Calm Choices Slides
Self-Regulation Playbook
Calm Choices,
Strong Finish
Practical strategies for handling directions, transitions, peer conflict, and frustration in class and the cafeteria.
Stay in Control
Communicate Calmly
Stay on Track
Overview
Five Skills for a Smooth Day
1. Directions
Listen and respond to adults without arguing.
2. Transitions
Stay in assigned areas and move on one prompt.
3. Peer Conflict
Step away or get staff help before things escalate.
4. Coping Tools
Use breaks, private talks, and calm words.
5. Daily Focus
Finish tasks in class and stay respectful at lunch.
Skill 1 Adult Directives & Redirection
Responding to Redirection
What Works
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- Pause: Take one breath before speaking.
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- Listen: Hear the full direction without interrupting.
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- Respond Respectfully: Say "Okay" or ask calmly.
What Escalates It
- Yelling, arguing, or talking back
- Using profanity or disrespectful language
- Refusing to follow the direction
Skill 2 Areas & Transitions
Stay Put & Transition Smoothly
Assigned Areas
Stay in your designated seat, table, or zone unless you have permission to leave.
One-Prompt Goal
Aim to pack up, line up, or move to the next activity with at most one verbal reminder.
Direct Route
Walk calmly from point A to point B without detours or distracting others on the way.
Skill 3 Peer Conflict
Exit Before It Escalates
When a peer tries to argue, tease, or push your buttons, pick one of these three moves early:
Move A
Walk Away
Create physical space. Move to a different seat or spot without trading insults.
Move B
Ask Staff
Let a teacher or staff member step in and handle the peer issue for you.
Move C
Take a Break
Use a quick supervised break to cool down before saying something you regret.
Skill 4 Managing Frustration
Smart Coping Strategies
Request a Private Talk
"Can I talk to you in the hallway or privately for a minute?" — keeps things out of the spotlight.
Take a Supervised Break
Step to a designated reset spot for a few minutes to breathe, stretch, and reset your focus.
Use Calm Communication
State what you need in a steady voice: "I'm feeling frustrated with this part—can you show me step one?"
Skill 5 Task Completion & Shared Spaces
Owning Class & Cafeteria Time
In the Classroom
- • Start assigned tasks promptly
- • Ask for help instead of shutting down or disrupting
- • Keep voices and actions respectful of others' learning
In the Cafeteria
- • Stay seated at your assigned table area
- • Keep conversation volume appropriate
- • Walk away or tell staff if peer drama starts
Check Your Learning
What Would You Do?
"You're frustrated with a tough math problem, and a classmate at your table starts laughing. The teacher walks over and asks you to lower your voice and get back to work."
Which two skills from today's slides apply right here?
Next up: complete the Calm Choices Worksheet to lock in your plan.
Calm Choices Worksheet
Calm Choices Check-In
Check for Learning
Name: _______________________________
Date: ________________
Part 1: Pick the Best Response
1. Your teacher asks you to put your phone or extra item away and start the assignment. What is the best response?
A Argue that other students are talking too and refuse to move.
B Pause, say "Okay," put the item away, and look at the first question.
C Mutter profanity under your breath and walk out of the room.
2. It is time to transition from the classroom to the cafeteria. What shows you are on track?
A Move on the first reminder and walk directly to your assigned table area.
B Wait for three or four reminders, then stop at another table to joke around.
C Leave the hallway route to check out another classroom.
3. A peer at lunch starts making rude comments to get a reaction out of you. Which choice prevents escalation?
A Yell back across the table so everyone knows they started it.
B Stay right next to them and keep trading insults.
C Walk away to a different spot, ask staff for support, or take a break.
Part 2: Match the Moment to the Coping Tool
Write the letter of the best coping strategy on the line next to each situation.
4. You feel your anger rising and need space to cool down.
5. You disagree with a teacher's redirection in front of peers.
6. You are stuck on a hard assignment and getting frustrated.
A. Request to speak privately with staff
B. Use calm communication to ask for help
C. Take a supervised break to reset
Calm Choices Check-In (Continued)
Real-Life Practice & Plan
Part 3: What Would You Say or Do?
7. Scenario: You are working on an assignment in class and hit a problem that makes you really frustrated. Instead of disrupting class or shutting down, write down the exact calm words you could use with your teacher:
8. Scenario: During a transition or in the cafeteria, someone tries to pull you into an argument. What are two steps you can take right away before things escalate?
Part 4: My Personal Reset Plan
9. Check the two coping strategies you are most likely to use when you start feeling frustrated:
Request a private talk with staff
Take a supervised break
Walk away from peer conflict
Use calm communication
10. One goal I am focusing on today in class or the cafeteria is:
