A 20-minute social-emotional learning mini-lesson designed for kindergarten through 4th grade to help students recognize big emotions and master four actionable calm-down coping strategies.
Script: "When your mind is racing into a storm, ground it in the room! Whisper to your neighbor: 2 things your eyes spot right now, and 1 quiet sound you can hear in the hall or classroom."
Script: "Put your hand flat over your heart. What would your best friend tell you right now? Repeat after me: 'I am safe.' 'I can take my time.' 'I can try again.'"
★ Modeling Key: Have the whole room whisper together in a calm chorus.
Phase 3: Worksheet (6 Min) Min 11–17
Distribute Sheet: Have students write Name & Date quickly.
Thermometer: Give 30 sec to circle 1–5 current emotion level.
Toolbox Test: Students check off the 4 toolboxes as you do a 10-second speed test of each.
Favorite Selection: Draw or write their #1 tool in the Step 3 box.
Phase 4: Closing & Pledge (3 Min) Min 17–20
Classroom Pledge: Have all students stand or sit tall, raise one hand, and recite the Cool Down Pledge:
"When feelings get big, I can pause, breathe, and use my tools!"
Students sign the bottom card on their worksheet and place it in the front sleeve of their binder or desk cubby.
Grade-Level Adaptations & Differentiation
Kindergarten • 1st Grade
• Drawing over writing: Allow K students to draw a star or a lemon rather than writing sentences.
• Choral pacing: Count aloud together during Star Breathing so pacing doesn't rush.
• Sensory anchors: Keep real squeeze-balls or pinwheels in the calm corner as physical props.
2nd • 3rd • 4th Grade
• Identify Triggers: Prompt older students to name specific situations (math tests, recess conflicts, lost games).
• Custom Self-Talk: Challenge students to craft personalized 3-word growth mindset mantras.
• Subtle Execution: Teach how to do Star Breathing silently under desks during exams.
Daily Classroom Follow-Through Teacher Quick Tips
Nonverbal Signal: Establish a 2-finger star tap signal to prompt a dysregulated student without calling them out in front of peers.
Calm Corner Tie-In: Tape a copy of the worksheet right inside your classroom calming station for guided self-regulation.
Transition Routine: Use 1-minute Lemon Squeeze after high-energy specials (PE, recess) before academic instruction begins.
Ready to print and implement in any 20-minute SEL, advisory, or morning meeting block. Cool Down Crew Teacher Guide • Page 2
