Objective:
Students will learn self-management skills by creating their own calm-down kits to help manage their emotions. At the end of the lesson, students will be able to: Demonstrate self-management by identifying and creating tools to help manage their emotions. Improve their stress management skills by choosing and using appropriate calming items. Enhance their creative thinking and problem-solving abilities through the design and assembly of their calm-down kits.
Materials Needed
Small boxes or containers (shoe boxes, plastic bins, etc.)
Stress balls, fidget spinners, and other tactile items
Coloring pages and crayons
Relaxation cards with breathing exercises or positive affirmations
Personal items from home (optional)
Stickers and markers for decoration
Lesson
Lesson Plan:
Introduction (5 minutes):
Teacher’s Role: Explain self-management and the concept of a calm-down kit. Discuss why it’s important to have strategies to manage emotions.
Discussion Points:
What is self-management?
Examples of self-management in daily life.
How can a calm-down kit help?
Brainstorming (5 minutes):
Teacher’s Role: Lead a discussion on items that can help manage emotions and stay calm. Have students share their ideas and experiences.
Activity: Create a list of calming items and strategies suggested by the students.
Creating Kits (20 minutes):
Teacher’s Role: Distribute materials and explain how to create and decorate the calm-down kits. Guide students to include at least three different types of calming items.
Activity: Students decorate their containers and fill them with stress balls, coloring pages, relaxation cards, and other calming items. They can also bring personal items from home.
Classroom Stations (5 minutes):
Teacher’s Role: Place a calm-down station in each classroom. Explain how and when to use the station and the kits.
Activity: Demonstrate using the calm-down kit and discuss appropriate times to use it.
Assessment:
Observe student participation in brainstorming and kit creation.
Evaluate the thoughtfulness and creativity in decorating and choosing items for the kits.
Note students’ understanding of when and how to use the calm-down kits.