Lesson Plan

Chill Champs Lesson Plan

Students will learn to recognize anxiety and its physical signs and practice two calming strategies—deep breathing and progressive muscle relaxation—to use in everyday situations.

Helps students build self-awareness of anxiety triggers and equips them with practical coping skills to manage stress proactively.

Audience

Time

Approach

Materials

Prep

Prepare Materials and Space

10 minutes

Step 1

Introduction and Anxiety Exploration

5 minutes

Step 2

Identify Physical Signs of Anxiety

8 minutes

Step 3

Practice Calming Strategy: Deep Breathing

8 minutes

Step 4

Practice Calming Strategy: Progressive Muscle Relaxation

8 minutes

Step 5

Reflection and Closing

1 minute

lenny

Slide Deck

Chill Champs: Coping with Anxiety

Welcome everyone! Introduce yourself and explain that today we are the Chill Champs. Share that we’ll learn about anxiety, notice how our bodies tell us we’re anxious, and practice two simple calming strategies.

How Are You Feeling?

Hand out Emotion Thermometer Cards and invite each student to choose the card that matches how they feel right now. Be warm and encouraging as students share.

What Is Anxiety?

Define anxiety in simple terms: “Anxiety is our body’s alarm system. It tells us something feels tricky or scary.” Use everyday examples like a test or speaking in front of class.

Physical Signs of Anxiety

Display the Anxiety Signs Poster. Read each sign and ask students to raise their hand if they’ve felt it. Validate their experiences.

Strategy 1: Deep Breathing

Introduce the Breathing Exercise Script. Guide students through 5 minutes of deep breathing: inhale for 4, hold 2, exhale 6. Afterward, ask how their body feels. Use: [Breathing Exercise Script](#breathing-exercise-script)

Strategy 2: Muscle Relaxation

Use the Progressive Muscle Relaxation Guide. Lead students through tensing and releasing major muscle groups. Watch their comfort level and adjust pacing as needed. Use: [Progressive Muscle Relaxation Guide](#pmr-guide)

Reflection & Closing

Pass out Chill Champs Reflection Worksheets. Encourage students to draw or write their favorite strategy and one place they could use it. Close with praise and remind them to practice daily.

lenny

Worksheet

lenny
lenny

Reading

lenny
lenny

Script

lenny
lenny

Reading

lenny
lenny

Activity

lenny
lenny
lenny

Chill Champs

Alyssha Walker

Tier 2
For Schools
lenny-learning-logo

Lenny Learning

Create Lesson

CASEL

Health & Wellness

Behavioral Supports

Counseling & Therapy

Family Engagement

School Climate

Special Education

Academic Integration

Seasonal

Career & Life Skills

Arts & Creativity

My Lessons

My Lessons

Video Library

Video Library

Support

Support

Log In