Lesson Plan

Mindful Moments Lesson Plan

In this 30-minute lesson, students will learn to recognize personal stress triggers and practice mindfulness techniques to build a personalized coping toolkit, fostering self-awareness and emotional resilience.

Equipping 7th graders with basic mental health knowledge and coping skills promotes emotional well-being, reduces anxiety, and supports academic focus.

Audience

Time

Approach

Materials

Prep

Teacher Preparation

10 minutes

Step 1

Introduction

5 minutes

Step 2

Identifying Stress Triggers

8 minutes

Step 3

Mindfulness Practice

7 minutes

Step 4

Building a Coping Toolkit

7 minutes

Step 5

Reflection and Wrap-Up

3 minutes

Lesson Plan

Mind Over Mood

Students will identify personal stress triggers, practice a guided mindfulness exercise, and create a personalized coping toolkit to manage emotions and build resilience.

Teaching mental health and coping skills at the Tier 1 level equips all 7th graders with essential strategies to recognize stress, regulate emotions, and maintain well-being in and out of the classroom.

Audience

Time

Approach

Materials

Prep

Teacher Preparation

10 minutes

Step 1

Warm-Up

5 minutes

Step 2

Stress Trigger Identification

8 minutes

Step 3

Mindfulness Breathing Practice

7 minutes

Step 4

Coping Toolkit Creation

7 minutes

Step 5

Cool-Down and Reflection

3 minutes

Slide Deck

Mind Over Mood

Welcome everyone! Introduce yourselves and tell students today’s lesson is called “Mind Over Mood.” Explain that they’ll learn what mental health and stress are, how to recognize their own triggers, practice a calming breathing exercise, and build a toolkit of coping strategies.

Objectives

Read through each objective aloud. Emphasize that these goals will guide today’s activities and that by the end they’ll have personal tools to manage stress.

What Is Mental Health & Stress?

Define terms in your own words and ask students for examples. Keep it conversational. If a student offers a relatable example, reinforce it.

Identifying Stress Triggers

Pass out the [Stress Trigger Chart Handout](#stress-trigger-chart-handout). Give students 3–5 minutes to list their triggers, then pair them up. Circulate and listen for common themes.

Mindfulness Breathing: 4-7-8 Technique

Demonstrate the 4-7-8 breathing technique step by step. Then start the mindfulness timer (or app). After 3 minutes, invite students to reflect on how they feel.

Creating Your Coping Toolkit

Hand out the [Coping Tools Wheel Handout](#coping-tools-wheel-handout). Brainstorm ideas as a class. Encourage creativity. Remind students to use colored pens.

Reflection & Wrap-Up

Invite 2–3 volunteers to share one strategy they wrote down. Reinforce that these strategies can be used anytime they feel stressed. Thank students for their participation.

Worksheet

Activity

Cool Down

Lesson Plan

Mind Over Mood Grade 5

In this 30-minute lesson, 5th graders will learn to spot simple stress triggers, practice an easy breathing exercise, and create a colorful coping toolkit they can use whenever they feel upset.

Helping 5th graders name what makes them feel worried and giving them hands-on coping tools supports emotional health, builds confidence, and creates a calm classroom environment.

Audience

Time

Approach

Materials

Prep

Teacher Preparation

10 minutes

Step 1

Warm-Up

5 minutes

Step 2

Identify Stress Triggers

8 minutes

Step 3

Breathing Practice

7 minutes

Step 4

Build Coping Toolkit

7 minutes

Step 5

Reflection & Wrap-Up

3 minutes

Lesson Plan

Mind Over Mood Grade 6

In this 30-minute lesson, 6th graders will analyze personal stress triggers, practice multiple mindfulness activities including breathing and listening, and collaboratively develop and reflect on an advanced coping toolkit to enhance self-awareness and peer support.

At the 6th grade transition, encouraging deeper reflection and shared mindfulness strategies builds emotional resilience, fosters connection, and supports a positive classroom climate.

Audience

Time

Approach

Materials

Prep

Teacher Preparation

10 minutes

Step 1

Warm-Up

5 minutes

Step 2

Stress Trigger Analysis

8 minutes

Step 3

Mindfulness Practices

7 minutes

Step 4

Advanced Coping Toolkit Creation

7 minutes

Step 5

Reflection & Deeper Sharing

3 minutes

Lesson Plan

Mind Over Mood Grade 8

In this 30-minute lesson, 8th graders will critically examine personal and peer stress sources, practice a guided mindfulness breathing exercise, apply coping strategies to real-world scenarios, and create a resilience action plan.

Eighth graders face complex social and academic pressures; this lesson builds strategic coping skills, self-reflection, and practical application to help students manage stress now and in high school.

Audience

Time

Approach

Materials

Prep

Teacher Preparation

10 minutes

Step 1

Warm-Up

5 minutes

Step 2

Stress Source Exploration

8 minutes

Step 3

Mindfulness Practice & Reflection

7 minutes

Step 4

Scenario-Based Toolkit Application

7 minutes

Step 5

Reflection & Action Planning

3 minutes