Peer Navigator Mentor Workbook
Leadership & Peer Support
PEER NAVIGATOR WORKBOOK
Grade 5 Mentor • Grade 4 Mentee
5th Grade Mentor Name:
4th Grade Mentee Name:
Meeting Time / Days:
Meeting Location:
The Mentor Code of Honor
1. Listen First
Let your mentee finish speaking before offering advice or answers.
2. Keep Trust
Stories shared stay between you two, unless someone is unsafe.
3. Encourage
Focus on effort, celebrate small wins, and stay positive!
8-Week Roadmap Overview
W1 Connection: Building Trust & Goals
W5 Mindset: Positive Self-Talk Reframe
W2 Problem Scale: Glitch vs. Disaster
W6 Problem Solving: Recess & Group Work
W3 Mindfulness: Breathing & Resets
W7 Perspective: Empathy Detective
W4 Self-Advocacy: 'I Feel' & Asking Help
W8 Celebration: Reflection & Badges
"We promise to support each other, practice coping skills, and learn together every week."
Mentor Signature
Mentee Signature
Anchor Reference Tool
PROBLEM SCALE & COPING TOOLKIT
Keep Handy Each Week
The 5-Level Problem Scale (Match Your Reaction Size!)
1
GLITCH
Pencil breaks, dropped paper, waiting 30 seconds. Fixed on your own in under 1 minute.
Reaction: Tiny Shrug
2
LITTLE PROBLEM
Can't find an eraser, minor seat mix-up, forgotten bookmark. Solved with a calm peer request.
Reaction: Calm Ask
3
MEDIUM PROBLEM
Disagreement on group rules, feeling frustrated on math step, minor peer unkindness. Needs strategy.
Reaction: Strategy + Talk
4
BIG PROBLEM
Repeated bullying, lost backpack with keys, feeling totally overwhelmed. Needs adult assistance.
Reaction: Adult Help
5
DISASTER
Physical injury, medical emergency, fire alarm, someone in danger. Stop and alert teacher immediately.
Reaction: Emergency Adult
Classroom Coping Strategies Reference
Box Breathing
Inhale 4s • Hold 4s • Exhale 4s • Hold 4s. Repeat 3 times to lower heart rate quietly at your desk.
5-4-3-2-1 Reset
Spot 5 colors, touch 4 textures, listen for 3 sounds, notice 2 smells, name 1 positive thought.
Desk Safe Place
Close eyes for 20 seconds. Picture your calm place (beach, quiet room, nature trail) with 3 slow breaths.
'I Feel' Script
"I feel [emotion] when [action] because [reason]. Can we please [solution]?"
Asking For Break
"Excuse me, Mr./Ms. [Name], my brain needs a 2-minute water reset so I can focus."
Flip the Thought
Turn "I can't do this" into "I haven't mastered this yet. I'll try one step."
Mentor Pro-Tip: Whenever your mentee shares a story, ask: "On a scale of 1 to 5, what size was that problem? Did your reaction match?"
Daily Meeting System
CHECK-IN & CHECK-OUT PROTOCOL
Use Every Session
Step 1: Start of Session Check-In (3 min)
- Energy Meter: "How is your energy right now (1=Tired, 5=Super High)?"
- Mood Weather: "Is your brain feeling Sunny, Cloudy, or Stormy?"
- Today's Goal: "What is one thing you want to accomplish today?"
Step 2: End of Session Check-Out (2 min)
- Daily Win: "What was one cool thing that went well today?"
- Strategy Practice: "Which coping skill did we talk about or try?"
- High-Five Send-off: Give a specific compliment to your mentee!
Weekly Meeting Session Logs
| Session | Check-In Mood | Today's Focus / Goal | Check-Out Win & Strategy Used | Sign |
|---|
| Day 1 | | | | |
| Day 2 | | | | |
| Day 3 | | | | |
| Day 4 | | | | |
| Day 5 | | | | |
Quick Mood Emoji Code: ☀️ Sunny (Great) ⛅ Partly Sunny (Good) ☁️ Cloudy (Okay) 🌧️ Rainy (Sad/Tired) ⚡ Stormy (Frustrated/Stressed)
Module 1 • Week 1
CONNECTION & COMMON GROUND
Goal: Build Trust
Mentor Step-by-Step Script (Read Aloud)
"Hey! I'm super excited to be your 5th-grade mentor this term. My job is to be a teammate you can talk to, share cool strategies with, and help with school challenges. Today, we're going to find 3 things we have in common and set our team goal!"
