Rita York

A 6-session small group Tier 2 series for second graders to recognize their personal strengths, positive qualities, and develop coping skills when things don’t go their way. These fun 30-minute sessions include interactive discussions, activities, and worksheets—and even a parent guide—to foster resilience and confidence.

Fifth graders will participate in a 'Challenge Quest', where teamwork and strategic thinking merge in a series of cooperative games. This activity strengthens problem-solving skills and promotes collaboration, reinforcing the value of working together to achieve a common goal. Ideal for a single 60-minute session.

A 6-session small-group intervention for 3rd graders focusing on the Zones of Regulation. Students will explore triggers, body signals, and coping strategies through interactive activities, video modeling, and home connections, strengthening self-regulation skills. Each 30-minute session includes a lesson plan, worksheet, and family-facing guide, designed for Tier 2 support.

An 8-session Zones of Regulation group intervention for K–3 students focusing on identifying emotions, understanding zones, and developing self-regulation skills. This Tier 2 small-group lesson series builds emotional vocabulary, teaches coping strategies, and fosters peer support in 30-minute sessions. Includes everything teachers need—including a parent guide—to support diverse learners.

First graders will discover 'Emotional Balance: Building Equilibrium', a tranquil lesson that teaches them to identify and express their emotions through creative movement and simple yoga poses. This lesson helps young learners understand the importance of balancing their feelings and responses in their daily interactions.

First graders will plant 'Story Seeds,' where each seed represents a story they've created. This lesson encourages creativity and reflection by having students nurture their stories and see them grow into complete narratives, fostering a love for storytelling and imagination.

First graders will plant seeds of kindness in a shared 'Empathy Garden,' with each flower representing an act of kindness or empathy they promise to engage in. This activity promotes empathy and compassion, teaching students the importance of kindness and understanding.

This engaging two-session lesson for 1st and 3rd graders introduces the concept of the 'upstairs brain' and 'downstairs brain,' helping students understand how different parts of their brain work together to manage emotions and reactions. This lesson is crucial for developing emotional intelligence and self-regulation skills in young learners.

First graders will engage in a vibrant art session where they use colors to express their emotions and experiences. Through their artistic creations, they will discuss emotions and build emotional vocabulary, fostering confidence in self-expression.

This lesson introduces 1st graders to the concept of friendship and decision-making using Kelso's Choices. Through a combination of discussion, video, and interactive activities, students will learn how to make positive choices in their interactions with peers. This lesson is important as it helps young students develop essential social skills and understand the importance of making thoughtful decisions in their friendships.

This lesson plan is designed for first graders in a small counseling group to help them develop self-control and learn how to make and keep friends. Over 8 sessions, students will engage in activities, discussions, and projects that promote social skills and emotional regulation. The use of Kelso's Wheel of Choices will provide a visual and interactive tool to help students understand and practice decision-making in social situations. This lesson is important as it equips young students with essential life skills that contribute to their overall well-being and success in school and beyond.

This lesson introduces third-grade students to the concept of positive affirmations, helping them build confidence and self-esteem. Through a combination of video, discussion, and activities, students will learn to recognize their strengths and practice self-compassion. This lesson is important as it fosters a positive self-image and encourages students to embrace their uniqueness, which is crucial for their personal growth and emotional well-being.

In this lesson, students will explore their unique character strengths by identifying qualities they admire in superheroes and relating them to their own lives. Through creative drawing and storytelling, they will articulate their personal strengths and how they can use them in everyday situations. This lesson is important as it helps students build self-awareness and confidence, encouraging them to recognize and utilize their strengths in positive ways.

In this lesson, first graders will engage in a mindfulness activity using coloring to help manage stress and enhance focus. By concentrating on their breathing and color choices, students will learn a gentle way to bring about calmness. This lesson is important as it introduces young students to mindfulness techniques that can aid in emotional regulation and improve concentration.

In this lesson, third graders will engage in a game of 'Feelings Charades' where they express different emotions nonverbally. This activity is designed to enhance empathy by promoting an understanding of body language and emotion expression. By participating in this game, students will develop a better understanding of how emotions are communicated nonverbally, which is a crucial skill for social interactions and emotional intelligence.

