Cool Down Slides Playground Peace Makers • Lesson 1
Recess SEL Series
Cool Down First!
Catching big feelings before they explode and unlocking your playground super-calm powers.
🎯
Notice the Sparks
Spot your body cues
⏸️
Hit the Pause
Stop before reacting
🌬️
Reset & Breathe
Return to the game ready
Step 1 • Awareness
The Recess Thermometer
Where are you right now?
❄️
Cool & Calm
Ready to Play
Body feels relaxed
Smiling and focused
Listening easily
🌱
A Little Warm
Noticeable Glitch
Mild frustration
Shoulders tense up
Still in control
⚠️
Hot & Boiling
Warning Zone
Hands clench to fists
Breathing fast
Urge to yell or push
🌋
Explosion!
Stop Instantly
Thinking brain is off
Words turn hurtful
Immediate reset needed
Golden Rule: Never try to settle a playground dispute when you are in the Hot or Explosion zone. Cool down first!
Body Clue Detectives
Where Does Your Body Tell You?
Early Warning Signals
Head & Face
Your cheeks burn hot, teeth clench tight, or your eyes narrow at the other person.
CUE: Teeth grind or face blushes
Chest & Breath
Heart beats like a galloping horse, breaths turn shallow and rapid, chest feels tight.
CUE: Rapid gasps or pounding heart
Hands & Tummy
Fingers roll into tight fists, stomach knots up like tangled skipping ropes, feet stomp.
CUE: Knots in tummy or clenched fists
Turn to your neighbor: What is your first physical warning clue at recess?
Toolkit
Four Recess Reset Powers
Practice in 30 Seconds
1
5-Finger Starfish Breath
Hold up one hand. Trace up a finger with the other hand as you inhale; trace down as you exhale. Repeat across all five.
2
The 3-Step Walk-Away
Take three slow steps backward from the dispute. Look up at the sky or trees to give your eyes a mental brake.
3
Balloon Belly Exhale
Put hands on belly. Breathe in deep for 3 seconds like filling a giant beach ball, then blow out all the heat through pursed lips.
4
The "Cooling Water" Sip
Say: "I'm grabbing a water fountain sip. I'll be back in one minute to talk." Gives instant reset time.
Class Trial: Let's do the 5-Finger Breath right now!
Breathe In... Breathe Out...
Calm Detective Worksheet Lesson 1 Handout Playground Peace Makers
Name: ______________________
Date: ____________
🕵️ Recess Calm Detective Investigate & Reset
Spot your body's early warning sparks before recess conflicts boil over.
1
Investigate Your Body Sparks
When someone cuts in line or calls you "out" unfairly, what happens inside your body? Check all that apply:
🔥 Head & Face
Hot, red cheeks Clenched teeth or jaw Eyes squinting tight
💓 Chest & Heart
Rapid heartbeat Fast, shallow breaths Tight chest pressure
⚡ Hands & Gut
Tight balled fists Butterflies or stomach knot Urge to stomp feet
2
My Recess Cool-Down Menu
Pick the TWO strategies you want to test on the playground:
🖐️ 5-Finger Starfish Breathing
Trace each finger up as you inhale, trace down as you exhale.
🚶 3-Step Tactical Pause
Take three slow backwards steps away from the dispute and look at the sky.
🎈 Balloon Belly Exhale
Breathe in for 3 seconds into belly, then blow out all hot air.
💧 Fountain Reset Break
Say "I'm getting a drink of water first," cool down, then return.
3
My Playground Reset Blueprint
A recess situation that usually makes my temperature rise:
My #1 physical clue that warns me I am entering the "Boiling Zone":
Before I say or do anything back, what exact action will I take?
✓
Recess Detective Pledge
"I promise to pause and cool down before speaking when conflict heats up."
Detective Signature:
Cool Down Teacher Guide Teacher Facilitation Guide Playground Peace Makers • Lesson 1 of 3
Cool Down Champions Guide
Instructional roadmap for teaching somatic awareness and immediate self-regulation before peer conflict.
⏱️ Lesson Arc & Pacing (35-40 Minutes)
Phase & Time
Core Teacher Actions
Student Output
Hook (5 min)
Simulate a high-stakes call: "You're out at 4-square!" Ask: what does your body do instantly?
