Feelings Check-In Warm Up Feelings Check-In
Name:
Date:
Welcome! Let's start by checking in with our feelings today.
How are you feeling right now?
Think about how you are feeling. Are you feeling happy, calm, sleepy, excited, or something else?
Draw a picture or write a word about your feeling below
Why do you think you feel this way?
Use the space below to tell me more.
My Safe Space Lesson Plan Teacher Guide Teacher Resource
My Safe Space Lesson Plan
Tier 3 Individual Intervention • Grade 1
Time
30 Minutes
Audience
1st Grade (Individual)
Approach
Guided Imagery & Drawing
The "Why"
Learning to create a safe space in their imagination provides students with a powerful tool to manage big emotions, reduce stress, and find calm whenever they need it. This skill promotes emotional regulation and resilience.
Learning Objective
Students will be able to create an imaginary safe space and use guided imagery as a self-soothing technique.
Materials Needed
Projector or Whiteboard
My Safe Space Slide Deck
My Safe Space Script
My Safe Space Worksheet
Feelings Check-In Warm Up
Crayons or colored pencils
Prep (5 Minutes)
Review the lesson plan, script, and all generated materials.
Set up the slide deck on your projector/whiteboard.
Print copies of the worksheet and feelings check-in.
Step-by-Step Instructions
1
Warm-Up: Feelings Check-In
5 mins
• Begin with the Feelings Check-In Warm Up activity.
• Ask the student to share how they are feeling and why. Encourage drawing if they prefer.
• Transition: "Today we will learn a special way to feel calm and happy, no matter what."
2
Introduction: What is a Safe Space?
5 mins
• Using the Slide Deck and Script , introduce the concept of a safe space.
• Explain it's a place where we feel happy, calm, and protected (real or imaginary).
• Ask: "What kinds of things make a place feel safe and happy?"
3
Guided Imagery: Creating Your Space
10 mins
• Guide the student through the exercise using the Script and relevant Slides .
• Instruction: Close eyes (if comfortable) and take deep breaths.
• Focus on sensory details: what they see, hear, smell, and feel.
4
Activity: Draw Your Safe Space
8 mins
• Distribute the My Safe Space Worksheet and art supplies.
• Instruct the student to draw their imaginary safe space with as much detail as possible.
• Encourage using colors that make them feel calm.
5
Share and Reflect
2 mins
• Invite the student to share their drawing and describe the space.
• Ask: "What do you like most?" and "How does it make you feel?"
• Remind them they can visit this space anytime by closing their eyes.
My Safe Space Slide Deck Presentation Welcome!
How are you feeling today?
Let's check in with our feelings! All feelings are okay. Today, we're going to learn about a special "Safe Space" in our minds!
😊 😌 🥱 🤩
What is a Safe Space?
A place where you feel:
😊 Happy
😌 Calm
💪 Protected
It can be a real place, or a place you imagine in your mind! ✨
Think about it...
What makes a place feel safe to you?
Get Ready for Your Special Place!
Find a comfy spot
Close your eyes
Take a deep breath
Breathe in... and breathe out slowly.
Imagine Your Safe Space...
Where are you?
🏖️ Sunny beach?
🌳 Cozy treehouse?
🌲 Magical forest?
☁️ Soft cloud?
Use your senses
🎨 What colors do you see?
🎶 What sounds do you hear?
🌸 What does it smell like?
🤗 How does it feel ?
How do you feel there?
In your safe space, you feel...
Take another deep breath, and slowly open your eyes. 👀
Draw Your Safe Space! 🖍️
Use your favorite colors!
Draw what you imagined.
Make it feel wonderful!
Your Safe Space is Always With You!
Remember, your safe space is a special tool. You can go there anytime you need to feel Calm, Happy, or Safe.
The Magic Steps:
👁️
Close Eyes
🌬️
Breathe
✨
Imagine
My Safe Space Script Teacher Resource Teacher Resource
My Safe Space Script
Verbatim Instruction for Individual Intervention
Introduction
5 Minutes
Teacher: "Good morning/afternoon! It's just you and me today, and I'm really excited about what we're going to learn. Let's start with our Feelings Check-In. How are you feeling right now? You can draw it or tell me a word."
(Allow time for the student to respond. Acknowledge and validate their feelings.)
Teacher: "Thank you for sharing that. All feelings are okay, and sometimes we feel big feelings that can be a little tricky. Today, we're going to learn a super special secret power: how to create a calm, happy, and safe place right inside your imagination! It's a place you can visit anytime you need to feel better."
What is a Safe Space?
5 Minutes
Teacher: (Show Slide 2) "A safe space is a place where you feel happy, calm, and protected. It can be a real place, like your bedroom or a grandparent's house, or it can be a place you imagine in your mind, like a superhero headquarters or a magical forest! What kinds of things make a place feel safe and happy to you?"
(Allow time for the student to share ideas. Validate their thoughts.)
Teacher: "Those are wonderful ideas! Your safe space is all about what makes you feel good."
Guided Imagery
10 Minutes
Teacher: (Show Slide 3) "Are you ready to create your very own safe space? First, I want you to find a super comfy spot in your chair. You can close your eyes softly if you feel safe doing that, or you can just look down at your lap. Either way is perfectly fine."
"Now, let's take a deep breath together. Breathe in slowly through your nose... (pause) and let it out slowly through your mouth. (pause) Good! Let's do it one more time. Breathe in... and breathe out. Feel your body getting a little bit calmer."
Teacher: "Keep your eyes closed or looking down. Now, I want you to imagine your most calm and happy place. This is YOUR special place. It can be anywhere you want! (Show Slide 4)"
"Are you on a sunny beach with warm sand between your toes? Can you hear the gentle waves?"
"Or maybe you're in a cozy treehouse, high up in the trees. What colors do you see around you? Are there birds singing outside your window?"
"Perhaps you're in a magical forest, with sparkling lights and friendly animals. What does the air smell like? Fresh and clean?"
"Or maybe you're floating on a soft, fluffy cloud, feeling light and free. What does it feel like to touch?"
"Think about all the wonderful things in your safe space. What colors do you see? What sounds do you hear? What does it smell like? How does your body feel in this amazing place? Is it warm, cool, soft, cozy? This is your special secret place, just for you. No one can bother you here. You are completely safe and sound."
Safe Space Feelings Activity Worksheet My Feelings & My Safe Space
Sometimes our feelings can be big! Our safe space can help us feel calm.
Name: ____________________
Part 1: Feeling Faces
Draw a face for each feeling inside the circles!
Draw face
Happy
Draw face
Sad
Draw face
Worried
Draw face
Calm
Part 2: Using My Safe Space
Think about a time when you might want to visit your safe space. Maybe when you are sad, angry, or scared?
Draw or write about a time you might use your safe space:
What feeling would you want your safe space to help with? My Safe Space Drawing Worksheet My Safe Space Drawing
A place where I feel happy, calm, and safe!
Name: ____________________
My Special Place
Draw Your Safe Space Here!
What I see
What I hear
What I smell
How it feels
How does it feel to be here?
My safe space makes me feel:
Calm Feelings Game Cards Calm Feelings Game
Matching Big Feelings to Our Safe Space Tool
How to Play:
Cut out the Situation Cards below.
Pick a card and read it with your teacher.
Decide: Does this situation make you feel a Big Feeling?
If yes, use your Safe Space Tool card to feel calm!
💥
A loud noise
Situation Card
😢
Someone was
Situation Card
🧸
I can't find my
Situation Card
🏫
The classroom is
Situation Card
✨ 🏠 ✨
My Safe Space Tool
"I can close my eyes and go to my special place."
The Big Power Card
