Toolbox Lesson Plan Teacher Guide Unlock Your Toolbox
Lesson Plan • Tier 3 Individual Intervention
9th Grade
30 Minutes
Why This Matters
Teaching self-awareness of avoidance and equipping students with coping tools builds resilience, reduces stress, and promotes proactive problem-solving in academic and personal challenges.
Session Objective
The student will recognize personal patterns of avoidance, explore a variety of healthy coping skills, and select 2–3 strategies to practice in stressful moments.
Materials Needed
Avoidance Pattern Worksheet
Coping Skills Inventory Sheet
Strategy Selection Chart
Pens and Paper
Prep (5 Minutes)
• Print one copy each of the required worksheets for the session.
• Familiarize yourself with the coping skills categories listed on the inventory sheet.
• Prepare a quiet, comfortable space free of distractions.
• Set up the accompanying slide deck if presenting on a screen.
Session Flow
5 MIN
Intro
Introduction and Rapport Building
Greet the student and briefly explain the purpose: to ‘unlock’ their personal toolbox of coping strategies.
Emphasize confidentiality and encourage honest sharing.
Outline the session steps: identify avoidance patterns, explore coping skills, select strategies.
10 MIN
Identify
Identify Avoidance Patterns
Distribute the Avoidance Pattern Worksheet .
Ask the student to list 2–3 recent situations where they avoided a task or problem.
For each scenario, have the student note feelings, thoughts, and any physical sensations.
Discuss together how these avoidance patterns affect stress and outcomes.
8 MIN
Explore
Explore Coping Skills
Hand out the Coping Skills Inventory Sheet .
Review the four categories of coping (relaxation, active, social, creative).
Have the student rate their familiarity (1–5) and comfort (1–5) with each listed skill.
Highlight any new or underused skills they might want to try.
5 MIN
Plan
Select and Plan Strategies
Provide the Strategy Selection Chart .
Ask the student to choose 2–3 coping skills from the inventory that feel most doable.
For each strategy, have them fill in the specific context and reminders.
Discuss potential barriers and quick fixes.
2 MIN
Wrap-Up
Reflection and Next Steps
Summarize the chosen strategies and the student’s action plan.
Invite the student to share which tool they feel most confident using and why.
Schedule a brief check-in to review progress and adjust strategies as needed.
Toolbox Presentation Slides Tier 3 Intervention
Unlock Your
Toolbox
Building your personal set of coping strategies for stressful moments.
Teacher Notes: Welcome the student warmly. Introduce the session as a way to “unlock” their personal toolbox. Reassure confidentiality.
What Is Avoidance?
Avoidance is when we steer clear of tasks or emotions that feel uncomfortable or overwhelming.
Common Signs:
Procrastinating on homework or chores
Ignoring difficult conversations or people
Distracting yourself with screens or games
Teacher Notes: Define avoidance and relate it to everyday examples. Ask the student to share a quick example of a time they put off something stressful.
Identify Your Patterns
Use the Avoidance Pattern Worksheet to list 2–3 situations where you avoided a task.
Feelings
Thoughts
Physical
Teacher Notes: Hand out the Avoidance Pattern Worksheet. Guide the student to think of 2–3 recent moments. Encourage detail on feelings and thoughts.
Coping Categories
Relaxation
Deep breathing, muscle relaxation, mindfulness.
Active
Exercise, time management, setting goals.
Social
Talking with friends, seeking support, mentorship.
Creative
Drawing, music, journaling, crafting.
Teacher Notes: Explain the four categories. Give a quick example of each and invite the student to think of others they already know.
Explore Your Skills
Open the Coping Skills Inventory Sheet and rate each skill on a scale of 1–5:
Familiarity
How well do you know this skill? Have you tried it before?
Comfort
How comfortable do you feel actually using this skill when stressed?
Teacher Notes: Distribute the Coping Skills Inventory Sheet. Show how to rate each skill. Encourage honesty—it's okay if many are "1"s!
Select and Plan
Choose 2–3 skills that feel most doable for you right now.
1
Identify exactly WHEN you will use it.
2
Create a PROMPT or reminder for yourself.
3
Problem-solve potential BARRIERS .
Teacher Notes: Present the Strategy Selection Chart. Help the student pick 2–3 skills. Talk through how they’ll remember to use them.
Avoidance Pattern Worksheet Avoidance Pattern Worksheet
Unlock Your Toolbox • Activity 1
Name:
Date:
Instructions: Think of 2–3 recent situations where you avoided a task or problem (e.g., homework, a talk with a friend, a chore). For each, reflect on what happened inside and outside of you.
SCENARIO 01
1. The Situation: What did you avoid and why?
2. Emotions: How did you feel?
(e.g., anxious, bored, scared, overwhelmed)
3. Thoughts: What was your self-talk?
(e.g., "I'll do it later," "I'm not good at this")
4. Physical Sensations:
(e.g., tight chest, heavy stomach, fidgety)
5. The Outcome: What happened after?
SCENARIO 02
1. The Situation: What did you avoid and why?
2. Emotions:
3. Thoughts:
4. Physical Sensations:
5. The Outcome:
Reflection
Looking across your scenarios, what patterns do you notice in your avoidance behaviors?
How might understanding these patterns help you choose healthier coping skills?
Coping Skills Inventory Sheet Coping Skills Inventory
Unlock Your Toolbox • Activity 2
Name:
Instructions: For each coping skill below, rate your familiarity and comfort on a scale of 1 to 5 .
Relaxation Skills
Skill Familiarity (1-5) Comfort (1-5) Deep breathing Progressive muscle relaxation Guided imagery / Mindfulness Meditation Other: _________________________
Active Skills
Skill Familiarity (1-5) Comfort (1-5) Exercise (e.g., walking, jogging) Time management (planning, scheduling) Goal setting / To-do lists Problem-solving steps Other: _________________________
Social Skills
Skill Familiarity (1-5) Comfort (1-5) Talking with a friend Seeking support (family, mentor, counselor) Expressing feelings verbally Other: _________________________
Creative Skills
Skill Familiarity (1-5) Comfort (1-5) Journaling / Creative writing Drawing, painting, or doodling Listening to or playing music Crafting or hands-on projects Other: _________________________
Reflection
Which 2–3 skills stood out as most familiar and comfortable for you?
Strategy Selection Chart Strategy Selection Chart
Unlock Your Toolbox • Activity 3
Name:
Instructions: Choose 2–3 coping skills from your inventory that feel most doable. Plan exactly how you will use them below.
01
Primary Strategy
Coping Skill Name:
When You’ll Use It (Situation):
Reminder / Prompt:
(How will you remember to do it in the moment?)
Potential Barriers:
Quick Fixes:
02
Supporting Strategy
Coping Skill Name:
When You’ll Use It (Situation):
Reminder / Prompt:
Potential Barriers:
Quick Fixes:
03
Optional Bonus Strategy
Coping Skill Name:
When You’ll Use It (Situation):
Reminder / Prompt:
"I have the tools I need to handle hard things."
