Lesson Plan

Stress Busters Lesson Plan

Students will learn and practice three coping strategies—deep breathing, positive self-talk, and grounding techniques—to manage stress and reflect on how to apply these skills in everyday situations.

Equipping 7th graders with coping skills builds emotional resilience, supports mental well-being, and empowers them to handle stress both in school and at home.

Audience

Time

Approach

Materials

Prep

Prepare Materials

5 minutes

Step 1

Introduction and Hook

3 minutes

Step 2

Deep Breathing Practice

5 minutes

Step 3

Positive Self-Talk Activity

7 minutes

Step 4

Grounding Techniques Exercise

7 minutes

Step 5

Real-Life Scenarios Role-Play

5 minutes

Step 6

Reflection and Closing

3 minutes

Slide Deck

Stress Busters 101

Welcome students and introduce the lesson. Explain that today we’ll learn practical coping skills to manage stress and strong emotions.

Why Coping Skills Matter

Define stress and coping skills. Ask two volunteers to share a recent stressful moment. Emphasize that everyone experiences stress and can learn strategies to feel more in control.

Deep Breathing Practice

Display the guide and lead students through the 4-4-4 breathing cycle. Encourage noticing how breathing affects heart rate and calmness.

Positive Self-Talk Activity

Show posters with examples, then ask students to write and share their own positive statements. Encourage supportive feedback.

Grounding Techniques Exercise

Guide students through the 5-4-3-2-1 sensory exercise step by step. Invite volunteers to share how it shifted their focus.

Real-Life Scenarios Role-Play

Hand out scenarios and direct pairs to role-play using one coping skill. After each demo, facilitate class feedback.

Reflection & Closing

Ask students to write down one coping skill they’ll practice today. Invite a few to share and reinforce the importance of daily practice.

Lesson Plan

Stress Busters Lesson Plan

Audience

Time

Approach

Materials

Prep

Prepare Materials

Step 1

Introduction and Hook

Step 2

Deep Breathing Practice

Step 3

Positive Self-Talk Activity

Step 4

Grounding Techniques Exercise

Step 5

Real-Life Scenarios Role-Play

Step 6

Reflection and Closing

Slide Deck

Stress Busters 101

Why Coping Skills Matter

Deep Breathing Practice

Positive Self-Talk Activity

Grounding Techniques Exercise

Real-Life Scenarios Role-Play

Reflection & Closing

Activity

Activity

Worksheet

Reading

Stress Busters

QA Individual