Fighters Lesson Plan Tier 3 Social-Emotional Learning
Frustration & Fury Fighters!
A superhero-themed training session to help Kindergarteners master big emotions like frustration and anger.
Duration
30 Minutes
Audience
Kindergarten (Level 1 Autism)
Objective
Identify frustration/anger and use 1-2 simple calming tools.
Why This Matters
Understanding and managing big emotions helps students navigate social situations, reduce meltdowns, and build emotional resilience, crucial for a student with Level 1 Autism who may struggle with transitions and sensory processing.
Prep (10 mins)
• Review the Big Feelings Slides .
• Print the Feeling Faces Worksheet .
• Gather markers or crayons.
• Review the Teacher Script for prompts.
• Ensure a distraction-reduced environment.
Materials
Smartboard / Projector
Big Feelings Slides
Teacher Script
Markers / Crayons
Feeling Faces Sheet
Training Sequence
1
Warm-Up: How Do I Feel?
5 min
Use the Feelings Check Warm Up to check in. Ask the student to point to faces matching their current feelings.
2
Introduce Big Emotions
7 min
Present the Big Feelings Slides using the Teacher Script . Focus on visual body clues (red face, tight fists).
3
Activity: Mad Moments
8 min
Guide student to draw triggers using the Mad Moments Activity . Validate feelings: "It's okay to feel mad."
4
Game: Calming Tools
7 min
Play Calm Down Toolkit Game . Practice deep breaths or counting. Use Discussion Guide for prompts.
5
Cool-Down: Calming Refection
3 min
Wrap up with the Calm Corner Cool Down . Student picks one preferred tool for next time.
Big Feelings Slides Big Feelings,
Big Me!
It's okay to feel all kinds of feelings!
Superhero Training: Day 1
Teacher Notes: Welcome the student. Ask them how they are feeling today. Use a feeling chart if available. Explain that today we will talk about some big feelings.
What is
Frustration?
When things are hard or don't go your way.
Like a puzzle piece that won't fit!
Or a tower that keeps falling down.
Teacher Notes: Introduce the idea of 'frustration'. Give a simple example like a puzzle piece not fitting. Ask the student if they have ever felt this way.
What is
Anger?
A really big feeling!
When something makes you very mad.
Like when someone takes your toy without asking.
Teacher Notes: Show a visual of an angry face. Explain that anger is an even bigger feeling. Give a simple example like someone taking your toy. Ask how their body feels when they are angry.
How Do They Look?
Your face might get red.
Your hands might make fists.
You might want to stomp!
Your body feels tight and hot.
Teacher Notes: Discuss what frustration/anger might look like on their face or in their body. Emphasize that it's okay to feel it, but we need to know what to do.
What Can We Do?
When big feelings come, we can learn to calm down ! We have tools to help our bodies and minds feel better.
Teacher Notes: Introduce the idea of calming down. Ask the student what they like to do when they are feeling a little upset. Connect to the upcoming game/activity.
Tool #1
Deep Breaths
Smell a flower (Breathe in!)
Blow out a candle (Breathe out!)
DO IT THREE TIMES!
Teacher Notes: Introduce the first calming strategy: Deep Breaths. Demonstrate taking a deep breath. Have the student practice.
Tool #2
Count to Ten
1
2
3
4
5
...
10
This helps your brain slow down and think clearly!
Teacher Notes: Introduce the second calming strategy: Counting. Explain that counting helps your brain think about something else. Practice counting to five or ten.
Tool #3
Ask for
a Break
It's okay to say:
Tell a grown-up when you need a quiet minute.
Teacher Notes: Introduce the third calming strategy: Ask for a break. Explain that it's good to tell an adult you need a moment. Model asking for a break.
You've Got Tools!
Remember, all feelings are okay!You are a feelings superhero.
Breathe
Count
Break
Teacher Notes: Summarize that we have tools to help. Reiterate that all feelings are okay, but we need to deal with them safely.
Big Feelings Teacher Script Big Feelings: Teacher Script
A step-by-step guide for facilitating the emotional regulation session.
30 Minutes Total 1-on-1 Instruction
1
Warm-Up: How Do I Feel?
5 Minutes
Teacher Script
"Hi __________! I'm so glad you're here today. We're going to talk about some really important feelings. First, let's look at these feeling faces. Can you point to how you're feeling right now?"
Wait for response
"Great! Thanks for sharing. All feelings are okay, and today we're going to talk about some special 'big feelings' that can sometimes feel tricky."
Teacher Action
Have the Feelings Check Warm Up ready. If the student is non-verbal, encourage pointing or using visual aids.
2
Introduce Big Emotions
7 Minutes
Slide 1: Big Feelings, Big Me!
"Look at this slide! It says 'Big Feelings, Big Me!' We all have lots of different feelings inside us, right? Happy, sad, silly... and sometimes, some really big ones. It's okay to feel all kinds of feelings."
Slide 2: What is Frustration?
"Have you ever tried to build a tall tower, and it just keeps falling down? Or maybe you're doing a puzzle, and a piece just won't fit? How does that feel?"
