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Calm-Down Tricks

First graders learn simple, healthy ways to calm down when feelings get big — belly breaths, counting, hugging something soft, finding a quiet spot, and asking for help.

Grade 1CASEL: Self-Management30 minutes1 class periodCASEL SELExplicit teaching4 StandardsCASEL
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Lesson at a Glance

Everything you need before the bell rings

Learning Objectives

Students will be able to…

  • ✓Notice when feelings get big.
  • ✓Learn calm-down tricks.
  • ✓Take belly breaths.
  • ✓Pick a trick.
Essential Question

Sometimes our feelings get really big — and that’s okay! When we feel upset, we can use calm-down tricks to feel better. What are some good tricks?

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Lesson Phases
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Vocabulary Terms
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Standards Aligned
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Interactive Task
Explore · Interactive

The Calm-Down Explorer

Project this and tap each trick. Have children learn healthy ways to feel calmer when feelings get big.

🌬️ Explore calm-down tricks — tap eachTry it

The Lesson · SEL Flow (Check-In · Learn · Practice · Apply · Reflect)

30 minutes, five moves

Tap any phase to open the teacher moves and student actions.

1

Check-In — Big Feelings

5 min

Sometimes feelings get big — what can help us feel calm?

👩‍🏫 Teacher Moves

  • Do a calm check-in.
  • Ask what helps them.
  • Be caring.

🎒 Student Actions

  • Check in.
  • Share.
  • Get ready.
2

Learn — Calm-Down Tricks

8 min

Children learn.

👩‍🏫 Teacher Moves

  • Send children to the Calm-Down Explorer.
  • Note each trick.
  • Try belly breaths.

🎒 Student Actions

  • Tap each.
  • Note tricks.
  • Breathe.
3

Practice — Practice

8 min

Children practice.

👩‍🏫 Teacher Moves

  • Practice belly breaths.
  • Count to five together.
  • Try a quiet spot.

🎒 Student Actions

  • Breathe.
  • Count.
  • Be quiet.
4

Apply — My Trick

6 min

Children apply.

👩‍🏫 Teacher Moves

  • Pick a favorite trick.
  • Say when to use it.
  • Practice it.

🎒 Student Actions

  • Pick one.
  • Say when.
  • Practice.
5

Reflect — Reflect

3 min

Children close.

👩‍🏫 Teacher Moves

  • Name a calm-down trick.
  • Say when to use it.
  • Complete the exit ticket.

🎒 Student Actions

  • Name one.
  • Say when.
  • Complete the exit ticket.
Standards Alignment

Built to the standards you report on

Aligned to the CASEL 5 Social & Emotional Learning Competencies.

CASEL
Self-Management

Use simple strategies to calm strong feelings.

CASEL
Self-Management

Practice calming skills like deep breathing.

CASEL
Self-Management

Begin to show self-control.

CASEL
Self-Awareness

Notice when feelings are getting big.

Differentiation

One lesson, every learner

Multilingual Learners

ELL / EMERGING READERS
  • Calm-trick picture cards.
  • Sentence frame: “I can ___ to calm down.”
  • Practice breathing together.

Support & Access

IEP / 504
  • Start with belly breaths.
  • Practice one trick.
  • Use picture cues.

Stretch & Extend

GIFTED / EARLY FINISHERS
  • Build a calm-down corner.
  • Teach a trick to a friend.
  • Draw a calm place.
Materials

What to gather

  • 📽️Screen / board
  • 🌬️A breathing poster
  • 💻The Calm-Down Explorer
  • 🧸A soft toy
  • 🪑A calm-down corner
  • 🎫Exit-ticket slips
Vocabulary

Key terms — hover for a quick definition

calmpeaceful and relaxedbelly breatha slow, deep breathtricka helpful thing to docountto say numbers in orderquietnot loudsoftgentle to touchgrown-upan adult who helps youhelpsupport from others
Evaluate

Exit Ticket

Preview the three formative checks. Tap “Sample answer” to see what mastery looks like — hide them before you print for students.

QUESTION 1
Name one calm-down trick.
Belly breaths, count to five, hug something soft, find a quiet spot, or ask for help.
QUESTION 2
How do belly breaths help?
They help your body relax and feel calmer.
QUESTION 3
Who can you ask for help when feelings are too big?
A grown-up you trust.

Reflect: your calm trick.

Have children practice belly breaths at home and pick one calm-down trick to use when they feel upset. A printable calm-down sheet is in the SEL library.

Study · Flashcards

Study the key terms

Tap a card to flip it, then rate whether you knew it. Built from this lesson’s vocabulary.

🃏 Self-Management: Calm-Down TricksFlip
Card 1
Term
Tap to flip →
Meaning
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Practice · Quiz

Check your understanding

A quick self-check with instant feedback, drawn from this lesson’s key terms.

📝 Self-Management: Calm-Down TricksQuiz
Score: 0
1 / 6
Question 1
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Practice · Worksheet

Printable worksheet

A print-and-go review sheet with a built-in answer key. Tap “Show answer key” to reveal answers, or print the clean version for students.

🖨️ Self-Management: Calm-Down TricksPrint
Name: ________________________
Date: ____________

Part A · Write the word that matches each meaning

Word bank: belly breath, calm, count, grown-up, help, quiet, soft, trick
  1. a helpful thing to do
  2. an adult who helps you
  3. not loud
  4. support from others
  5. to say numbers in order
  6. a slow, deep breath
  7. gentle to touch
  8. peaceful and relaxed

Part B · Show what you learned

  1. Name one calm-down trick.
  2. How do belly breaths help?
  3. Who can you ask for help when feelings are too big?
Answer key — Part A: 1) trick · 2) grown-up · 3) quiet · 4) help · 5) count · 6) belly breath · 7) soft · 8) calm
Part B: 1) Belly breaths, count to five, hug something soft, find a quiet spot, or ask for help. 2) They help your body relax and feel calmer. 3) A grown-up you trust.