ActivitiesNew Math English Language Arts Science & Engineering Social Studies Global Languages Health & Physical Education Special Education Counseling & Life Skills Arts & Creativity ESL

ActivitiesNew Math English Language Arts Science & Engineering Social Studies Global Languages Health & Physical Education Special Education Counseling & Life Skills Arts & Creativity ESL

Solutions

Lenny for Educators Lenny for Schools Lenny for Districts

Product

Explore Sign in Create Support About

Resources

Getting started MTSS Acceleration Program

© 2026 Lenny Learning Inc.

Terms Privacy Accessibility

Counseling & Life Skills Self-Awareness Basic Emotion Recognition Complex Emotion Identification Emotional Nuance & Mixed Feelings Building Positive Self-Image Recognizing Strengths & Growth Areas Accurate Self-Assessment Personal Values Identification Cultural & Individual Identity Exploration Values-Based Decision Making Self-Management Stop-and-Think Strategies Delaying Gratification Independent Impulse Management Identifying Stress Triggers Short-Term Goal Setting SMART Goals Development Goal Monitoring & Adjustment Building Perseverance & Resilience Internal Motivation Development Comprehensive Stress Reduction Planning Social Awareness Recognizing Others' Feelings Demonstrating Empathy Respecting Individual Differences Understanding Cultural Diversity Complex Empathetic Responses Multiple Viewpoint Consideration Multi-Perspective Analysis Challenging Stereotypes & Bias Relationship Skills Active Listening Clear Verbal & Nonverbal Communication Building Positive Friendships Working Cooperatively in Groups Communicating Personal Boundaries Respecting Others' Boundaries Assertive Expression Peaceful Problem-Solving Contributing to Team Goals Complex Conflict Navigation Mediation & Negotiation Healthy Romantic Relationships Responsible Decision-Making Daily Problem Identification Brainstorming Multiple Solutions Evaluating Pros & Cons Recognizing Risks & Consequences Applying Ethical Frameworks Informed Risk-Benefit Decisions Root Cause Analysis Mindfulness Mindful Breathing Body Scan Meditation Daily Mindfulness Application Daily Self-Care Routines Balancing Life Demands Advocating for Wellness Needs Mental Health Support Understanding Anxiety Symptoms Worry Management Strategies Progressive Muscle Relaxation Recognizing Depression Signs Building Mood-Supporting Routines Behavioral Activation for Mood Understanding Grief Stages Healthy Grief Coping Creative Expression of Loss Behavioral Support Daily Check-In Procedures Daily Goal Setting & Review Recognizing Escalation Warning Signs Requesting Breaks & Support Self-Calming During Distress Understanding Positive Reinforcement Token Economy Implementation Behavior Chart Tracking Analyzing Behavior Patterns Identifying Antecedents & Consequences Determining Behavior Function Function-Based Interventions Individualized Behavior Contracts Data-Driven Behavior Adjustment Therapeutic Approaches Thoughts-Feelings-Behaviors Connection Recognizing Thinking Patterns Challenging Negative Thoughts Positive Self-Talk Practice Thought Record Tracking Advanced Cognitive Restructuring Comprehensive CBT Plans Behavioral Activation Techniques Building Positive Experiences Exposure Hierarchies for Anxiety Present-Moment Awareness Non-Judgmental Observation Self-Soothing & Distraction Complex Emotion Labeling Reducing Emotional Vulnerability (PLEASE)DEAR MAN Communication GIVE Skills for Relationships FAST Skills for Self-Respect Radical Acceptance Practice Crisis Survival Skills (TIPP)Understanding Trauma Effects Trauma Responses & Triggers Identifying Trauma Feelings Grounding Techniques Regulation During Trauma Distress Safe Place Visualization Processing Through Narrative Developing Trauma Story Personalized Safety Planning Group Support Turn-Taking & Sharing Group Conversation Skills Sharing in Supportive Environment Learning from Similar Challenges Building Community & Belonging Navigating Peer Relationships Group Skill Practice Group Mental Health Education Stress & Anxiety Understanding Crisis Support & Safety Knowing When to Seek Help Identifying Mental Health Crises Grounding During Crisis Using Crisis Hotlines Building Support Networks Accessing Mental Health Resources Warning Signs & Coping Strategies Developing Personal Safety Plans Understanding Suicide Warning Signs Gatekeeper Skills for Peers Digital Literacy Social Media Technology Basics Productivity Tools Internet and Online Research Web Design and Publishing Digital Citizenship Online Safety and Privacy Emerging Technologies Financial Literacy Making Financial Decisions Banking and Accounts Consumer Skills Saving and Investing Credit and Debt Employment and Income Taxes Insurance Major Purchases Economic Concepts Financial Planning College & Post-Secondary Planning Career Exploration Understanding Post-Secondary Options College Research & Selection Admission Requirements College Application Process Personal Statement Writing FAFSA Completion Scholarship Search & Applications Understanding Student Loans Continuing Education Planning Interview Preparation Researching Employers Common Interview Questions STAR Method Responses Professional Interview Presence Virtual Interview Skills Interview Follow-Up Job Search Skills Understanding Job Postings Effective Job Search Strategies Networking for Opportunities Resume Writing Basics Action Verbs & Achievements Tailoring Resumes to Jobs Cover Letter Writing Professional References Professional Communication Business Email Etiquette Phone & Voicemail Professionalism Meeting Participation Presentation Skills Professional Work Ethic Time Management & Productivity Teamwork & Collaboration Adaptability & Flexibility Problem-Solving at Work Constructive Feedback Workplace Rights Understanding Employment Laws Pay & Benefits Understanding Workplace Safety Anti-Discrimination & Harassment

