Cloud Calm Teacher Guide Cloud Calm Teacher Guide
5-Minute Whole-Class Reset Routine • Kindergarten SEL
5 Minutes Total
When to Use
Post-Recess • Transitions
Posture Goal
Criss-Cross Floor Seated
Teacher Voice
Warm, Slow Whisper Pitch
Equipment
None (Optional Slides)
Minute-by-Minute Calming Pathway
Follow the sequence without pausing
01:00 SETTLE
Cloud Seating & Quiet Bell
Physical Reset
Ring chime or sing three slow notes. Students sit criss-cross with soft "cloud hands" resting in laps.
Teacher Script: "Find your soft cloud spot. Cross your legs like quiet pretzel dough. Place your hands on your lap soft as cotton."
02:00 BREATHE
Belly Balloon Breaths
Inhale 3s / Exhale 4s
Both hands over belly button. Breathe in through nose to expand belly, blow out gently through lips to deflate.
Teacher Script: "Hands on your tummy. Smell the warm cookies (inhale 1-2-3)... now blow gently on hot soup (exhale 1-2-3-4)."
03:00 GROUND
Soft Raindrop Finger Taps
Bilateral Sensory
Use fingertips to softly drum on knees like gentle rain, starting rapid, then slowing down to a quiet whisper drop.
Teacher Script: "Here comes a gentle summer rain on our knees. Tap, tap, tap... now the storm slows down... drop... drop... quiet puddle."
04:00 RELEASE
Snowman Squeeze & Sunshine Melt
Progressive Relax
Squeeze shoulders up to ears and ball fists tight for 3 seconds. Exhale with an "Ahhh" and melt down completely.
Teacher Script: "Freeze like an icy snowman! Scrunch shoulders tight! 1... 2... 3... and warm sunshine shines: melt down soft into the rug."
05:00 CONNECT
Heart Hug & Whisper Affirmation
Ready to Learn
Cross arms over chest, give gentle squeeze. Repeat the 3-part class whisper before standing or looking to board.
Teacher Script: "Give your heart a warm hug. Whisper with me: 'My body is calm. My brain is ready. I am proud of me.'"
Facilitation Tips
Dim overhead lights: Natural or warm lamp light instantly drops classroom energy.
Mirror the breathing: Students look at your shoulders and ribs to gauge pace.
Avoid correction language: Praise the quiet instead of calling out wigglers.
Active Learner Support
Restless bodies: Offer a soft squishy ball or allow gentle rocking during taps.
Reluctant breathers: Ask them to blow a pretend feather off their hand.
Sensory sensitive: Keep eye closure optional; gazing down at hands works equally well.
Cloud Calm Slides Minute 1 • Settle In
Cloud Calm Routine
Time for Cloud Calm
Let your body rest like a soft, fluffy cloud.
Pretzel Legs
Sit criss-cross on your quiet spot
Cloud Hands
Rest your hands softly in your lap
Quiet Mouth
Soft breathing, ears open to listen
Take one slow breath together... in and out.
Minute 2 • Balloon Breath
3 Big Breaths
Hands on Your Belly!
Feel your balloon grow big and shrink small.
1
Breathe In
Smell the flower: 1... 2... 3
2
Breathe Out
Blow out the candle: 1... 2... 3... 4
Notice how soft and still your tummy feels now.
Minute 3 • Raindrop Taps
Sensory Rhythm
Soft Raindrop Taps
Use gentle fingertips on your knees.
Fast Rain
Quick quiet taps on your knees
Slow Rain
Slow... gentle... tap... tap...
Still Puddle
Hands freeze completely still!
Listen to the quiet room as the rain stops.
Minute 4 • Freeze & Melt
Release Energy
1. Snowman Squeeze
Scrunch your shoulders up to your ears! Squeeze tight!
Hold: 1... 2... 3!
2. Sunshine Melt
Drop your shoulders soft like melting ice cream!
Breathe out: "Ahhhhh"
Your shoulders are so soft and relaxed now.
Minute 5 • Heart Hug
Ready to Learn
Cross Your Arms & Give a Heart Hug
Whisper our three quiet promises together:
"My body..."
...is calm.
"My brain..."
...is ready.
"My heart..."
...is kind.
Take a quiet breath. You are ready for a wonderful day!
Cloud Calm Breathing Mat My Cloud Calm Breathing Mat
Put your finger on the star and follow the peaceful path!
Name:
Date:
Activity 1: Finger-Trace the Big Cloud Inhale going UP • Exhale going DOWN
Breathe IN (1-2-3) Gentle Pause Breathe OUT (1-2-3-4)
START
"I am safe and calm" Slide finger slowly across each cloud bump
FINISH
Activity 2: Rainbow Breaths (Trace each color) Slow Finger Ride
Red Arc: Breathe in warm strawberry smell ••• Breathe out soft
Yellow Arc: Breathe in bright warm sunshine ••• Breathe out soft
Green Arc: Breathe in fresh garden grass ••• Breathe out soft
Blue Arc: Breathe in quiet fluffy sky ••• Breathe out soft
Activity 3: How Does Your Body Feel Now? Touch or circle one
Bouncy Lots of energy
Grumpy Needs quiet
Sleepy A little tired
Calm Ready to learn
Color a Star for Each Calm Breath You Take:
1 big breath • 2 big breaths • 3 big breaths!