Mission Control Facilitator Guide Mission Control
Facilitator Guide • Small Group SEL
Session Objective
Students will identify situations within their control versus those outside their control, helping to reduce anxiety and focus energy on proactive choices.
Details
30-45 Minutes
Grades 3-6
SEL / Counseling
Mission Inventory
Launch Sequence
1
The Spark: Control Hook (5 mins)
Ask the group: "If you were the pilot of a spaceship, what are three things you MUST be able to control to fly safely?" After responses, pivot to real life. "In our lives, we have a dashboard too. But some buttons work, and some are just for show."
2
The Briefing: The Slides (10 mins)
Walk through the Control Center Slides. Define the "Circle of Control" (Inside the ship) and the "Circle of Acceptance" (Outside the ship/The space weather). Discuss why trying to control the outside makes us feel "out of fuel" (anxious/tired).
3
Simulation: Sorting Activity (10 mins)
Use the Sorting Situation Cards. Have students take turns picking a card and deciding if it goes in the "Pilot's Control" or "Space Weather." Encourage debate: Can you control if someone is mean? (No, but you control your reaction).
4
Deep Dive: My Mission (10 mins)
Students complete the Command Center Organizer for a specific worry they currently have. They then transition to the My Mission Worksheet for personal reflection.
5
Landing: The Poster (10 mins)
Students create their Circle of Power Poster. This is a visual reminder they can take with them to remember their "Dashboard" when things get stormy.
Communication Channel
"How does it feel in your body when you try to control something you can't?"
"What is one 'button' on your dashboard you want to press more often?"
"How can we 'let go' of things that are outside our ship?"
Facilitator Intel
Common Misconception
Students often think they can control others through their own kindness. Remind them that while kindness helps, other people's choices remain "Space Weather."
Adaptation
For younger students, use physical "hula hoops" to represent the circles on the floor and have them physically jump into the circle of control.
Control Center Slides System Initialization
Mission
Control
Navigating your world with the Power of Focus
Security
Energy
Direction
Scanning the Perimeter
Inside the Ship
The things you ACTUALLY control.
Your Words
Your Effort
Your Kindness
Outside the Ship
"Space Weather." You cannot change it.
People's Moods
The Past
Others' Actions
System Overload
When we try to push buttons that aren't there, our Emotional Battery drains fast.
Warning: Anxiety Detected • Focus on Control
Mission Simulation
"A friend is being grumpy and doesn't want to play."
Input
Pilot's Choice?
How I respond to them.
Condition
Space Weather?
Their bad mood.
The Pilot's Oath
"I will focus my fuel on the things I can control, and trust that I can handle the weather I cannot."
Time to create your Personal Dashboard!
Thought Pilot Organizer Thought Pilot
Strategy Organizer: Problem Analysis
Pilot ID
Current Turbulence (Identify the problem or worry)
Outside My Ship
Parts I cannot change:
How can I accept these parts?
Inside My Ship
Actions I CAN control:
What is my FIRST step today?
Ready for Launch • Recalibrated Focus
My Mission Worksheet My Mission
Control Center Personal Reflection
Pilot
Date
1. Current Fuel Levels
When I try to control things I can't, I feel:
Anxious / Worried
Tired / Drained
Angry / Annoyed
Other:
2. Pilot Choices
List 3 "Buttons" on your dashboard you can always control:
1
2
3
3. Releasing the Cargo
What is something you are going to let go of this week?
"I can't change the storm, but I can fly the ship."
Circle of Power Poster My Circle of Power
Mission Control Center • Visual Reminder
Acceptance (Space Weather)
The Past • Others' Moods • Mistakes • Weather
Pilot's Control
My Words • My Effort • My Attitude
"I focus on what I can do,
and I am at peace with what I cannot."
Save Fuel
Stay Safe
Fly Far
Command Center Sorting Mat Sorting Mat
Mission Control Activity
Pilot's Control
Glue cards you CAN control here
Space Weather
Glue cards you MUST accept here
Status: Ready for Input • Sorting Commenced
Command Center Situation Cards Situation Cards
Mission Control Activity • Cut-Out Sheet
The words I choose to use when I'm frustrated
If a soccer game gets cancelled because of rain
Following the directions given by the teacher
How much effort I put into my homework
What other students are saying behind my back
How many snacks are left in the kitchen cabinet
Remembering to bring my water bottle to school
The mistakes I made on a math test yesterday
My attitude when I have to do a difficult chore
What my friends decide to play at recess
Taking three slow breaths when I feel overwhelmed
The score of a professional sports game
Asking for a "reset" or break when I need one
If someone else is having a bad day or mood
Choosing to be kind to someone who is alone
How loud the music is at a school assembly
Cut these cards out and glue them onto your sorting mat!