Calm Crew Lesson Plan Calm Crew: Beyond Breath
Tier 2 Group Lesson Plan • 6th Grade
Duration 35 min
Objective
Students will identify and practice at least four new calming and grounding strategies to use when feeling angry, frustrated, or upset, extending beyond basic breathing techniques.
Why This Matters
Learning diverse calming strategies equips students with essential tools to manage intense emotions healthily, promoting emotional regulation and a greater sense of control during challenging moments.
Preparation
Review Lesson Plan, Slides, and Script.
Print copies of Worksheet: My Calm Toolkit (one per student).
Set up Whiteboard/large paper and markers.
Arrange seating for small group discussion.
Ensure access to presentation slides.
Materials Needed
Whiteboard & Markers Calm Crew Slides Warm Up: Emotion Check-In Strategy Stations Activity My Calm Toolkit Worksheet Calm Connection Charades
Instructional Sequence
Step 01
Warm Up: Emotion Check-In
4 min
Have students complete the Emotion Check-In. Facilitate a brief discussion asking students to share (if comfortable) one emotion they are feeling and why. Emphasize that all emotions are okay. Transition by stating that today's lesson will give them new tools to handle strong emotions.
Step 02
Introduce Calming Strategies
12 min
Present the slides and use the script to introduce: 5-4-3-2-1 Grounding, PMR, Ice Cube Grounding, and Movement Breaks. Explain each clearly and guide students through a brief practice.
Step 03
Activity: Strategy Stations
12 min
Guide students through the strategy stations. Allow a few minutes at each 'station' to practice. Circulate to offer support and ensure they are focusing on the sensations and steps.
Step 04
Discussion & Toolkit
4 min
Ask which strategy resonated most and when they might use it. Distribute the "My Calm Toolkit" worksheet for personal reflection.
Step 05
Game: Calm Connection Charades
2 min
Lead students in acting out emotions and strategies to reinforce understanding in a fun way.
Step 06
Cool Down: One Word Wind-Down
1 min
Conclude by asking each student for one word that describes how they feel after the session.
Calm Crew Slides Calm Crew
Beyond Breath!
Your Superpowers for Tricky Feelings
Tier 2 Group
When Feelings Get BIG...
Have you ever felt super mad, frustrated, or upset?
What do you usually do?
Today, we're building our toolkit with new strategies beyond just breathing!
Strategy 01
5-4-3-2-1 Grounding
5
See
4
Feel
3
Hear
2
Smell
1
Taste
The Quick Fix for Feeling Overwhelmed
Strategy 02
Progressive Muscle
Relaxation
SQUEEZE
Tense your muscles for 5-7 seconds.
Let Go
Release and notice the relaxation.
"Start from your toes and work up to your head!"
Strategy 03
Ice Cube Grounding
Cool Down Hot Feelings
Hold an ice cube (or imagine one) and focus only on the cold.
"This shifts your focus away from the big, hot emotions and resets your brain."
Strategy 04
Movement Breaks
Shake It Out!
Gently shake your hands, arms, and legs for 10-20 seconds.
Gentle Stretches
Reach high, stretch your neck, and focus on your muscles.
Your Calm Crew Toolkit!
01
5-4-3-2-1 Grounding
02
Muscle Relaxation
03
Ice Cube Grounding
04
Movement Breaks
Which one are you excited to try first?
Time to Practice!
The best way to get good at something is to practice it. Let's try these out!
Guiding Calm Script Script: Guiding Calm
Instructional Guide for Beyond Breath: Calm Crew
Introduction & Warm-Up (4 min)
Distribute "Warm Up: Emotion Check-In" worksheet.
"Good morning, everyone! Welcome to our 'Calm Crew' session. We're going to start today by checking in with our emotions. I have a Warm Up: Emotion Check-In activity for you. Take a moment to think about how you're feeling right now and pick the emoji that best describes your current emotion. Don't worry, there's no right or wrong answer—just mark down what feels true for you."
[Pause for students to complete.]
"Thank you for sharing. It's totally okay to feel a mix of emotions. Who feels comfortable sharing one emotion they marked and a little bit about why? Remember, we're creating a safe space here. All feelings are valid."
Strategy 1: 5-4-3-2-1 Grounding (3 min)
Slide 3: 5-4-3-2-1 Grounding
"Our first strategy is a quick fix for when you feel overwhelmed. It helps you focus on your senses instead of getting stuck in big feelings. Let's try it together. Look around and find..."
"5 Things you can see. Really notice their colors and shapes."
"4 Things you can feel. Your feet on the floor, your shirt, the chair."
"3 Things you can hear. My voice, the lights, sounds outside."
"2 Things you can smell. The air, a marker, your lunch."
"1 Thing you can taste. Or imagine your favorite candy."
Strategy 2: Progressive Muscle Relaxation (3 min)
Slide 4: Progressive Muscle Relaxation
"PMR is great for physical tension. Let's try it: make a really tight fist. Squeeze as hard as you can for 5 seconds. Feel that tension? 1... 2... 3... 4... 5... Now, slowly release . Let all the tension drain out. Notice that feeling of looseness? That's relaxation."
Strategy 3: Ice Cube Grounding (3 min)
Slide 5: Ice Cube Grounding
"When feelings feel 'hot', we use ice. If you have one, hold it. If not, imagine it. Focus only on that cold sensation. Is it sharp? Is it tingling? As it melts, how does the feeling change? This gives your brain something new to focus on, pulling it away from overwhelming emotions."
Wrapping Up
After the practice stations and discussion, end with the One Word Wind-Down.
