Lesson Plan

Calm Command Outline

In this 40-minute Tier 2 self-management workshop, 5th graders will learn and practice three breathing and mindfulness techniques—Pulse Check-In, Mindful Minutes, and Breathing Buddy—to recognize stress cues and apply calm-down strategies in real-time scenarios.

Equipping students with self-regulation skills helps them manage stress, maintain focus, and build emotional resilience. Practicing these techniques fosters a positive classroom climate and supports overall well-being.

Audience

Time

Approach

Materials

Prep

Review and Setup

10 minutes

Step 1

Pulse Check-In Warm-Up

5 minutes

Step 2

Introduction to Mindfulness

5 minutes

Step 3

Mindful Minutes Guided Practice

8 minutes

Step 4

Breathing Buddy Practice

8 minutes

Step 5

Scenario-Based Application

8 minutes

Step 6

Calm-Down Reflection Cool-Down

6 minutes

Slide Deck

Mindful Minutes

Welcome students! Introduce the purpose of these slides: to guide us through three simple mindfulness techniques we can use anytime to feel calmer and more focused.

What Is Mindfulness?

Explain that mindfulness is about paying attention to the present moment without judgment, and outline how these practices can reduce anxiety and improve concentration.

Box Breathing

Guide students through Box Breathing: inhaling, holding, exhaling, and holding again, each for a count of 4. Model the pace and encourage deep, even breaths.

Belly Breathing

Demonstrate Belly Breathing by placing one hand on the chest and one on the belly so students can feel the rise and fall. Emphasize slow, deep diaphragmatic breaths.

5-4-3-2-1 Grounding

Explain the grounding technique step by step, prompting students to notice their senses and bring their attention back to the present moment.

Practice & Observe

Encourage students to reflect on how they feel after each exercise. Ask for quick feedback: thumbs up/down or one word to describe their experience.

Next Steps

Wrap up by challenging students to use these techniques in real situations. Remind them they have tools to stay calm whenever they need.

Lesson Plan

Calm Command Outline

Audience

Time

Approach

Materials

Prep

Review and Setup

Step 1

Pulse Check-In Warm-Up

Step 2

Introduction to Mindfulness

Step 3

Mindful Minutes Guided Practice

Step 4

Breathing Buddy Practice

Step 5

Scenario-Based Application

Step 6

Calm-Down Reflection Cool-Down

Slide Deck

Mindful Minutes

What Is Mindfulness?

Box Breathing

Belly Breathing

5-4-3-2-1 Grounding

Practice & Observe

Next Steps

Warm Up

Activity

Cool Down

? Can You Stay Calm?

Emily Trinkner