Welcome everyone to Coping Champs! Explain that this 30-minute session is the first of five where we’ll learn tools to handle big feelings at school and home.

Read each objective clearly. Ask: “Why might it help to know what we’ll learn before we start?”

Explain why coping is important for 4th and 5th graders: it helps you stay calm during a pop quiz, focus in class, and feel better when things don’t go your way.

Display the [Feelings Chart](#feelings-chart-visual). Ask students to name a time at school they felt an emotion—for example, excitement when a classmate scored in PE, or frustration when a puzzle was too hard.

Define a coping strategy in kid-friendly terms. Invite examples like taking deep breaths before a spelling test or asking a friend for help at recess.

Show the [Coping Strategies Worksheet Session 1](#coping-strategies-worksheet-session1). Explain the three parts and remind students they’ll review triggers first.

Model how to write a trigger: “When I forgot my lunch” or “When I felt butterflies before reading aloud.” Give students 5 minutes to list two triggers in their own words or drawings.

Explain pair-share steps and use prompts. Suggest they talk about a time someone wouldn’t share crayons or when they felt nervous before answering a question.

Encourage realistic goals like “Take three deep breaths when I feel upset” or “Count to ten before speaking up.” Remind students we’ll check in next session.

Praise everyone’s hard work. Preview Session 2: we’ll practice strategies together and play a fun coping game—in case you need another tool in your toolkit!