Lesson Plan

Session 1 Plan

This session helps students recognize and articulate their specific school-related anxiety triggers through guided reflection and group sharing, building self-awareness essential for managing stress.

Understanding personal anxiety triggers empowers students to anticipate stressors, seek support, and apply coping strategies more effectively, reducing overwhelm and improving school engagement.

Audience

Time

Approach

Materials

Prep

Prepare Session 1 Materials

5 minutes

Step 1

Warm-Up & Check-In

5 minutes

Step 2

Introduce Anxiety and Triggers

7 minutes

Step 3

Self-Awareness Activity

10 minutes

Step 4

Group Discussion

5 minutes

Step 5

Wrap-Up & Next Steps

3 minutes

Slide Deck

Chill Skills: Session 1

Welcome students warmly as they arrive. Point out the title and subtitle. Explain that today’s session is about recognizing anxiety triggers. Use a clear, large font title and a simple graphic (e.g., calm brain icon).

Session Objectives

Read each objective aloud and check for understanding. Use simple language and encourage nods or thumbs up to confirm. Emphasize that these goals will guide our time together.

What Is Anxiety?

Explain that anxiety is a natural reaction to stress. Point to the body-sensation examples. Ask students if they’ve noticed any of these sensations before.

What Are Triggers?

Define triggers in a simple way. Read aloud each example, showing an icon or emoji next to each. Invite students to name any other triggers they can think of.

Why Identify Triggers?

Discuss each benefit one by one. Ask students how knowing a trigger could help them—for example, planning a break before a quiz.

Today’s Agenda

Walk through today’s agenda step by step. Use a simple numbered list. Let students know how long each part will take and when they can ask questions.

Worksheet

Activity

Lesson Plan

Session 2 Plan

In this session, students will learn the 4-4-4 deep breathing technique and positive self-talk, then practice both in guided and role-play activities to manage school anxiety.

Deep breathing helps calm the physiological symptoms of anxiety by focusing on breath, while positive self-talk builds confidence—together they equip students to manage stress in real time.

Audience

Time

Approach

Materials

Prep

Prepare Session 2 Materials

5 minutes

Step 1

Warm-Up & Check-In

5 minutes

Step 2

Introduce Coping Strategies

7 minutes

Step 3

Deep Breathing Practice

8 minutes

Step 4

Positive Self-Talk Activity

6 minutes

Step 5

Scenario Role-Play

3 minutes

Step 6

Wrap-Up & Homework

1 minute

Slide Deck

Chill Skills: Session 2

Welcome students and introduce today's focus on practical coping strategies to manage anxiety in school. Use a calm background and clear font.

Session Objectives

Read each objective aloud and check understanding. Encourage students to think of examples from their experience.

Coping Strategies Overview

Introduce the two strategies. Use icons next to each (e.g., senses icon for grounding, speech bubble for self-talk).

Grounding Technique

Explain each step of the grounding technique. Guide students through naming things they see, hear, etc.

Positive Self-Talk

Discuss examples of self-talk phrases. Encourage students to personalize with their own words.

Today’s Agenda & Homework

Outline the practice plan. Remind students to use strategies daily and note how they help.

Worksheet

Activity

Lesson Plan

Session 3 Plan

Students will learn Progressive Muscle Relaxation (PMR) to reduce physical tension and map their personal support network to identify people and resources to turn to when they feel anxious.

PMR builds body awareness and releases built-up stress, while mapping a support network ensures students know who can help them in challenging moments, fostering resilience and proactive help-seeking.

Audience

Time

Approach

Materials

Prep

Prepare Session 3 Materials

5 minutes

Step 1

Warm-Up & Check-In

5 minutes

Step 2

Introduce PMR & Network Mapping

5 minutes

Step 3

Guided PMR Practice

10 minutes

Step 4

Support Network Mapping

7 minutes

Step 5

Wrap-Up & Homework

3 minutes

Slide Deck

Chill Skills: Session 3

Welcome students warmly as they arrive. Introduce today’s focus on body-based stress release and building support connections.

Session Objectives

Read each objective aloud and ask for a thumbs-up when students understand each goal.

What Is Progressive Muscle Relaxation?

Explain that PMR helps you become aware of tension and learn relaxation. Demonstrate tensing and relaxing your hands.

What Is Support Network Mapping?

Introduce mapping your support network. Highlight why knowing your supports matters.

Today’s Agenda

Outline today’s flow. Let students know when to ask questions and when each activity will happen.

Activity

Worksheet

Slide Deck

Chill Skills: Session 4

Welcome students and introduce today’s focus on building their own personalized Anxiety Management Plans. Use an engaging graphic and friendly tone.

Session Objectives

Read each objective aloud. Check for understanding with thumbs-up. Emphasize that this plan is theirs to own and use.

What Is an Anxiety Management Plan?

Explain what an Anxiety Management Plan is and why it matters. Highlight that having clear steps reduces surprises when anxiety strikes.

Building Your Plan

Walk through how to use the template. Point out where to list triggers, choose strategies, add supports, and write action steps.

Today’s Agenda

Outline today’s flow so students know what’s coming. Remind them there’s time for peer review and personalizing their plans.

Lesson Plan

Session 5 Plan

Students will track their anxiety before and after using their personalized coping plans, reflect on what worked, and adjust their strategies for ongoing success.

Self‐monitoring helps students recognize patterns, celebrate progress, and fine‐tune their anxiety management, fostering independence and confidence in school settings.

Audience

Time

Approach

Materials

Prep

Prepare Session 5 Materials

5 minutes

Step 1

Warm-Up & Check-In

5 minutes

Step 2

Introduce Self-Monitoring

7 minutes

Step 3

Anxiety Rating Activity

8 minutes

Step 4

Reflection & Plan Adjustment

7 minutes

Step 5

Wrap-Up & Next Steps

3 minutes

Worksheet

Activity

Worksheet

Lesson Plan

Session 4 Plan

Students will create a personalized Anxiety Management Plan by identifying their top triggers, selecting coping strategies for each, and defining supports and action steps to use when they feel anxious.

Having a concrete plan empowers students to apply strategies proactively, builds ownership of their coping skills, and ensures they know who and how to ask for help when anxiety arises.

Audience

Time

Approach

Materials

Prep

Prepare Session 4 Materials

5 minutes

Step 1

Warm-Up & Check-In

5 minutes

Step 2

Introduce Plan Goals

5 minutes

Step 3

Personalized Plan Development

10 minutes

Step 4

Peer Feedback & Refinement

7 minutes

Step 5

Commitment & Wrap-Up

3 minutes