Lesson Plan
Session 1 Lesson Plan
Students will learn to identify anxiety symptoms, explore how it feels in their bodies and minds, and establish group norms for a safe discussion environment.
This lesson builds a foundation for anxiety awareness and peer support, helping students recognize emotions early and foster empathy and trust in group sessions.
Audience
Time
Approach
Materials
Prep
Review Materials & Prepare Game
10 minutes
Step 1
Warm-Up & Group Norms
5 minutes
Step 2
Icebreaker: Feeling Faces
10 minutes
Step 3
Understanding Anxiety Discussion
10 minutes
Step 4
Anxiety Bingo Game
5 minutes
Slide Deck
Session 1: Understanding Anxiety
Icebreaker: Feeling Faces
What is Anxiety?
Anxiety Bingo Game
Game
Lesson Plan
Session 2 Lesson Plan
Students will learn diaphragmatic (deep) breathing as a tool to calm anxiety, practice guided breathing exercises, and reinforce the skill through a rhythm-based ‘Breathing Beat’ game.
Deep breathing is an accessible, evidence-based coping strategy that helps students regulate physiological and emotional responses to anxiety. Practicing it builds confidence and offers an on-the-spot tool for stress reduction.
Audience
Time
Approach
Materials
Prep
Review Materials & Prepare for Breathing Practice
10 minutes
Step 1
Warm-Up & Recap
5 minutes
Step 2
Introduce Deep Breathing
10 minutes
Step 3
Guided Breathing Practice
5 minutes
Step 4
Breathing Beat Game
7 minutes
Step 5
Reflection & Application
3 minutes
Slide Deck
Session 2: Deep Breathing for Anxiety
What is Deep Breathing?
How to Breathe Diaphragmatically
Guided Square Breathing
Breathing Beat Game
Reflection & Application
Game
Lesson Plan
Session 3 Lesson Plan
Students will learn how to recognize and release muscle tension through progressive muscle relaxation and apply the skill using an interactive ‘Tension Tap’ game.
Progressive muscle relaxation teaches students to tune into bodily tension and actively reduce it—a research-backed way to decrease anxiety and improve self-regulation.
Audience
Time
Approach
Materials
Prep
Review Materials & Setup Space
10 minutes
Step 1
Warm-Up & Recap
5 minutes
Step 2
Introduce Progressive Muscle Relaxation
8 minutes
Step 3
Guided PMR Practice
10 minutes
Step 4
Tension Tap Game
5 minutes
Step 5
Reflection & Application
2 minutes
Slide Deck
Session 3: Progressive Muscle Relaxation
What Is Progressive Muscle Relaxation?
How to Tense & Release
Guided PMR Practice
Tension Tap Game
Reflection & Application
Game
Lesson Plan
Session 4 Lesson Plan
Students will learn to challenge negative thoughts by practicing cognitive reframing and positive self-talk, then apply these skills through an interactive ‘Thought Swap’ game.
Negative self-talk can fuel anxiety. Teaching students to identify and reframe unhelpful thoughts builds resilience and promotes healthier coping strategies.
Audience
Time
Approach
Materials
Prep
Review Materials & Prepare Cards
10 minutes
Step 1
Warm-Up & Recap
5 minutes
Step 2
Introduce Cognitive Reframing
8 minutes
Step 3
Positive Self-Talk Practice
8 minutes
Step 4
Thought Swap Game
7 minutes
Step 5
Reflection & Application
2 minutes
Slide Deck
Session 4: Cognitive Reframing
What Is Cognitive Reframing?
Common Cognitive Distortions
Example: Negative vs. Positive Thought
Thought Swap Game
Reflection & Application
Game
Lesson Plan
Session 5 Lesson Plan
Students will learn to ground themselves in the present moment using the 5-4-3-2-1 sensory technique, practice mindful awareness through guided exercises, and reinforce skills with a ‘Mindful I Spy’ game.
Sensory grounding interrupts anxious rumination by anchoring attention to the here and now. This builds self-regulation, reduces overwhelm, and equips students with a quick, accessible coping strategy.
Audience
Time
Approach
Materials
Prep
Review Materials & Prepare Game
10 minutes
Step 1
Warm-Up & Recap
5 minutes
Step 2
Introduce Sensory Grounding
10 minutes
Step 3
Guided 5-4-3-2-1 Practice
8 minutes
Step 4
Mindful I Spy Game
5 minutes
Step 5
Reflection & Application
2 minutes
Slide Deck
Session 5: Sensory Grounding
What Is Sensory Grounding?
Guided 5-4-3-2-1 Practice
Mindful I Spy Game
Reflection & Application
Game
Lesson Plan
Session 6 Lesson Plan
Students will learn guided imagery as a calming technique, practice a structured visualization to reduce anxiety, and reinforce the skill through an interactive ‘Imagery Journey’ game.
Guided imagery helps students mentally escape stress by creating vivid, positive mental scenes. Regular practice builds coping flexibility and promotes relaxation when facing anxiety.
Audience
Time
Approach
Materials
Prep
Review Materials & Setup Space
10 minutes
Step 1
Warm-Up & Recap
5 minutes
Step 2
Introduce Guided Imagery
8 minutes
Step 3
Guided Visualization Practice
10 minutes
Step 4
Imagery Journey Game
5 minutes
Step 5
Reflection & Application
2 minutes
Slide Deck
Session 6: Guided Imagery
What Is Guided Imagery?
How to Use Guided Imagery
Guided Visualization Practice
Imagery Journey Game
Reflection & Application
Game
