Navigator Facilitator Guide Tier 2 Counseling Intervention Protocol
Shift & Steer Facilitator Guide
Grade 5 • 4-Session Model
Target Profile: 5th-grade students struggling with school/life transitions, low frustration tolerance, and emotional dysregulation during schedule/routine shifts.
CBT & Somatic Framework: Cognitive reframing (Circles of Control), physiological cue recognition, sensory reset pacing, and assertive communication scripts.
SESSION 1
Mapping the Shift: Unpacking New Adjustments
25–30 Mins • Individual / Small Group
Core Objective
Externalize transition stress; distinguish between past stability and present changes; establish psychological safety and baseline rapport.
Materials Needed
Student Journal (Page 1), Change Spectrum markers, emotion word bank, and baseline self-rating scale.
Counselor Script & Question Stems:
"When a game updates or a track gets switched, our brain has to recalibrate. What’s one major thing that feels totally different this year compared to last year?"
"If you had to rate the difficulty of this change from 1 (easy breeze) to 10 (storm surge), where are you sitting right now?"
SESSION 2
Decoding the Heat: Triggers & Body Early Warning Signs
25–30 Mins • Skill Building
Core Objective
Map somatic cues of frustration (clenched jaw, racing pulse, hot neck) before behavioral explosions or shutdown occur.
Key Deliverable
Completed "Internal Weather Radar" & 1-to-5 Thermal Scale calibration on Student Journal Page 1.
Counselor Script & Question Stems:
"Our body gives us alarm signals before our brain even realizes we're angry. What is your body’s first red alert light?"
"Let’s pinpoint the difference between Level 2 (annoyed) and Level 4 (ready to snap). What happens to your breathing?"
Shift & Steer Counselor Manual • Tier 2 SEL & CBT Support Page 1 of 2
Tier 2 Counseling Intervention Protocol
Advanced Regulation & Action Planning
Sessions 3 & 4
SESSION 3
The Steering Wheel: Circles of Control & Coping Moves
25–30 Mins • Practice & Strategy
Core Objective
Categorize stressors into "In My Hands" vs "Out of My Hands". Rehearse 4 somatic micro-resets (Tactical 4x4, 5-4-3-2-1, Ground Drop).
Applied Practice
Simulate a tough scenario (e.g., unexpected test, changed desk seating) and apply a 30-second somatic reset in-session.
Counselor Script & Question Stems:
"You can't steer another driver’s car, but you have 100% control of your own wheel and brakes. What happens when you try to steer what isn’t yours?"
SESSION 4
The Launch Plan: Self-Advocacy & Future-Proofing
25–30 Mins • Maintenance & Exit
Core Objective
Equip student with 3 scripted self-advocacy lines for teachers/peers; assemble pocket cards; establish a designated trusted ally network.
Capstone Artifact
Signed Personal Action Protocol & laminated wallet-sized Coping Cue Card for daily school use.
Counselor Script & Question Stems:
"Asking for a reset before you explode is a power move. How can you let your teacher know you need 2 minutes of water without drawing unwanted attention?"
Tier 2 Progress Monitoring Rubric Score 1 (Emerging) to 4 (Independent)
Trigger Awareness
Identifies physiological signs before Level 4.
Cognitive Sorting
Differentiates in vs. out of control accurately.
Somatic Tool Use
Applies box breathing or grounding in real time.
Self-Advocacy
Uses structured pass/script to request breaks.
Shift & Steer Counselor Manual • Tier 2 SEL & CBT Support Page 2 of 2
Shift Steer Student Journal Shift & Steer Student Journal
Mission Log: Navigating Big Changes & Strong Feelings
Name: ___________________
Date: _________
1
The Change Radar: What Shifted?
Session 1 Activity
When things in life or school shift, it's normal to feel off balance. Write down what's new and what has stayed solid.
