Warm-Up: How Do You Cope?

Instructions: Please answer the following questions honestly and anonymously. This is just for us to understand common feelings and responses.

1. Describe one challenging emotion you've felt recently (e.g., stress, anger, sadness, frustration).
   
   
   
   

2. What is one way you tried to handle that emotion? (This could be healthy or unhealthy – just write what you did.)
   
   
   
   

Your Coping Crew Script

Warm-Up: How Do You Cope? (5 minutes)

Teacher: "Good morning, everyone! Let's start with a quick warm-up. I've handed out a short slip of paper, it's called Warm-Up: How Do You Cope?. Please take a moment to answer the two questions honestly and anonymously. There are no right or wrong answers here, just what you genuinely feel and do. We're going to use these to get a sense of what's on our minds as a class."

(Allow students a few minutes to complete. Circulate to ensure understanding. Collect the slips when done.)

Teacher: "Thank you for sharing. I'm going to quickly look through these. (Pause briefly while you glance at some responses) It seems like many of us experience a variety of challenging emotions, and we all try different things to deal with them. That's perfectly normal, and it brings us to our topic for today."

Introduction to Coping Skills (5 minutes)

Teacher: (Display Your Coping Crew Slide Deck - Slide 1)

"Today, we're going to talk about something really important for our well-being: coping skills. Think of it as building your own 'Coping Crew' – a team of strategies to help you navigate tough emotions."

(Display Your Coping Crew Slide Deck - Slide 2)

"So, what exactly are coping skills? They are simply the actions we take to handle stress, challenges, or difficult emotions. When you feel worried, angry, or sad, what do you do? The things you do to manage those feelings are your coping skills. They're like tools in your emotional toolkit that help you get through tough times."

(Display Your Coping Crew Slide Deck - Slide 3)

"Now, some coping skills are healthy, and some... well, some aren't so healthy in the long run. A healthy coping skill helps you feel better, doesn't harm you or others, and often leads to long-term solutions. An unhealthy coping skill might make you feel better for a moment, but it usually makes things worse or creates new problems. Can anyone give an example of something someone might do that feels good in the moment but isn't a healthy way to cope?" (Listen to a few student responses, guiding them gently if needed, e.g., 'avoiding homework' or 'lashing out at friends').

Exploring Healthy Coping Skills (10 minutes)

Teacher: "Today, we're going to focus on building our healthy Coping Crew. Let's look at some members who can join your team."

(Display Your Coping Crew Slide Deck - Slide 4)

"1. Talk It Out: This means sharing your feelings with someone you trust – a parent, a friend, a teacher, a counselor. Sometimes just saying what's on your mind can make a huge difference. Has anyone ever felt better just by talking to someone?"

"2. Deep Breathing: When you're stressed, your breath often gets shallow. Taking slow, deep breaths can calm your body and mind. Let's try it for a few seconds. Breathe in slowly through your nose for a count of four, hold for two, and exhale slowly through your mouth for a count of six. (Guide students through one or two breaths) See? Even just a few can help!"

"3. Get Moving: Physical activity is a fantastic stress reliever. Whether it's playing a sport, going for a walk, dancing, or just stretching. How many of you find that moving your body helps clear your head?"

(Display Your Coping Crew Slide Deck - Slide 5)

"4. Creative Expression: This is all about putting your feelings into something creative. Writing in a journal, drawing, painting, playing music, even just doodling can help you process emotions. Is anyone here a fan of journaling or art as a way to express themselves?"

"5. Spend Time in Nature: Sometimes, just being outside can make a big difference. A walk in a park, sitting by a tree, or just looking out a window can offer a sense of calm and perspective. Who feels more relaxed after some time outdoors?"

"6. Hobbies & Interests: Engaging in something you genuinely enjoy can be a powerful coping skill. It could be reading, playing video games, building models, or anything that helps you focus and relax. What are some hobbies you enjoy that help you feel good?"

Coping Skills Worksheet Activity (5 minutes)

Teacher: "Great! We've met some members of our Coping Crew. Now it's your turn to start building your own. I'm handing out the Coping Skills Worksheet."

(Distribute the worksheet)

Teacher: "On this worksheet, you'll see a section where you can choose three healthy coping skills that you think would work best for you. Then, I want you to imagine a challenging situation and describe how you would use those skills. Take about 5 minutes to complete this. Think about what truly resonates with you and what you'd be willing to try."

(Circulate and assist students as they work.)

Share and Discuss (3 minutes)

Teacher: "Alright, let's take a moment to share, if you're comfortable. Would anyone like to briefly share one coping skill they chose and why it resonates with them? Remember, you only need to share if you feel comfortable. There's no pressure."

(Call on a few volunteers. Affirm their choices and connect them to the concepts discussed.)

Teacher: "Excellent job, everyone. It's important to remember that different skills work for different people, and sometimes a skill that works one day might not work the next. The goal is to have a variety of tools in your 'Coping Crew' so you always have options."

(Display Your Coping Crew Slide Deck - Slide 6)

"These skills aren't just for when things are really bad. Using them regularly can actually prevent big feelings from becoming overwhelming. They help you manage stress, build resilience, improve your mood, and empower you to take control of your feelings."

Cool-Down: My Coping Commitment (2 minutes)

Teacher: (Display Your Coping Crew Slide Deck - Slide 7)

"To wrap things up today, I'm going to hand out one last slip, the Cool-Down: My Coping Commitment. On this slip, I want you to write down one coping skill you commit to trying or practicing this week. It could be one we talked about today, or another healthy one you already know. Think about it as a small promise to yourself."

(Distribute cool-down slips. Allow students a minute to write.)

Teacher: "As you leave today, please hand me your commitment slip. Remember, building your coping crew is a journey, and every small step counts. Keep practicing, and know that you have the power to manage your emotions. Have a great day!"

Coping Skills Worksheet: Build Your Crew!

Name: _________________________

Instructions: Think about the healthy coping skills we discussed. Choose three that you think would be most helpful for you. Then, describe how you would use each skill in a challenging situation.

My Coping Crew Members:

Coping Skill #1:

How would you use this skill? Describe a situation where this skill would be helpful and what steps you would take.

Coping Skill #2:

How would you use this skill? Describe a situation where this skill would be helpful and what steps you would take.

Coping Skill #3:

How would you use this skill? Describe a situation where this skill would be helpful and what steps you would take.

Cool-Down: My Coping Commitment

Name (Optional): _________________________

Instructions: What is one healthy coping skill you commit to trying or practicing this week? Write it down below.

I commit to trying/practicing the following coping skill this week:

My Coping Skill Commitment:

Why I chose this skill: