Lesson Plan

Catch Your Calm

Students will learn three practical coping skills for everyday stress and practice applying them in real-life scenarios, building a toolkit for emotional regulation.

Equipping 7th graders with coping strategies fosters emotional resilience, reduces anxiety, and improves focus, behavior, and overall well-being in and out of the classroom.

Audience

Time

Approach

Materials

Prep

Prepare Materials

15 minutes

Step 1

Introduction to Stress and Coping

10 minutes

Step 2

Teach Three Coping Strategies

15 minutes

Step 3

Scenario-Based Practice

10 minutes

Step 4

Personal Reflection

5 minutes

Step 5

Wrap-Up & Exit Ticket

5 minutes

Lesson Plan

Coping Champions

Students will learn and practice three evidence-based coping strategies and create a personalized plan to manage stress in real-life situations.

Building coping skills enhances emotional resilience, reduces anxiety, and supports academic focus and positive peer interactions for 7th graders.

Audience

Time

Approach

Materials

Prep

Prepare Materials

15 minutes

Step 1

Introduction to Stress & Coping

10 minutes

Step 2

Demonstrate Three Coping Strategies

12 minutes

Step 3

Scenario-Based Group Practice

10 minutes

Step 4

Develop Personal Coping Plan

8 minutes

Step 5

Wrap-Up & Exit Ticket

5 minutes

Slide Deck

Coping Champions

Welcome students and introduce today’s topic: understanding and learning coping skills for stress management. Mention the lesson goals and structure.

What is Stress? What is a Coping Skill?

Ask students to share what comes to mind when they hear “stress.” Use their responses to build collaborative definitions on the board.

Why Manage Stress?

Explain why coping skills matter in school and life. Highlight benefits like better focus, improved mood, and stronger friendships.

Coping Strategy #1: Deep Breathing

Lead a 3-step guided breathing exercise using the [Deep Breathing Prompt Cards](#deep-breathing-prompt-cards). Demonstrate slowly and invite students to follow along.

Coping Strategy #2: Positive Self-Talk

Model positive self-talk by thinking aloud (e.g., “I’ve got this!”). Invite volunteers to share their own affirmation statements.

Coping Strategy #3: Progressive Muscle Relaxation

Guide students through tensing and relaxing muscle groups. Start with shoulders and work down to toes. Encourage noticing the difference between tension and relaxation.

Group Practice Instructions

Explain the group practice activity and circulate to monitor. Encourage students to refer to the [Stress Scenario Cards](#stress-scenario-cards) and select the best strategy for each scenario.

Develop Your Personal Coping Plan

Distribute the [Coping Strategies Worksheet](#coping-strategies-worksheet). Prompt students to choose their top 2–3 strategies and specify when and how they’ll use them.

Exit Ticket & Wrap-Up

Collect exit tickets to gauge understanding and identify students needing extra support. Reinforce that coping skills can be practiced anytime during the day.

Lesson Plan

Catch Your Calm

Audience

Time

Approach

Materials

Prep

Prepare Materials

Step 1

Introduction to Stress and Coping

Step 2

Teach Three Coping Strategies

Step 3

Scenario-Based Practice

Step 4

Personal Reflection

Step 5

Wrap-Up & Exit Ticket

Lesson Plan

Coping Champions

Audience

Time

Approach

Materials

Prep

Prepare Materials

Step 1

Introduction to Stress & Coping

Step 2

Demonstrate Three Coping Strategies

Step 3

Scenario-Based Group Practice

Step 4

Develop Personal Coping Plan

Step 5

Wrap-Up & Exit Ticket

Slide Deck

Coping Champions

What is Stress? What is a Coping Skill?

Why Manage Stress?

Coping Strategy #1: Deep Breathing

Coping Strategy #2: Positive Self-Talk

Coping Strategy #3: Progressive Muscle Relaxation

Group Practice Instructions

Develop Your Personal Coping Plan

Exit Ticket & Wrap-Up

Worksheet

Reading

Journal

Activity

Coping Champions

Cristina