This lesson focuses on teaching 3rd and 4th graders effective anger management techniques through collaborative learning. Students will watch a video on anger management, engage in a guided discussion, and complete an exit ticket to reflect on their learning. This lesson is important as it equips students with essential skills to recognize and manage their emotions, promoting a positive and supportive classroom environment.

This lesson introduces fifth graders to the concept of using mind maps to organize and understand their emotions. By visually mapping their feelings and identifying triggers, students gain insight into their emotional responses and learn strategies to manage them effectively. This lesson is important as it empowers students with tools to enhance their emotional intelligence, which is crucial for personal development and social interactions.

In this lesson, third graders will participate in a kindness activity where each act of kindness performed is added to a paper chain. This visual and collaborative effort inspires continued acts of kindness, demonstrating how their actions impact the community positively. The lesson aims to foster empathy and community awareness among students, encouraging them to recognize the importance of kindness in their daily interactions.

In this lesson, 2nd grade students will explore various techniques to calm down when feeling upset or anxious. These techniques include deep breathing, counting, and mindfulness exercises. This lesson is important as it equips young students with essential self-regulation skills that can help them manage their emotions effectively, leading to improved focus and behavior in the classroom.

In this lesson, first graders will create a 'Gratitude Jar' to focus on gratitude. Students will write or draw things they are thankful for on slips of paper and add them to a jar throughout the week. This activity helps build gratitude and positive thinking in the classroom, fostering a positive environment and encouraging students to appreciate the small things in life.

In this lesson, fifth graders will create mind maps to depict their goals and dreams for the future. This activity helps students imagine positive paths forward, fostering hopeful thinking and planning skills. By visualizing their aspirations, students can better understand the steps needed to achieve their goals, promoting a proactive mindset.

In this lesson, first graders will explore how colors can express emotions. They will engage in a creative activity where they paint or color using a palette that represents a range of feelings, such as happiness, sadness, anger, and calmness. This lesson is important as it helps young students identify and discuss their emotional experiences in a creative and engaging way, fostering emotional intelligence and self-expression.

This lesson encourages third graders to express their feelings and thoughts through various art forms. It serves as a therapeutic outlet for self-expression, helping students articulate emotions they might not have words for. This lesson is important as it fosters creativity and emotional intelligence, providing students with tools to express themselves in a healthy and constructive manner.

This lesson aims to help 3rd-grade students understand the impact of words and how to handle bullying and mean moments. Through a video, discussion, and activities, students will learn the S.T.O.P. method to manage negative interactions and the importance of empathy. This lesson is crucial for fostering a supportive and respectful classroom environment.

In this lesson, students will pair up to exchange genuine compliments, focusing on personal strengths and impacts. This exercise is designed to promote self-esteem, positive peer relationships, and recognition of individuality within the classroom. By engaging in this activity, students will learn to appreciate their peers' unique qualities and build a supportive classroom environment.

This lesson introduces 3rd-grade students to basic mindfulness techniques, including breathing exercises and simple meditation. These practices are designed to help improve focus and reduce stress, providing students with tools to manage their emotions and enhance their learning experience.

This workshop is designed to help 4th-grade students practice empathy and understand the impact of kindness through interactive activities such as role-playing and group discussions. By engaging in these activities, students will develop a deeper understanding of how their actions affect others and learn to foster a more compassionate classroom environment.

This lesson introduces students to mindfulness by using nature soundscapes in breathing exercises. It helps students calm their minds and improve concentration by focusing on sound. This practice is important as it can enhance students' emotional regulation and attention skills, which are crucial for their overall well-being and academic success.

This series of 8 group meetings helps 2nd grade students understand emotional regulation by exploring the concept of the 'upstairs' and 'downstairs' brain. Through videos, guided discussions, and activities, students will learn strategies to manage their emotions effectively. This lesson series is crucial for developing self-awareness and coping skills, which are essential for emotional well-being and social interactions.

This series of 6 group meetings helps 1st grade students understand emotional regulation by exploring the concept of the 'upstairs' and 'downstairs' brain. Through videos, guided discussions, and activities, students will learn strategies to manage their emotions effectively. This lesson series is crucial for developing self-awareness and coping skills, which are essential for emotional well-being and social interactions.

This lesson introduces 3rd grade students to the concepts of growth mindset and fixed mindset through engaging activities. By understanding these mindsets, students can learn to embrace challenges and view failures as opportunities for growth. This lesson is important as it helps students develop resilience and a positive attitude towards learning.