Call out physical gut reactions (jaw tenses, fist clenches).
Direct Instruction (10 min)
Walk through Slides 1-3. Explain Thermometer Zones: Green, Yellow, Amber, Red.
Self-assess current zone; identify personal physical warning sirens.
Skill Lab (10 min)
Lead active trials: 5-finger breathing & 3-step pause. Emphasize that taking a pause is a strength.
Physically practice breath pacing and silent reset steps.
Blueprint Work (10 min)
Distribute Calm Detective Worksheet. Circulate to ensure strategies are playground-practical.
Complete personal triggers, 2 chosen tools, and pledge.
💡 Critical Misconceptions & Reframing
❌ "Walking away means giving up."
Teacher Reframe: Walking away is not forfeiting; it is hitting pause to keep control of your brain so you can win the conversation fairly.
❌ "I need to fix the argument right now!"
Teacher Reframe: Nothing gets solved when two brains are in the Red Zone. 60 seconds of cooling down saves 10 minutes of lost playtime.
🗣️ High-Impact Discussion Prompts
Prompt A: "Why is it almost impossible to listen to someone when your heart is pounding and your fists are clenched?"
Prompt B: "What can you say if someone tries to argue with you before you're ready? (e.g., 'Give me 30 seconds to cool off, then let's talk.')"
Prompt C: "How does cooling down actually protect your recess time compared to having a teacher stop the whole game?"
📢
Yard Duty / Recess Monitor Connection:
Share the "5-Finger Breath" and "Fountain Reset" terms with playground monitors. When an adult sees students heating up, prompt with: "Which cool-down tool from Lesson 1 are you testing right now?" instead of immediately resolving it for them.
Helpful Words Slides Playground Peace Makers • Lesson 2
Communication Skills
Words That Work
Trading blame bombs for clear "I-Statements" and master active listening on the field.
🚫
Drop Blame Bombs
Stop attacks before they start
🧩
3-Step I-Formula
Feel • Fact • Need
👂
Listen & Echo
Hear the other player first
Shift the Language
Blame Bombs vs. Helpful Words
Words Have Impact
💣
Blame Bombs (Shuts Down)
Makes people defensive & angry
❌ "You always ruin the game!"
❌ "You're a cheater, get out of here!"
❌ "Nobody likes playing with you anyway!"
🤝
Helpful Words (Opens Up)
Explains what happened calmly
✓ "I feel frustrated when the rules change midway."
✓ "I saw the ball land on the line. Can we replay it?"
✓ "I want to be included in this tag round."
Notice the difference: Blame attacks the person. Helpful words focus on the action and the feeling.
The Peace Talk Formula
The 3-Step I-Statement
Memorize This Pattern
1
"I feel..."
State your emotion cleanly without blaming or insulting.
Examples:
2
"When you..."
Describe the exact action like a video camera caught it.
Examples:
3
"I need / Can we..."
Ask for what will make the game fair or safe right now.
Examples:
Together: "I feel [emotion] when [action], so I need [solution]."
The Other Half of Peace
The Active Listening Bounce
Don't Just Talk • Listen!
👂
1. Body in the Game
Eyes on the speaker (not on the ball)
Mouth is zipped (no interrupting)
Hands still at your sides
Nod to show you are tracking their words
🪞
2. The Echo Bounce
Before giving your defense, prove you understood what they experienced:
Peace Talk Worksheet Lesson 2 Handout Playground Peace Makers
Name: ______________________
Date: ____________
🗣️ Recess Peace Talk Say It With Care
Master the 3-Step I-Statement Formula and replace blame words with calm strength.
🔑 The 3-Step Formula:
1. I feel [emotion] + 2. When you [fact] + 3. Can we / I need [solution]
1
Defuse the Blame Bombs
Turn these aggressive playground shouts into calm, clear I-Statements:
💣 Blame Shout: "You cheater! You stole the soccer ball from my feet!"
Rewrite using the 3-step formula:
💣 Blame Shout: "You never let anyone else swing! You're so selfish!"
Rewrite using the 3-step formula:
2
The Listening Echo Bounce
A classmate comes to you upset. Practice bouncing back what you heard to prove you listened:
Classmate says: "I felt left out because you guys formed a secret club at the picnic tables and told me I couldn't sit with you."
