Calm Crew Sub Plan
K-1 School Counseling 55-Minute Session
Emergency Sub Guide • Page 1 of 2
Calm Down Crew: Coping Skills Lesson
Evergreen social-emotional learning lesson focused on identifying big feelings and practicing calm-down strategies.
Lesson Pacing
55 minutes total. Designed for smooth, low-stress independent work with K-1 learners.
Materials Needed
Crayons/colored pencils, printed student sheets (in sub folder), projector for slides.
Quick Contacts
Front Office: Ext. 100
School Nurse: Ext. 104
Routine Opening: 5-Minute Square Breathing Video
Students always start counseling lessons by watching their familiar 5-minute square breathing video. Project this video on the board as students sit on the carpet.
Square Breathing Video Link / Bookmark: [ Insert YouTube Square Breathing URL or open Counselor Chrome Bookmark ]
Step-by-Step 55-Minute Pacing Guide
00 - 10 min
Welcome, Routine Check-In & Square Breathing
Welcome students to the rug. Remind them: "Even though your regular counselor is away today, our counseling room rules stay the same!" Play the 5-minute square breathing routine video and breathe along with students.
10 - 20 min
Mini-Lesson & Discussion: "What Are Coping Skills?"
Show Slide 3. Ask: "When we feel mad, sad, or nervous, what can we do to help our bodies feel calm?" Collect 3-4 student ideas (e.g., deep breaths, counting, hug a toy, drinking cold water, drawing).
20 - 45 min
Independent Activity: "My Calm Down Toolbox" Coloring
Dismiss students to their desks/tables in small groups. Hand out the student activity sheet. Play gentle, quiet background music if available. Students color the coping strategies they want to put in their personal calm toolkit.
45 - 55 min
Partner Share-Out, Final Deep Breath & Dismissal
Call students back together. Have 2-3 volunteers share their favorite coping tool from their coloring sheet. Finish with one big "Starfish Breath." Line up quietly for classroom teacher pickup.
Everything needed is inside the emergency counseling sub tub. See Page 2 for scripts & classroom management
Facilitator Support K-1 Classroom Strategies
Emergency Sub Guide • Page 2 of 2
Counselor Prompts & Sub Notes
Read-aloud scripts, call-and-response cues, and space to leave the counselor end-of-day notes.
Read-Aloud Facilitation Prompts
1. Transition to Rug (Call & Response): Teacher: "Hands on top!" • Students respond: "That means stop!" (Hands gently placed on head).
2. Introducing the Breathing Routine: "We are going to start our counseling time just like you do with your counselor. Put your listening ears on and trace your finger in the air along with our square breathing video. Inhale for 4, hold for 4, exhale for 4, hold for 4."
3. Guiding the Coloring Activity: "Look at your Calm Down Toolbox page. There are 6 different coping tools shown. As you color, pick your top 2 favorite tools to circle with a bright color! When you feel upset, which one will you try first?"
Calming Corner Guidelines
If a student becomes dysregulated or overly excited, allow them to sit in the classroom Calm Corner for 3 minutes with a sensory timer and plush breathing buddy.
Helpful Student Helpers
Classroom teachers assign 2 line leaders. Ask them to help pass out crayons and collection bins so you do not have to leave the front of the room.
Substitute Counselor Note & Feedback
Please leave this completed sheet on my desk
Substitute Name:
Homeroom / Teacher:
Students who were super calm helpers:
Students who may need a follow-up check-in:
General notes & how the session went:
Thank you so much for supporting our K-1 friends today! School Counseling Department
Calm Toolkit Coloring Activity
MY CALM DOWN TOOLBOX
Color the tools that help your mind and body feel calm!
Name:
Date:
Tool 1
4-Count
Deep Breaths
Inhale slow like smelling a flower
Tool 2
Cool & Calm
Drink Water
Take 3 cool, refreshing sips
Tool 3
1 2 3 ... 10
Count to 10
Count slowly inside your head
Tool 4
Gentle Hug
Hug or Squeeze
Squeeze a pillow or hug yourself
Tool 5
Color Time
Draw a Picture
Doodle shapes and fun colors
Tool 6
Safe Adult
Talk to a Helper
Tell a teacher or counselor
⭐ STAR CHOICE: Draw a big star next to your favorite tool above!
Page 1 of 2
FEELINGS & SQUARE BREATHING
Check how you feel and trace the square with your finger!
Page 2 of 2
Step 1: Color the face that shows how your body feels today:
😊 Calm / Happy Ready to learn
😢 Sad / Tired Need a hug
😡 Mad / Grumpy Need space
😟 Worried Need a breath
Step 2: Square Breathing Finger Tracer (Follow the arrows!)
Start Here 👉
BREATHE IN (1 • 2 • 3 • 4)
4-SECOND SQUARE Trace slowly with your index finger 3 times
BREATHE OUT (1 • 2 • 3 • 4)
Keep going!
HOLD (1-2-3-4) ⬆
HOLD (1-2-3-4) ⬇
Step 3: Draw a picture of your favorite calm and happy place:
Use your favorite colors
You did a wonderful job practicing calm coping skills! Keep this sheet safe in your backpack.
Calm Crew Visual Slides
K-1 School Counseling 55-Minute Lesson
Welcome, Friends!
Calm Down Crew:
Our Super Coping Skills
Today we are practicing special ways to help our mind and body feel calm, happy, and safe.
Kind Words Listening Ears Gentle Hands
Routine Step 1
5-Minute Square Breathing
Minutes 0 - 10
Square Breathing Routine Video
Substitute: Play the routine 5-minute breathing video from the link below or browser bookmark.
[ Paste Counselor YouTube Video URL Here ]
How We Breathe
1. BREATHE IN ➡️ 4 sec
2. HOLD STILL ⬇️ 4 sec
3. BREATHE OUT ⬅️ 4 sec
4. REST & HOLD ⬆️ 4 sec
Sit tall like a mountain, trace your finger in the air, and breathe slowly.
Check-In
How Is Your Body Feeling?
All Feelings Are Okay!
😊
CALM
Relaxed body, ready to listen
😢
SAD
Low energy, might need a hug
😡
MAD
Tight muscles, need cool-down
😟
WORRIED
Butterflies inside, need breaths
Show with your fingers: 1, 2, 3, or 4! Which face feels most like you right now?
Mini-Lesson
What Are Coping Skills?
Minutes 10 - 20
Breathe Slow
Take 4 square breaths to slow your racing heartbeat down.
Draw & Color
Use colors and doodling to release big feelings on paper.
Ask a Helper
Tell a teacher or counselor: "My body needs a calm break."
Coping skills are safe tools that help us make calm, healthy choices!
Activity Time
My Calm Down Toolbox
Minutes 20 - 45
1
Write Your Name
Use your best handwriting to put your name at the top of your paper.
2
Color Your Tools
Color all 6 coping tools and put a bright star ⭐ on your favorite one!
3
Trace & Draw
Flip to page 2: trace the breathing square and draw your happy place!
Whisper Voices Share Crayons Work Calmly
Closing Reflection
Calm Down Crew Starfish Breath
Minutes 45 - 55
Hold up one hand like a starfish ⭐