Mentor Prompt Questions (Ask your mentee):
1. "What's your favorite thing to do at recess or after school?"
2. "What's one subject in 4th grade you feel awesome at?"
3. "What is something that can make a school day stressful?"
4. "If you could pick any superpower, what would it be?"
Activity: Discover Our Common Ground
Mentor Favorites:
Things We BOTH Share!
Mentee Favorites:
Our 8-Week Mentorship Team Goal:
Write one skill or habit you both want to improve (e.g., staying calm during math tests, speaking up):
Week 1 Check-out: Complete daily log & give high-five! Module 1 Complete
Module 2 • Week 2
GLITCH OR DISASTER? SIZING PROBLEMS
Goal: Match Reaction Size
Mentor Step-by-Step Script (Read Aloud)
"Sometimes when small things happen, our brain sends an alarm that feels like a giant disaster! Today we are learning how to rate problems on a scale from 1 (Glitch) to 5 (Disaster) so our reactions match the real size."
Case Study Scenarios (Read & Rate Together):
Scenario A: The Missing Marker Rate 1 to 5
Marcus is doing a poster. His blue marker runs out of ink. He feels his face get hot and wants to rip up his paper.
Problem Level: Level ______ (Glitch / Little Problem)
Matched Reaction: Ask neighbor politely or use another color.
Scenario B: The Recess Tumble Rate 1 to 5
During kickball, Leo slips on gravel and gets a deep scrape on his knee that is bleeding heavily.
Problem Level: Level ______ (Big Problem / Disaster)
Matched Reaction: Alert recess duty teacher immediately for nurse visit.
Scenario C: The Unfair Rule Rate 1 to 5
Two classmates make a new tag rule that excludes Maya from playing. Maya feels left out and angry.
Problem Level: Level ______ (Medium Problem)
Matched Reaction: Use 'I feel' statement or find another game/ask adult.
Mentee Real-Life Practice:
What was a small glitch that happened to you this week? What was your reaction?
Mentor Tip: "Remind your mentee that a Level 1 glitch does not need a Level 5 shout!" Module 2 Complete
Module 3 • Week 3
BREATHING & MINDFULNESS RESETS
Goal: Calm Physical Stress
Mentor Step-by-Step Script (Read Aloud)
"When we feel frustrated, our heart beats fast and our muscles get tight. Nobody can tell when you do quiet desk breathing—it is your secret superpower to cool your brain down before you react."
Practice #1: The 4x4 Box Breathing Challenge
Trace your finger along the box while mentor counts slowly out loud (Do 3 cycles):
Top Edge Inhale (1-2-3-4)
Right Edge Hold (1-2-3-4)
Bottom Edge Exhale (1-2-3-4)
Left Edge Hold (1-2-3-4)
Practice #2: The 5-4-3-2-1 Sensory Hunt (Right Now in the Room!)
5 SEE
4 TOUCH
3 HEAR
2 SMELL
1 POSITIVE
Practice #3: 30-Second Desk Vacation
Mentor says: "Close your eyes, put your hands flat on the desk, and imagine your favorite quiet place for 30 seconds." Where was your place?
How calm do you feel now? (1 = Stressed, 5 = Super Chill): [ ] Module 3 Complete
Module 4 • Week 4
FINDING YOUR VOICE: SELF-ADVOCACY
Goal: Speak Up Confidently
Mentor Step-by-Step Script (Read Aloud)
"Advocacy means speaking up for what you need before you feel like exploding or shutting down. Today, we're going to practice two powerful scripts: the 'I Feel' statement and how to ask the teacher for help without feeling shy."
Tool 1: The 4-Part 'I Feel' Formula
"I feel [Emotion] when [Action Happened] because [Reason]. Can we please [Solution]?"
Mentor-Mentee Practice Scenario: A partner is working too fast on a paired worksheet. Fill in:
Tool 2: Teacher Help Roleplay Scripts
When you're stuck on a step:
"Excuse me, Mr./Ms. [Name], I tried step 1, but I am confused about what to do next on question 3. Could you show me?"
When you need a quick reset:
"Excuse me, I'm feeling a little overwhelmed. May I get a quick drink of water or take 2 quiet breaths at the back table?"
Roleplay Action: Mentor acts as teacher, Mentee tries the script!
