Seeing Red Stop Lesson Plan Seeing Red? Stop!
Kindergarten Social-Emotional Learning
30 Minutes
Objective
Students will identify the Red Zone, recognize it as a state of losing control, and understand the importance of stopping to maintain safety for themselves and others.
Materials
Red Zone Scenarios Deck
"When Sophie Gets Angry" Book
Zone Choice Sort Activity
Safe Body Poster Guide
Markers, Paper, Scissors
Why It Matters
Learning to manage strong emotions is foundational. This lesson provides tools for self-regulation, promoting a safer classroom environment.
Instructional Flow
1. Quick Zones Check-In
5 Min
Begin with a thumbs-check. Ask: "How is everyone feeling today?" Acknowledge responses and connect to the idea that feelings can change throughout the day.
2. Understanding the Red Zone
10 Min
Use the Red Zone Scenarios Deck . Explain the Red Zone as a "loss of control."
"Has anyone ever felt so mad you wanted to yell? Or so excited you couldn't stop jumping? That's the Red Zone!"
Read "When Sophie Gets Angry." Discuss her actions when she was in the Red Zone vs. how she calmed down.
3. "Stop and Think" Role-Play
8 Min
Present scenarios from the deck. Practice the "STOP" command. Guide students to physically freeze. Use the Choice Sort Activity to identify Red vs. Green behaviors.
4. Safe Body Activity & Poster
7 Min
Discuss "Safe Hands" and "Safe Bodies." Explain that stopping helps us stay safe. Introduce the Poster Craft for students to create their visual reminders.
Teacher Preparation
Review Molly Bang's book "When Sophie Gets Angry."
Prepare the Red Zone vs. Green Zone sort cards.
Set up craft materials: paper, crayons, glue.
Preview the Scenarios Deck for smooth transitions.
Seeing Red Scenarios Slides Seeing Red? Stop!
Learning to stay in control when our feelings get BIG!
Big Feelings, Big Zones!
What are some feelings you know?
😊
Happy
😢
Sad
😡
Mad
🤩
Excited
The Red Zone
Sometimes feelings get super, super BIG!
● So MAD you want to yell!
● So EXCITED you can't stop jumping!
This is when it feels like we might lose control of our bodies.
When Sophie Gets Angry
Story Time!
1
What happened to Sophie?
2
How did she calm down?
STOP
Seeing Red? STOP!
Just like a stop sign, we need to freeze our bodies and take a breath!
Scenario: Toy Trouble
"A friend takes your favorite toy without asking. Your face feels hot and you want to grab it back!"
What zone?
What first? STOP!
Scenario: Ouch!
"You are running and you trip and fall. It really hurts! You want to cry and stomp your feet."
What zone?
Safe Choice? Breathe & Ask
The Green Zone
Calm, Happy, and In Control!
Remember!
1
Stop
2
Think
3
Safe Body
Now let's make our posters!
Sophie Reading Guide Reading Guide
When Sophie Gets Angry - Really, Really Angry...
Teacher Resource
Book Info
By Molly Bang
A core text for exploring high-arousal emotions (The Red Zone).
Synopsis
Sophie is playing with her toy gorilla when her sister snatches it away. Sophie gets angry—really, really angry. She yells, roars, stomps, and cries. Her anger grows until it feels like a volcano about to explode. Sophie runs outside, climbs a tree, and eventually calms down as she observes the quiet world around her. When she returns home, she feels better and is ready to be with her family again.
Key Themes for Discussion
Physical Feelings
Discuss how Sophie's body felt (hot, like a volcano, wanting to roar). Help students connect these physical cues to the "Red Zone."
Big Actions
Identify Sophie's "out of control" behaviors (screaming, running) and how they reflect the loss of control in the Red Zone.
Finding Calm
Explore Sophie's journey to the tree. What sensory experiences (the wind, the water, the quiet) helped her body feel safe again?
Safe Return
Discuss how Sophie knew she was ready to go back. Connect this to the "Green Zone" (calm and happy).
Guiding Questions for Read-Aloud
1
Before Reading: "Look at Sophie's face on the cover. How do you think she is feeling? Have you ever felt that way?"
2
During (Sophie Roars): "Sophie is in the Red Zone right now! How do we know? What is her body doing?"
3
During (The Tree): "Sophie is taking a break. Look at her face now. Is she still in the Red Zone or is she moving to a different zone?"
4
After Reading: "What can we do when we feel like a volcano, just like Sophie did?"
Teacher Tip: Use a red scarf or cloth to represent Sophie's anger. As she calms down, lower the scarf or replace it with a green one to visually show the transition between zones.
Choice Sort Activity Choice Sort Activity
Red Zone vs. Green Zone
Seeing Red? Stop!
Social-Emotional Learning
Instructions for Teacher
Print this page and cut out the cards below.
Create two large labels on your board: Red Zone and Green Zone.
During the "Stop and Think" role-play, present a behavior card and ask: "Is this a Red Zone choice or a Green Zone choice?"
Have students physically sort the cards into the correct zone.
Yelling at a friend
Throwing a toy
Stomping feet
Crying loudly
Hitting someone
Running away
Taking a deep breath
Asking for help
Using a calm voice
Playing nicely
Sharing toys
Listening to teacher
RED ZONE
OUT OF CONTROL
GREEN ZONE
CALM & READY
Safe Body Poster Guide Project Guide
My Safe Body Poster
Safe Body, Safe Hands
Objective
Students will create a visual reminder of how to keep their bodies and hands safe when they experience big "Red Zone" feelings.
Materials Needed
Construction paper
Crayons/Markers
Safety scissors
Glue sticks
Project Steps
1
Draw Yourself!
Have students draw a picture of themselves in the middle of the paper. This is their body to keep safe!
2
Safe Body Ideas
Around the drawing, add ways to stay safe. Use these examples to guide them:
Hands to Myself
Deep Breaths
Ask for Help
3
Decorate & Share
Encourage bright colors! Once finished, students can share one "Safe Body" choice they drew with a partner.
Example Layout
(Student's Drawing Goes Here)
Teacher Script: "When our bodies feel like they are in the Red Zone, we have to remember our 'Safe Body' rules. This poster will help us remember that our hands and feet are for help and kindness, not for hurting."