Lesson Plan
Session 1 Lesson Plan
Students will learn what coping skills are, brainstorm personal strategies, and collaboratively establish group norms that support a respectful, safe environment for exploring emotions.
Introducing coping skills and group norms helps students with social-emotional needs understand tools to manage stress and sets clear expectations for a supportive group dynamic.
Audience
Time
Approach
Materials
Prep
Room Setup & Material Preparation
10 minutes
Step 1
Welcome & Warm-Up
4 minutes
Step 2
Introducing Coping Skills & Breath Beats Game
8 minutes
Step 3
Brainstorming Coping Skills
7 minutes
Step 4
Establishing Group Norms
7 minutes
Step 5
Closure & Reflection
4 minutes
Worksheet
Activity
Lesson Plan
Session 2 Lesson Plan
Students will practice a selected coping strategy, reflect on its benefits, and collaborate to create a personalized visual coping plan to reinforce use in daily life.
Hands-on practice and guided reflection help students experience the impact of coping skills firsthand, empowering them to choose and personalize strategies that support emotional regulation.
Audience
Time
Approach
Materials
Prep
Material Preparation
10 minutes
Step 1
Welcome & Check-In
4 minutes
Step 2
Review & Strategy Selection
6 minutes
Step 3
Guided Practice & Reflection
10 minutes
Step 4
Collaborative Coping Plan Creation
8 minutes
Step 5
Closure & Preview
2 minutes
Worksheet
Discussion
Lesson Plan
Session 3 Lesson Plan
Students will compare the effectiveness of two coping strategies they practiced, share insights through a peer “Strategy Swap,” and reflect on which strategy components they’ll adopt moving forward.
Comparing strategies deepens self-awareness and peer exchange broadens coping toolkits. Individual reflection helps students solidify learning and choose effective skills for emotional regulation.
Audience
Time
Approach
Materials
Prep
Material Preparation
10 minutes
Step 1
Welcome & Warm-Up
4 minutes
Step 2
Strategy Comparison Discussion
10 minutes
Step 3
Strategy Swap Activity
8 minutes
Step 4
Individual Reflection
6 minutes
Step 5
Closure & Next Steps
2 minutes
Activity
Lesson Plan
Session 4 Lesson Plan
Students will learn progressive muscle relaxation to increase body awareness and reduce tension, practice the technique, and apply it through a fun, movement-based Relaxation Relay.
Understanding how stress shows up in our bodies helps students notice and release tension. Teaching progressive muscle relaxation builds self-awareness and gives a structured tool for emotional regulation.
Audience
Time
Approach
Materials
Prep
Material Preparation
10 minutes
Step 1
Welcome & Body Check
4 minutes
Step 2
Body Awareness Discussion
6 minutes
Step 3
Guided Progressive Muscle Relaxation
10 minutes
Step 4
Reflection Worksheet
6 minutes
Step 5
Relaxation Relay Game
4 minutes
Worksheet
Game
Lesson Plan
Session 5 Lesson Plan
Students will review all learned coping strategies, assemble a personalized coping toolkit for use in real-life situations, share maintenance plans with peers, and reinforce learning through a Reflection Circle game.
Consolidating and personalizing coping skills ensures long-term retention, boosts confidence in self-regulation, and fosters peer support for continued use beyond the group.
Audience
Time
Approach
Materials
Prep
Material Preparation
10 minutes
Step 1
Welcome & Warm-Up
4 minutes
Step 2
Strategy Review Discussion
8 minutes
Step 3
Toolkit Creation Activity
8 minutes
Step 4
Peer Share & Feedback
6 minutes
Step 5
Reflection Circle Game & Closure
4 minutes
Worksheet
Activity
Game