How did it feel to practice speaking up? What will you say the next time you get stuck?
Halfway milestone! Mentee confidence rating: [ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ] Module 4 Complete
Module 5 • Week 5
FLIPPING THE SCRIPT: POSITIVE SELF-TALK
Goal: Reframe Negative Thoughts
Mentor Step-by-Step Script (Read Aloud)
"Did you know our brains talk to us all day long? Sometimes our inner voice says unhelpful things like 'I can't do this' or 'I'm bad at math.' Today, we are going to become Thought Flippers and turn negative traps into growth power!"
The Great Thought Flip Challenge (Transform each unhelpful thought):
🛑 Negative Trap:
"I made a mistake on this page, I ruined everything."
✨ Positive Flip:
"Mistakes help my brain grow. I can erase and fix it."
🛑 Negative Trap:
"Everyone else is finished, I'm way too slow."
✨ Positive Flip:
"I work at my own pace. Accuracy is better than speed."
🛑 Negative Trap:
"This science topic is way too hard. I give up."
✨ Mentee Flip (Write below):
My Personal Power Mantra
Together, write a 1-sentence power mantra your mentee can whisper when feeling stuck:
Mentor Prompt: "Praise your mentee for one strong effort they showed today!" Module 5 Complete
Module 6 • Week 6
CALM IN THE STORM: REAL SCENARIOS
Goal: Multi-Step Problem Solving
Mentor Step-by-Step Script (Read Aloud)
"Today we are putting all our tools together! We'll read a realistic school dilemma, figure out the problem size, pick a calming reset, and write an action plan to solve it peacefully."
The Group Project Clash 4th Grade Story
Sam and Jayden are assigned to build a solar system diorama together. Sam wants to make Jupiter out of clay, but Jayden grabs the blue foam ball first to make Earth and says he is in charge of all materials. Sam feels furious, balls up his fists, and is about to knock over the craft box.
1. Problem Size (1 to 5):
Size: Level 3 (Medium Problem)
2. Calming Reset First:
Box breath x2, unclench hands, step back 2 steps.
3. 'I Feel' Statement to Say:
4. Win-Win Compromise:
Mentee's Own School Challenge:
Have you had a disagreement during partner work or recess? How can you use these 4 steps next time?
Mentor Check: "High five for using problem-solving steps like a leader!" Module 6 Complete
Module 7 • Week 7
PERSPECTIVE: EMPATHY DETECTIVES
Goal: Walking in Others' Shoes
Mentor Step-by-Step Script (Read Aloud)
"Empathy is like wearing special detective glasses that let us see how someone else might be feeling. When someone acts grumpy or ignores us, there might be a reason hidden beneath the surface."
The Empathy Detective Case: "Why is Jordan Grumpy?"
Jordan pushed past his desk, didn't say hi to anyone, and snapped when someone asked to borrow a pencil.
Clue #1: Hidden Feeling
Maybe Jordan stayed up late, missed breakfast, or is worried about a test.
Clue #2: It's Not Personal
Jordan isn't mad at you; Jordan is having a tough morning.
Clue #3: Kind Response
Give space or ask gently: "Are you okay today?"
Mentor-Mentee Conversation Prompts:
Prompt 1: "Has there been a time you were having a bad day and snapped at someone? What did you wish they did?"
Prompt 2: "How does understanding another person's feelings keep a small glitch from turning into a disaster?"
Next week is our final celebration! Prepare to celebrate your mentee's strengths! Module 7 Complete
Module 8 • Week 8
CELEBRATING GROWTH & FUTURE GOALS
Goal: Graduation & Pride
Mentor Step-by-Step Script (Read Aloud)
"Congratulations on completing all 8 weeks of our Peer Navigator program! You have learned how to size problems, reset your brain with breathing, speak up for yourself, and flip negative thoughts. I am so proud of your growth!"
Our 8-Week Growth Highlights
My Favorite Coping Strategy:
A Time I Handled a Glitch Well:
Mentor's Favorite Memory With Mentee:
Mentee's Next Goal for 4th Grade:
PEER NAVIGATOR LEADERSHIP BADGE
This certifies that Mentee & Mentor have successfully completed 8 modules of emotional regulation, communication, and peer leadership.
5th Grade Mentor Signature
4th Grade Mentee Signature
"Keep calm, breathe deep, and remember: small glitches have small fixes!" Program Completed