Calm Control Scenario Slides
3rd Grade Coping Skills Self-Regulation Superpowers
Calm Down Superpowers!
What to do when feelings get big at school.
Practice spotting your body clues and picking a reset tool before you get stuck or upset.
1. Slow Breath
Cool your body down
2. Quick Break
Take a 2-minute reset
3. Ask for Help
Talk to your teacher
Tool Bank
My 4 Calm Down Tools
Keep You in Control
Belly Breathing
Smell the flower (breathe in slow), blow out the birthday candle (breathe out slow). Do 3 times!
5-4-3-2-1 Game
Look around your classroom. Spot 5 colors, touch 4 things on your desk, and listen for 3 sounds.
Break Card
Show your break pass to the teacher. Take a quiet 2-minute water break to reset your brain.
Helpful Self-Talk
Say in your head: "This is hard, but I can do one piece at a time."
Ready to test your superpowers? Let's check 3 school stories! Next Slide
Story 1 The Hard Math Page
Challenging Work
What Happened:
You get a long math worksheet. You don't know the first problem. Your chest feels tight, and you want to push your paper away or hide your head.
What could you do instead of shutting down?
A
Take 3 deep belly breaths, cover the bottom problems, and only look at #1.
B
Show your break card and take a 2-minute walk to get a drink of water.
C
Raise your hand and say: "Can you help me start step 1?"
D
Tell yourself: "I don't need to finish it all now. I just need to try one."
Coach Corner
Conquering the Math Mountain
Superpower Tip
Body Clues to Notice
- Tight chest or holding your breath.
- Wanting to push the paper onto the floor.
- Putting your head down and giving up.
Why These Choices Win
- Covering the page makes the work feel small and easy to start.
- Water and breathing cool your brain down so you can think.
- Teachers LOVE when you ask for help on step 1!
Talk Together:
Which choice (A, B, C, or D) would you try first when schoolwork looks hard?
Story 2 Trouble at Recess
Peer Problem
What Happened:
You run over to join a four-square game, but a kid says, "You can't play with us!" Your face gets super hot, your hands turn into fists, and you want to yell.
What is the safest move to cool down and stay in control?
A
Take 2 steps backward, drop your shoulders, and blow out a big slow breath.
B
Say in a calm, strong voice: "That hurts my feelings," and walk to another game.
C
Walk over to the recess teacher and ask for help finding a game that has space.
D
Squeeze your hands tight for 3 seconds, let them go, and count to 10 in your head.
Coach Corner
Cooling the Fire
Staying in Charge
Body Clues to Notice
- Hot cheeks or hot ears.
- Hands squeezing into tight fists.
- Wanting to yell, push, or run away.
Why These Choices Win
- Stepping back keeps you out of trouble and protects you.
- Walking away is NOT losing—it shows you are the boss of your body.
- Finding a teacher helps solve the problem fairly.
Talk Together:
What other fun game or friend can you go to if one game says no?
Story 3 Rainy Day Recess
Unexpected Change
What Happened:
You lined up for playground recess, but the teacher says, "It just started pouring rain. We are staying inside today." Your plan is ruined and you feel mad and grumpy.
What helps your brain be flexible when plans change?
A
Push your shoes flat onto the floor, feel the ground, and take 3 deep belly breaths.
B
Tell yourself: "Plans changed, but I can still have fun doing an indoor activity."
C
Ask your teacher what the indoor choices are (drawing, board games, or reading).
D
Play the 5-Color Game: Spot 5 green things in the classroom to reset your brain.
Coach Corner
Bending Like a Tree
Brain Flexibility
Body Clues to Notice
- Crossed arms and stomping feet.
- Grumpy thoughts like: "Everything is ruined!"
- Feeling stuck and not wanting to move.
Why Being Flexible Wins
- A flexible tree bends with the wind instead of breaking.
- Finding the new choices helps your brain get excited again.
- Putting feet on the floor reminds your body: "I am safe right now."
Talk Together:
What is your favorite thing to do inside the classroom when it rains?
My Action Plan
My 3-Step Reset Plan
Superpower Level 3
1
Catch the Clue
Notice when your body feels tight, hot, grumpy, or ready to hide.
"My body is telling me I need a tool!"
2
Pick a Tool
Take 3 belly breaths, use your break card, or ground your feet.
"I will take my 3 slow breaths right now."
3
Ask & Reset
Ask your teacher for help with step 1, or pick a new fun activity.
"I stayed in charge of my day!"
Every time you choose a calm down tool, your superpower gets stronger!
You've Got This!
