Calm Classroom Quest Lesson Plan Calm Classroom Quest
Lesson Facilitator Guide
Tier 1 Instruction
Audience
3rd Grade Students
Duration
45 Minutes
Approach
Mapping & Discussion
Why This Matters
Early awareness and coping skills help students manage anxious feelings, improve focus, and build a supportive classroom environment where everyone feels heard and safe.
Learning Objective
Students will recognize what anxiety feels like, express their feelings, and learn two coping strategies—deep breathing and positive self-talk—to feel calmer and more confident in class.
Prep (10 mins)
• Project Slide Deck
• Gather Post-it Notes & Pencils
• Arrange seating in a circle/horseshoe
• Prepare "Anxious | Calm" chart paper
Materials Needed
Calm Quest Slide Deck
Facilitator Script
Post-it Notes (3 per student)
Pencils & Chart Paper
The Quest Path Continued on Page 2
The Quest Timeline
1
Warm-Up: Feelings Check-In
5 MIN
Invite students to share one word describing how they feel today.
Use a quick visual (thumbs-up/sideways/down) to gauge mood.
Acknowledge responses: all feelings are okay and welcome.
2
Introduction: What Is Anxiety?
8 MIN
Display slides 2–4 to define anxiety simply as "worry or nervousness."
Discuss physical sensations (butterflies, fast heart).
Scenario check: "When might you feel like this?" (tests, new places).
3
Activity: Anxiety Map
12 MIN
Students map their triggers and calm points using Post-it notes.
Note 1: One school thing that makes you anxious.
Note 2: One thing that makes you feel calm/safe.
Stick on the chart paper and group similar themes together.
4
Skill-Building: Coping Strategies
12 MIN
Advance to slides 5–7 to teach belly breathing and self-talk.
Lead the 3-breath practice using the Script.
Pair share: exchange calming phrases (positive self-talk).
5
Cool-Down: Calm Reflection
8 MIN
Final wrap-up and "Calm Corner" contribution.
Note 3: Draw/write favorite coping strategy.
Add to the "Calm Corner" display.
End with a group deep breath exercise.
Explorer's Tip
If the mapping activity gets heavy, remind students that noticing worries is the first step to conquering them! You're an adventurer, not just a worrier.
Calm Classroom Quest Slide Deck Calm Classroom Quest
Exploring what anxiety feels like
Sharing our own feelings
Learning simple coping strategies
Let’s become anxiety adventurers!
What Is Anxiety?
Anxiety is a feeling of worry or nervousness.
Fast Heart
Your heart might go thump-thump-thump really fast!
Funny Tummy
It can feel like butterflies are fluttering in your stomach.
First-Day Jitters
New places can feel exciting AND scary at the same time!
!
It is totally normal to feel a little nervous.
"Where do you feel butterflies in your body when you're somewhere new?"
Test-Time Tumes
Worrying about getting the right answer is something almost everyone does!
Fact Check
Butterflies in your stomach? That's just your brain getting ready to focus!
You've got this!
Coping Strategy #1
Belly Breathing
1
Place one hand on your belly.
2
Breathe in slowly through your nose (belly rises).
3
Breathe out slowly through your mouth (belly falls).
Try 3 breaths together!
Coping Strategy #2
Positive Self-Talk
Say kind words to yourself when you feel worried:
“I can do this.”
“I’ve practiced and I’m ready.”
Turn to a partner and share one calm phrase.
30 Second Challenge
Final Reflections
1. Draw your favorite strategy on a Post-it.
2. Place it on our “Calm Corner” display.
3. Finish with 3 more deep breaths.
YOU ARE READY, ADVENTURER!
Calm Classroom Quest Script Facilitator Script
The Anxiety Adventurer's Guide
Warm-Up: Feelings Check-In (5 min)
Teacher
"Good morning, everyone! Today we’re going on a special adventure called Calm Classroom Quest. Before we begin, let’s do a quick feelings check-in."
Teacher
"Think of one word that describes how you feel right now. Ready? On the count of three, I want you to call out your word. 1, 2, 3—go!"
[Wait for class response. Expect a chorus of different words.]
Teacher
"Thank you for sharing! Now let’s use our thumbs to show how most of us are feeling. If you’re feeling great, thumbs-up. If you’re feeling okay, thumbs-sideways. If you’re not feeling so good, thumbs-down."
Teacher
"I see some thumbs-up, some sideways, and that’s all okay. We have lots of different feelings in our class, and that’s perfectly normal. Let’s remember: every feeling is allowed here."
Intro: What Is Anxiety? (8 min)
Teacher
"Have you ever heard the word “anxiety” before? Anxiety is a feeling of worry or nervousness—like having butterflies in your tummy or your heart beating fast. That can happen when something feels important or new."
Slide 2: What is Anxiety?
