Lesson Plan

Pause and Breathe Lesson Plan

Students will learn to recognize early signs of stress in their bodies and practice a simple breathing strategy to calm down before reacting.

Teaching self-regulation helps students make better decisions, reduce impulsive reactions, and manage emotions effectively both in and out of school.

Audience

Time

Approach

Materials

Prep

Prepare Materials

5 minutes

Step 1

Introduction

2 minutes

Step 2

Identify Stress Signals

4 minutes

Step 3

Practice Calming Strategies

6 minutes

Step 4

Reflection and Assessment

3 minutes

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Worksheet

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Reading

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Cool Down

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Script

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Rubric

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Slide Deck

Pause and Breathe

Teacher: "Hi there! Today we’re going to learn how to pause and calm our bodies before reacting when we start to feel stressed. This will help you make better choices and feel more in control."

Why Pause?

Teacher: “Can you think of a recent time when you felt upset or stressed? Tell me what happened.” Use this slide to prompt discussion and connect to students’ experiences.

Recognize Stress Signals

Teacher: “Let’s notice how our bodies tell us we’re stressed. Look at these examples and then fill in Section 2 of your [Stress Signal Identification Worksheet](#stress-signal-identification-worksheet).”

Deep Breathing Steps

Teacher: “Now we’ll learn a breathing technique. Watch me and then we’ll do it together.” Describe each count aloud and model posture.

Other Calming Strategies

Teacher: “We also have other strategies on the [Calming Strategies Chart](#calming-strategies-chart). You might try counting backward, relaxing muscles, or imagining a peaceful place.” Briefly review each as time allows.

Practice Time

Teacher: “Let’s practice deep breathing now. I’ll set the timer for 2 minutes—stay smooth and steady. Notice how your body feels.” Start timer and observe.

Create Your Personal Plan

Teacher: “On Section 5 of your worksheet, write: ‘When I notice [your signal], I will [your strategy].’ Then read me your plan.” Provide feedback and clarify if needed.

Reflection & Next Steps

Teacher: “Use the [Pause and Plan](#pause-and-plan) sheet later to reflect: What worked, what didn’t, and what’s your goal next time?” Encourage continued practice.

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Pause and Breathe

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Tier 3
For Schools
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