Cool Words Social Story
Social Story Reader Page 1 of 2
When I Feel Mad, I Use Cool Words
A guide to big feelings, calm choices, and powerful words
1
Big Feelings Happen to Everyone
At school, things do not always go my way. Sometimes I feel upset. It is 100% okay to feel mad, frustrated, or disappointed. Every person feels this way sometimes!
Frustrated When work is hard or stuck
Angry When things feel unfair
Disappointed When I don't get my turn
2
My Body Gives Me Warning Clues
Before words come out of my mouth, my body sends me warning signals that my feelings engine is getting too hot.
Fast Heart Thump thump!
Hot Cheeks Face feels red
Tight Hands Fists squeezed
Loud Urge Want to scream
3
Why Bad Words Hurt the Classroom
When I am super angry, I might feel like yelling bad words or swear words. But bad words cause big problems:
They scare and hurt friends: Bad words make my classmates feel unsafe and sad.
They do not fix what is wrong: Nobody knows how to help me when I use bad words.
I get in trouble: My teacher wants to help me, but bad words stop the fun learning.
Remember the Golden Rule
"It is okay to be MAD. It is NEVER okay to use bad words." Turn the page to see my cool superpowers!
Cool Tools & Words Page 2 of 2
My 3 Steps to Cool Down
What I can do when anger bubbles up
A
First: Pause & Use a Calming Tool
Before I talk!
When I feel bad words on my tongue, I bite my lips and choose one tool:
Turtle Breaths Breathe in 3... out 3
Squeeze & Release Squeeze fists, let go
Count to 5 Quietly in my brain
B
Next: Use Cool Replacement Words
Tell my need
Cool words tell people what I feel without getting me in trouble:
"I feel very frustrated!" Names my strong feeling
"This is too hard right now." Tells why I am stuck
"I need help, please." Invites the teacher in
"I don't like that. Stop." Sets a respectful boundary
C
Or: Ask for a Calm Break
Safe space
If my brain feels too crowded, I can ask for space before speaking:
"Teacher, I need a calm break, please."
I can sit in the calm corner, look at a book, or drink water for 2 minutes. Then I am ready to learn!
★
My Cool Words Champion Promise
"When I feel angry, I will pause, take a deep breath, and use cool words or ask for a break. I am strong, smart, and in charge of my words!"
Calm Down Feelings Visuals
My Calm Down & Cool Words Visuals
Name It • Calm It • Say It Respectfully
My Name:
Step 1: Check My Engine — How Do I Feel?
Point to your level
Level 1 • Calm
Ready & Happy
Body feels soft, brain is focused, good listening.
Keep learning!
Level 2 • Frustrated
Annoyed / Stuck
Work feels tough, stomach tight, squirming.
Ask for help!
Level 3 • Angry
Mad / Disappointed
Hot face, tight fists, teeth clenched, upset.
Pause & breathe!
Level 4 • Red Alert
Boiling Mad
Want to yell bad words or kick. Body is stormy.
Ask for a break!
Step 2: Choose a Calming Tool — Before Words Come Out
Pause for 10 seconds
Turtle Breaths
Smell the flower in (3s), blow out candle (3s).
Squeeze & Let Go
Squeeze hands or stress ball tight, then melt like ice.
Drink of Water
Cool cold sips to chill the warm engine down.
Take 2 min Space
Sit in quiet spot with timer to reset brain.
Step 3: Trade Bad Words for Cool Words
Say what you need
Instead of bad words:
"I feel very frustrated right now!"
Tells teachers you are having big feelings
Instead of swearing:
"This is too hard. I need help!"
Gets you the support you need quickly
Instead of mean yells:
"Please stop. I do not like that."
Protects your boundary without trouble
Instead of shouting:
"I need a 2-minute break, please."
Gives you a calm reset right away
Teacher / Student Desk Tape Strip • Point to Communicate
Desk Reminder
I AM MAD "I feel frustrated!"
BREATHE 3 Slow breaths
NEED HELP "Help me please"
NEED BREAK "2 min space please"
Big Feelings Reflection Sheet
Restorative Reset
My Cool Words Reflection Sheet
Name:
Date:
1 How was I feeling inside? (Circle or color one)
Name the feeling
Frustrated Stuck on work
Angry / Mad Felt unfair
Disappointed Lost a game/turn
Overwhelmed Too loud / tired
2 What happened? Check what was hard and draw below:
Tell the story
The work felt too hard. A classmate upset me. Things didn't go my way. I needed a break.
Draw a picture of what happened:
3 Checking my words: What happened next?
Honest check-in
Did bad words or mean words slip out?
Yes A little No
Did those words solve the problem?
No, it made it worse Yes
4 Next time my engine gets hot, I will choose a calm tool FIRST:
Pick 1 or 2 tools
3 Turtle Breaths In slow, out slow Squeeze & Melt Fists tight, let go Ask for a Break 2 min quiet space Ask Teacher "I need help please"
5 My Cool Replacement Words (Trace or practice writing):
Say it calmly
Option A: When work is frustrating
I feel frustrated. Can you help me please?
Option B: When I need space
I need a 2-minute calm break, please.
I am ready to reset and try again! I will make a kind repair (say sorry or high five) and use my cool words.
Student Initials
Teacher Check-In
