Facilitator Guide Document Facilitator Guide
Self-Management Toolkit: Tier 3 Intervention
Total Time 30 min
Why This Matters
Developing self-regulation skills empowers students to handle challenges, reduce anxiety, and build resilience per CASEL’s self-management competency.
Audience & Approach
Target: 8th Grade Student (Individual)
Prep & Materials
Review the Personal Strategy Blueprint
Preview Calm-Down Techniques Slides
Print Mood-Tracker Charts & Reflections
Familiarize yourself with the Breathing Buddy Guide
Learning Objective
Student will identify and personalize at least three coping strategies and practice two calm-down techniques to manage stress in real-life moments.
Session Sequence
1
5 min
Warm-Up Discussion
Prompt student to share a recent moment they felt stressed or overwhelmed.
Ask how they responded and what helped or didn’t help.
Highlight the goal of expanding their "toolbox" of strategies.
2
7 min
Strategy Brainstorm
Use the Personal Strategy Blueprint to list at least five ways the student can calm themselves (e.g., music, movement, drawing).
Discuss pros and cons of each strategy.
Have the student choose their top three personalized strategies.
3
8 min
Technique Demonstration
Present two techniques from the Calm-Down Slides (belly breathing, progressive muscle relaxation).
Guide student through each step, referencing the Breathing Buddy Guide .
Allow student to practice both techniques and note which felt most effective.
4
5 min
Mood-Tracker Practice
Introduce the Mood-Tracker Charts .
Have student log their current emotional state and which strategy they might use.
Discuss patterns or insights from the chart.
5
5 min
Reflection & Goal Setting
Provide the Daily Reflection Prompts .
Ask student to write one reflection and set a goal for applying a chosen strategy.
Plan a brief check-in to review progress next session.
Personal Coping Strategies Plan Worksheet Personal Coping Blueprint
Self-Management Toolkit
Student Name
Date
Your Regulation Arsenal
Developing self-regulation skills empowers you to handle challenges, reduce anxiety, and build resilience. Use this blueprint to identify strategies that work best for you.
Phase 1: The Brainstorm
List 5 different ways you can calm yourself down (e.g., listening to music, going for a walk, drawing, taking a break, deep breathing).
1
2
3
4
5
Phase 2: Top 3 Picks
Which three strategies feel most helpful or realistic for you to use in the heat of the moment? Circle them above and write them clearly below.
01
Strategy One
02
Strategy Two
03
Strategy Three
Phase 3: Activation
When do you think you will need these strategies most? (e.g., before a test, during lunch, when you get home)
Calm-Down Techniques Slides Deck Tier 3 Intervention
Calm-Down
Techniques
Simple, evidence-based tools to help you feel calmer when stress hits.
Self-Management Toolkit
Teacher Notes: Welcome the student and introduce the purpose. Emphasize that these are quick tools they can use anytime.
Why Practice These?
Physical Relief
Lower heart rate and reduce physical tension in your body.
Mental Clarity
Improve focus and clear thinking when things get overwhelming.
Self-Management
Build resilience by responding rather than reacting to stress.
"These skills help you reach the goal of handling stress effectively and staying in control."
CASEL Competency
Technique 1: Belly Breathing
1
Sit or lie down comfortably.
2
Place one hand on your chest and one on your belly.
3
Inhale slowly through your nose for 4 seconds, feeling your belly rise.
4
Pause briefly, then exhale slowly through your mouth for 4 seconds.
Your belly should expand while your chest stays relatively still.
Let’s Try It Together
Inhale
1 - 2 - 3 - 4
(Belly Rises)
Hold
1 - 2
(Stay Still)
Exhale
1 - 2 - 3 - 4
(Belly Falls)
Repeat 3 times. Notice any change in tension.
Technique 2: Muscle Relaxation
1
Find a comfortable seated position.
2
Squeeze a specific muscle group tightly for 5 seconds.
3
Suddenly release the tension and relax.
4
Notice the sensation of relaxation vs. tension.
Start with your fists, then move to shoulders, neck, and legs.
Practice Cycle
Fists
Squeeze 5s
Shoulders
Shrug Up 5s
Neck
Tense Gently 5s
"How does each part feel before and after the squeeze?"
Reflection & Next Steps
Which technique felt most helpful for you today?
Mood Tracker Charts Worksheet Mood-Tracker Charts
Monitoring patterns and progress in self-regulation
Toolkit Asset
MT-01
Instructions: Use this chart to log how you’re feeling, which coping strategy you try, and how well it worked. Track at least three moments today when you notice a change in your mood.
01 Entry One
Date:
My Mood Rating (1–5)
Rate
(1 = Very Low, 5 = Very High)
Strategy Tried
Helpfulness (1–5)
Rate
Notes
What changed? Any patterns?
02 Entry Two
Date:
My Mood Rating (1–5)
Rate
Strategy Tried
Helpfulness (1–5)
Rate
Notes
03 Entry Three
Date:
My Mood Rating (1–5)
Rate
Strategy Tried
Helpfulness (1–5)
Rate
Notes
Keep adding entries as needed throughout the day. At our next check-in, we’ll look for trends and discuss which strategies are most helpful.
Daily Reflection Prompts Worksheet Daily Reflection Prompts
Reflect, Grow, and Plan Your Strategy
Name
Date
1. Which calm-down technique from today’s session did you find most helpful? Why?
2. Describe a moment today when you noticed you felt stressed or anxious. How could you apply one of your personalized coping strategies in that moment?
3. Think about how your body and mind felt before and after practicing the technique. What changes did you notice?
4. Set a specific goal for when and how you will use your chosen technique tomorrow. Be as detailed as possible.
5. What challenges might get in the way of using your strategies outside of our sessions? How can you overcome those challenges?
Writing down your reflections helps solidify your learning and makes it easier to track your progress over time!
Breathing Buddy Reference Guide Breathing Buddy Guide
Use a small stuffed animal—your "Breathing Buddy"—to build awareness of your breath and find your inner calm.
Step-by-Step Instructions
1
Get Comfortable
Sit cross-legged or lie on your back. Place your Breathing Buddy on your belly, just below your ribs.
2
Settle In
Rest your hands lightly on the buddy’s sides. Close your eyes or keep a soft gaze.
3
Inhale Slowly
Breathe in through your nose for a count of 4. Feel your belly—and the buddy—rise up.
4
Pause and Notice
Hold for 1–2 seconds. Notice how full your belly feels.
5
Exhale Fully
Breathe out through your mouth for a count of 4. Watch the buddy lower back down.
6
Repeat
Continue for 1–2 minutes (5–8 breaths). Focus on the gentle movement of your buddy.
Needed
Small stuffed animal
Comfortable chair/mat
Reflect
"How did watching your buddy move help you notice your breathing?"
"What did you notice about your body before and after?"
Success Tips
• Start with 1 minute and increase gradually.
• Keep your buddy somewhere accessible (desk, backpack).
• Use this guide whenever you feel anxious or need a pause.
Be kind to your mind.
