Lesson Plan

Session 1 Plan

Build initial trust and introduce simple breathing techniques to help the student feel safe and calm.

Establishing rapport and teaching a basic self-soothing tool lays the foundation for emotional regulation and trust in future sessions.

Audience

Time

Approach

Materials

Prep

Prepare Materials and Environment

5 minutes

Step 1

Welcome and Rapport Building

3 minutes

Step 2

Establishing a Safety Signal

2 minutes

Step 3

Introduce Emotion Thermometer

4 minutes

Step 4

Belly Breathing Practice

4 minutes

Step 5

Closure and Positive Reinforcement

2 minutes

Slide Deck

Calm and Connect: Session 1

Welcome the student warmly by name. Introduce the Calm and Connect series and explain that today is our first session to help them feel safe and calm.

Welcome & Rapport Building

Use this slide to build rapport. Pull out the [Getting-To-Know-You Question Cards](#getting-to-know-you-cards) and select one or two simple questions. Listen actively, validate the student’s answers, and respond with genuine interest.

Establishing a Safety Signal

Explain that we’ll use a special safety signal if they ever feel upset or need a break. Practice it together so they know you’ll always respond calmly.

Introducing the Emotion Thermometer

Show the [Emotion Thermometer Chart](#emotion-thermometer-chart). Describe each color zone. Ask the student to point to how they feel right now and name the feeling. Reflect back to validate.

Belly Breathing Practice

Display the [Belly Breathing Diagram](#belly-breathing-diagram). Demonstrate deep belly breaths. Guide the student through 4–5 cycles, counting slowly and offering praise after each breath.

Closure & Positive Reinforcement

Check in on how they feel now using the thermometer. Offer positive reinforcement and remind them of the safety signal. Let them know they did a great job.

Lesson Plan

Session 2 Plan

Help the student recognize and name a range of emotions, introduce a safe-place visualization to reduce anxiety, and practice using mental imagery as a coping strategy.

Building the ability to label feelings and use a calming mental image increases self-awareness and provides a go‐to tool for managing stress and trauma‐related anxiety.

Audience

Time

Approach

Materials

Prep

Prepare Materials and Environment

5 minutes

Step 1

Warm-Up & Safety Signal Review

2 minutes

Step 2

Emotion Sorting Activity

5 minutes

Step 3

Introduce Safe-Place Visualization

3 minutes

Step 4

Guided Visualization Practice

3 minutes

Step 5

Coping Imagery Role-Play

2 minutes

Slide Deck

Calm and Connect: Session 2

Welcome the student and outline today’s plan. Explain we’ll check in, explore feelings, imagine a safe place, and learn a new coping image.

Warm-Up & Safety Signal Review

Greet the student, ask how they feel today using the thermometer, and review the safety signal quickly so they know they can pause anytime.

Emotion Sorting Activity

Lay out the Emotion Sorting Cards. Have the student pick each card, name the emotion, and share a time they felt it. Validate and praise their efforts.

Introducing Safe-Place Visualization

Introduce the Safe Place Visualization Worksheet. Explain how to imagine a cozy safe place, noticing sights, sounds, smells, and who is there.

Guided Visualization Practice

Guide the student through imagining their safe place step by step, pausing to let them respond. Invite them to notice how their body feels.

Coping Imagery Role-Play & Closure

Use a Coping Strategy Imagery Card to model a quick coping activity. Have the student name and act it out. Reinforce that they can use this image when upset.

Lesson Plan

Session 3 Plan

Help the student identify physical cues of stress and learn a sensory grounding technique (5-4-3-2-1) to regain calm and focus.

Recognizing body signals increases self-awareness, and practicing grounding offers a simple, concrete strategy to reduce anxiety and prevent emotional outbursts.

Audience

Time

Approach

Materials

Prep

Prepare Materials and Environment

5 minutes

Step 1

Warm-Up & Safety Signal Review

2 minutes

Step 2

Body Signal Identification

4 minutes

Step 3

Introduce Grounding Technique

3 minutes

Step 4

5-4-3-2-1 Grounding Practice

4 minutes

Step 5

Closure & Reflection

2 minutes

Slide Deck

Calm and Connect: Session 3

Welcome the student and introduce today’s focus. Explain that in this session we’ll notice body signals, learn a grounding technique, and practice using it to feel calm.

Warm-Up & Safety Signal Review

Greet the student by name. Ask how they’re feeling using the Emotion Thermometer, then review and practice the safety signal once so they know they can pause at any time.

Body Signal Identification

Lay out the Body Sensation Signal Cards. Invite the student to pick a card, name the sensation, and share a time they’ve felt it. Validate each example.

Introducing Grounding Technique

Show the Grounding Technique Visual Guide. Explain how the 5-4-3-2-1 method uses our five senses to bring us back to the present.

5-4-3-2-1 Grounding Practice

Give the student the 5-4-3-2-1 Grounding Worksheet. Guide them through each sense step by step, offering prompts and encouragement.

Closure & Reflection

Ask the student how they feel now using the Emotion Thermometer. Praise their effort and remind them they can use 5-4-3-2-1 anytime they feel upset.

Lesson Plan

Session 4 Plan

Review and reinforce all learned coping strategies, apply them in realistic scenarios through role-play, and develop a personalized plan for independent use.

Consolidating practice across multiple skills enhances confidence, ensures the student can generalize tools in various situations, and fosters self-reliance in managing emotions.

Audience

Time

Approach

Materials

Prep

Prepare Materials and Environment

5 minutes

Step 1

Warm-Up & Safety Signal Review

2 minutes

Step 2

Strategy Flash Review

3 minutes

Step 3

Problem-Solving Role-Play

6 minutes

Step 4

Create Personal Coping Plan

3 minutes

Step 5

Closure & Next Steps

1 minute

Slide Deck

Calm and Connect: Session 4

Welcome the student and review today’s goals. Explain we’ll revisit all our tools, practice using them in pretend situations, and create a plan just for you.

Strategy Flash Review

Quickly flash each tool and practice it once: belly breathing, safe-place visualization, grounding, and imagery. Keep it brief and fun.

Problem-Solving Role-Play

Present simple scenarios. Ask the student to pick a strategy and act it out. Model first, then let them try.

Create Your Personal Coping Plan

Introduce the worksheet. Help the student list their favorite strategies and draw or write when to use them. Encourage personalization.

Closure & Next Steps

Check in one last time. Celebrate progress and remind them they can use this plan anytime. Let them know you’ll share it with their teacher.