Focus Squad

A three-session Tier 2 counseling sequence designed for second grade students to cultivate focus, self-regulation, and sustained attention. Each 15-minute session pairs an actionable counselor guide with an engaging student tool mat following a check-in, strategy, and reflection framework.

NFNatalie Frahm

Body Battery Check

Focuses on internal awareness and physiological calming. Students learn to assess their energy state and practice balloon breathing with finger-tracing to reset their nervous system for learning.

Bubble Shield Power

Focuses on external distraction management. Students learn to recognize visual and auditory classroom distractions and activate an imaginary bubble shield and spotlight focus on their desk.

Beat the Clock

Focuses on cognitive pacing and task endurance. Students learn to chunk overwhelming tasks into bite-sized three-minute focus sprints paired with positive self-talk affirmations.

Focus Squad

A three-session Tier 2 counseling sequence designed for second grade students to cultivate focus, self-regulation, and sustained attention. Each 15-minute session pairs an actionable counselor guide with an engaging student tool mat following a check-in, strategy, and reflection framework.

NFNatalie Frahm

Body Battery Counselor Guide

Focus Squad Session 1 of 3 • 15 Minutes

Tier 2 Individual Counseling • Grade 2

Body Battery Check

Objective: Help the student recognize internal energy levels and use Balloon Breathing to shift into a calm focus state.

Target Skill

Physiological Regulation

1

Check-In (3 min)

Read Body Battery Meter

2

Strategy (8 min)

Balloon Breath & Trace

3

Reflect (4 min)

Transfer Plan & Pledge

Part 1: Brief Check-In (0:00 – 3:00) Use Student Mat Battery Scale

Counselor Prompt: "Welcome! Just like a tablet or toy robot, our bodies run on battery power. Sometimes our battery is on Red (too fast, buzzy, hyper), Blue (tired, sluggish, sleepy), or Green (calm, ready to focus). Touch the meter on your mat: which color is your body feeling right now?"

Look-For: Normalize whatever color they choose. Emphasize that all feelings are okay, but Green is our learning sweet-spot.