"Excellent job, Calm Crew. Remember, you have the power to manage your emotions. Practice these tools, and find what works for you!"
Warm Up Emotion Check-In Warm Up
Emotion Check-In
Name: ______________________ Date: _________
How are you feeling right now?
Circle the emoji that best describes your current emotion. If none fit perfectly, you can draw your own!
😀 Great
😠 Mad
😥 Sad
😕 Upset
😴 Tired
Draw your own here
Optional Check-In:
Write one word or sentence to describe why you chose that emoji.
Strategy Stations Activity Strategy Stations
Practice Your Calm Superpowers
Station Group Calm Crew
Your Goal
Take your time with each one and focus on how it feels in your body and mind.
Station 1
5-4-3-2-1 Grounding
Mission: Use your senses to connect.
5 Things: Look and name quietly.4 Things: Feel your clothes, floor, or chair.3 Things: Listen to sounds near and far.2 Things: Smell the air or a marker.1 Thing: Imagine a favorite taste.
Station 2
Muscle Relaxation
Mission: Feel the tension leave.
Pick a body part (hands or shoulders).
Tense as tight as you can. Hold for 5-7 seconds.Slowly Release . Feel the softness.Breathe Out as you let go.
Tense
Relax
Station 3
Ice Cube Grounding
Mission: Shift focus with cold.
Hold an ice cube (real or imaginary).
Focus ONLY on the cold. Is it sharp or tingling?
Notice your reaction. Try to stay with it.
Watch it melt. How does it change?
Focus Only on Cold
Station 4
Movement Break
Mission: Shake off the stress.
Stand up if you feel comfortable.
Shake it out! Shake hands and legs for 15 seconds.Gentle Stretches: Reach for the sky, roll your shoulders.Notice the feeling of release .
Teacher Note: Have a bucket ready for melting ice cubes and towels for drying hands. If ice isn't feasible, guide the imagination version strongly. Ensure space for Station 4 movement.
Discussion Share Your Superpower Share Your Superpower
Group Reflection & Discussion
1 Which of the four new strategies resonated with you the most? Which one felt like it could be YOUR personal superpower?
5-4-3-2-1 Grounding
Muscle Relaxation
Ice Cube Grounding
Movement Breaks
2 Why did that particular strategy feel good or helpful to you? What did you notice?
3 When or where do you think you could use this strategy in your daily life?
Think about school, home, or when you are with friends.
Calm Crew • 6th Grade
Calm Toolkit Worksheet My Calm Toolkit
Personal Strategy Reference
Superpowers
1
5-4-3-2-1 Grounding
My Quick Reminder:
2
Progressive Muscle Relaxation
My Quick Reminder:
3
Ice Cube Grounding
My Quick Reminder:
4
Movement Breaks
My Quick Reminder:
My Personal Plan
My Favorite Calm Crew Strategy is:
I will try to use this strategy when:
Calm Connection Charades Game Interactive Game
Calm Connection
Charades
How to Play
Write emotions and strategies on slips of paper (provided below).
Put them in a hat or bowl.
One student picks a slip and silently acts it out .
Others guess the emotion or strategy!
Acting Tips
Emotions: Use facial expressions and body language.Strategies: Use the actions (e.g., pointing to eyes for SEE, tensing fists for PMR).
Charades Cards (Cut These Out)
Emotion
Angry
Emotion
Frustrated
Emotion
Sad
Emotion
Overwhelmed
Strategy
5-4-3-2-1 Grounding
Strategy
Muscle Relaxation
Strategy
Ice Cube Grounding
Strategy
Movement Breaks
Strategy
Deep Breathing
Calm Toolkit Answer Key Answer Key
My Calm Toolkit Worksheet
General Guidance
This worksheet is primarily for personal reflection . Focus on understanding and completion rather than "correct" answers. Look for evidence that the student can connect the strategy to their own lives.
1. 5-4-3-2-1 Grounding
Expected Keywords:
"Senses," "54321," "Focus," "See/Feel/Hear."
Acceptable Work:
Any drawing of an eye, ear, or list of objects around them.
2. Muscle Relaxation
Expected Keywords:
"Squeeze," "Relax," "Tense," "Body/Muscles."
Acceptable Work:
Drawings of fists or a body relaxing; notes about releasing stress.
3. Ice Cube Grounding
Expected Keywords:
"Cold," "Ice," "Focus shift," "Cool down."
Acceptable Work:
References to "hot feelings" or drawings of ice/snowflakes.
4. Movement Breaks
Expected Keywords:
"Shake," "Stretch," "Move," "Energy release."
Acceptable Work:
Drawings of people moving or notes about shaking off antsy feelings.
Personal Plan Section
Assessment Criteria:
Selection: Student clearly identifies one of the 4 strategies.Context: Student identifies a specific situation (e.g., "during math class," "when my brother is annoying me," "before a test"). One Word Wind Down Cool Down One Word Wind-Down
Beyond Breath Reflection
In ONE WORD, how do you feel right now?
Bonus: Why did you choose that word?
Calm Crew Toolkit
One Word Wind-Down
Beyond Breath Reflection
In ONE WORD, how do you feel right now?
Bonus: Why did you choose that word?
Calm Crew Toolkit
One Word Wind-Down
Beyond Breath Reflection
In ONE WORD, how do you feel right now?
Bonus: Why did you choose that word?
Calm Crew Toolkit
One Word Wind-Down
Beyond Breath Reflection
In ONE WORD, how do you feel right now?
Bonus: Why did you choose that word?
Calm Crew Toolkit
