Lesson Plan

Trigger Tracker Lesson Plan

Students will identify personal emotional triggers and practice calming techniques—deep breathing and stress ball use—to manage feelings and reduce outbursts.

Developing self-awareness and coping strategies empowers students to regulate emotions, fostering a calmer classroom and improving focus and relationships.

Audience

Time

Approach

Materials

Prep

Gather Materials and Prepare Space

10 minutes

Step 1

Mood Meter Warm-Up

5 minutes

Step 2

Introduction to Triggers

5 minutes

Step 3

Trigger Tracking Activity

10 minutes

Step 4

Calm Strategies Presentation

10 minutes

Step 5

Stress Ball Station Practice

10 minutes

Step 6

Reflection Circle

5 minutes

Slide Deck

Finding Your Calm

Welcome, everyone! Today we’re going to learn how to notice when we feel upset and some simple ways to help ourselves calm down. Let’s get started!

What Is a Trigger?

Explain that a trigger is something that makes our feelings feel big or overwhelming. Share a simple class-friendly example, like a loud noise or feeling left out.

Calming Technique: Deep Breathing

Teach deep breathing. Model counting in your head as you inhale for 4, hold for 2, and exhale for 6. Encourage students to follow along.

Calming Technique: Counting Slowly

Guide students through counting slowly: when we feel upset, counting gives our brain time to calm down. Count out loud together.

Calming Technique: Using a Stress Ball

Show a stress ball if you have one. Explain how squeezing can help release tension. Invite students to pretend-squeeze and breathe at the same time.

Lesson Plan

Trigger Tracker Lesson Plan

Audience

Time

Approach

Materials

Prep

Gather Materials and Prepare Space

Step 1

Mood Meter Warm-Up

Step 2

Introduction to Triggers

Step 3

Trigger Tracking Activity

Step 4

Calm Strategies Presentation

Step 5

Stress Ball Station Practice

Step 6

Reflection Circle

Slide Deck

Finding Your Calm

What Is a Trigger?

Calming Technique: Deep Breathing

Calming Technique: Counting Slowly

Calming Technique: Using a Stress Ball

Warm Up

Activity

Script

Cool Down

Feeling Out of Control?

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