Stoplight Calm Teacher Guide Teacher Lesson Plan
Stoplight Calm
Introducing Visual Self-Regulation to Early Learners
Grade Level: K - 2
Duration: 35-45 Mins
Focus: Self-Regulation
Big Goal
Students identify energy levels and select appropriate calming actions.
Social-Emotional
Build self-awareness and self-management competencies.
Materials
Stoplight Slides, Activity Cards, Reflection Sheets.
Key Learning Objectives
Identify: Name three primary emotional zones (Red = High Energy, Yellow = Medium/Spun-Up Energy, Green = Balanced/Ready).
Select: Choose a calming sensory or physical action tailored to their current emotional zone.
Communicate: Use physical or verbal "stoplight cards" to express internal states to peers and teachers.
Step-by-Step Lesson Procedure
Phase 1: Spark Curiosity 10 Mins
The Red-Light, Green-Light Hook
Begin with a traditional game of Red Light, Green Light . Stand at the front of the room. When you say "Green Light," students march in place or wiggle with high energy. When you say "Red Light," they freeze completely. Introduce "Yellow Light" as slow-motion movement.
Teacher Script: "Our bodies have different speeds just like cars! Sometimes we are going full speed (Green), sometimes we are feeling a bit wild or wiggly (Yellow), and sometimes we need to freeze and rest (Red). Today, we will find out how to use these lights to help us feel calm and happy!"
Phase 2: Introduce the Lights 12 Mins
Visual Modeling (Using the Slide Deck)
Project the Stoplight Calm Slides . Walk students through each color to help them identify how their mind and body feel in each state:
🔴 Red Light Mad, super excited/wild, frustrated. Heart beating fast. Need to freeze and breathe.
🟡 Yellow Light Wiggly, silly, anxious, or easily distracted. Moving too fast to focus.
🟢 Green Light Calm, helpful, focused, ready to listen. Feeling balanced and good to go.
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Stoplight Calm
Active Practice & Integration Guide
Phase 3 & Integration
Phase 3: Active Practice 10 Mins
The Scenario Sort
Distribute the printed Stoplight Calm Activity Cards . Read simple scenarios aloud. Have students hold up the color card that represents how a person might feel.
🎒 Scenario A: "Your crayon snaps in half while drawing your picture." (Red/Yellow)
🎨 Scenario B: "You are quietly coloring with watercolor paints." (Green)
🤸 Scenario C: "You are about to go outside for recess and can't stand still." (Yellow)
Phase 4: Tool Application 8 Mins
Cool-Down Selection
Distribute the Stoplight Calm Tracker Worksheet . Guide students to identify their current stoplight color and choose one self-soothing strategy to practice. Show how the "Calming Corner Stoplight" can be visited whenever they need to check in.
Classroom Corner Setup
Post the giant stoplight in a quiet area. Place the printed activity cards nearby for reference.
Check-In Routine
Begin morning meetings by asking students to point to their stoplight color on their desk tracker.
Teacher Reflection & De-escalation Scripts
For Red Light States
"I see your red light is shining bright. Let's take three slow breaths together before we talk."
For Yellow Light States
"We have some wiggly yellow light energy right now. Should we do a wall push or a hand squeeze?"
For Green Light States
"Your green light is on! You look focused and ready to learn. How does your body feel?"
Informal Exit Ticket Assessment
Before dismissing to recess, ask each child to show their color card. Ensure everyone can state one cool-down tool.
Success Criteria Met!
Page 2 of 2 • Stoplight Calm Lesson Plan
Stoplight Calm Slides 🚦 Meet Your Stoplight SEL Lesson K-2
How is Your
Engine Running?
Let's explore the three magical colors that help us check inside and find our calm!
Press Space or Arrow to Continue
🟢 Green Light Ready to Learn!
The Green Light State
When we are in the Green Light, our bodies and minds feel just right. We are relaxed, happy, and fully ready to learn and play together.
Your breathing is slow and steady.
Your face is smiling or relaxed.
You are focused and good to go!
Green Tool
Keep doing what you are doing! Encourage a friend, listen deeply, or enjoy your activity with a smile.
Stoplight Calm Lesson 🟢 Focus & Balance
🟡 Yellow Light Slow Down & Check-In!
