Problem Patrol Counselor Guide Counselor Facilitation Guide
Problem Patrol Lesson Plan
30-Minute Targeted SEL
Tier 2/3 IEP Counseling Support
Duration: 30 Mins
Setting: 1:1 or Small Group
Ages: Grades 3–8
Format: Print & Slides
Primary IEP Counseling & Social Skills Goals
1. Self-Regulation Student will identify problem severity (Small, Medium, Big) with 80% accuracy across 4 trials.
2. Body Radar Student will name at least 2 physical body cues indicating rising frustration before a behavior occurs.
3. Self-Advocacy Student will independently choose and request an appropriate calming tool or break using visual prompts.
30-Minute Step-by-Step Pacing Architecture
00–05 min Warm-Up
Feeling Check-In & Body Battery Gauge
Slide 1: Use visual battery scale. Validate all feelings without judgment. Establish psychological safety: "Feelings are never bad; they are just data."
05–15 min Instruction
Direct Instruction: Problem Radar & Body Clues
Slides 2–5: Teach 3 problem categories (Small/Glitch, Medium/Bump, Big/Emergency). Model physical signals (racing heart, tight fists) and the Coping Tool Menu.
15–25 min Practice
Guided Scenario Detective & Practice Worksheet
Slide 6 & Student Practice Sheet: Sort 4 realistic school scenarios. Role-play response scripts: "My reaction matches my problem." Students select personal tools.
25–30 min Reflection
Personal Commitment, Desk Anchor Handout & IEP Exit Ticket
Slide 7: Complete bottom reflection pledge. Present the Cool Down Compass desk card for classroom carryover. Record observational IEP data.
Neurodiversity-Affirming Accommodations for Diverse Learners
Sensory Regulation: Allow fidgets, rocking, or weighted lap pads. Calming is not stillness; it is safety.
AAC / Non-Verbal: Provide visual pointing cards, color taps, or high-contrast icons for students who lose verbal access when overwhelmed.
Executive Processing: Keep choices concrete (limit tool choice to 2 options if 4 feels overwhelming; use color-coded scales).
Problem Patrol Counseling Series • Tier 2/3 Specialist Resource Page 1 of 2
Facilitation Script & Data Protocol
Structured Scripted Prompts
Phase 1: Warm-Up Dialogue (00-05 min)
"Welcome to Problem Patrol! Today we are detectives investigating how our brains and bodies handle challenges. Look at our Battery Gauge. Where is your battery right now? Green, yellow, or red? No matter where it is, it is 100% okay. What does your body feel like today?"
Phase 2: Explaining Problem Sizes (05-15 min)
"Every single day, we run into problems. A Small Glitch is something you can fix on your own in under two minutes (like a broken pencil tip). A Medium Bump takes adult help or teamwork (like someone cutting in line or losing your homework). A Big Emergency means someone is hurt or unsafe. When our reaction matches our problem, we stay in control and solve it faster!"
Phase 3: Guided Practice Role-Play (15-25 min)
"Let's look at Scenario 1 on our worksheet: You are playing a board game and someone takes the card you wanted. You feel a tight chest. Is this a Small, Medium, or Big problem? What tool can you pick from your toolbox? Let's practice saying our advocacy phrase together: 'I feel frustrated, and I am taking two box breaths.' "
Worksheet Scenarios & Expected Student Responses
Scenario A: Pencil snaps during a timed test
Size: Small Glitch (Level 1)
Tool: Grab spare pencil or raise silent hand. Take 1 slow breath.
Scenario B: Left behind at recess / excluded
Size: Medium Bump (Level 2)
Tool: Find monitor, ask to join another game, use cool-down script.
Scenario C: Computer glitches & deletes work
Size: Medium Bump (Level 2)
Tool: Hands off keyboard, deep breath, ask teacher to check history.
Scenario D: Peer falls off bleachers & is bleeding
Size: Big Emergency (Level 3)
Tool: Shout for an adult immediately, give space, follow directions.
IEP Progress Monitoring Quick Rubric (Log on Service Tracker)
Targeted Skill Dimension Emerging (1 pt) Developing (2 pts) Mastery (3 pts) 1. Problem Size Discrimination Rates all events as Big emergencies Differentiates with visual/verbal cues Accurately rates 3/3 scenarios unprompted 2. Somatic Body Cue Awareness Unable to identify physical cues Identifies 1 cue when given choices Identifies 2+ personal internal body cues 3. Coping Tool Selection Refuses tools; escalates Selects tool from visual menu with prompt Independently initiates calming strategy 4. Self-Advocacy Scripting Relies on staff intervention only Uses visual card or script when directed Articulates need or asks for break safely
Problem Patrol Counseling Series • Tier 2/3 Specialist Resource Page 2 of 2
Problem Patrol Slides Problem Patrol HQ
Phase 1: Warm-Up (5 Mins)
Where Is Your Body Battery Today?
