Calm Crew Teacher Guide K–2 Self-Contained Special Education
Calm Down Crew: Lesson & Station Plan
10 Students | 1 Lead + 2 Paras
Total Duration: 45–50 Mins
Core SEL Objective
Students will identify 4 core emotional states (Happy, Sad, Mad, Tired) using color-coded visual cues and select at least 1 regulating sensory/coping tool with ≤ 2 verbal/gestural prompts.
Sensory Adaptations
Noise-dampening headphones, weighted lap pads, tactile squeeze balls, visual timers (Time Timer), alternative seating (wiggle cushions), and low-ambient lighting.
Communication Tiers
Tier 1: Direct eye-gaze / 2-icon PECS choice.
Tier 2: 4-quadrant visual core board & pointing.
Tier 3: Verbal expression + visual matching cards.
10-Student Station Rotations (10 Mins per Station)
Group A (3) • Group B (3) • Group C (4)
Rotation Station 1: Direct Instruction (Lead Teacher) Station 2: Tactile & Sensory (Paraeducator 1) Station 3: Tiered Tablework (Paraeducator 2) Round 1 (10m) Group A (Emotion ID & Slides) Group B (Sensory Calming Bin) Group C (Tiered Practice Sheets) Round 2 (10m) Group C (Emotion ID & Slides) Group A (Sensory Calming Bin) Group B (Tiered Practice Sheets) Round 3 (10m) Group B (Emotion ID & Slides) Group C (Sensory Calming Bin) Group A (Tiered Practice Sheets)
Para 1: Station 2 (Tactile Regulation)
Guide 4-count starfish breathing with visual hand model.
Offer squeeze balls, tactile cards, & sensory brush.
Reinforce: "When body feels fast/tight, we squeeze or breathe."
Para 2: Station 3 (Tiered Worksheets)
Level 1: Hand-over-hand or errorless 1-to-1 sticker matching.
Level 2: Pre-cut pieces; student glues to color zones.
Level 3: Student traces words & draws calming tool choice.
1 Circle Visual Check-In (5m)
2 3-Station Rotations (30m)
3 Token Board & Group Wrap (10m)
Assessment & Monitoring
IEP Tracking & Prompting Hierarchy
Date: _____________
Least-to-Most Prompting Key
I Independent
0 prompts given
V Visual Cue
Points to visual icon
VP Verbal Prompt
Spoken hint or question
M Model / Gesture
Staff shows action
FP / HOH Physical Prompt
Hand-over-hand assist
Classroom Data Sheet: 10 Students
Score with: I / V / VP / M / FP
Student Name Goal 1: Identifies Happy / Sad Goal 2: Identifies Mad / Tired Goal 3: Selects Calming Tool Goal 4: Completes Work Task Notes / Sensory 1. ______________ [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] _________ 2. ______________ [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] _________ 3. ______________ [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] _________ 4. ______________ [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] _________ 5. ______________ [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] _________ 6. ______________ [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] _________ 7. ______________ [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] _________ 8. ______________ [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] _________ 9. ______________ [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] _________ 10. _____________ [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] _________
Positive Behavior Support & Regulation Protocol
First-Then Language: Use clear 2-step visual directive: "First 3 calm breaths, then choose sensory fidget." Maintain a neutral, calm tone (low volume, slow cadence). Reward each completed station rotation with a token on the student's individual 5-token chart.
Calm Crew Slides K–2 Special Education Circle Time
Calm Down Crew
Feelings & Calming Tools
We can name our feelings and pick a superpower tool to help our body feel calm and ready to learn!
🟢 Calm
🟡 Wiggly
🔵 Sad
🔴 Mad
Our Lesson Plan Today
Visual Schedule
1
👀
Circle Slide Time
Look, listen, and practice together
2
🔄
Station Rotations
3 fun hands-on activity centers
3
⭐
Tokens & Choice
Earn 5 stars for free choice time
Keep safe hands, quiet mouths, and listening ears!
How Does Your Body Feel?
Point or Say
😊
GREEN ZONE
Calm • Happy • Ready to Learn
Body feels relaxed
🤪
YELLOW ZONE
Silly • Excited • Wiggly
Body feels fast
😢
BLUE ZONE
Sad • Tired • Sick
Body feels slow
😡
RED ZONE
Mad • Angry • Frustrated
Body feels tight
All feelings are okay! We have tools for every zone.
Body Clue Detectives
Notice the Signs
👀
Eyes & Face
Smile? Frown? Wide eyes? Wrinkled nose?
🫀
Heart & Breath
Beating slow and easy, or beating super fast?
✊
Hands & Muscles
Relaxed in lap, or squeezed into tight fists?
When your body gives a clue, it is time to choose a tool!
