Calm Harbor Teacher Guide 5-Minute Reset Routine • Early Elementary
Calm Harbor Teacher Guide
5 Minutes
Whole-group or Calm Corner
Vocal Tone
Soft, low pitch, steady cadence. Whisper slightly slower than usual.
Environment
Dim overhead lights if possible. Have students rest hands flat on desks or laps.
Safety Rule
All participation is invitational. Students may close eyes or softly cast gaze downward.
Step-by-Step Minute Pacing
Min 0:00
1. Body Engine Check (Notice Your Waves)
Self-Awareness
Teacher Script: "Place one hand on your tummy. Is your inner motor running fast like a speedboat, super slow, or ready to cruise into our calm harbor? No right or wrong—just notice your waves."
Min 1:00
2. Starfish Five-Finger Tracing (Sensory Breath)
Paced Respiration
Teacher Script: "Spread one hand wide like a starfish. Take your pointer finger on the other hand. Breathe in through your nose as you slide UP a finger... hold... and breathe out softly as you slide DOWN. Let's do all five fingers together."
Min 2:00
3. Lemon Squeeze & Jellyfish Melt (Muscle Release)
Somatic Release
Teacher Script: "Imagine you have two sour lemons in your hands. Squeeze them tight! Scrunch your shoulders up to your ears... squeeze for 3... 2... 1... now DROP! Melt your body completely soft like a gentle floating jellyfish." (Repeat twice).
Min 3:00
4. 3-2-1 Sensory Harbor Grounding
Sensory Anchoring
Teacher Script: "Keep your feet flat on the floor like anchor rocks. Silently spot 3 things you see in our room. Listen for 2 quiet sounds . Feel 1 texture against your fingertips—like your sleeve or your desk."
Min 4:00
5. Harbor Affirmation & Transition Back
Gentle Closure
Teacher Script: "Rest hands over your heart. Whisper along with me: 'My body is calm. My mind is clear. I am ready to learn.' Take one gentle stretch overhead, wiggle your toes, and welcome yourself back."
Sensory Adaptations for Diverse Learners
Sensory Seekers: Encourage a firmer palm press or foot push into the floor instead of gentle still hands.
Auditory Sensitive: Use whisper prompts and avoid sudden chimes or claps to signal transitions.
Non-Verbal Learners: Allow students to point to their engine gauge color on the desk mat rather than speaking.
Calm Harbor Social-Emotional Routine • Early Elementary (K–2) Use daily before transitions or when energy spikes
Calm Harbor Slides 5-Minute Reset Routine
5 Minutes
Calm Harbor
Let your mind and body settle like gentle water in a peaceful bay.
Sit tall, place your hands on your lap, and take one soft breath in...
Minute 1
How Is Your Motor Running?
Body Check
Fast Waves
Bouncing, racing, excited, or feeling upset.
Smooth Water
Calm, present, steady, and ready to learn.
Quiet Drift
Sleepy, tired, slow, or needing a soft boost.
Put one hand on your belly. Whisper inside: “Where am I right now?”
Minute 2
Starfish Finger Breathing
Sensory Breath
Slide UP a finger
Breathe IN deep through your nose
Slide DOWN a finger
Breathe OUT slowly like a calm ocean breeze
Trace all 5 fingers at your own quiet pace.
Spread Your Hand Wide
Feel your pointer finger touch your skin as you trace every valley and peak.
Inhale gentle... exhale calm...
Minute 3
Lemon Squeeze & Jellyfish Melt
Muscle Release
Step 1: Tight Squeeze
Squeeze Your Lemons!
Make tight fists. Pull your shoulders way up to your ears. Hold tight!
Hold for 3... 2... 1...
Step 2: Soft Melt
Melt Like a Jellyfish!
Drop your shoulders down. Open your fingers completely soft. Floppy and warm.
Ahhhh... let all tension go!
Notice how heavy and relaxed your shoulders feel right now.
Minute 4
3-2-1 Harbor Grounding
Sensory Anchor
3
See
Look around and silently spot 3 things you see right now.
2
Hear
Cup your ears and listen for 2 quiet sounds in the room.
1
Feel
Touch and feel 1 cozy texture : your desk, pants, or palm.
You are right here, safe in this room.
Minute 5
Ready to Cruise Ahead
Reset Complete
Rest both hands gently over your heart. Whisper along:
“My body is calm.”
“My mind is clear.”
“I am ready to learn.”
Take one gentle stretch upward and roll your shoulders. Welcome back!
Calm Harbor Desk Mat My Calm Harbor Mat
Touch, trace, breathe, and reset your body
Name:
Date:
1
Starfish Finger Tracing
Put your hand here or trace your fingers
Trace UP Breathe IN slow through your nose
1 2 3 4 5
Place Hand Flat Here
Slide your pointer finger around each fingertip
Trace DOWN Breathe OUT soft like a calm breeze
2
How Is Your Engine Running?
Circle or point to your motor
Fast Waves Hyper, angry, wiggly
Start Now
Smooth Water Calm, focused, ready
Start Now
Quiet Drift Sleepy, sad, tired
Start Now
3
3-2-1 Harbor Grounding
3 Spot 3 things you see
2 Hear 2 quiet sounds
1 Feel 1 soft texture
4
Squeeze & Melt
1. Squeeze Tight! Fists and shoulders for 3 seconds
2. Melt Soft! Drop shoulders like a gentle jellyfish
My Harbor Affirmation
“My body is calm. My mind is clear. I am ready to learn.”
Calm Harbor Desk Mat • Early Elementary Sensory Strategy Keep flat on desk or place in classroom calm corner