Calm Choice Worksheet
First Grade SEL Toolkit • Choice Board
Name:
Date:
My Calm Down Choice Board
When you feel worried, nervous, or upset, pick one of these 10 calming tools to reset your mind and body!
10 Super Strategies
1
Balloon Belly Breath
Put both hands on your tummy. Breathe in slow to blow up your belly balloon, then breathe out to deflate it.
Action: 3 Slow Belly Breaths Calms Fast Heart
2
Starfish Finger Tracing
Spread one hand wide. Use your other pointer finger to trace up each finger (breathe in) and down (breathe out).
Action: Trace all 5 fingers Focuses Mind
3
Cozy Bear Hug
Cross both arms tightly over your chest. Hug your own shoulders with firm, loving pressure and count to five.
Action: Hold tight for 5 sec Feel Grounded
4
Cool Water Sips
Take 3 small, cool sips of water. Pay close attention to the cold feeling traveling all the way down into your tummy.
Action: 3 slow water swallows Body Reset
5
Turtle Shell Tuck
Sit safely, pull your knees in, scrunch your shoulders tight like a turtle hiding, then softly melt and release.
Action: Squeeze & let go Eases Muscle Tightness
6
5-4-3-2-1 Detective
Quietly look around the room. Spot 3 things you can see, 2 things you can touch, and 1 quiet sound you can hear.
Action: Use your 5 senses Stops Worry Thoughts
7
Wall Push-Ups
Put both palms flat on a classroom wall. Push strong like you are moving the wall, hold 4 seconds, and relax.
Action: 3 firm wall pushes Heavy Work Energy
8
Brave Whisper Words
Whisper into your own cupped hands: "I am safe. I am calm. I can handle hard things."
Action: Repeat 3 times Positive Self-Talk
9
Calm Scribble or Doodle
Pick a soothing color (like blue or green). Draw soft loops, quiet waves, or color a small shape smoothly.
Action: 1 minute quiet draw Creative Release
10
Ask a Safe Grown-Up
Walk up to your teacher or helper and say: "My feelings feel really big right now. Can you help me?"
Action: Raise hand or ask Never Alone
Teacher / Parent Note: Practice these when calm so students can pick them easily during stress!
Page 1 • Choice Board
Student Activity Practice • Real Life Scenarios
Name:
Date:
Tricky Feelings & Calm Choices
Read each first-grade situation. Look at your Choice Board (Page 1), write the strategy number you would use, and write how it helps you!
1 Morning Goodbyes Classroom Door
It is time to say goodbye to your grown-up at the door. Your chest feels heavy and your tummy flutters.
Strategy #
Why:
2 Loud Fire Drill Alarm Hallway
The loud fire drill horn starts honking suddenly. The sudden noise is startling and covers your ears.
Strategy #
Why:
3 Torn Art Drawing Art Table
You worked hard on a drawing, but your crayon presses too hard and rips a hole through the paper.
Strategy #
Why:
4 Called on at Rug Time Class Rug
The teacher calls your name to answer a question out loud, and your brain suddenly feels completely blank.
Strategy #
Why:
5 Noisy Lunch Cafeteria Lunch Table
The cafeteria is super loud with clattering trays and hundreds of voices. You feel overwhelmed and tense.
Strategy #
Why:
6 Recess Tag Game Playground
A group of friends starts playing a game of freeze tag, and you feel left out because nobody tagged you in yet.
Strategy #
Why:
7 Tricky Math Problem Math Station
You look at the numbers on your new worksheet and you don't know what to do. You start to feel frustrated.
Strategy #
Why:
8 A Substitute Teacher Morning Arrival
Your regular teacher is sick today. A new substitute teacher is standing at the door and routines feel different.
Strategy #
Why:
9 Lost Pencil or Eraser Desk Space
You reach into your pencil box to find your special pencil topper, but it is gone and everyone is already working.
Strategy #
Why:
10 Thunderstorm Outside Window
Dark gray clouds roll in, lightning flashes bright outside the window, and a loud boom of thunder shakes the room.
Strategy #
Why:
My Personal Favorite Calming Tool: Strategy # Because:
Page 2 • Practice
