Welcome students and introduce today’s mission: "We are the Calm Crew!" Explain that sometimes we have big feelings—like being sad, mad, scared, or frustrated—and today we will learn three ways to help calm our bodies and minds. Prompt: “Can anyone show me a thumbs-up if you’re feeling happy? Thumbs-down if you’re feeling upset?”

Introduce deep breathing as our first coping strategy. Show students their Breathing Buddy (stuffed animal) and model placing it on your belly. Script: “Breathe in slowly through your nose, watch your buddy rise… then breathe out through your mouth, watch them fall.” Lead three rounds of counting to 4 on inhale and 4 on exhale. Encourage slow, steady breaths.

Explain that our thoughts can help us feel calm, too. Model positive self-talk by placing your hand on your heart. Script: “I am safe. I am calm. I can handle this.” Have students turn to a partner, place a hand on their heart, and say their chosen positive phrase three times.

Demonstrate each gentle stretch, holding for 5–10 seconds and reminding students to keep breathing slowly. 1. Reach arms up to the sky. 2. Side bends (reach right, reach left). 3. Butterfly legs (soles of feet together, gently flap knees).

Distribute the Calm Crew Coping Strategies Worksheet. Invite students to circle or draw their favorite strategy from today. Prompt volunteers: “Who will share which strategy they will use next time they feel a big feeling?”