An elementary small group SEL sequence designed for students with cognitive disabilities. Focuses on emotion recognition, self-regulation, safe hands and safe body habits, and positive peer communication.
Model: “Hold up your flower (pretend or real)! Smell the flower... now blow out the birthday candle! Whoosh! Let's do it 3 times together!” (Praise students making calm breathing sounds).
4. Recess Story & Practice Sheet (7 min) Slides 5 & 6
Practice: Hand out the Calm Signals Practice Sheet. Help students circle their favorite tool with a crayon or stamp. Practice saying or pointing to: “I need a break, please.”
Elementary SEL Small Group Data Tracker Key: + (Independent), P (Prompted), N (Emerging)
Student Name
Identifies Feeling / Clue
Demonstrates Calming Tool
Uses Help / Break Voice
Favorite Tool
Student 1: _____________
+ • P • N
+ • P • N
+ • P • N
Flower & Candle
Student 2: _____________
+ • P • N
+ • P • N
+ • P • N
Lemon Squeeze
Student 3: _____________
+ • P • N
+ • P • N
+ • P • N
5 Finger Breath
🌟 Facilitator Tip: Send home the Pocket Reset Anchor Chart in the student's daily communication folder!
Say: “Can I take a picture of my blocks before cleaning?”
Card 7 Accident
💥 Accidental Elbow Bump
A classmate accidentally bumps your arm while walking past, making a scribble on your paper.
• Body Clue: Gasps, eyes wide, mad face 😡
• Power Pause: 3 slow shoulder rolls
Say: “It was an accident. Can I have an eraser?”
Card 8 Game Fun
🎲 Not Winning the Game
You play Bingo in class. Another friend gets Bingo first and wins the sticker.
• Body Clue: Slumping in chair, crossed arms
• Power Pause: Hand squeeze + deep exhale
Say: “Good job! Maybe I will win next time!”
Laminate & store on a binder ring in your calm corner or small group station!
🥪
Leo's Lunch Line Challenge:
The lunch line stops moving. Leo is super hungry. Leo wants to push the friend in front so the line goes faster.
🛑 Choice A
Push the friend
Unsafe! Friend might fall and cry.
💚 Choice B
Hands in pockets & 3 breaths
Safe Choice! Leo keeps space bubble safe.
Which choice makes Leo a Safe Body Champion? (Point to Choice B!)
Lesson 4
Safe Words Instead of Hands
Use words, not pushes!
🫧 Too close to you:
“Please give me space bubble.”
🧸 Want a toy:
“Can I play with that next?”
🛑 When upset:
“I need to sit down and rest.”
🤝 When playing:
“Gentle hands, let's build together!”
Safe hands and kind words make our whole class a Happy Team! 🏆
Say & Practice: “What do we do if we feel mad and want to push? Let's practice: 1-2-3 Hands in Pockets! Now squeeze your squishy 3 times! Now give yourself a big bear hug!”
4. Sorting Mat & Scenario Rehearsal (7 min) Activity Mat
Do: Hand out the Safe Hands Sorting Mat. Students sort cards into Green (Safe Hands) or Red (Not Safe Hands). Practice saying: “Please give me space.”
Safe Body IEP Objective Tracking Key: + (Mastered/Indep), P (Prompted), N (Emerging)
Student Name
Identifies Safe vs Unsafe
Maintains Space Bubble
Uses Safe Replacement
Chosen Replacement
Student 1: _____________
+ • P • N
+ • P • N
+ • P • N
Pocket Hands
Student 2: _____________
+ • P • N
+ • P • N
+ • P • N
Sensory Squishy
Student 3: _____________
+ • P • N
+ • P • N
+ • P • N
Self Hug
🌟 Practice Tip: Place Safe Body visual stickers on students' desks as subtle daily anchors!
• Safe Action: Keep your hands on your tray
Say: “Can you slide over a little bit, please?”
Card 7 Gym Tag
🏃 Tag Game in Gym
You are playing tag in gym. You run fast to tag a friend, but tag them with a hard push.
• Gentle Tag: Two-finger butterfly tap only 🦋
• Safe Stop: Stop feet and check on friend
Say: “Sorry! I will use gentle butterfly hands.”
Card 8 Art Tools
✂️ Passing Scissors Safely
A classmate asks to borrow your scissors. You need to hand them over safely.
• Safe Grip: Hold the closed metal blade in your fist
• Safe Pass: Offer the plastic handle to friend
Say: “Here you go! Safe handles first.”
Facilitator Tip: Award a “Safe Champion Sticker” each time a student practices a card!
