Body Radar Facilitator Guide Tier 2 SEL Intervention • Grades K-2
Body Radar Facilitator Guide
Session Length 25–30 Minutes
Core Competency
Interoception & Somatic Self-Awareness (Early escalation recognition)
Group Size
3–5 students (Tier 2 counseling or behavioral check-in)
Standards Alignment
CASEL: Self-Awareness
ASCA: M 1, B-SMS 2, B-SMS 7
Prep & Materials: Body Radar Slides, Stress Clues Radar Activity sheets, crayons (yellow, orange, blue), chime or calm bell, and 1 mini mirror per student (optional).
Session Framework & Scripted Flow
1
Hook: The Pilot's Weather Screen (4 Mins)
Slides 1–2
Activate prior knowledge about warning systems. Contrast an airplane pilot checking radar beeps before flying into a storm versus getting caught surprised in thunder and rain.
"Before a storm hits, an airplane's radar goes 'beep... beep...' to tell the pilot to steer calm. Our bodies have their own inside radar! Before a big yell or crying explosion happens, our body whispers clues first. Today we become Body Radar Detectives."
2
Concept: Whispers vs. Explosions (5 Mins)
Slide 3
Explain the difference between Green (Cruising Calm) , Yellow (Early Body Whispers) , and Red (Full Storm Alert) . Emphasize that Yellow is the golden window for reset tools.
🟢 Calm Water Body relaxed, open hands, easy breathing.
🟡 Early Whispers Teeth clenched, tight fists, fluttery tummy.
🔴 The Storm Meltdown, yelling, kicking, shutting down.
3
Guided Body Scan: The 6 Somatic Clues (8 Mins)
Slides 4–6
Guide students through physical kinesthetic enactments of each early warning clue. Have them test-drive each feeling: clench fists for 3 seconds, release; press teeth together, relax; take rapid rabbit breaths, then a long gentle sigh.
The Body Radar System • Early Behavioral De-escalation Page 1 of 2
Facilitation Script & Practice
Guided Scanning & Clinical Strategies
Kinesthetic Body Tour Script (Try It With Students)
Body Zone Metaphor / Kid Sensation Facilitator Modeling Action
Head & Eyes "Buzzing bees" or "Tunnel eyes" Furrow eyebrows, pinch eyes tight, then breathe out and soften forehead.
Jaw & Teeth "Chomper lock" or tight teeth Clench back teeth for 2 seconds. Let jaw drop open gently like yawning.
Heart & Breath "Drummer heart" & "Rabbit breath" Place hand on chest; pant short fast breaths, then demonstrate 4-count exhale.
Tummy "Flutter butterflies" or "Hard rock" Tuck belly in hard, then place hands flat and do gentle belly balloon breathing.
Hands & Fists "Squeezed lemons" or stiff fists Tighten fists into rocks. Squeeze on count 1-2-3, then let fingers float out like seaweed.
4
Activity Sheet (7 Mins)
Distribute the Stress Clues Radar Activity . Have each child pick their #1 earliest clue (e.g., "My fists squeeze first" or "My tummy gets knots") and color their personal radar beacon yellow.
5
Cool-Down Bridge (4 Mins)
Introduce the Reset Radar Cool Down strip. Teach students to tap the strip as soon as their radar beeps. Practice the "Cool-the-Soup" breathing technique twice before dismissal.
Tier 2 Mastery Indicators (Checklist for Counselor)
Identification: Student names at least 1 specific body part that changes before getting angry/upset.
Somatic Awareness: Student can demonstrate or mirror physical tension vs. physical release.
Action Link: Student identifies 1 preferred calming action when their yellow radar signal occurs.
Prompted Self-Check: Student responds to teacher cue: "Check your radar" during academic transitions.
Teacher Carryover Cue: Instruct classroom teachers to replace directive commands like "Calm down" or "Stop that" with the neutral inquiry: "What is your body radar reporting right now?" This shifts the child from defensiveness to internal interoceptive reflection.
The Body Radar System • Counselor & Teacher Facilitation Guide Page 2 of 2
Body Radar Slides BODY DETECTIVE TRAINING
The Body Radar
Decoding early body signals before big feelings take over!
Tier 2 Interoception & Regulation Skills
Catch the clue early!
What is a Body Radar?
Mission 1
Airplanes have radar
Pilots check their radar screen to spot thunder clouds miles away so they can fly safely around the storm.
You have body radar
Your body sends you quiet warning clues before anger, worry, or big tears burst out!