Part 2: Focused Strategy — Balloon Breath & Finger Trace (3:00 – 11:00) Core Practice

Step 1 — Explain the Brain-Body Link: "When your brain wants to look at 10 things at once, taking deep balloon breaths sends a message: 'We are calm, we can do one thing at a time.'"

Step 2 — Model the 3-Count Balloon: Have the student place both hands on their belly. Inhale through the nose for 3 seconds (feel the belly balloon expand), hold for 1 count, then blow gently out through the mouth like blowing a dandelion for 4 seconds. Repeat together 3 times.

Step 3 — Guided Finger-Trace: Have the student place their index finger on the balloon path on the student mat. Trace slowly up while breathing in, pause at the cloud, and trace down while breathing out.

Part 3: Quick Reflection & Transfer (11:00 – 15:00) Self-Evaluation

Reflection Script: "Check your body battery again. Did your energy change? When today in class could you take 3 balloon breaths? (e.g., before math worksheet, lined up after recess)."

Have student complete their star rating and sign their Focus Pledge on their mat.

Counselor Coaching Tip for 2nd Grade: If the student struggles to sit still during breathing, don't force rigid stillness. Allow a gentle sway or let them squeeze a soft squishy ball while inhaling. Keep pacing brisk, supportive, and celebrate any attempt at slowing their exhale.

Body Battery Student Mat

Focus Squad • Tool #1

My Body Battery Mat

Name:

Date:

Mission: Check your power, take 3 calm breaths, and get ready to learn! 15-Min Power Up

1

Body Battery Check-In

Circle how your body feels right now:

Too Zoomy

Bouncy, fast feet, hard to sit still

Calm & Ready

Eyes listening, relaxed muscles, focused

Too Sleepy

Low power, head down, yawning, slow

2

Strategy: The Balloon Breath Track

Trace with your finger!

1. INHALE (Nose)

Fill your belly like a big balloon!

Count: 1 • 2 • 3

HOLD 1s

2. EXHALE (Mouth)

Blow out soft and slow like a candle!

Count: 1 • 2 • 3 • 4

Practice 3 Balloon Breaths with your counselor:

1

Breath 1

2

Breath 2

3

Breath 3

3

Quick Reflection & Power Pledge

Final 4 Minutes

How calm and ready does my body feel now?

Check 1 time you will use your Balloon Breath in class today:

Math or Writing

Rug Listening Time

Coming in from Recess

Student Focus Champion Signature:

Squad Badge 1 Earned

Bubble Shield Counselor Guide

Focus Squad Session 2 of 3 • 15 Minutes

Tier 2 Individual Counseling • Grade 2

Bubble Shield Power

Objective: Teach the student to recognize external sensory distractions and deploy the "Bubble Shield" and "Desk Spotlight."

Target Skill

Selective Attention

1

Check-In (3 min)

Breath Recap & Energy

2

Strategy (8 min)

Bubble Shield & Game

3

Reflect (4 min)

Design Shield & Pledge

Part 1: Brief Check-In & Strategy Follow-Up (0:00 – 3:00) Warm-Up

Counselor Prompt: "Welcome back to Focus Squad! Before we learn today's superpower, let's take ONE big balloon breath together. Inhale... exhale! Did you get a chance to use your balloon breath in class this week? Where is your battery right now?"

Look-For: Reinforce any effort the student made. If they forgot, say: "That's why we practice! Each week makes our focus muscles stronger."

Part 2: Strategy — The Bubble Shield & Spotlight Challenge (3:00 – 11:00) Core Practice

Step 1 — Identify "Focus Thieves": "In second grade, there are Focus Thieves everywhere: a dropped pencil, footsteps in the hall, a classmate whispering. When our eyes chase them, our focus gets stolen!"

Step 2 — Activate the Bubble Shield: Teach the physical gesture: make round curved hands around the face/desk and whisper "Shield Up!" Explain that sounds bounce off the shield like rubber balls. Teach "Spotlight Eyes" (tunnel vision directly on the student paper).

