Calm Journey Plan Lesson Plan Calm Journey Plan
Tier 3 Intervention
Managing Anxiety & Re-Entry Strategies
Objectives
Identify personal anxiety triggers in math class.
Practice 2-3 personalized coping strategies.
Develop a clear re-entry roadmap for the classroom.
Details
Time: 15 Minutes
Audience: 6th Grade Student (Individual)
Approach: Discussion, Gamified Learning, Practice
Why This Matters
"This lesson provides essential tools for managing panic and anxiety, helping the student feel more in control and able to participate in math class, especially after a significant loss. It fosters a sense of security and self-efficacy."
Preparation
Materials Needed:
Whiteboard or Chart Paper
Colorful Markers
Calm Toolkit Slides
Toolkit Card Game
Re-Entry Roadmap Guide
Navigator Quiz
Teacher Tasks:
Review guidance script & coping skills
Ensure a quiet, private space
Have an ice pack available if needed
Set up whiteboard for re-entry plan
Instructional Steps
Step 1 2m
Check-In & Warm-Up
Brief, empathetic check-in referencing student's existing coping skills (ice pack, breathing). Acknowledge strengths in using these outside the class.
Goal: Build safety and rapport.
Step 2 3m
Understanding Triggers
Use Slides 1-3 . Identify specific triggers in math class (noise, test anxiety, being called on). Use the Discussion Guide to explore physical sensations.
Goal: Build self-awareness of the "fight or flight" response.
Step 3 5m
Building the Toolkit (Game)
Play the Toolkit Card Game . Draw cards, practice 1-2 new skills (grounding, stretching, affirmations). Select favorites to add to the roadmap.
Goal: Expand coping repertoire with actionable tools.
Step 4 3m
Crafting the Re-Entry Roadmap
Brainstorm small steps to re-enter class (e.g., breathing outside the door, signaling teacher). Co-create the plan on chart paper.
Goal: Create a concrete, low-stakes plan for returning to learning.
Step 5 2m
Final Quiz & Next Steps
Administer the Navigator Quiz . Schedule a check-in for next week to review how the roadmap worked in action.
Goal: Assess understanding and ensure follow-through.
Coping Skills Slide Deck What's Happening When We Feel Panicked?
Sometimes our bodies and brains get signals that make us feel super uncomfortable, like:
Fast heartbeat
Shortness of breath
Shaky hands or legs
Urge to run away
This is your body's "fight or flight" response—it's trying to protect you!
Understanding
Your Inner Toolkit: Coping Skills
Think about what helps you feel calm when you're overwhelmed. You already have "superpowers":
1
Holding an ice pack (Shock system & redirect focus)
2
Deep breathing (Slow down your heart rate)
3
Counting lockers (Focus your mind)
Your Tools
Spotting Your Triggers
What sets off the "alarm"? In math class, it might be:
Hard problems
Being called on
Testing anxiety
Loud noises
Noticing your triggers is like using a map for your journey!
Preparation
The Re-Entry Roadmap
Leaving to calm down is smart !
But coming back in can feel scary. A roadmap makes it manageable.
Small Steps Back to Learning
Strategy
You've Got This!
You are strong and capable. You have the tools to navigate these feelings.
Understand Triggers
Explore Tools
Design Your Roadmap
Regain Control
Re-Entry Roadmap Guide Discussion Guide Re-Entry Roadmap Guide
Your path back to the classroom, step by step.
Name: ________________________
Date: _________________________
Part 1: Spotting the Storm (Triggers)
1. What usually happens right before you feel the need to leave math class?
2. Are there specific problems, sounds, or sights that make you feel uncomfortable?
3. How does your body feel when you first start to feel anxious?
Part 2: Your Calm Toolkit
Review your favorite skills from the Card Game. Which ones would you like to use most often?
Part 3: Your Re-Entry Roadmap
1
Outside the door: One small step to get ready
Example: Take 3 deep breaths, count to 10, or visualize success.
2
The Signal: How will you let an adult know you're ready?
Example: A thumbs up, a nod, or a specific phrase.
3
Inside the classroom: Your first action
Example: Sit down quietly, check the board for the current task.
Visualize success! Imagine walking back in feeling calm and ready.
Toolkit Card Game My Calm Zone Toolkit Game
Discover and practice tools to add to your personal calm-down collection.
How to Play
Cut out the Toolkit Cards below.
Place them in a small bag or container.
Draw a card and read the skill aloud together.
Discuss: Have you tried this? How might it help you?Practice: Choose 1-2 favorites and try them out for 1 minute!