🌟 A good detective listens to the early whispers!
Whispers vs. Thunder
The 3 Signals
Green Zone
Calm Seas
Relaxed body, open hands, easy slow breathing, ready to learn.
Everything feels okay.
Yellow Alert
Early Whispers
Tight jaw, clenching fists, faster heart, fluttery stomach.
⚡ Best time to reset!
Red Alert
Thunderstorm
Yelling, crying, kicking, shutting down, unable to think.
Needs safe space to cool.
Our goal: Notice Yellow Whispers before the storm strikes!
Clue 1: Head & Face
Body Scan
Buzzing Thoughts
Too many thoughts spinning fast in your head like buzzing bees.
Locked Teeth
Biting down hard or clenching your back teeth without realizing it.
Scrunched Brow
Eyebrows pinching together, forehead feeling tight and hot.
Try it now: Clench teeth for 2 seconds... now drop your jaw and yawn!
Clue 2: Breath & Heart
Body Scan
The Drummer Heart
Thump... Thump... THUMP!
When stress visits, your heart beats like a fast drum. It is pumping energy into your muscles to protect you!
Rabbit Breathing
Short & Quick Breaths
Your breath gets shallow up in your chest. You might forget to let all the air out of your lungs.
Try it now: Place your hand on your chest. Can you feel your heartbeat?
Clue 3: Tummy & Hands
Body Scan
Fluttery Stomach
Butterflies or Rock Knot
Your tummy might feel twisty, bubbly, or squeezed tight like a hard little rock.
Squeezed Lemon Fists
Tight & Hot Fingers
Stress Clues Radar Activity Body Detective File
My Body Radar Map
Name:
Date:
Your Mission: Listen to your body! Color the radar rings YELLOW next to the clues that visit you when frustration, worry, or mad feelings start sneaking in.
Buzzing Head
Spinning thoughts, brain feels crowded and hot.
Drummer Heart
Heart goes thump-thump fast; short rabbit breaths.
Tight Lemon Fists
Fingers curl tight into hard squeezing balls.
Locked Jaw
Clenched teeth, biting lips, or stiff chin.
Butterfly Tummy
Fluttering wings or hard heavy rock feeling.
Shaky Legs
Bouncing knees, wanting to run or kick.
⭐ My #1 Earliest Clue is in my:
Head Jaw Heart Tummy Hands
The Body Radar System • Activity Part 1 Page 1 of 2
Detective Log
My Early Clue Report
Part A: Check the clues that happen to you!
My jaw clenches tight My back teeth squeeze together
My heart drums fast Thumping hard inside my ribs
My hands make fists Squeezing tight like hard rocks
My breathing gets short Fast breaths like a running rabbit
My tummy feels twisty Fluttering butterflies or knots
My face gets hot Cheeks feel warm and red
Part B: Draw your body catching an early clue
Show what your face and hands do
🎨 Draw your body with yellow radar rings around your early clue ✨ Student Drawing Space
Part C: My Early Signal Plan
When my body radar gives me a yellow warning, I will:
The Body Radar System • Activity Part 2 Page 2 of 2
Reset Radar Cool Down Tier 2 Calming Anchor
Body Radar Reset Station
Calm Corner & Desk Tool
The 4-Step Radar Reset Routine
1
Press Pause
Place hand flat on heart or tummy. Stop moving for 3 seconds.
2
Cool the Soup
Smell the warm bowl in 1-2-3... blow gently out to cool 1-2-3-4.
3
Melt Fists
Squeeze hands tight for 3 seconds... let fingers open like soft seaweed.
4
Pick a Tool
Drink cold water, do 5 chair pushups, or whisper to the teacher.
Tactile Fingertip Breathing Radar
Trace slowly with your index finger
REST Hold breath gently (2s) START HERE ▲ BREATHE IN SLOWLY (3s) ▲ ▼ BREATHE OUT GENTLY (4s) ▼
Cut-Out Desk Reset Strips (Tape to Desk or Keep in Pocket)
My Desk Radar Strip Student Copy 1
1. Pause 🛑 Hand flat
2. Breath 🥣 Cool soup
3. Melt 🖐️ Soft hands
When my radar beeps yellow, I pause before the storm!
My Pocket Reset Pass Student Copy 2
1. Pause 🛑 Hand flat
2. Breath 🥣 Cool soup
3. Melt 🖐️ Soft hands
Notice clue • Name feeling • Reset early
The Body Radar System • Calming Mat & Sensory Anchor Print & Laminate for Classroom or Counseling Corner