Lesson Plan

Introduction to Pause and Breathe

Students will learn and practice the 'Pause and Breathe' technique to manage rising emotions. By the end of this session, they’ll identify when to pause, understand why breathing calms the body, and execute a guided bubble-breathing exercise independently.

Teaching self-regulation through breathing gives 5th graders an easy, on-the-spot tool to reduce stress and prevent escalations. This builds emotional resilience, supports classroom focus, and aligns with Tier 2 small-group behavioral support.

Audience

Time

Approach

Materials

Prep

Teacher Preparation

5 minutes

Step 1

Quick Calm Check Warm-Up

2 minutes

Step 2

Introduce Pause and Breathe

3 minutes

Step 3

Explore the Science of Breathing

5 minutes

Step 4

Bubble Breathing Demo Activity

4 minutes

Slide Deck

The Science of Breathing

Welcome students and introduce today’s topic. Ask: “Why do we need to breathe?” Collect a couple of responses before moving on.

Breathing Basics

Explain each bullet briefly and point to a simple lung-heart diagram on the board or screen.

What Happens When We Breathe Deeply?

Highlight connections between breath and the body’s stress response. Invite a student to place their hand on their chest to feel heartbeats.

Feel the Difference

Lead students through one deep breath and then prompt discussion. Pair students if space allows.

Bubble Breathing Demo

Guide students through three rounds of bubble breathing, counting aloud. Encourage them to imagine big, slow bubbles.