Step 3 — The 60-Second Distraction Challenge: Give the student a simple visual task (connecting numbers 1-20 or drawing shapes on their mat). For 60 seconds, counselor creates mild distractions (tapping pencil, humming, waving a ruler). Student practices keeping eyes glued to their spotlight. Celebrate each deflection!

Part 3: Quick Reflection & Shield Design (11:00 – 15:00) Action Plan

Reflection Script: "What was the trickiest distraction to bounce off? What color is your imaginary Bubble Shield? When you are working on independent reading or math today, imagine that bubble snapping shut around your desk."

Have student complete Part 3 on their mat: identify their biggest Focus Thief and color their shield.

Counselor Coaching Tip for 2nd Grade: Second graders respond enthusiastically to superhero and secret-agent metaphors. Framing distractions as playful "tests" allows them to feel in control rather than feeling scolded for looking around.

Bubble Shield Student Mat

Focus Squad • Tool #2

My Bubble Shield Mat

Name:

Date:

Mission: Put up your invisible shield and bounce away classroom distractions! 15-Min Power Up

1

Quick Check-In

How is your focus energy today?

1. Take 1 Reset Balloon Breath:

Done!

2. My Battery Level:

Zoomy Calm Sleepy

2

Strategy: Activate the Bubble Shield

Distractions Bounce Off!

Ear Distractions

Whispers, pencils clicking, hallway doors

BOUNCE OFF!

YOU & YOUR WORK

Spotlight eyes on your own paper!

Eye Distractions

People walking, toys, looking out windows

BOUNCE OFF!

60-Second Spotlight Challenge: Connect Numbers 1 to 10 inside your shield! Keep eyes on the paper

1 ➔ 2 ➔ 3 ➔ 4 ➔ 5 ➔ 6 ➔ 7 ➔ 8 ➔ 9 ➔ 10

3

Quick Reflection & Shield Badge

Final 4 Minutes

My #1 Focus Thief to watch out for:

Classroom noises & whispering

People walking by or moving

Fidgeting with items on my desk

Draw Your Shield Power Emblem: (Star, Lightning Bolt, or Heart)

Pledge: "When distractions show up, I put my Bubble Shield UP!"

Squad Badge 2 Earned

Beat Clock Counselor Guide

Focus Squad Session 3 of 3 • 15 Minutes

Tier 2 Individual Counseling • Grade 2

Beat the Clock

Objective: Equip the student with task-chunking skills, 3-minute focus sprints, and positive self-talk to overcome task avoidance.

Target Skill

Task Initiation & Endurance

1

Check-In (3 min)

Toolbox Recap & Battery

2

Strategy (8 min)

Chunking & 3-Min Sprint

3

Reflect (4 min)

Graduation & Desk Badge

Part 1: Brief Check-In & Toolbox Review (0:00 – 3:00) Warm-Up

Counselor Prompt: "Welcome to our final Focus Squad session! You already have two incredible powers: Balloon Breath to calm your engine, and Bubble Shield to block distractions. Let's do a fast battery check: what color are you starting at today?"

Look-For: Notice if the student can independently state one of the previous two tools without prompting. Praise their growing self-awareness.

Part 2: Strategy — Chunk It & Beat the 3-Minute Clock (3:00 – 11:00) Core Practice

Step 1 — The Pizza Slice Metaphor: "If someone handed you an entire giant pizza and said 'eat it all right now,' your tummy would feel overwhelmed! But if you cut it into small slices, it's easy. Schoolwork is the same. Don't look at 10 problems—just look at 2!"

Step 2 — The Champion Self-Talk Mantra: Teach the student their power cheer: "Fold your hands, tap your chest, say: 'I can do anything for 3 minutes!'"

Step 3 — The Live 3-Minute Sprint: Set a timer (sand timer or phone timer) for exactly 3 minutes. The student completes their "Sprint Maze & Doodle" on the student mat without stopping or looking up. When the timer chimes, celebrate: "You stayed in your focus zone the entire time!"

