In middle school, students navigate an ocean of emotions, fluctuating hormones, peer pressures, and academic challenges. As educators, equipping them with tools to stay calm amidst the chaos is paramount. With the Free Staying Calm Goal Poster, special educators have a no-prep tool to impart essential calming strategies to their students.

Why Is Teaching Calmness Crucial in Middle School?

Before diving into the lesson plan, it’s essential to understand the impact of teaching students how to stay calm:

• Boosts Emotional Regulation: Providing strategies to manage strong emotions effectively.
• Enhances Learning: A calm student is more receptive to learning and can focus better.
• Builds Resilience: Calming techniques help students navigate challenges with grace.

Unveiling the Free Staying Calm Goal Poster

This printable PDF goal poster serves as a visual reminder of the steps students can take when feeling overwhelmed:

1. Take Deep Breaths: Oxygenate your brain for clarity.
2. Relax Your Muscles: Release physical tension.
3. Count to Ten: A simple trick to distance from immediate reactions.
4. Visualize a Calm Event: Think of peaceful scenarios or cherished memories.
5. Use Kind Self-talk: Remind oneself of personal strengths.
6. Take a Break: A quick respite can often reset the mind.
7. Talk to an Adult: Seek guidance or just an understanding ear.

Lesson Plan: Embracing Calmness

Objective: By the end of the lesson, students will understand the importance of staying calm and recognize various techniques to achieve calmness.

Duration: 30 minutes

1. Initiate a Group Discussion (5 minutes):
   • Reflect on moments they felt overwhelmed.
   • Share personal techniques or ways they’ve tried to stay calm.
2. Introduce the Goal Poster (5 minutes):
   • Hand out the “Free Staying Calm Goal Poster.”
   • Discuss each step, asking students to reflect on how it might help them.
3. Role-playing Activities (10 minutes):
   • Let students enact scenarios where they utilize techniques from the poster.
   • Discuss the effectiveness and how they felt using them.
4. Reflection and Personal Commitment (10 minutes):
   • Ask students to pick two techniques they want to practice in the coming week.
   • Share and commit to trying them out.

Wrap Up: Staying Calm is a Superpower

Staying calm is more than just a reaction; it’s a choice. By incorporating these strategies into their daily lives, middle schoolers can experience better emotional health, improved relationships, and enhanced academic performance. And the “Free Staying Calm Goal Poster” is a step in the right direction.

Sample Video

Students learn best from watching real students their own age model skills. Try out this sample video-modeling lesson below. We offer our entire Social-Emotional Learning platform free for 30 days here!

Related Blog Posts:

Staying Calm: Strategies for Middle School Students to Manage Emotions

Middle School Staying Calm Lesson Plan

Teaching Students to Stay Calm When Angry: A Guide for Educators