Introduce yourself and welcome the student. Explain that today’s goal is to learn why anxiety happens in the body and brain, practice a quick grounding exercise, and master three simple coping skills.

Guide verbally through the 5-4-3-2-1 grounding technique. Pause after each sense to let the student respond.

Explain that anxiety activates the fight-or-flight response, our built-in alarm system. Use simple language: "Your body thinks it’s in danger even when it isn’t."

Show a simple diagram or point to the slide. Describe: the amygdala detects threat; the prefrontal cortex helps us think through it.

Invite the student to share physical signs they notice when anxious. Relate their examples back to the list.

Model the 4-7-8 breathing: inhale 4 seconds, hold 7, exhale 8. Count aloud with the student.

Explain that writing helps organize thoughts and reduce worry. Give examples of journal prompts.

Walk through a sample thought, challenge it, and reframe it. Encourage the student to think of their own negative thought.

Use these prompts to guide discussion and note the student’s answers for follow-up.

Ask the student to complete the reflection in their notebook. Summarize key takeaways and schedule a quick follow-up check-in.