Super Skills Lesson Plan Super Skills for Tough Stuff
Lesson Plan • Grade 3 SEL
Duration
30 MIN
OBJECTIVE
Students will be able to define coping skills and identify at least three personal strategies to manage their emotions effectively.
WHY IT MATTERS
Understanding coping skills helps students manage difficult emotions, fostering emotional resilience and long-term well-being. By framing these as "super skills," we empower students to take control of their emotional responses.
MATERIALS
What are Coping Skills? Slide Deck
Feelings Brainstorm Worksheet
Blank Index Cards
Markers/Crayons
TEACHER PREP
Review the Slide Deck for talking points.
Print Feelings Brainstorm Worksheet for each student.
Gather markers, crayons, and blank index cards for the activity.
Set up projector/screen for presentation.
INSTRUCTIONAL STEPS
1
Connect & Introduce: What's Your Feeling?
5 Minutes
Hook students by asking them to share a recent feeling. Introduce the concept of "signals" from our bodies. Display Slide 1-2.
2
Feelings Brainstorm
7 Minutes
Hand out the Feelings Brainstorm Worksheet . Have students identify feelings and how their bodies react when emotions get "big."
3
Direct Instruction: Super Skills
8 Minutes
Define "Coping Skills" as tools for tough feelings. Brainstorm healthy ways to calm down using Slides 3-5 . Discuss why these skills are important for making good choices.
4
Super Skill Card Creation
10 Minutes
Students create their own "Super Skill Cards" using index cards. Each card names a skill and has a picture representing it. Display Slides 6-7.
Differentiation & Support
Scaffolding:
Provide a visual list of feelings and coping skills for students who struggle with brainstorming.
Extension:
Challenge students to think of a specific "Super Skill" for a specific feeling (e.g., "What's best for anger?").
What are Coping Skills Slide Deck Super Skills
for Tough Stuff
Mastering Your Emotions
"What feelings have you had recently? Share one with a partner!"
Welcome students and ask them to share one feeling they've experienced recently.
What Are Feelings?
Feelings are signals from our bodies!
They tell us how we are doing.
Everyone has feelings.
Feelings can change!
Can you name some different feelings?
Angry Sad Happy Excited
Explain that feelings are normal. Discuss different types and how they can change.
What Are Coping Skills?
Definition
Coping skills are like tools!
They help us handle tough feelings.
They are healthy ways to calm down.
They help us think clearly when emotions are big.
Introduce coping skills as tools for tough feelings. Give examples.
Coping Skill Examples
Take 3 deep breaths
Talk to a trusted adult
Draw or color
Listen to music
Go for a walk
WHAT ELSE?
Provide concrete examples. Ask students for more ideas.
Why Are They Important?
Calm our bodies and minds
Help us make good decisions
Feel happier and healthier
Learn and play better!
Discuss how coping skills help us make choices and feel better.
Find Your Super Skills!
What works for YOU?
Rule #1
Everyone is different.
Rule #2
Try a few to see what feels best.
Rule #3
Build your own toolkit!
Ready to build your Super Skill Cards?
Transition to identifying personal strategies. Introduce the card activity.
You've Got Super Skills!
All feelings are okay.
Coping skills help us manage feelings.
You can learn your own super skills!
Let's get started!
Feelings Brainstorm Worksheet Feelings Brainstorm
Super Skills Lab
Name:
Date:
Sometimes our feelings are big, and sometimes they are small. All feelings are okay! Use this brainstorm sheet to explore the feelings you know.
1
What Feelings Do You Know?
Think about all the different feelings you know. Write or draw as many as you can in the boxes below!
Feeling 1
Feeling 2
Feeling 3
Feeling 4
Feeling 5
Feeling 6
2
When Feelings Get Big
Think of a time when you had a really big feeling (like anger, sadness, or frustration). What was that feeling?
What did your body feel like when you had that big feeling? (e.g., fast heartbeat, tense shoulders, shaky hands)
3
First Thoughts on Coping
Before we learn more, what is one thing you sometimes do to help yourself when you have a big feeling?
My Coping Skills Card Activity My Super Skill Cards
Personal Coping Toolkit
YOUR MISSION
It's time to create your very own toolkit of coping skills! These are the "super skills" you can use when you have tough feelings.
Gear Needed
3-5 Blank Index Cards
Markers or Crayons
A rubber band or small bag
Steps to Success
1. Brainstorm: Pick 3 skills from our list or your own ideas.2. Name It: Write the skill name clearly on one side of a card.3. Draw It: On the other side, draw a picture of you using that skill!
Draft Your Super Skills Below
Plan your cards here before you draw on the real ones!
Card 1: Skill Name
Drawing Idea
Ex: Drawing a big sun for breathing...
Card 2: Skill Name
Drawing Idea
Card 3: Skill Name
Drawing Idea
SUPER TIP:
Pick skills that really work for you. If you don't like drawing, maybe pick listening to music or squeezing a stress ball instead!
