start exploring something amazing about our bodies – how they react to different situations and how we can help each other feel calm and focused."
- Quick check-in: Ask students to share one word that describes how they are feeling right now.
Step 2
Introducing the Nervous System
15 minutes
- Use the Introductory Slide Deck to guide the discussion.
- Slide 1: Title Slide. Briefly recap the lesson title and objective.
- Slide 2: "What is your body's 'autopilot'?" Introduce the concept of the Autonomic Nervous System (ANS). Explain that it's the part of our nervous system that works automatically, controlling things like breathing, heart rate, and digestion, and how we react to stress.
- Slide 3: "Fight, Flight, Freeze, or Friend?" Discuss the different states of the ANS (sympathetic, parasympathetic). Explain that our bodies are constantly trying to keep us safe. Introduce the idea of
Step 3
Body Awareness Activity
10 minutes
- Slide 4: "Body Check-in!" Lead students through a simple body awareness activity.
- "Close your eyes if you feel comfortable, or just gaze softly downwards."
- "Take a few deep breaths. Notice your breath going in and out."
- "Scan your body from head to toe. Notice any sensations – warmth, coolness, tension, relaxation."
- "Where do you feel calm? Where do you feel energy?"
- "Gently open your eyes when you're ready."
- Ask students to share (voluntarily) one sensation they noticed. Emphasize that there's no right or wrong answer, just observation.
Step 4
Group Discussion & Agreements
10 minutes
- Slide 5: "Why do we need 'Teamwork' for our Feelings?" Introduce the concept of coregulation. Explain that it's how we help each other regulate our emotions. Just like a calm friend can help us feel calmer, a supportive group can help everyone feel safe and regulated.
- Slide 6: "Our Group Agreements" Distribute the Our Group Agreements Worksheet.
- Explain that good coregulation starts with clear expectations for how we treat each other. Lead a discussion to brainstorm 3-5 group agreements for respectful and supportive interactions in the classroom.
- Have students write down the agreed-upon norms on their worksheets. Circulate and assist as needed.
Step 5
Closing & Goal Setting
5 minutes
- Slide 7: "Reflect & Connect" Recap the main points: ANS as the body's autopilot, coregulation as teamwork for feelings, and the importance of group agreements.
- Ask students: "How can understanding our body's autopilot and coregulation help us in school or at home?"
- Invite students to set a small goal for themselves related to body awareness or supporting a peer in the coming week. (e.g.,
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Worksheet
Our Group Agreements
During our discussion, we will create a set of agreements for how we will interact and support each other in this group. These agreements help us to feel safe, respected, and ready to learn together. Write down the agreements we decide on below.
Our Coregulation Group Agreements:
Reflection:
Why do you think these group agreements are important for coregulation and feeling safe in our classroom?
Slide Deck
Your Body's Superpower: An Introduction
Understanding Your Autonomic Nervous System & Coregulation in a Group Setting
Learning Objective: Define the autonomic nervous system and explain the purpose of the coregulation group.
Welcome students and introduce the topic. This is the title slide. Briefly introduce the lesson: 'Today, we're going to explore our body's amazing internal systems and how we can support each other.'
What is Your Body's 'Autopilot'?
Your Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) is the part of your nervous system that works automatically, without you having to consciously think about it.
It controls vital functions like:
- Heart Rate
- Breathing
- Digestion
- Stress Responses
Think of it as your body's built-in control center!
Ask students: 'Have you ever noticed your heart beating fast when you're scared, or your stomach rumbling when you're hungry, without you even thinking about it?' Introduce the Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) as the body's 'autopilot' that handles automatic functions and reactions. Explain its two main branches: sympathetic (gas pedal) and parasympathetic (brake pedal).
Fight, Flight, Freeze, or Friend?
When your body senses danger or stress, your ANS kicks in to keep you safe!
Fight: Ready to confront a threat.
Flight: Ready to run away from danger.
Freeze: Staying very still, hoping not to be noticed.
Friend: Seeking connection and support from others (coregulation).
Explain that the ANS helps us respond to our environment. Introduce 'Fight, Flight, Freeze' as common responses when our sympathetic nervous system is highly activated (feeling threatened or stressed). Briefly mention 'Friend' as a social engagement system (parasympathetic activation) where we seek connection for safety.
Body Check-in!
Let's take a moment to notice what's happening inside our bodies.
- Close your eyes comfortably or gaze softly downwards.
- Take a few deep breaths, noticing the rise and fall of your chest or belly.
- Gently scan your body from your head to your toes.
- What sensations do you notice? (e.g., warmth, coolness, tension, tingling)
- Where do you feel calm? Where do you feel energy?
When you're ready, gently open your eyes.
Guide students through the Body Awareness Activity. Emphasize that this is about observation, not judgment. Afterwards, invite a few voluntary shares about sensations, reminding them there are no 'right' answers. This helps connect abstract concepts to lived experience.
Why Do We Need 'Teamwork' for Our Feelings?
Coregulation is how we help each other manage our emotions and feel safe.
- Just like a calm friend can help you feel calmer when you're stressed.
- A supportive group environment can help everyone feel more regulated and ready to learn.
We don't do it alone! Our nervous systems are constantly influencing each other.
Introduce coregulation. Explain that humans are social creatures and we often regulate each other's nervous systems without realizing it. Give examples like a parent comforting a child, or friends calming each other down. Emphasize that a calm presence can help others feel calm.
Our Group Agreements
To create a space where everyone feels safe, respected, and able to coregulate, we need some shared understandings.
Together, let's brainstorm 3-5 Group Agreements for our classroom.
- How can we show respect to each other?
- How can we support each other when someone is struggling?
- What does a 'safe' learning environment look like and sound like?
We will record these on our worksheets.
Explain that clear expectations help create a safe space for coregulation. Distribute the Our Group Agreements Worksheet. Lead a discussion to brainstorm 3-5 practical and positive group norms. Encourage students to think about how these agreements support a safe and respectful environment.
Reflect & Connect
Today we explored:
- Your body's amazing Autonomic Nervous System.
- How our bodies respond (Fight, Flight, Freeze, Friend).
- The power of Coregulation – helping each other feel safe and calm.
- The importance of our Group Agreements.
Question: How can understanding these ideas help you in school, with friends, or at home?
Goal Setting: What's one small thing you can do this week to practice body awareness or support coregulation?
Review the key concepts from the lesson: ANS, Fight/Flight/Freeze/Friend, Body Awareness, and Coregulation through Group Agreements. Encourage students to think about how they can apply this learning in their daily lives. Invite them to set a personal goal related to these concepts.