Lesson Plan

Coping Compass Lesson Plan

By the end of this session, students will identify and practice three coping strategies—deep breathing, grounding techniques, and positive self-talk—to manage anxiety in their new school environment.

Transitioning to a new school can trigger severe anxiety. Teaching concrete coping skills empowers students to self-regulate, build resilience, and feel more confident in adjusting to their new environment.

Audience

Time

Approach

Materials

Prep

Review and Prepare Materials

10 minutes

Step 1

Introduction and Warm-Up

5 minutes

Step 2

Guided Reading and Discussion

15 minutes

Step 3

Coping Skill Modeling

10 minutes

Step 4

Hands-On Practice Activity

10 minutes

Step 5

Reflection and Closing

5 minutes

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Slide Deck

Coping Compass: Managing Anxiety

Welcome everyone! Introduce yourself and explain that today’s session is called “Coping Compass.” Let students know we’ll learn three practical coping skills to manage anxiety in our new school. Prompt: “By the end of today, you’ll be able to identify and practice deep breathing, grounding, and positive self-talk.”

What Is Anxiety?

Briefly define anxiety in simple terms. Ask students to share one feeling they’ve experienced when anxious (e.g., tight chest, racing thoughts). Write key words on chart paper.

Why Learn Coping Skills?

Explain why coping skills matter. Emphasize that having tools to calm ourselves builds confidence and helps face new challenges in school.

Coping Skill #1: Deep Breathing

Model deep breathing along with students. Count out loud: inhale–2–3–4, exhale–2–3–4–5–6. Repeat twice together. Encourage them to place a hand on their belly to feel the movement.

Coping Skill #2: Grounding

Guide students through the 5-4-3-2-1 grounding exercise. Ask them to look around the room and name items out loud.

Coping Skill #3: Positive Self-Talk

Share positive self-talk examples. Invite students to suggest their own affirmations. Write a few on chart paper.

Reading & Discussion

Hand out the reading passage. Give students 5 minutes to read silently or in pairs. Then prompt discussion: “What triggered anxiety in the story? Which skill did the character use?” Record responses under each skill heading.

Hands-On Practice

Distribute worksheets. Explain that each scenario on the sheet requires choosing one coping skill and practicing it. Pair students to role-play each other’s scenarios while you circulate.

Reflection & Closing

Ask each student to share one coping strategy they found most helpful and when they might use it next. Lead a brief 1-minute silent mindfulness cooldown: close eyes, focus on breathing.

Resources & Next Steps

Remind students where to find additional help and practice materials. Encourage them to keep the worksheet and refer back to these strategies anytime.

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Coping Compass

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Tier 2
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