Pumpkin Pals Lesson Plan Pumpkin Pals Lesson Plan
Calm Crew • Tier 2 Small Group
30 Minutes
2nd Grade
Objective
Students will learn and practice three pumpkin-themed coping strategies—Deep-Breath Pumpkin Patch, Squash-the-Worry Squeeze, and Calm-Count Carving—through storytelling and a hands-on craft, then demonstrate using one strategy during a group reflection.
Why It Matters
Building themed coping skills helps 2nd graders recognize and manage big feelings, boosting self-regulation and resilience. Small-group instruction ensures targeted practice in a safe, engaging setting.
Materials
Emotion Pumpkins Sheets
Strategy Wheel Template
Story Cards
Crayons & Markers
Scissors & Glue Sticks
Pumpkin Stickers
Preparation (10 mins)
Print copies of all worksheets and story cards.
Pre-cut paper shapes (pumpkin bodies, stems, leaves) to speed crafting for students with fine motor difficulties.
Arrange seating in a circle and set materials at each spot.
Review the three coping strategies to demonstrate them clearly.
Instructional Procedure
1
Welcome and Pumpkin Warm-Up
5 MINS
Invite students to sit in a circle and share their favorite part of fall or pumpkins.
Discussion Prompt
"When you see a pumpkin, how do you feel?"
2
Interactive Pumpkin Story
5 MINS
Use Pumpkin Pals Story Cards to tell a story about friends feeling worried, angry, or sad. Pause at each emotion and ask: "What could our Pumpkin Pal do to feel better?" Record ideas.
3
Introduce Coping Strategies
5 MINS
Reveal and demonstrate the three themed strategies:
Deep-Breath Pumpkin Patch: Slow, deep belly breaths.
Squash-the-Worry Squeeze: Squeeze hands tight and release.
Calm-Count Carving: Counting breaths while tapping fingers.
4
Pumpkin Craft Activity
10 MINS
Distribute Emotion Pumpkins Sheets . Students color an emotion pumpkin and add their chosen strategy symbol. Help them label the strategy name on their craft.
5
Calm Crew Practice and Reflection
5 MINS
Volunteers show their craft and lead the group in their strategy. Discuss which strategy felt best and why. Reinforce that these tools are always available.
Pumpkin Pals Slides Pumpkin Pals
Calm Crew
Welcome to your pumpkin-themed coping skills session!
TEACHER NOTES: Greet students and introduce today’s session. Explain that they will become the Pumpkin Pals Calm Crew and learn three pumpkin-themed ways to calm big feelings.
Welcome & Warm-Up
Sit in a circle and share your favorite part of fall or pumpkins!
The Big Question:
"When you see a pumpkin, how do you feel?"
We'll list our feelings and learn tools to calm them.
TEACHER NOTES: 5 minutes. Invite students to sit in a circle. Ask each to share their favorite part of fall or what they love about pumpkins. List all feelings on a chart.
Interactive Pumpkin Story
Worrying Wendy
Feels jittery about school.
Angry Aaron
Fuming over a lost toy.
Sad Sammy
Feels blue about a friend moving.
"What can our friends do to feel calm?"
TEACHER NOTES: 5 minutes. Use Pumpkin Pals Story Cards to tell short stories. Pause at each emotion and ask for student ideas to help the Pumpkin Pals feel better.
Coping Strategies
1
Deep-Breath Pumpkin Patch
Take slow, deep pumpkin breaths from your belly.
2
Squash-the-Worry Squeeze
Squeeze your hands tight like a pumpkin, then let go.
3
Calm-Count Carving
Breathe in and out while counting 1-2-3-4-5 on your fingers.
TEACHER NOTES: 5 minutes. Reveal and demonstrate each strategy using the Strategy Wheel Template. Model techniques and have students practice along with you.
Pumpkin Craft Activity
Grab your Emotion Pumpkin Sheets .
Choose an emotion pumpkin and color it.
Draw symbols for your strategy inside the pumpkin.
Label the strategy name clearly on your craft!
Let's get creative!
TEACHER NOTES: 10 minutes. Pass out sheets and supplies. Guide students to choose an emotion, color it, and draw their strategy symbols. Help with labeling as needed.
Calm Crew Practice
Share your pumpkin craft and lead the group in your strategy!
"Which strategy did you like most and why?"
Remember: You are part of the Calm Crew now. Use these skills anytime!
5 minutes. Volunteers show crafts and lead the group. Reinforce that these tools are always available. Collect crafts for display.
