Starting Strong Lesson Plan Starting Strong
School Day Reset • Lesson Plan
Tier 3 Support
Why This Matters
Starting the school day with a clear and calm mind is essential for learning and overall well-being. This personalized session provides a student with actionable tools to reduce stress and foster a positive attitude, helping them feel more confident and ready to engage with their studies and peers.
Objective
The student will identify personal sources of school anxiety and learn practical mindfulness and organizational strategies to manage stress, promoting a positive and prepared mindset for the school day.
Duration
30 Minutes
Audience
9th Grade (Individual)
Format
Discussion & Guided Practice
Preparation Steps
Review Starting Strong Slide Deck and familiarise with content.
Print one copy of the Morning Mindset Worksheet .
Review Starting Strong Script for delivery notes.
Prepare projector or laptop for visual presentation.
Ensure you have pens/pencils for student use.
Instructional Steps
5 min
Warm-Up: How Do You Start?
Begin by displaying the "Warm-Up" slide. Ask the student to reflect on their typical morning feelings and one thing they like or dislike about their routine. Facilitate a supportive discussion.
7 min
Understanding School Day Anxiety
Define "anxiety" in their context. Discuss common triggers (tests, presentations, social interactions). Emphasize that these feelings are normal and manageable.
10 min
Strategies for a Positive Start
Present three strategies: Mindful Breathing , Quick Organization , and Positive Intentions . Lead a 1-2 minute breathing exercise. Guide the student in choosing 1-2 strategies on their worksheet.
5 min
Practice & Discussion
Student shares their chosen strategy and how it might help. Discuss practical ways to incorporate it into their morning routine and address any concerns.
3 min
Cool-Down: Daily Check-In
Conclude with the "Daily Check-In" worksheet. Student reflects on what they learned and how they feel about trying the new strategies.
Starting Strong Presentation Slides Tier 3 Session
Starting
Strong
Your School Day Reset
How Do You Start?
How do you usually feel when your school day begins?
Excited
Tired
Anxious
Ready
"What is one thing you like or dislike about your morning routine?"
Understanding Anxiety
What is it?
A feeling of worry or unease about something with an uncertain outcome.
It's a normal human emotion!
In School...
Nervous before tests
Worrying about presentations
Social interactions
Strategy 1: Mindful Breathing
Pause
How it helps:
Calms your body, clears your mind, and helps you focus on the present.
The 4-2-6 Method:
• Inhale (Nose) - 4 seconds
• Hold - 2 seconds
• Exhale (Mouth) - 6 seconds
Try it now!
Let's take three slow breaths together.
Strategy 2: Quick Organization
Why do it?
Reduces the morning rush and makes you feel prepared for whatever the day brings.
Small Steps:
Pack backpack tonight
Lay out clothes
Decide on breakfast
Strategy 3: Set an Intention
Choose your Mindset
Think of a single word or phrase to focus your energy on.
Calm Focused Kind Ready
"I am ready for today."
"I will do my best."
NOW
Your Turn!
1
Complete the Morning Mindset Worksheet .
2
Choose one or two strategies to try tomorrow.
3
Think about how to fit them into your routine.
What strategy did you choose?
"Why do you think it will help you?"
"How can we remember to use it tomorrow?"
Final Reflection
Complete the Daily Check-In sheet individually.
What is one thing you will take away from today's lesson?
See you next time!
Starting Strong Facilitation Script Starting Strong
Facilitation Script
Tier 3 Session
01
Introduction
(0-2 Minutes)
"Hi [Student's Name], good morning. Thanks for coming in today. We're going to talk about something that can really make a difference in how your school day goes: how you start your morning. Sometimes, mornings can feel a bit overwhelming, and that can impact the rest of the day. Does that sound familiar at all? Today, we'll explore some ways to help you feel more calm and ready to tackle your day."
02
Warm-Up: How Do You Start?
(5 Minutes)
Display slide: Warm-Up
"Let's start by looking at this slide. I want you to take a moment to reflect on your typical school morning. How do you usually feel when your school day begins? What feelings usually come up for you? And what's one thing you either really like or really dislike about your morning routine?"
Pause for 30-60 seconds of silent reflection. Then facilitate a supportive discussion about their morning experience.
03
Understanding Anxiety
(7 Minutes)
Display slide: Understanding Anxiety
"We're going to talk a bit about 'anxiety.' What comes to mind when you hear that word? ... In simple terms, anxiety is a feeling of worry or unease, often about something with an uncertain outcome. The important thing to remember is that it's a completely normal human emotion! "
"Now, how might this show up for you? It could be feeling nervous before a test, worrying about a presentation, or even social situations. Do any of these resonate with your experiences?"
04
Strategies for a Positive Start
(10 Minutes)
Strategy 1: Mindful Breathing
"First up is Mindful Breathing. It helps to calm your body and clear your mind. By taking control of your breath, you send a signal to your body to relax. Would you be willing to try a quick 4-2-6 exercise with me right now?"
Strategy 2: Quick Organization
"Next is Quick Organization. This is about getting ready, even just a little bit, to reduce that morning rush. When you wake up knowing where your things are, it takes a huge load off your mind. What are some small things you could do to feel more prepared?"
Strategy 3: Set a Positive Intention
"Finally: Set a Positive Intention. This is about choosing how you want your day to feel. It could be a word like 'Calm' or a phrase like 'I will do my best.' It’s like setting a mini-goal for your attitude."
05
Conclusion & Cool-Down
(6 Minutes)
Hand out: Worksheet & Cool-Down
How Do You Start Warm-Up How Do You Start?
Warm-Up Activity
Name
Date
Take a moment to think about your typical school morning and respond to the questions below.
1 How do you usually feel when your school day begins?
Check any that apply or write your own words.
Excited
Tired
Anxious
Ready
Stressed
Calm
Other feelings:
2 What is one thing you like or dislike about your morning routine before school? Morning Mindset Worksheet Morning Mindset
Personal Strategy Toolkit
Name
Date
Part 1: Understanding My Mornings
1. Describe how your mornings usually feel before school in 3 words.
Word 1
Word 2
Word 3
2. What is one thing that sometimes makes you feel worried or stressed about starting school?
Part 2: My Strategies for a Positive Start
We talked about three strategies today: Mindful Breathing, Quick Organization, and Setting a Positive Intention.
3. From these strategies (or your own ideas!), choose ONE or TWO that you will try tomorrow morning.
4. Explain WHY you chose these strategies and HOW you plan to use them.
Part 3: My Positive Intention
5. Choose one word or a short phrase that you want to be your intention for tomorrow.
(Examples: Calm, Focused, Ready, I will do my best, Today will be a good day.)
My Intention for Tomorrow:
Small changes lead to big improvements. You've got this!
Daily Check-In Cool Down Daily Check-In
Session Cool-Down
Reflection
Take a moment to reflect on today's session and how you're feeling now.
1. What is one new strategy you learned today to help you start your school day positively?
2. How do you feel about trying this strategy tomorrow morning?
Circle the option that best describes your feeling.
🤩
Very Excited
😊
A Little Excited
😐
Neutral
😟
A Little Nervous
😨
Very Nervous
3. What is one question you still have, or one thing you want to remember from today's session?
Session Complete
See you next time!