Trigger Trackers Counselor Guide
Trigger Trackers
Comprehensive Counselor Guide
Duration 25m
Mission Goals
- • Signal Identification: Student can point to 1+ body signal they feel when upset.
- • Trigger Recognition: Student can categorize 5 scenarios into the "Big 3" types.
- • Coping Connection: Student links "Hard" triggers to the "Count to 10" strategy.
The 5 Scenarios
- Waiting for the lunch line.
- Leaving recess for class.
- Hard double-digit math.
- Friend has the iPad first.
- Cleaning up building blocks.
1
Warm-Up
5 MIN
Body Signal Detective Review
Opening Script:
"Hi Detective [Student Name]! Today is a very important mission. Before a big feeling arrives, your body sends you a secret code—a signal. If we catch the signal early, we can use our shields! Look at Workbook Page 1. Which of these signals do you feel when you're frustrated? Point to it for me."
Guidance: If the student points to 'Tight Hands', have them physically squeeze their fists. Ask: "When your hands feel like that, what is your brain thinking?"
Focus Check: If the student is looking away, use a visual 'Detective Lens' (circle hands around eye) to regain focus on the workbook page.
2
Activity 1
10 MIN
The Mystery Trigger Matchup
Scripted Instructions:
"A Trigger is the 'Switch' that starts the signal. I have 5 Mystery Cases here. I will read a case, and you have to decide: Is it a Waiting trigger (Timer), a Hard Work trigger (Brain), or a Transition trigger (Arrows)? Circle the icon in your workbook for Case #1!"
Specific Case Scenarios to Read:
Case 1: "You are starving, but you have to stand still in the lunch line for 5 minutes. (Wait)"
Case 2: "The teacher blows the whistle. Recess is over, time to go to class. (Transition)"
Case 3: "You open your folder and see a page with 30 hard math problems. (Hard Work)"
Case 4: "Your friend has the iPad you want, and the timer hasn't beeped yet. (Wait)"
Case 5: "You just finished a block tower, but now it's time to clean up for lunch. (Transition)"
Data Note: Record 'Yes' for each case where the student identifies the trigger type AND an associated feeling (e.g. 'I feel annoyed when I wait').
3
Activity 2
5 MIN
Easy Peasy vs. Hard Work
The Sorting Script:
"Some triggers are Easy Peasy—they don't bother us much. But some are Hard Work for our brain. Let's look at your Case #1 (Waiting). Is that 'Easy' or 'Hard' for you? Draw a line to the side it belongs on."
Strategy Reinforcement: When they identify a "Hard" trigger, say: "That's a tough one! When we see a Hard trigger coming, we use our Count to 10 Shield. Let's practice now: 1... 2... 3... (Count slowly)."
4
Closing
5 MIN
The Detective Report
"Final mission, Detective. Complete your Report. Tell me: I feel [Feeling] when [Trigger] happens. Once you write it, you've officially finished your Tracker training!"
Focus Tip: For students with focus issues, allow them to circle the words in the workbook instead of writing if they are becoming fatigued.
Trigger Trackers Presentation Slides
Trigger Trackers
Detective Mission: Identifying Triggers
1. Body Signals
A Signal is a body clue that a big feeling is coming!
- Hot Face
- Fast Heart
- Tight Hands
2. The "Big 3" Triggers
WAITING
Waiting for a turn or food.
Hard Work
Math or reading a long book.
TRANSITIONS
Cleaning up to go somewhere.
Easy Peasy or Hard Work?
"I can handle this easily!"
"This makes my body feel signals!"
Use Your Shield!
COUNT TO 10
Slowly... 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10.
"I feel ________ when ________ happens."
Trigger Trackers Data Tracker
Trigger Trackers Data Log
Progress Monitoring: Goal 2
CONFIDENTIAL STUDENT RECORD
Student Name
Date
Duration (m)
Skill Acquisition Checklist
Identify Body Signal
Label Trigger Type
Use "Count to 10"
Goal 2: Identifying Trigger Linked to Emotion
| Case | Scenario (Trigger Type) | Identify Trigger? | Link Emotion? | Accuracy |
|---|
| 1 | Lunch line waiting (WAITING) | Y / N | Y / N | + / - |
| 2 | Recess to class (TRANSITION) | Y / N | Y / N | + / - |
| 3 | Double-digit math page (HARD WORK) | Y / N | Y / N | + / - |
| 4 | Friend using iPad (WAITING) | Y / N | Y / N | + / - |
| 5 | Clean up building blocks (TRANSITION) | Y / N | Y / N | + / - |
| GOAL ACCURACY (Trials with both correct) | ____ % | | | |
Focus & Attention (1-5)
1
2
3
4
5
Observation Notes
Independence Level
Required constant redirection
Required moderate prompting
Mostly independent/engaged
Note: Goal accuracy requires student to link the trigger to an emotion AND the correct trigger type independently or with one prompt.
Trigger Trackers Module SEL DATA TRACKING