Emotion Pumpkins Coloring Sheets Emotion Pumpkins
Pumpkin Pals Calm Crew
Name:
Date:
Directions:
Color each pumpkin to match how the friend is feeling. Then, inside each pumpkin, draw the symbol for your favorite calming strategy!
Breathing Lines
Squeezed Hands
Counting Notches
Pumpkin 1: Worried
Color this pumpkin blue or gray...
Color & Draw Here
Pumpkin 2: Angry
Color this pumpkin red or orange...
Color & Draw Here
Pumpkin 3: Sad
Color this pumpkin purple or indigo...
Color & Draw Here
Pumpkin Pals Story Cards Pumpkin Pals Story Cards
Use these cards to spark ideas for the Calm Crew!
Instructions: Cut along the dashed lines to create three individual story cards. Show each card to the group as you read the scenario aloud. Encourage students to think of a calming strategy for each friend.
1
Worrying Wendy
Emotion: Worried
The Scenario
Wendy feels jittery because tomorrow is her first day at a new school. She doesn’t know anyone yet and is worried about finding her classroom.
Group Prompt
"What could Worrying Wendy do to help her tummy feel calm and ready for school?"
2
Angry Aaron
Emotion: Angry
The Scenario
Aaron is fuming! Someone took his favorite pumpkin toy without asking and won't give it back. He feels like he's about to explode!
Group Prompt
"What could Angry Aaron do to let that 'fire' out of his body in a safe, calm way?"
3
Sad Sammy
Emotion: Sad
The Scenario
Sammy feels very blue. His best friend moved to a different state yesterday, and he misses them so much. He feels like he has no energy to play.
Group Prompt
"What could Sad Sammy do to help himself feel just a little bit better?"
Calm-Down Strategy Wheel Template Calm-Down Strategy Wheel
Your tool for picking a Pumpkin Pals skill!
How to make your wheel:
Draw or write one strategy in each slice: Deep-Breath , Squash-the-Worry , and Calm-Count .
Color your wheel with fall colors!
Carefully cut out the circle along the solid line .
Ask a teacher to help you poke a hole in the center to make it spin!
Deep-Breath
Pumpkin Patch
Squash-the-Worry
Squeeze
Calm-Count
Carving
Calm Crew
Print on cardstock for a sturdier wheel!
Pumpkin Pals Participation Rubric Participation Rubric
Pumpkin Pals Calm Crew Session
Student Name
Total Score
Criteria 4 • Exemplary 3 • Proficient 2 • Developing 1 • Beginning Craft Completion
Focus on coloring, strategy symbols, and labels.
|
3 pumpkins fully colored to match emotions.
Correct symbols in each pumpkin.
Names are clearly labeled.
|
Pumpkins mostly colored.
Symbols present and mostly accurate.
Labels are legible.
|
Coloring incomplete or inconsistent.
Some symbols missing or unclear.
Labels hard to read.
|
Little to no coloring.
Symbols missing or incorrect.
Labels missing.
|
|
Discussion Participation
Focus on sharing ideas during warm-up and story.
|
Actively shares multiple thoughtful ideas for all Pumpkin Pals and the warm-up.
|
Shares at least one idea. Provides a relevant suggestion for most pumpkins.
|
Participates minimally. Suggestions are general or off-topic.
|
Remains silent or off-task during group discussions.
|
|
Strategy Demonstration
Focus on modeling the chosen coping technique.
|
Confidently leads group. Models correct breathing/squeezing/counting techniques perfectly.
|
Leads strategy with some support. Remembers most steps accurately.
|
Requires prompting to lead. Misses one or more steps in demo.
|
Unable to demonstrate strategy even with teacher prompts.
|
|
Effort & Neatness
Focus on care and engagement in all tasks.
|
Work is very neat. Evidence of great care and pride in craft and participation.
|
Work is generally neat. Shows solid effort throughout the session.
|
Work is somewhat messy or rushed. Effort is inconsistent.
|
Pumpkin Peace Pose Exit Ticket Pumpkin Peace Pose
Reflection & Exit Ticket
Name:
1. Sit in Peace
Cross your legs comfortably.
Rest your hands together at your chest, like a little pumpkin.
2. Pick a Tool
Deep-Breath Pumpkin Patch
Squash-the-Worry Squeeze
Calm-Count Carving
3. Practice Quietly
Close your eyes for 1 minute. Breathe, squeeze, or count in silence.
4. Reflect with One Word
Think of a single word that describes how you feel after your practice.
5. Share Your Word
When the timer ends, open your eyes and share your word with the group.
Use this calm exit to carry peaceful skills into your day!