Feelings Garden Slides Feelings Garden
Growing through our big feelings at school
What are "Big Feelings"?
Sometimes feelings feel small, like a tiny sprout. But sometimes they grow HUGE, like a giant oak tree!
Angry or frustrated
Sad or lonely
Worried or overwhelmed
Big feelings can feel like a storm in our bodies.
When We Want to Hide
When feelings get too big, our brains often say: "I need to get away right now!"
Privacy
We don't want others to see us upset.
Quiet
The classroom feels too loud.
Time
We need a minute to breathe alone.
Beyond the Bathroom
The bathroom is for washing up, but it's not the best spot for calming down.
Why? It's lonely, sometimes messy, and your teacher might worry if they don't know where you are!
Let's find "Safe Spaces" like:
A quiet library corner
The counselor's office
The class "Calm Down" rug
The Power of the Break Card
Talking is hard when you're upset. Use a Break Card to tell your teacher you need space—without saying a word.
1
Keep your card on your desk.
2
Hand it to the teacher or place it on their table.
3
Head to your "Safe Space" on your map.
I NEED A BREAK
Your Coping Toolkit
5-Finger Breathing
Trace your fingers while breathing in and out.
The 5-4-3-2-1 Game
Find 5 things you can see, 4 you can touch...
Doodle It Out
Draw how you feel on your toolkit page.
"I am in charge of my feelings, and I have the tools to handle them."
Coping Skills Toolkit My Feelings Garden
A toolkit for growing through big feelings
Name: ________________________
Date: _________________________
My Feeling Meter
Color in the meter to show how you are feeling right now. Which zone are you in?
Calm & Chill
Okay & Ready
Wiggly & Worried
Upset & Angry
I Need a Break!
Draw or write one word for your feeling here...
How my body feels:
Fast heartbeat
Tummy ache
Sweaty hands
Tight muscles
One thing I can do:
When my feelings get big, I will try to...
My Safe Space Map
Instead of the bathroom, these are places I can go to feel safe and calm down.
Draw a map of our school! Mark 3 "Safe Spots" with a star ⭐
Safe Spot #1
Safe Spot #2
Safe Spot #3
My Request Break Cards
Cut these out and keep them in your desk or folder!
I Need a Break
May I go to a safe space for 5 minutes?
I Need Help
I'm having big feelings and need a grown-up.
Breathing Time
I need a minute at my desk to breathe.
My Own Idea:
My Calm Down Menu
When you are in your safe space, pick 1 or 2 things to do:
5-Finger Breathing
Inhale as you go up your finger, exhale as you go down.
I-Spy Game
Find 3 blue things, 3 square things, and 3 soft things.
Doodle My Feeling
Draw shapes or scribbles that match how you feel.
Drink Some Water
Slow sips to help your body feel cool and steady.
Something Else: ________________
How will I know I'm ready to go back?
Heart is steady
Brain feels quiet
Ready to learn
Feelings Garden Teacher Guide Teacher Guide
Feelings Garden Growth: 3rd Grade SEL
Target
3rd Grade Girls (Tier 1 or Tier 2 Intervention)
Objective
Shift from hiding behaviors to communicating needs and using safe spaces.
Focus
Self-regulation, identification of safe school zones.
Why do students hide?
For some 3rd graders, the classroom environment becomes overstimulating when they feel big emotions. Locking oneself in a bathroom stall provides an immediate sense of privacy, physical boundary, and control . However, it lacks supervision and doesn't teach active regulation. Our goal is to replicate those benefits (quiet, privacy) in a safer, more visible way.
Slide Presentation Delivery Tips
1
Empathize with the "Great Escape": When discussing hiding (Slide 3), frame it as a common instinct. Avoid shaming the bathroom behavior; instead, acknowledge that the brain is trying to find safety but needs a better map.
2
Identify Safe Spaces: Before the lesson, scout 3-4 actual spots in the school that are acceptable (Library, Counselor's bench, a specific corner in another classroom). Mention these specifically in Slide 4.
Specific Intervention Strategies
For the "Bathroom-Hider" student
"The bathroom is like a band-aid—it covers the wound but doesn't help it heal. We want to find a 'healing space' where you can actually get better."
Individualized Map:
Work one-on-one with her to fill out the "Safe Space Map." Walk her to the spots physically so she knows exactly where to go. Ensure she knows the bathroom is still okay for its intended use, but the Safe Spaces are for "Big Feelings."
The Card "Pass":
Keep the break cards on her desk. Agree on a "No-Look" system: She places the card on the corner of her desk, makes eye contact, and leaves. This removes the social pressure of asking out loud.
Recommended Scripts
When she asks to hide:
"I can see you're having a giant oak tree feeling. Do you want to use your Break Card and head to your Safe Space at the library or the counselor's office?"
When she returns:
"I'm so proud of how you used your toolkit to find your calm. Are you in the 'Okay/Ready' zone yet, or do you need one more drink of water?"
Post-Lesson Checklist
Laminate break cards for durability.
Set up a "Calm Down" basket in the class Safe Space (tissues, water, paper).
Communicate the "Safe Space Map" with other teachers (Specials, Librarian).
Feelings Garden Visual Guide Feelings Garden Guide
A printable lesson companion
What are "Big Feelings"?
Sometimes feelings grow HUGE, like a giant oak tree! This can feel like a storm in your body.
Angry or frustrated
Sad or lonely
Worried or overwhelmed
The Need for Space
When feelings get too big, your brain might say: "I need to hide!"
You might want:
Privacy
Quiet
Finding Better Spots
The bathroom is for washing up, but it's not the best spot for calming down. Let's find "Safe Spaces" that are quiet, comfortable, and safe for checking in with your teacher.
Library
Counselor
Calm Rug
Tools for your Garden
The Power of the Break Card
Talking is hard when you're upset. Use your card instead!
1
Keep your card on your desk.
2
Hand it to the teacher when you need a break.
3
Head straight to your designated Safe Space.
I NEED A BREAK
Garden Maintenance (Coping Tools)
5-Finger Breathing
5-4-3-2-1 Game
Doodle It Out
"I can grow through anything!"
One Page Toolkit My Feelings Garden
Growing through big feelings
Name: ________________________
Date: _________________________
Feeling Meter
I Need a Break!
Upset / Angry
Wiggly / Worried
Okay / Ready
Calm / Chill
How do you feel?
Body Clues
Fast heart
Tummy ache
Sweaty hands
Tight muscles
I will try to...
My Safe Spaces
Draw your safe spots here!
Calm Down Menu
5-Finger Breath
I-Spy (3 items)
Doodle it Out
Drink Water
✂️ Cut out your Break Cards below ✂️
I Need a Break
Breathing Time
I Need Help
Ready to return?
Steady Heart
Quiet Brain
Ready to learn
Brick by Brick Toolkit Building My Calm
Coping with big feelings, brick by brick
BUILDER: ____________________
DATE: _______________________
Emotional Load
Overload - Need Break!
Heavy - Getting Upset
Warning - Wiggly/Worried
Steady - Ready to Build
Calm - Cool & Connected
What color is your brick today?
System Check
Engine Racing (Heart)
Hot Parts (Sweaty/Red)
Tight Bricks (Muscles)
Safe Build Sites
Draw your school safe spots!
(The bathroom is off-limits)
1. _________________________________________
2. _________________________________________
Rebuild Menu
Deep Breath
I-Spy Color
Doodle Plans
Water Break
✂️ Detach Your Emergency Bricks ✂️
Break Needed
Taking 5 to rebuild calm.
Support Plan
Help needed for big feelings.
Fully Connected
Engine Cooled
Ready to Build