Purpose
This game helps you find personalized strategies that work for you. Everyone's toolkit is different! By practicing now, you'll be ready to use them when things feel tough.
Toolkit Cards (Cut Along Dashed Lines)
5-4-3-2-1 Grounding
Name 5 things you see, 4 you can touch, 3 you hear, 2 you smell, 1 you taste.
Sensory Tool
Deep Belly Breaths
Hand on chest, hand on belly. Breathe in slow (nose), breathe out slow (mouth).
Breathing Tool
Muscle Relaxation
Tense one part of your body (like shoulders) for 5s, then relax for 10s. Repeat.
Body Tool
Mindful Observation
Pick an object nearby. Notice every tiny detail for 30 seconds without judgment.
Focus Tool
Guided Imagery
Close eyes. Imagine your favorite calm place. What do you see, hear, and feel there?
Visual Tool
Tapping
Gently tap fingertips on forehead or chest while taking slow, calm breaths.
Rhythm Tool
Stretch Break
Do 3 gentle stretches. Focus entirely on how your muscles feel as you move.
Movement Tool
Doodle or Sketch
Quickly draw a simple shape or scribble to give your mind a single thing to focus on.
Creative Tool
Calm Navigator Quiz Calm Navigator Quiz
Name: ________________________
This is a quick check to see what you've learned about navigating those tough moments in math class. You've got this!
1
When you start to feel overwhelmed or anxious in math class, what is the first thing you should try to do?
Ignore it and hope it goes away.
Immediately leave the classroom without telling anyone.
Use a coping skill (like deep breathing or an ice pack).
Start yelling to get attention.
2
Name two coping skills from your toolkit that you can use when you feel anxious.
1. ________________________________________________
2. ________________________________________________
3
After you feel calmer outside the classroom, what is an important step in your re-entry plan?
Wait until the end of class to go back in.
Sneak back into the classroom quietly.
Signal your teacher or a trusted adult that you are ready.
Go to another class instead.
4
What is one specific, small step you can take before walking back into class?
5
How confident are you that you can try using your new re-entry plan this week?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Very confident
Answer Key (Teacher Use)
1. Use a coping skill (like deep breathing or an ice pack).
2. Any two relevant skills (e.g., Deep Breathing, Counting, Grounding, Tapping).
3. Signal your teacher or a trusted adult that you are ready.
4. Any specific small step (e.g., Take 3 breaths, count to 10, check schedule).
5. No correct answer; used to gauge student confidence and provide encouragement.
Calm Zone Journey Script Your Calm Zone Journey
Teacher Script
Tier 3 Intervention | 6th Grade | 15 Minutes
2 min
Warm-Up: Checking In
Teacher Script:
"Hi [Student's Name], thanks for meeting with me today. How are you doing? I know things have been really tough lately, and I've noticed you've been doing a great job using your coping skills when you feel overwhelmed, especially with your ice pack, deep breathing, and even counting lockers. That shows incredible strength. Today, we're going to work together to make those skills even more powerful, especially for getting back into math class. How does that sound?"
3 min
Understanding Anxiety Triggers
Action: Display Slide 1
"Sometimes our bodies tell us something is wrong even before our brains fully understand. Like on this slide, we might feel a fast heartbeat, short breath, or shaky. These are all signals from our body. It's your body's way of trying to protect you. We call these 'panic' or 'anxiety' feelings."
Ask:
"Thinking about math class, what are some of the things that happen right before you feel these feelings? Or, what might make you feel the need to leave math class? Is it a certain type of problem, feeling like you might be called on, or maybe the noise? There are no right or wrong answers here, just what you experience."
Use the Re-Entry Strategy Discussion Guide to jot down notes as the student speaks.
5 min
Building a Toolkit (Game)
Teacher Script:
"Let's play a game to build your very own 'Calm Zone Toolkit'! This will help you find what works best to feel calm, both when you need to step out and when you're ready to come back in."
Activity Instructions:
• Draw cards and discuss relevance.
• Practice: Choose 1 new skill and do it together for 1 minute.
• Ask student to pick 2 favorites to write on their Roadmap Guide.
3 min
Crafting a Re-Entry Strategy
Teacher Script:
"You've already got great skills to calm down, and we've added to your toolkit. Now, we know leaving the classroom to calm down helps, but getting back in can feel tough. So, let's create a special 're-entry roadmap' just for you, so you know exactly what to do to get back into class when you're ready."
"What's the very first small step you could take when you're calmer outside the room, to start thinking about coming back in?"
Help the student finalize Step 1, 2, and 3 on their roadmap. Practice Step 1 together.
2 min
Wrap-Up & Next Steps