The Big Shifts (What is new or hard?):
My Anchors (What has stayed steady/positive?):
2
My Body Alarm System: Early Warning Clues
Session 2 Activity
Before an explosion happens, your body sends warning pings. Check off your personal body warning signs:
Tight clenched fists
Racing heartbeat
Hot face / ears
Locked jaw / teeth
Stomach knots
Wanting to shut down
My #1 Trigger that spikes my heat to Level 4 or 5:
Shift & Steer Counseling Series • Student Activity Log Page 1 of 3
The Steering Wheel: In My Hands
Session 3: Sorting Control & Activating Reset Codes
Grade 5 Navigator
1
The Control Wheel Sort
Focus Your Energy
You can only steer what is in your hands. Sort these situations by writing them in the correct section below.
IN MY HANDS (My steering wheel):
My words, my breathing, asking for a break, my effort
OUT OF MY HANDS (Let it pass):
Other people's actions, schedule changes, test dates
2
The 4-Part Reset Code Menu
Choose Your 2 Favorites
Tactical 4x4 Breath
Inhale 4s • Hold 4s • Exhale 4s • Hold 4s. Resets heart rate.
5-4-3-2-1 Grounding
Find 5 things you see, 4 you feel, 3 you hear, 2 you smell, 1 deep breath.
Muscle Drop
Squeeze shoulders to ears for 5s, then aggressively drop and exhale.
Thought Re-Route
Say internally: "This is tough, but I am tougher than this moment."
Shift & Steer Counseling Series • Student Activity Log Page 2 of 3
The Launch Plan: Self-Advocacy
Session 4: My Voice, My Team, and My Action Protocol
Action Plan
1
Power Lines: Scripting My Needs
Say It Assertively
Fill in your personalized words so you're ready when frustration hits:
To a Teacher when I need a 2-minute reset:
"Excuse me, I need 2 minutes to get a drink and reset so I can focus on my work."
Reset Radar Coping Toolkit Visual Anchor Chart
The 1-to-5 Thermal Scale
Coping Toolkit
Use this scale to gauge your emotional heat level and apply the matching reset code immediately.
5 Overheat
Feelings: Furious, explosive, shut down, overwhelmed
Body Clues: Shaking, screaming, tunnel vision, clenched fists
Action Protocol: Emergency cooldown. Safe spot. Zero talk until heart slows.
4 High Heat
Feelings: Agitated, extremely annoyed, ready to snap
Body Clues: Fast heart, hot face, tense shoulders, shallow breath
Action Protocol: Tactical 4x4 breath + request 2-minute water reset pass.
3 Warming Up
Feelings: Frustrated, uneasy, distracted, irritated
Body Clues: Tapping foot, tight jaw, sighing, restless hands
Action Protocol: Muscle Drop + 5-4-3-2-1 Grounding at desk.
2 Cool Shift
Feelings: Slightly confused, tired, bored, adapting
Body Clues: Normal pulse, heavy eyes, slouched posture
Action Protocol: Quick stretch, sip of water, review task steps.
1 In The Zone
Feelings: Calm, focused, confident, in control
Body Clues: Relaxed muscles, steady breathing, alert eyes
Action Protocol: Maintain momentum. Keep steering your ship.
Golden Rule: Catch your heat at Level 3 before it hits Level 4! Shift & Steer Anchor
Shift & Steer Coping Toolkit • Visual Scale Page 1 of 2
Printable Coping Cards
Pocket Cue & Reset Cards
Cut & Keep
Cut out these 4 pocket regulation cards along the dotted lines. Keep them in your pocket, binder, or tape one inside your desk!
Box Breath Reset Somatic
1. INHALE (4s)
2. HOLD (4s)
3. EXHALE (4s)
4. HOLD (4s)
"Repeat 3 times. Lowers heart rate and stops the brain alarm."
5-4-3-2-1 Grounding Focus
5: Things you see
4: Things you physically feel
3: Sounds you hear
2: Things you smell