My Calming Toolbox
Pick 1 Tool
⭐
Starfish Breathing
Trace 5 fingers & breathe
🟢
Squeeze Fidget
Press stress ball 5 times
💧
Drink Water
Cool sip to reset your brain
🛋️
Quiet Corner
Rest on comfy pillow for 2 mins
Which tool would you like to try right now?
Let's Practice: Starfish Breath
Hold Up Your Hand 🖐️
🖐️ Spread 5 Fingers Wide
Trace UP a finger
Breathe IN slow through nose 👃
Calm Crew Station Cards Station Visuals & Behavioral Supports
Calm Down Crew: Station Signs & Token Boards
Cut & Laminate
Station 1 Lead Teacher Table
👩🏫
Emotion Match & Talk
Identify 4 feelings zones & model body clues.
🎯 Goal: Emotion ID 👥 Groups A, B, C
Station 2 Para 1 Table
🧩
Tactile & Sensory Bin
Explore calming tools, squeeze toys, & breathing cards.
🎯 Goal: Self-Regulation Tool 🖐️ Hands-On
Station 3 Para 2 Table
📝
Tiered Tablework
Complete Level 1, 2, or 3 practice sheets.
🎯 Goal: Fine Motor / Sort ✂️ Tiered L1-L3
Quiet Zone Reset Corner
🛋️
Calm Reset Corner
Weighted blanket, noise headphones, & visual timer.
🎯 Goal: De-escalation ⏱️ 2–3 Mins
Individual 5-Token Boards (Print 5 Copies for 10 Students)
Velcro Target Circles
I am working for: ___________________ 5 Stars = Reward
⭐ 1
⭐ 2
⭐ 3
⭐ 4
⭐ 5
I am working for: ___________________ 5 Stars = Reward
⭐ 1
⭐ 2
⭐ 3
⭐ 4
⭐ 5
AAC & PECS Visual Communication
Printable Emotion & Calming Tool Cards
12 Visual Icons
Individual "First - Then" Visual Schedule Strip
FIRST
Attach Work / Station Icon
➔
THEN
Attach Reward / Tool Icon
Visual PECS Icon Cards (Cut along dashed lines)
Standard 2x2 inch format
😊 HAPPY Green Zone
😢 SAD Blue Zone
😡 MAD Red Zone
🥱 TIRED Yellow Zone
🖐️ BREATHE 5 Breaths
🟢 SQUEEZE Fidget Toy
💧 WATER Drink Sip
🛋️ REST Quiet Mat
🎧 HEADPHONES Quiet Ears
🧱 HEAVY WORK Wall Push
🚶 WALK Hallway Lap
⭐ CHOICE Earned Play
💡 Tip for Paras: Attach rough Velcro to boards and soft Velcro to cutout cards for quick interchangeability.
Calm Crew Tiered Worksheets Level 1 • Direct Visual Matching Tier 1 Support
Name: ______________________
Date: ________________
👀
Match the Same Emotion Faces
Draw a line from the face on the left to the matching face on the right.
😊
HAPPY Green
-----------
😊
HAPPY Green
😢
SAD Blue
-----------
😢
SAD Blue
😡
MAD Red
-----------
😡
MAD Red
🥱
TIRED Yellow
-----------
🥱
TIRED Yellow
⭐ Calming Tool Bonus
Touch and count all 5 fingers to do a Starfish Breath!
🖐️ 1 • 2 • 3 • 4 • 5
Level 2 • Cut, Paste & Trace Tier 2 Support
Name: ______________________
Date: ________________
✂️
Sort the Emotion Faces into Their Boxes
Cut out the 4 pictures at the bottom and glue each one into the correct box.
GREEN ZONE Happy
[ Glue Here ]
BLUE ZONE Sad
[ Glue Here ]
RED ZONE Mad
[ Glue Here ]
YELLOW ZONE Tired
[ Glue Here ]
✍️ Trace My Calming Superpower:
C A L M B R E A T H
Cutout Bank (Cut 4 Cards Below)
😊 Smiling Face
😢 Crying Tear
😡 Frowning Angry
🥱 Yawning Tired
Level 3 • Independent Identification & Plan Tier 3 Support
Name: ______________________
Date: ________________
Part 1: How Do They Feel? (Circle the correct answer)
🧸
1. Maya is building blocks with her best friend.
Maya is feeling...
😊 Happy
😡 Mad
🧩
2. Leo cannot find the last puzzle piece.
Leo's hands feel tight. Leo is feeling...
😡 Frustrated
🥱 Sleepy
Part 2: My Calming Action Plan
When I feel mad, sad, or overwhelmed, I can choose (Check 2 tools):
🖐️ Take 5 Starfish Breaths
🟢 Squeeze a sensory fidget
💧 Ask for a cool drink of water
🛋️ Sit in the quiet corner
Draw or write your favorite calming tool: