Champ Moves Slides Kindergarten Champ Team
SEL • Sportsmanship
Losing Like a Champ!
How Real Champions Play Hard, Cheer for Friends, and Bounce Back
🫁 Calm Body
🗣️ Kind Words
⭐ Try Again
🎲
Why Do We Play Games?
Rule #1: Fun First!
When You Win:
It feels super exciting! You smile, clap, and thank your friend for playing with you.
When You Don't Win:
You still had fun playing! Every game gives us a turn to practice and get better.
💡 Remember: You cannot win every single time — and that is 100% okay!
❤️
Big Feelings Are Normal
Name It to Tame It
😢
Feeling Sad
A heavy feeling in your chest or tummy.
😡
Feeling Mad
Hot hands, clenched teeth, or fast breathing.
😤
Frustrated
Wishing the score had been different.
It is okay to feel disappointed. But it is NOT okay to yell, throw game pieces, or quit!
1
Champ Move #1: Calm Your Body
Stop & Breathe
🌸
1. Smell the Flower
Breathe in slow and deep through your nose. Fill your tummy with air!
🎂
2. Blow the Candle
Blow gently out through your mouth. Watch your shoulders drop and relax!
Let's try it together! Take 3 Champ Breaths right now! 🌬️
2
Champ Move #2: Use Champion Words
Kind & Proud
"Good game!"
Give a friendly fist bump or high-five.
"You played hard!"
Celebrate the great moves your friend made.
"That was fun!"
Focus on the joy of playing together.
🚫 Words we NEVER say: "You cheated!" • "This is stupid!" • "I hate this!"
3
Champ Move #3: Bounce Back & Keep Trying
Growth Mindset
🏀
Practice Makes Progress
Every time you play, your brain and hands get a little bit better at the game.
🤝
Friends Want to Play Again
When you lose like a champ, friends will always want to invite you to play!
"I didn't win today, but I will practice and try again!" 🌟
🤔
Spot the Champ!
Thumbs Up or Thumbs Down?
Action A 👎
Leo knocks over the game board and shouts, "This is not fair!"
Sore Loser Move!
Action B 👍
Mia takes one big breath, smiles, and says, "Good job, Sam! Want to play again?"
Champ Move!
Which one would you choose when you play at recess or center time?
🏆
Our Kindergarten Champ Promise
Say It Proud!
1. I will play by the rules and share turns.
2. If I lose, I will breathe to calm my body.
3. I will say "Good game!" and smile.
4. I will keep trying and always have fun!
You have the heart of a true champion! 🌟
Champ Choices Activity Sheet Champ Choices Activity
Kindergarten SEL • Good Sportsmanship
Name:
Date:
⭐
Look at each picture story below. Circle CHAMP MOVE if they made a great choice, or SORE LOSER if they made a poor choice!
🤝
1. High Five
Maya loses the race, smiles, and says, "Great run, Leo!"
[ ] Champ Move
[ ] Sore Loser
😤
2. Board Flip
Noah gets sad he lost and knocks all the checkers onto the floor.
[ ] Champ Move
[ ] Sore Loser
🌸
3. Flower Breath
Sofia feels mad inside, but takes 3 calm breaths to relax.
[ ] Champ Move
[ ] Sore Loser
📢
4. Loud Screaming
Ben shouts, "You cheated! I am never playing with you again!"
[ ] Champ Move
[ ] Sore Loser
✍️
Practice Writing Champ Words: Trace & Say Aloud
Trace:
G O O D G A M E !
Trace:
G R E A T J O B !
Tip: Whisper these words to your friend with a smiling face!
My Champion Badge
Draw, Color & Take the Pledge
Official Champ Certificate
🎨 Draw Yourself Playing Like a Champ!
Show yourself smiling, giving a high five, or breathing calmly after playing a fun game with a friend.
Color in Your 3 Champ Superpowers:
🫁 Calm Breath I stop and take 3 deep breaths
💬 Kind Words I say "Good game!" nicely
🔄 Try Again I keep practicing with a smile
My Champ Promise
"I play fair, I cheer for friends, and I bounce back like a champ!"
Champion Signature:
Champ Coach Teacher Guide Champ Coach Teacher Guide
Kindergarten SEL • Instructional Facilitation
Grade: Kindergarten Pacing: 35–45 min
Learning Objectives
• Name and identify at least one body signal of disappointment or anger.
• Execute the 2-step Flower & Candle breath to regulate big feelings.
• Rehearse positive sportsmanship scripts ("Good game!" + fist bump).
Materials & Anchor Chart
• Slide Deck: Champ Moves Slides (interactive presentation).
• Worksheet: Champ Choices Activity Sheet (1 per student).
• Optional Read-Aloud: Sally Sore Loser or Pete the Cat: Play Ball!
1 Phase 1: Circle Time Hook & Emotional Check-In (10 Min)
Whole Group Rug
Gather students at the rug. Hold up a game piece or die.
🗣️ Suggested Teacher Script:
"Friends, put a thumb up if you love playing games! Now keep your thumb up if you love winning. Everyone does! But here is a big question: Can every person win every single game? No! When we don't win, our bodies sometimes feel hot, our tummies feel twisty, or we feel like yelling. Is it okay to feel sad? YES. But what makes someone a real champion is how we handle that feeling!"
Inquiry Question 1:
"Where do you feel it in your body when a game doesn't go your way?"
Inquiry Question 2:
"If someone loses and throws the game pieces, would you want to play with them again?"
2 Phase 2: Explicit Instruction & Somatic Routine (10 Min)
Slide Deck Display
Project slides 3–6. Teach the "Champ Reset" 3-step sequence with physical gestures:
🌸 ➡️ 🎂
1. Flower & Candle
Inhale through nose for 3 counts, exhale through mouth for 4 counts.
🤝 💬
2. Champion Words
Chant in echo: "Good game!" and practice soft fist bumps with rug neighbors.
🌟 🔄
3. Bounce Back
Pat chest and repeat: "I played hard, and I will try again next time!"
Coach Tip: Model exaggerating a silly dramatic pout, then dramatically shifting into the calm Champ Reset to demonstrate bodily control.
Practice Lab & Classroom Management Strategies
Application, Intervention & Progress Monitoring
Part 2 of 2
3 Phase 3: The Mini-Game Practice Lab (12 Min)
Pair Role-Play
Students practice losing in a quick, zero-stakes game: "Rock, Paper, Scissors Champ" or "High Dice Roll" .
Step 1
Pair students with their turn-and-talk partner. They play one quick round of Rock, Paper, Scissors.
Step 2
The teacher calls: "CHAMP PAUSE!" The partner who did not win immediately executes the 1-2-3 Champ Reset.
Step 3
Both partners exchange a double high-five or fist bump and say, "Good game, champ!" Switch and repeat!
Real-Time Coaching Scripts During Free Play / Recess Meltdowns
When a student cries or isolates:
"I see your shoulders are tense and tears are coming. Losing feels really hard. Come sit with me. Let’s do 3 flower breaths together before we talk."
When a student blames or claims cheating:
"You really wanted to win that game. I hear that disappointment. In our room, we honor the game rules. What is our Champ Word to say to our friend?"
Differentiation & Multi-Tiered Supports
Emergent ELL Learners
Emphasize physical gestures: fist bumps, high fives, thumbs up, and nonverbal smiling cues alongside visual cards.
Neurodivergent / High Sensory
Provide a physical "Cool-Down Badge" or tactile stress ball during competitive turn-taking centers to ease emotional transitions.
Chronic Sore Losers
Pre-coach prior to game play: "What will our Champ Move be when this game ends?" Set a micro-goal of giving 1 high five regardless of outcome.
Formative Exit Check: As students line up or transition, each student shows the teacher their Flower & Candle breath and whispers: "Good game!"
Family Game Night Guide Family Game Night Guide
Kindergarten SEL Connection • Raising Good Sports
Home & School Team
Dear Kindergarten Families,
At age 5 and 6, big feelings during games are completely normal! Today at school, we learned how to "Lose Like a Champ" by taking calm breaths, using kind words like "Good game!" , and having fun whether we win or lose. Here is how you can reinforce these skills during family board games, puzzles, and sports at home!
4 Ways to Build Sportsmanship at Home
1
Don't let them win every time
Experiencing small, safe losses at home with loving caregivers prepares children for real-world schoolyard games.
2
Model losing graciously yourself
When you lose Candyland or Uno, smile and say: "Oh bummer, you won! Good game, that was super fun to play!"
3
Practice the "Champ Breath"
If frustration boils, pause the game: smell the flower (deep inhale), blow out the candle (slow exhale) together.
4
Praise the reaction, not the score
Say: "I loved how you clapped for your sister and stayed calm—that showed real champion strength!"
Fridge Cheat Sheet: Champ Words We Practice
Cut & Hang
After a loss: "Good game!"
Cheering a friend: "You played hard!"
Growth mindset: "Let's play again soon!"
Family Cut-Out Champ Tickets (Award During Home Game Night!)
Cut along dashed line
Champ Ticket
I took deep breaths when I felt disappointed!
Awarded by: _________
Champ Ticket
I smiled and said "Good game!" to my family!
Awarded by: _________
Champ Ticket
I played fair and had fun until the very end!
Awarded by: _________
