Coping Skills Crew Lesson Plan
Coping Skills Crew
Lesson Plan: Emotional Regulation
Duration 30 MIN
Why It Matters
Learning coping skills helps students manage big feelings like anger or sadness in healthy ways. This builds emotional intelligence and resilience, which are essential for school and life.
Prep Work
- Review the Coping Skills Crew Slide Deck.
- Prepare the Coping Skills Script.
- Print the My Coping Tool Kit Activity.
- Gather construction paper, crayons, scissors, and glue.
Materials
- • Whiteboard/Projector
- • Markers/Chart Paper
- • Slides & Script
- • Activity Sheets
- • Art Supplies (Crayons, Scissors, Glue)
Objectives
Students will be able to identify at least two different coping skills and understand how to use them when they feel strong emotions.
Instructional Steps
5m
Introduction: Big Feelings
Ask students about different feelings they experience. Use the slide deck to guide discussion. Introduce "big feelings" and explain that "Coping Skills" are tools to help manage them.
10m
Introducing Super Skills
Present coping skills via slides: deep breaths, counting, talking to adults, and drawing. Demonstrate each and have students practice together. Discuss when and why to use each tool.
10m
My Coping Tool Kit Activity
Distribute the activity sheets. Students draw or write their favorite coping skills into their personal "tool kits." Circulate to help with spelling or ideas.
5m
Conclusion & Review
Share tool kits. Reiterate that everyone gets big feelings and that practice makes these skills stronger. Welcome them as official members of the Coping Skills Crew!
Breathe
Count
Talk
Draw
Coping Skills Crew Slides
Coping Skills Crew
Superpowers for Big Feelings!
What's Up With Feelings?
How do you feel today?
- 😊 Happy?
- 😢 Sad?
- 😤 Grumpy?
- 🤩 Excited?
It's okay to feel ALL kinds of feelings!
Big Feelings Alert!
Sometimes feelings get REALLY BIG!
Like a giant wave!
Or a buzzing bee!
What do we do when feelings feel too big?
Coping Skills Crew to the Rescue!
We have special powers!
- They are called Coping Skills.
- They help us feel calm again.
- Everyone can learn them!
Super Skill 1: Deep Breaths!
Take a big dragon breath!
Breathe in slowly through your nose.
Hold it for a second.
Breathe out slowly through your mouth.
Try it with me!
Super Skill 2: Count it Out!
When you feel wiggly, try counting!
1
2
3
4
5
...
It helps your brain take a break.
Super Skill 3: Talk it Out!
Find a helper!
Talk to a grown-up you trust, like a teacher, parent, or grandparent.
They can help you solve problems!
Super Skill 4: Draw Your Feelings!
Grab a crayon and draw!
- Draw what you are feeling.
- Draw something happy.
- Draw a quiet place.
Art can make you feel better!
Your Own Coping Tool Kit!
What coping skills will you put in yours?
Write them!
Draw them!
Your tool kit will help you whenever you need it!
You are a Coping Skills Crew Member!
Use your coping skills when you have big feelings. Practice makes perfect! Great job today!
Coping Skills Crew Script
Coping Skills Crew
Instructional Script
Teacher Resource
Time: 30 Minutes
Phase 1
Introduction: Big Feelings (5 min)
Show Slide 2: What's Up With Feelings?
Teacher Says: "Good morning, Coping Skills Crew! Today, we're going to talk about something super important: our feelings! Everyone has feelings, right? Thumbs up if you agree! Sometimes we feel happy and excited, like when it's your birthday! Can someone share a feeling they've had recently? You can use a word or even show me with your face!"
[Pause for student responses]
Show Slide 3: Big Feelings Alert!
Teacher Says: "That's wonderful! We all feel different things every day. But sometimes, our feelings can get really, really BIG! Has anyone ever felt so angry they wanted to stomp their feet? Or so sad they wanted to cry? Or so frustrated they just didn't know what to do? Those are called 'big feelings,' and sometimes they can feel a little overwhelming, like a giant wave! It's okay to have big feelings. Everyone does! The super important thing is learning what to do when those big feelings show up. And that's what we're here to learn today!"
Phase 2
Introducing Coping Skills (10 min)
Show Slide 4: Coping Skills Crew to the Rescue!
Teacher Says: "Guess what? We have a secret superpower! It's called Coping Skills! Coping skills are like special tools we can use to help us feel calm and happy again when those big feelings try to take over. Let's learn some of these awesome tools!"
Show Slide 5: Super Skill 1: Deep Breaths!
"Our first superpower is taking a deep breath, like a big, calm dragon! Let's try it together. Put one hand on your belly. Now, breathe in slowly through your nose, like you're smelling a yummy flower. Feel your belly get big. Hold it for a second... and now, breathe out slowly through your mouth, like you're blowing out a candle. Let's do two more dragon breaths! In... out. In... out. Wow! Doesn't that feel a little calmer?"
Show Slide 6: Super Skill 2: Count it Out!
"Our next superpower is counting! Sometimes when our brains are busy with big feelings, counting can help them take a little break. If you feel wiggly or frustrated, you can count to 5, or even to 10! Let's try counting to 10 together. Ready? 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10! Good job!"
Show Slide 7: Super Skill 3: Talk it Out!
"Another super important tool is talking! When you have a big feeling, it's really helpful to talk to a grown-up you trust. Who are some grown-ups you can talk to when you have big feelings?"
[Pause for student responses]