Part 3: Quick Reflection & Focus Champion Graduation (11:00 – 15:00) Celebration & Plan

Reflection Script: "Did 3 minutes feel long or short once you got started? You have all 3 tools now: Breaths, Shield, and Sprint. Which tool is your absolute favorite?"

Guide the student to complete their Focus Squad Badge and sign their desk reminder card to keep in class.

Counselor Coaching Tip for 2nd Grade: Coordinate a 10-second check-in with the student's classroom teacher. Share the 3-minute chunking cue so the teacher can say, "Let's see if you can beat the 3-minute clock on just these two sentences!"

Beat Clock Student Mat

Focus Squad • Tool #3

Beat the Clock Mat

Name:

Date:

Mission: Chunk your big work into small slices and beat the 3-minute timer! 15-Min Power Up

1

Superpower Check-In

Check off what you have in your toolkit:

1. Balloon Breath

2. Bubble Shield

3. Power Sprint

2

Strategy: Chunk It & Power Sprint

Small Bites, Big Power!

🍕

The Pizza Rule

Don't do the whole page at once! Pick just 2 problems to start.

Power Cheer Mantra

"I can do anything for 3 minutes!"

Live 3-Minute Sprint Challenge: Follow the path from START to FINISH! Timer: 3:00

START 🏁

Shield Up!

1m

2m

3m

FINISH 🏆

Clock Beaten!

3

Focus Squad Graduation Desk Badge

Keep on your desk!

Official Focus Champion Certificate

I completed all 3 Focus Squad Sessions!

POWER 1

Balloon Breath

POWER 2

Bubble Shield

POWER 3

3-Min Sprint

Student Champion:

Counselor Star:

You might also like

Split Second Facilitator Guide

The Decision Lab

A targeted 3-week SEL intervention sequence designed for 20-minute high school small groups. Students learn practical somatic and cognitive strategies to pause under pressure, weigh near-term and ripple consequences, and navigate post-decision repairs with dignity.

Tyler Battist

Beat Clock Counselor Guide

Beat the Clock

Focuses on cognitive pacing and task endurance. Students learn to chunk overwhelming tasks into bite-sized three-minute focus sprints paired with positive self-talk affirmations.

Natalie Frahm

Peaceful Pause Settle Screen

Peaceful Pause Settle Screen

A serene 16:9 settle screen designed for classroom transitions and soft starts, featuring a gentle arrival checklist, an animated box-breathing guide, and a 3-senses grounding routine. It provides students with clear visual cues and calming prompts to reset their energy.

Shawntia Tyson

Feeling Detectives Facilitator Guide

Calm Club Explorers

A six-week kindergarten emotional regulation lunch bunch sequence. Students learn to identify emotions, notice body clues, use sensory breathing, build coping toolkits, resolve friendship bumps, and celebrate self-regulation growth.

Samantha Stagles

Bubble Shield Counselor Guide

Bubble Shield Power

Focuses on external distraction management. Students learn to recognize visual and auditory classroom distractions and activate an imaginary bubble shield and spotlight focus on their desk.

Natalie Frahm

Beat Clock Student Mat

Beat Clock Student Mat

A fun, empowering student activity mat for second graders. Features a task-chunking visual, a live 3-minute timer sprint challenge, and an official Focus Squad Champion desk badge to keep in the classroom.

Natalie Frahm

Building Connections Curriculum Guide

Building Connections Group

An 8-week high school interpersonal processing and social-emotional group program. It provides adolescents with structured opportunities to build self-awareness, practice healthy communication, establish boundaries, and cultivate genuine peer connection.

Madison Paz

Beat Clock Counselor Guide

Beat Clock Counselor Guide

A counselor facilitation guide for Session 3 targeting task endurance and chunking. Guides counselors through a 15-minute framework using a 3-minute focus sprint, self-talk mantras, and a final sequence graduation debrief.

Natalie Frahm