Every feeling is welcome. Check your internal power gauge:
Green Zone Calm, focused, ready to investigate
Yellow Zone Restless, tired, or slightly frustrated
Red Zone Overwhelmed, angry, need a safe break
Point, say the color, or tap your battery level Slide 1 of 7
Direct Instruction
Phase 2: Concept (10 Mins)
All Problems Have a Size
When we know the size of the problem, we know how to respond:
Level 1
Small Glitch
You can solve this yourself in under 2 minutes. No adult needed.
Example: Broken pencil, wrong marker color
Level 2
Medium Bump
Takes adult support, teamwork, or extra time to work through.
Example: Disagreement at recess, lost assignment
Level 3
Big Emergency
Someone is hurt, unsafe, or in immediate danger. Call an adult now.
Example: Physical injury, fire alarm, safety hazard
Key Rule: Problems are normal, and we can handle them step by step Slide 2 of 7
Body Detective
Internal Clues
Your Body Gives You Early Clues
Before an explosion happens, your body dashboard flashes a warning:
Fast Heartbeat
Thump thump thump like a race car
Shallow Breath
Quick, short breaths in your chest
Clenched Hands
Tight fists, stiff jaw, or hunched neck
Stomach Knots
Butterflies, tightness, or feeling sick
Question: Which clue does your body give you first? Slide 3 of 7
The Balance Scale
Regulation Goal
Match the Reaction to the Problem
When our reaction matches the problem, we get help and keep our power:
Mismatched Reaction
A Small Glitch gets a Level 3 Reaction (screaming, throwing materials, flipping desks).
Result: The original problem doesn't get solved, and you feel more overwhelmed.
Matched Reaction
A Small Glitch gets a Level 1 Reaction (take one deep breath, ask for a replacement, or switch tasks).
Result: Problem is solved quickly, you feel proud, and everyone stays safe.
Our Mission Motto: "Small problem = Small tool. Big problem = Big support." Slide 4 of 7
Problem Patrol Practice Sheet Guided Practice & Reflection
Problem Patrol Practice Sheet
Name:
Date:
Small Glitch (Fix on own)
Medium Bump (Need teamwork)
Big Emergency (Adult right now)
1 Scenario Detective: Rate the Problem Size
Read each school situation. Fill in the bubble for the size of the problem.
A. You are in art class and you accidentally spill water on your paper towel.
Small Glitch Medium Bump Big Emergency
B. Someone cuts in front of you in the cafeteria line and won't move when you ask politely.
Small Glitch Medium Bump Big Emergency
C. A student falls off the monkey bars on the playground and cannot stand up.
Small Glitch Medium Bump Big Emergency
2 My Calming Toolkit: Choose 3 Tools for Your Brain & Body
Check 3 strategies that help you reset when you feel upset or tense:
4-4-4 Box Breathing
Squeezing a fidget
Wall push-ups / chair push
Cool drink of water
Ask for a 2-minute break
Count backwards from 10
3 Short Reflection & Self-Advocacy Pledge (Exit Ticket)
Write your plan below so you are ready when challenges happen in class.
1. My body clue: When I start to get frustrated, I feel it in my:
2. My go-to calming tool: The tool I will try first before reacting is:
3. My self-advocacy phrase: If I need help or space, I will say or show:
Problem Patrol • Social Skills & Emotional Regulation Counselor Check: □ Completed □ Goal Progress Logged
Cool Down Compass Reference Sheet Desk & Binder Visual Anchor
Cool Down Compass Reference Sheet
Classroom Carryover Tool
IEP Generalization Support
1. The 3-Level Problem Radar
Level 1: Small Glitch
Can be fixed in 2 minutes by yourself.
• Broken pencil / drop book
• Have to wait your turn
Action: 1 deep breath + solve it yourself
Level 2: Medium Bump
Needs adult teamwork or extra time.
• Peer conflict / teasing
• Lost schoolwork or tablet bug
Action: Use advocacy card + get teacher
Level 3: Big Emergency
Immediate danger or injury.
• Bleeding or physical injury
• Fire alarm or unsafe situation
Action: Shout for adult help right away
2. My 4-Step Reset Protocol
1
Freeze & Feel Notice tight hands, fast heart, or hot face.
2
Name the Size Is it a Small Glitch, Medium Bump, or Big Emergency?
3
Use My Tool Take 3 deep breaths, squeeze fidget, or drink water.
4
Match Energy Use your advocacy card or calmly ask for support.
3. Cut-Out Desk / Pocket Self-Advocacy Cards
Cut along dashed lines • Tape to desk or punch for lanyard
Break Request Card
"I need a 2-minute reset break."
I will step to the cool-down corner, drink water, or do quiet breathing, then return to my task.
Support Request Card
"I have a Medium Bump. I need help."
I tried fixing it on my own. When you have a moment, please help me troubleshoot this.
Box Breathing Anchor
Breathe In (4) → Hold (4) → Breathe Out (4)
Repeat 3 times to send safety signals to your brain.
Sensory 5-4-3-2-1 Grounding
Notice: 5 things you see, 4 you can feel, 3 you hear, 2 you smell, 1 deep belly breath.
Problem Patrol Counseling Series • Visual Support & Self-Advocacy Anchor Keep in Student Folder or Desk Strip