Write your Echo Bounce ("So what you're saying is you felt..."):
3
Pair Role-Play Check
Partner Practice Sign-Off:
Did your partner use a calm voice, make eye contact, and state their need without insults?
Yes! 👍
Partner initials: ______
Words Coach Guide Teacher Facilitation Guide Playground Peace Makers • Lesson 2 of 3
Words Coach Guide
Pedagogical protocols for role-playing I-statements, listening echos, and coaching yard staff.
⏱️ Lesson Arc & Practice Flow (35-40 Minutes)
Phase & Time
Core Instructional Steps
Student Action
Hook & Contrast (7 min)
Model two approaches to a cut in line: (1) Scream blame bomb; (2) Calm 3-part I-message. Ask students to describe their gut reaction to each.
Notice defensiveness triggered by blame vs openness from I-message.
Formula Mastery (10 min)
Break down Slides 2-4: Emotion + Video-Camera Fact + Concrete Solution/Boundary. Drill listening echo.
Choral recite formula: "I feel... when... can we..."
Paired Fishbowl (10 min)
Have 2 student volunteers act out Scenario 1 (below). Coach live: "Rewind! Drop the word 'always'—just state the fact."
Class provides peer coaching feedback.
Worksheet & Partner Run (10 min)
Students complete Peace Talk Worksheet and practice with elbow partner. Initial each other's sheets.
Deliver I-statement & echo bounce to partner.
⚠️ Beware the "Fake I-Statement" Trap
The Most Common Error: Students often say: "I feel like you are being mean and annoying!"
Correction Prompt: "Notice that 'like you are being mean' is an accusation, not a feeling word! Feelings are one word: sad, mad, frustrated, left out. Try again starting with 'I feel frustrated when...'"
🛝 The 30-Second Playground Reset Script (For Yard Duty & Teachers)
When you spot an argument starting over equipment or rules:
Step In & Level Eyes: "Hold the ball for 30 seconds. Are both bodies in the green zone?"Speaker 1 (I-Statement): "Alex, tell Jordan: 'I feel ___ when you ___ because ___. Can we ___?'"Speaker 2 (Echo Bounce): "Jordan, what did you just hear Alex say?" (Ensure student echoes without arguing).Quick Agreement: "Now what is our fair solution for the next 5 minutes? Play on!"
🎭 Fast Practice Scenarios
Scenario 1 (Basketball): A teammate takes every shot and never passes the ball to anyone else.
Scenario 2 (Four Square): Player claims the ball was a "double bounce" but the server says it was fair.
Recess Reset Slides Playground Peace Makers • Lesson 3
CapStone Challenge
Recess Reset Squad
Putting it all together: Calm Down First + Helpful Words = Solving real recess conflicts in under 60 seconds!
🪨
4 Peace Pathways
Fair tools for every game
⚡
Real Scenarios
Line calls & sharing gear
🏅
Peace Squad Pledge
Own your recess experience
Problem Solving Toolbox
The 4 Peace Pathways
Pick One & Play On
✂️
1. Rock-Paper-Scissors
Shoot once. Accept the outcome instantly, shake hands, and keep playing.
🤝
2. The Compromise (Split It)
Split time: 10 minutes on your game, 10 minutes on their game.
⏳
3. The 20-Count Take-Turns
Count 20 swings or 10 soccer shots, then smoothly rotate players.
🛡️
4. Get Adult Help (Safety)
Use when someone is physically hurt or unsafe. Safety is never tattling.
Solve small problems with Pathways 1, 2, or 3 yourself so nobody loses game time!
Scenario Challenge 1
The Disputed Four-Square Call
High Stakes Disagreement
🏀 What Just Happened:
You hit the ball into Square 3. The player yells: "OUT! It hit the line, you're out of here!" You feel your face getting hot.
Warning: Hands are balling into fists!
1️⃣ Step 1: Cool Down First
Take a 3-second balloon breath. Drop your fists.
2️⃣ Step 2: Use Helpful Words
"I feel frustrated when calls are fast. From here, it looked in."
3️⃣ Step 3: Choose a Peace Pathway
"Let's do one Rock-Paper-Scissors or replay the point so we keep playing!"
