When middle school students face unexpected or challenging situations, it’s essential for them to stay calm and manage their emotions effectively. This not only helps them navigate these situations with ease but also fosters a positive environment for their peers and educators. In this blog post, we’ll discuss the importance of staying calm, a no-prep activity to help students practice, discussion questions, related skills, and next steps to further develop these abilities.

Introduction

Staying calm is a crucial skill for middle school students to develop as they navigate through various emotional challenges. Recognizing the signs of emotional distress, identifying triggers, and using strategies to maintain control are essential aspects of staying calm. By mastering these skills, students can create a positive environment for themselves and those around them, while also earning the respect of their peers and educators.

No-Prep Activity: The Calming Countdown

This activity will help students practice staying calm by using a simple countdown technique. It requires no preparation or materials from the educator.

1. Ask students to think of a recent situation where they felt upset or uncomfortable.
2. Have them imagine they are back in that situation, trying to stay calm.
3. Encourage students to take a deep breath and slowly count down from 10 to 1 in their minds.
4. As they count down, have them focus on relaxing their body and letting go of any tension.
5. After reaching 1, ask students to reflect on how they feel and whether the countdown technique helped them feel calmer.

Reiterate that staying calm is a skill that improves with practice, and encourage students to use this countdown technique whenever they feel upset or overwhelmed.

Discussion Questions

• Why is it important to stay calm in challenging situations?
• What are some signs that you’re starting to lose control or feel upset?
• Can you think of a situation where you were able to stay calm and how it positively impacted the outcome?
• What are some strategies you can use to help you stay calm in difficult situations?
• How can you support your friends or classmates when they’re struggling to stay calm?

Related Skills

Beyond staying calm, there are other related skills that can help middle school students navigate challenging situations effectively:

• Emotion Regulation: Learning to identify, understand, and manage emotions in a healthy way.
• Communication: Expressing thoughts and feelings clearly and respectfully, while also actively listening to others.
• Problem-Solving: Identifying problems, generating solutions, and making informed decisions.
• Empathy: Understanding and sharing the feelings of others, leading to stronger connections and support.

Next Steps

To help your students develop their ability to stay calm and other essential social-emotional learning skills, sign up for free sample materials from Everyday Speech. These resources will provide you with engaging and effective tools to enhance your students’ emotional well-being and overall success in middle school and beyond.