Teacher
"This slide says, 'What Is Anxiety?' Let’s say that together: An-xi-e-ty. Great! When you feel anxious, what does it feel like in your body?"
[Listen for physical sensations: butterflies, sweaty hands, fast heart.]
Slide 3: First-Day Jitters
Continued on next page...
Teacher
"Look at this picture of a child on their first day of school. How might this student feel? When have you felt this way?"
[Expect answers like nervous, excited, scared.]
Slide 4: Test-Time Nervousness
Teacher
"Now look at this picture of someone taking a test. Have you ever felt butterflies in your tummy when you took a test? What helps you feel better when you’re taking a test?"
Activity: Anxiety Map (12 min)
Teacher
"It’s time to create our Anxiety Map. I’m handing out two Post-it Notes and a pencil to each of you."
Teacher
"On one note, write or draw one thing that makes you feel anxious at school. On the other note, write or draw one thing that makes you feel calm and safe. Take your time—think carefully about each one."
[Hand out materials. Walk around to assist. After a few minutes...]
Teacher
"Now, come up and stick your 'anxious' note on the left side of our chart paper, and your 'calm' note on the right side."
Anxiety Map Activity Guide Anxiety Map Activity
Exploration Phase
Objective: Identify triggers and calming strategies visually.
12 MIN
Adventure Gear
Post-its (2+) Pencils Chart Paper
1
Distribute Materials (1 min)
Give each student two Post-it Notes and a pencil. Remind them: one note for anxiety , one for calm .
2
Individual Brainstorm (3 min)
Note 1: Anxious
Write/draw one school thing that makes you nervous (tests, speaking, new activities).
Note 2: Calm
Write/draw one thing that makes you feel safe/happy (music, friends, breathing).
3
Building the Map (4 min)
Invite students to stick notes on the chart paper (Anxious on Left | Calm on Right). Use markers to circle patterns and connect ideas.
4
Discussion (4 min)
What patterns do you notice among our anxious triggers?
Which calming strategies showed up most often?
How could you use one of these strategies next time?
After the Quest
Keep the Map visible in class. It serves as a reminder that all feelings are valid and coping tools are always within reach.
Feelings Check-In Warm-Up Guide Feelings Check-In
Warm-Up Activity 5 MINUTES
Objective: Build community by inviting students to share how they feel and normalize all emotions.
1
The Gathering
Gather the class in a circle or horseshoe so everyone can see each other. This creates a sense of belonging and equality.
"Good morning, everyone! Before we start our Calm Classroom Quest, let’s do a quick feelings check-in."
2
One-Word Call Out
Ask students to think of one word describing their current mood. Count them down to share at once!
"1... 2... 3—GO!"
3
Thumb-o-Meter
Ask students to show their overall mood using their thumbs. This provides a quick visual temperature check of the room.
Great
Okay
Not so good
The Validation
"I see lots of different thumbs, and that’s perfect. Everyone’s feelings matter here, and every feeling is allowed. Let's use these as a starting point for today’s quest!"
Calm Reflection Cool-Down Guide Calm Reflection
Quest Cool-Down
Objective
Consolidate learning by reflecting on and sharing favorite coping strategies.
Duration
8 MIN
01
Reflect & Create (3 min)
Give each student one Post-it Note. Ask them to draw or write their absolute favorite strategy from today.
Belly Breathing Kind Words Quiet Time
02
Share & Display (2 min)
Students place notes on the Calm Corner . Invite 2-3 volunteers to explain how their strategy helps them feel like an adventurer instead of a worrier.
03
Final Calm Breaths (3 min)
Display slide 7 and lead three slow breaths. Focus on the physical sensation of the belly rising and falling.
Breathing Anchor
"In through the nose... out through the mouth."
Quest Complete
"Great work today—keep these tools in your toolkit!"
Calm Classroom Parent Handout Worksheet Calm Classroom Quest
Parent & Family Handout
SEL Resource • 3rd Grade
Thank you for supporting your child on our Calm Classroom Quest ! Below is a summary of what students learned and simple ways you can reinforce these skills at home.
What We Explored
What is Anxiety? Identifying it as a feeling of worry (butterflies, fast heart).Anxiety Mapping: Identifying personal school triggers and unique calm points.Action Tools: Practicing two science-backed coping strategies.
The Coping Kit
1. Belly Breathing
Inhale through the nose (belly rises), exhale through the mouth (belly falls).
2. Positive Self-Talk
Using encouraging phrases like "I can do this" or "I am ready."
Home Reflection Activity
1. My child’s favorite calming phrase is:
2. A situation that might make my child feel anxious is:
3. We will practice our calming strategy together by:
Growth Tips
Model deep breathing and create a "Calm Corner" at home with favorite books or pillows.
Additional Resources
Calm Classroom Slide Deck
Calm Classroom Script