The Yellow Light State
Yellow light is when our engine starts running a bit fast. We might feel wiggly, silly, overly excited, or a little bit worried.
Your body wants to move or wiggle constantly.
You find it hard to pay attention.
You might have butterfly giggles or worries.
Yellow Calm Tool
Try a Wall Push-Up ! Press your hands flat on the wall and push for 10 slow seconds to release that extra wiggle energy.
Stoplight Calm Lesson 🟡 Release Excess Energy
🔴 Red Light Stop, Freeze, & Breathe!
The Red Light State
When we hit a red light, our emotional engine is roaring too fast! We might feel very angry, deeply sad, or completely out of control.
Your heart beats fast or your fists tighten up.
You might want to scream, cry, or run away.
You need to freeze like a statue and cool down.
Red Calm Tool
Practice Stop & Blow . Take a huge breath in like sniffing a flower, then blow out slowly like cooling warm soup. Repeat 3 times!
Stoplight Calm Lesson 🔴 Freeze & Breathe
🎬 Game Time Stoplight Check-In
What Light is Shining?
Read the cards with your teacher. Hold up your cards or point to the matching light color on your desk!
🎨
Scenario 1
"You are drawing a picture and your pencil tip breaks."
Is it Red or Yellow?
🎒
Scenario 2
"You hear the recess bell and want to run outside immediately!"
Is it Yellow?
📚
Scenario 3
"You are sitting on the rug, listening to your teacher read a cool story."
Stoplight Calm Activity Cards Stoplight Calm Activity Cards
Print, laminate, and cut out these visual strategy cards for your Calming Corner!
Classroom Printable
🟢 Green zone
🌸
Mindful Smile
Close your eyes and breathe in slow. Think of your absolute favorite place or person. Let a happy smile warm your face, then blow the breath out like wind.
Good to go! Keep feeling bright.
🟢 Green Zone
🤝
Helping Hand
Look around. Find a small way to help. You can organize crayons, offer a peer high-five, or whisper a kind compliment to a classmate nearby!
Spreading kindness and focus!
🟡 Yellow Zone
🧱
The Wall Push
Place both hands flat against the wall. Push as hard as you can, pretending you are moving the building! Push and count slowly to 10, then shake out your hands.
Pushes away that extra wiggle!
🟡 Yellow Zone
👐
Clam Squeeze
Interlace your fingers tightly together to make a "clam shell." Squeeze your hands as hard as possible for 5 seconds. Let go and let your fingers dance!
Gives your hands a calming break.
🔴 Red Zone
🕯️
Flower & Candle
Pretend you hold a beautiful flower in one hand and a glowing candle in the other. Sniff the flower deep through your nose, then gently blow out the candle.
Repeat 3 times to freeze & calm.
🔴 Red Zone
🐢
Frozen Turtle
Pull your shoulders all the way up to your ears, squeeze tight, and shrink your head down like a turtle hiding in its hard shell. Hold for 5 seconds... then relax!
Safely resets strong red emotions.
✂️ Tip: Laminate for durability and attach with a ring! Stoplight Calm Resource Pack
Stoplight Calm Tracker Worksheet Stoplight Calm Check-In
How is your engine running today? Let's check in!
Student Worksheet
Name:
Date:
1. Color the Stoplight
Color the circles: Red (top), Yellow (middle), and Green (bottom).
RED
YEL
GRN
⭐ Draw a star next to the color that matches your feeling right now!
2. How does your body feel?
Draw a picture or write a few words inside the box to show how you feel inside right now.
Tip for Teachers: If students are in Red or Yellow, encourage them to choose a calm tool from Section 3 before starting group activities.
3. My Favorite Calm Strategy
Which calming tool would you like to try today? Check one or two boxes!
🕯️ Flower & Candle Breath
Take three slow, deep breaths to freeze and cool down.
🐢 The Frozen Turtle
Squeeze your shoulders tight, hold, and relax them down.
🧱 The Wall Push
Push against the wall for 10 seconds to get wiggles out.
👐 The Clam Squeeze
Interlock fingers and squeeze hands tight, then let go.
Stoplight Calm • SEL Unit My Self-Regulation Journal