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Zone Game Plan

Lesson Plan

Game Plan Guidelines

Participants will practice identifying their emotional and sensory states using the Zones of Regulation, apply coping strategies in real-life scenarios, and earn points for demonstrating effective self-regulation.

This lesson helps adult learners build self-awareness and regulation skills to manage stress and emotions in daily life, enhancing coping strategies and social interactions.

Audience

Adult Small Group

Time

55 minutes

Approach

Interactive scenario-based game

Materials

Prep

Prepare Game Materials

10 minutes

  • Review the Regulation Challenge Arena slide deck and ensure scenario cards are loaded
  • Print enough copies of the Zone Scorecard worksheet for each participant
  • Gather counters or chips for scoring and a timer or stopwatch
  • Familiarize yourself with the scoring rubric and game rules in the Game Plan Guidelines

Step 1

Introduction & Overview

5 minutes

  • Welcome participants and explain the session’s objective: practicing the Zones of Regulation in a fun, collaborative game
  • Distribute Zone Scorecard worksheets and explain how points are recorded
  • Review the game rules and scoring criteria from the Game Plan Guidelines
  • Answer any initial questions

Step 2

Zones Refresher

10 minutes

  • Use the Regulation Challenge Arena slide deck to review the four Zones (Blue, Green, Yellow, Red)
  • Discuss common emotional and sensory states associated with each Zone
  • Model one scenario: facilitator demonstrates identifying a Zone, articulating the feeling, and applying a regulation strategy

Step 3

Group Game Rounds

30 minutes

  • Divide participants into small groups of 3–4
  • In each round, groups draw a scenario card from the Regulation Challenge Arena
  • Groups role-play the scenario, identify the applicable Zone, and perform a self-regulation strategy
  • Award points based on accuracy, creativity, and teamwork using counters or chips
  • Record group scores on the Zone Scorecard
  • Rotate roles so each member leads at least one scenario

Step 4

Reflection & Assessment

10 minutes

  • Reconvene as a whole group and tally final scores
  • Invite groups to share their favorite strategies and insights
  • Facilitate discussion on real-life applications and next steps for self-regulation
  • Use the assessment criteria in the Game Plan Guidelines to provide feedback
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Slide Deck

Regulation Challenge Arena

Welcome to the interactive game where you'll practice the Zones of Regulation in fun, real-life scenarios. Get ready to earn points for accurate zone identification, creative strategies, and teamwork!

Introduce the game, highlight objectives, energize participants.

How to Play

  • Small groups of 3–4
  • Draw a scenario card and role-play the situation
  • Identify the applicable Zone (Blue, Green, Yellow, Red)
  • Apply a self-regulation strategy
  • Earn points: Accuracy (max 3), Creativity (max 2), Teamwork (max 1)
  • Record your group’s score on the Zone Scorecard

Walk through each bullet, clarify scoring, answer questions.

Zones of Regulation Refresher

Blue Zone: low alertness, tired, sad

Green Zone: calm, focused, ready to learn

Yellow Zone: elevated alertness, anxious, frustrated

Red Zone: extremely heightened alertness, angry, out of control

Show visuals of each zone or refer to prior deck. Encourage quick examples from participants.

Sample Scenario Cards

• You feel restless during a lengthy webinar

• A coworker criticizes your work unexpectedly

• You’re running late and stuck in traffic

• You’re overwhelmed by a noisy open office

Mention that scenario cards are in the deck for printing; encourage groups to share one scenario they drew.

Game Rules & Scoring

Accuracy: Correct Zone identification (up to 3 points)

Creativity: Unique, effective strategy (up to 2 points)

Teamwork: Collaboration and support (up to 1 point)

Use counters/chips to track points and fill out your Zone Scorecard.

Rotate the leader role each round.

Emphasize fairness and fun; remind participants to be supportive.

Reflection & Next Steps

• Which strategies worked best for your team?

• How can you apply these strategies in your daily life?

• What challenges might you face, and how will you address them?

Take a moment to discuss within your group and be ready to share insights.

Facilitate reflection; encourage honesty; connect to real-life applications.

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Worksheet

Zone Scorecard (#zone-scorecard)

Use this scorecard during your Group Game Rounds from the Game Plan Guidelines. Record each scenario, identify the Zone, describe your strategy, and tally your points. After your rounds, reflect on your team’s insights and plan next steps.

Team Members:

  1. _________________________ 2. _________________________
  2. _________________________ 4. _________________________

Round 1

Scenario Drawn: _________________________



Zone Identified: _________________________
Strategy Used: _________________________



Points Earned:

  • Accuracy (0–3): ___
  • Creativity (0–2): ___
  • Teamwork (0–1): ___
  • Total: ___

Notes & Observations:





Round 2

Scenario Drawn: _________________________



Zone Identified: _________________________
Strategy Used: _________________________



Points Earned:

  • Accuracy (0–3): ___
  • Creativity (0–2): ___
  • Teamwork (0–1): ___
  • Total: ___

Notes & Observations:





Round 3

Scenario Drawn: _________________________



Zone Identified: _________________________
Strategy Used: _________________________



Points Earned:

  • Accuracy (0–3): ___
  • Creativity (0–2): ___
  • Teamwork (0–1): ___
  • Total: ___

Notes & Observations:





Round 4

Scenario Drawn: _________________________



Zone Identified: _________________________
Strategy Used: _________________________



Points Earned:

  • Accuracy (0–3): ___
  • Creativity (0–2): ___
  • Teamwork (0–1): ___
  • Total: ___

Notes & Observations:





Team Reflection (10 minutes)

  1. Which strategy did your team find most effective? Why?









  2. How can you apply this strategy in your daily life or workplace?









  3. What challenges did you encounter while identifying Zones or using strategies? How might you address these?











  4. What additional supports or resources could help you strengthen your self-regulation skills?









When you’ve completed your reflections, be prepared to share highlights with the whole group as part of the Reflection & Assessment step in the Game Plan Guidelines. Good luck and have fun!

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