Dispute solved in 20 seconds. The line keeps moving, everyone stays friends!
Scenario Challenge 2
"Teams Are Already Full!"
Handling Exclusion
⚽ The Situation:
You walk up to soccer and ask to play. A captain says: "No, teams are totally even, you can't join." You feel a sting of sadness.
Warning: Urge to kick the ball away in anger!
How to Respond with Power:
Calm First: 3 steps back, uncross arms.
If You Are the Team Captain:
Peace Maker Rule: At recess, inclusion beats winning. "Sure, hop on our team and we'll add one to the other team next!"
Peace Pledge Handout Lesson 3 Capstone Playground Peace Makers
Name: ______________________
Date: ____________
🏆 Playground Peace Contract Action Plan
Put calm-down strategies and helpful words to work on the real playground.
1
Field Challenge: The Double-Tag Dispute
The Situation: You are playing freeze tag. You tag Jamie right as Jamie dives for the safe zone. Jamie shouts: "You didn't get me! Safe! You're cheating!" Both of you are breathing hard and angry.
A. Calm Down First (What physical reset will you do before speaking?):
B. Use Helpful Words (Write your 3-part I-Statement to Jamie):
C. Peace Pathway (Which pathway solves this in under 15 seconds?):
2
Cut-Out Pocket Peace Pass ✂️
Cut along dashed line • Keep in pocket or lanyard
POCKET PEACE PASS SIDE A
CALM DOWN FIRST:
🖐️ 5-Finger Starfish Breath
🚶 3-Step Tactical Pause
💧 Fountain Reset Break
HELPFUL WORDS:
"I feel ___ when you ___ because ___. Can we ___?"
4 PEACE PATHWAYS SIDE B
1. Rock-Paper-Scissors: One shoot, play on.2. Compromise: Split time 50/50.3. 20-Count: Count 20 turns, then swap gear.4. Adult Help: When unsafe or hurt.
"Play Fair • Have Fun • Stay Friends"
🌟 My Recess Peace Pledge
"I promise to check my feelings thermometer at recess. When disputes happen, I will cool down first , use helpful words , and pick a peace pathway so everyone can enjoy playtime."
Peace Maker Student Signature:
Teacher Witness Signature:
Recess Conflict Rubric Teacher Assessment & Debrief Playground Peace Makers • Unit Assessment
Recess Conflict Rubric & Routine
Observational assessment criteria, post-recess debrief circles, and restorative conference prompts.
📊 Conflict Competency Rubric (Yard & Classroom)
Dimension
Developing (1-2)
Competent (3)
Mastery (4)
1. Calm Down First
Reacts impulsively (yells, stomps, grabs ball) when triggered.
Pauses with adult prompt; uses breath or water fountain reset.
Instinctively steps back and calms self before speaking.
2. Helpful Words
Uses blame bombs ("You always cheat!"), name-calling, or crying.
Uses "I-statement" formula with minor prompting or scaffold.
Fluently states feeling, fact, and requested solution respectfully.
3. Active Listening
Interrupts, rolls eyes, or looks away while peer speaks.
Listens silently; needs coaching to echo the other player's view.
Maintains eye contact and validates peer: "So you felt..."
4. Peace Pathways
Demands own way or quits the game in protest.
Agrees to Rock-Paper-Scissors or rotation when suggested.
Proactively proposes compromise or quick flip within 30s.
🔄 The 3-Minute Post-Recess Circle Routine
Daily Transition Anchor: Right as the line returns to the classroom, have students give a silent hand signal (Fist = Red Zone / 3 Fingers = Amber / Open Palm = Green Zone).
Check-In Question 1: "Did anyone have to use a 5-Finger Breath or 3-step pause outside today? What helped?"
Check-In Question 2: "Who gave a peace shoutout to a classmate who played fairly or solved a dispute quickly?"
⚖️ Restorative Conference Script (When Disagreements Escalate)
4 Restorative Inquiry Steps:
1. What happened? (Ask each student separately to share the physical facts without adjectives).
2. What were you feeling? (Identify the zone on the feelings thermometer).
3. Who was affected? (How did the shouting or physical shove affect the game and others?).
4. What needs to happen to make it right? (Agree on a concrete repair action and handshake/fist bump).