Wait for student response. "Yes! That feeling, when something is hard or doesn't go your way, that's called frustration ."
Slide 3: What is Anger?
"Now, sometimes frustration can get even bigger. When something makes us very mad, like if someone takes your favorite toy without asking, that can turn into anger . Anger is a really big feeling! How does your body feel when you get really, really mad?"
Slide 4: Body Clues
"When we feel frustrated or angry, our bodies often show us. Your face might get a little red, your hands might want to make fists, or you might feel like stomping your feet. Your tummy might feel tight, or you might feel hot. Can you show me a frustrated face? How about an angry face?"
3
Super Tools Training
10 Minutes
Tool 1: Deep Breaths
"One super important tool is taking deep breaths . It's like smelling a beautiful flower and then blowing out a candle slowly. Let's try it together! Smell the flower... blow out the candle. Do it three times!"
Action: Demonstrate physical breathing motion clearly.
Tool 2: Counting
"Another tool is counting . When you feel those big feelings starting, you can try to count to 5, or even 10! Like this: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5... Can you count with me?"
Mad Moments Activity Level 1 Training Training Mission: Discovery
Mad Moments!
Sometimes things happen that make us feel frustrated or angry. It's important to know what those things are!
Superhero Name
Date
Draw a picture or tell your teacher about something that makes you feel frustrated or angry.
My Frustrated Face
When things are hard (like a toy not working)
Teacher/Student Notes
My Angry Face
When things are unfair (like someone taking your turn)
Teacher/Student Notes
It's okay to feel these emotions! You are doing great!
Training Log: Page 1
Calm Down Toolkit Game Superhero Training Game
My Calming Tools!
Pick a tool from your superhero toolkit to handle big feelings.
Your Superhero Toolkit
Deep Breaths
Smell flower, blow candle
10
Count to Ten
1, 2, 3, 4, 5...
Ask for a Break
"I need a break!"
Squeeze Ball
Squeeze tight, let go!
Training Scenarios
Frustration Alert!
"You're building a tower, and it keeps falling down!"
Tool Choice
Anger Alert!
"Your friend took your toy without asking!"
Tool Choice
Frustration Alert!
"Your circle keeps wobbling and won't be perfect!"
Tool Choice
Frustration Alert!
"It's time for clean up, but you aren't finished yet!"
Tool Choice
Teacher Instructions
Tailor scenarios to the student's known triggers. For each scenario, have the student physically demonstrate the chosen tool (e.g., actually taking three breaths or counting out loud). Encourage them to say why they chose that tool if they are verbal.
Feelings Check Warm Up How Do I Feel Today?
A Superhero Daily Check-In
Point to the face that shows how you are feeling right now!
😊
Happy
😞
Sad
😮
Surprised
🤪
Silly
😠
Frustrated
😡
Angry
Teacher Prompt 1
"Can you tell me, or point to, which face shows how you are feeling right now?"
Teacher Prompt 2
"What makes you feel that way today?"
Use these prompts to gauge the student's emotional state before starting the main lesson training.
Calm Corner Cool Down Training Mission Complete!
Calm Corner Reflection
Final Mission Task
Which tool will you choose next time?
Think about our Superhero Toolkit (Deep Breaths, Counting, Asking for a Break). Which one helps you the most?
My Go-To Calming Tool
Teacher Wrap-Up
"Why did you choose that tool?"
"That's a fantastic choice! Remember, you have these tools inside you. You are a Frustration & Fury Fighter ! Keep practicing."
Certified Feeling Fighter
Feeling Fighters Discussion Guide Tier 3 Facilitation Guide
Feeling Fighters Discussion Guide
Prompts and strategies for deep emotional regulation training.
Understanding
Safety
Tool Use
01. Understanding
Body Awareness
"What does frustration feel like in your body? Does your tummy feel tight? Do your hands feel like they want to squeeze?"
Recall & Narrative
"Can you tell me a time when you felt really angry? What made you angry?"
02. Safety
Validation vs. Behavior
"Is it okay to feel angry? Yes! But is it okay to hurt others or break things when we are mad? No. Why?"
Alternative Actions
"What is a safe way to show someone you are frustrated without yelling or stomping?"
03. Tool Application
Deep Breaths Timing
"We learned about deep breaths. When would be a good time to try taking deep breaths during your school day?"
The Break Strategy
"Who could you ask for a break from? What would you do during your break to feel better?"
Teacher Strategy Tip
Encourage the student to use their words, pointing, or gestures to express their thoughts. For students with Level 1 Autism, allow extra processing time (5-10 seconds) after asking a question. Use the Feeling Faces Worksheet as a visual anchor during these discussions.
Feeling Faces Worksheet Mission 1 Identifying Emotions
Feeling Faces!
Look at each face. Can you point to the name of the feeling?
Superhero Name
😊
Happy Face
This face is feeling:
😞
Sad Face
This face is feeling:
😠
Frustrated
This face is feeling:
😡
Angry Face
This face is feeling:
My Own Big Feeling Face
What feeling is it?
Teacher Note: Point to faces and name feelings together. Encourage imitation of the facial expressions.
