Emotional awareness and self-regulation are foundational skills for students in elementary grades. The Everyday Speech video lesson, “Finding Strategies that Work for You,” gives educators a no-prep way to model and teach the Self-Controller Scanner skill, which is a specific tool for guiding students to regain control of their emotions and behaviors. Video modeling provides a visual and concrete example for students as they learn to identify how they feel and select strategies that support positive self-management.

Related resources: See our full list of social skills lessons.

This article explores the purpose of the Self-Controller Scanner, outlines the benefits of explicit instruction in self-regulation skills, and provides a step-by-step guide for using the “Finding Strategies that Work for You” video lesson as part of a comprehensive approach.

What Is the Self-Controller Scanner?

The Self-Controller Scanner is a mental check-in process students can use when they experience strong emotions. The scanner guides them through three main steps: noticing how they are feeling, identifying what they need to feel better, and selecting a coping strategy that fits the situation. The Self-Controller Scanner encourages self-reflection and problem-solving so students can take steps to regain control without needing adult intervention for every situation. In practice, students learn to scan how they feel and use strategies like deep breathing, asking for a break, using calming tools, or communicating how they feel to an adult.

Key aspects of the Self-Controller Scanner include:

• Increasing emotional self-awareness
• Matching strategies to individual needs
• Encouraging independence and self-advocacy
• Promoting emotional resilience

By reinforcing the idea that not all students need the same strategy and feelings are unique to each person, students are empowered to become proactive in their own emotional regulation. This supports skill development not only in the classroom, but in other environments and social situations as well.

Why Teach the Self-Controller Scanner Skill?

Direct instruction in self-regulation is critical for all students and can be especially helpful for those who struggle with big emotions or frequent dysregulation. Teaching the Self-Controller Scanner skill provides:

• A structured process for students to manage disruptions caused by feelings such as anxiety, frustration, anger, or distraction
• Increased confidence as students learn that emotions are manageable and temporary
• Fewer classroom disruptions as students independently use strategies before behavior escalates
• Stronger communication between students and adults, as students can more clearly express their needs
• A repertoire of evidence-based coping strategies for students to use in a variety of situations
• Improved peer relationships, since students are less likely to react impulsively to social stressors
• Greater academic engagement as students are able to redirect themselves and refocus when necessary

Explicit modeling also destigmatizes seeking help or using strategies, making it part of the classroom’s accepted routine. The Self-Controller Scanner aligns with broader skill development in emotional awareness and lays the groundwork for lifelong coping abilities.

Lesson Plan: Using “Finding Strategies that Work for You” Video

The following lesson plan is designed for a 30-minute class period. It uses the Everyday Speech no-prep video, which illustrates the Self-Controller Scanner through relatable student scenarios, and provides opportunities for active engagement through role-play and discussion.

Duration: 30 minutes
Materials:

• “Finding Strategies that Work for You” video
• Prepared role-play scenario cards or descriptions

Step 1: Introduce Emotions and Self-Regulation (5 minutes)

Begin by talking with students about emotions. Use open-ended questions, such as, “What are some big feelings you’ve experienced at school?” or “How do those feelings affect your body and your actions?” Validate a wide range of emotions—happy, sad, frustrated, nervous, excited, and so on. Emphasize that everyone feels strong emotions sometimes, and that these feelings can affect how people think and behave.

Introduce the concept of self-regulation as the ability to recognize and manage big feelings so students can make good choices, focus, and be their best selves. Highlight that self-regulation is a skill, not something people are born knowing how to do perfectly. Many kids and adults work on it every day, and having tools and strategies makes it easier.

Step 2: Teach the Self-Controller Scanner (10 minutes)

Present the Self-Controller Scanner as a “mind tool” that students can use to check in with their feelings and decide how to help themselves. Briefly describe the steps:

1. Notice how you are feeling.
2. Identify what you need to feel better.
3. Choose a strategy that meets your needs and helps you stay in the situation.

Share examples, such as needing a break when feeling overwhelmed, or asking for a fidget tool when feeling nervous. Explain that the best strategies are those that help students regain control and remain part of the group or activity whenever possible.

Show the “Finding Strategies that Work for You” video. Pause the video after each student example (e.g., after Mateo’s scenario, then Angel’s scenario) for short discussion. Ask:

• What feeling did the student have?
• What did they need?
• What strategy did they choose?
• How did it help them stay in the situation?

These questions reinforce the three steps of the Self-Controller Scanner and connect the content of the video to students’ own experiences.

Step 3: Role-Play with Self-Controller Scanner (15 minutes)

Role-play gives students a chance to practice the Self-Controller Scanner steps in a safe, supportive setting. Prepare or improvise several common school scenarios, such as:

• A student feels anxious before test day
• Someone feels angry after a disagreement with a friend
• A classmate feels frustrated with a challenging assignment
• A student is distracted during a quiet work time

Assign roles or invite volunteers to act out each situation. Guide them through the scanner process:

• Pause and check in (notice the emotion)
• Identify a need (alone time, movement, a drink of water, talking to someone, etc.)
• Choose from possible strategies (taking deep breaths, using a stress ball, asking for a break, writing about feelings, etc.)

Encourage students to reflect after each scenario: Was the strategy helpful? What might have worked instead? Point out that everyone’s Self-Controller Scanner results may look a little different, and that is a strength.

Supporting Self-Controller Scanner Skills After the Activity

Ongoing reinforcement is essential for generalization. The Self-Controller Scanner works best when it is integrated into daily routines and classroom language:

• Remind students to use their scanners before stressful events, transitions, or times known to trigger big emotions.
• Model the scanner out loud as an adult when experiencing a feeling (“I’m noticing I’m a little frustrated, so I am going to take three deep breaths.”)
• Display visuals or anchor charts outlining the scanner steps and possible strategies. Place them in calm-down areas and common spaces.
• Offer students a toolkit of sensory items, written cues, or calming visuals to support their choices.
• Meet with students individually or in small groups to review which strategies have worked and problem-solve barriers to using them.
• Praise effort and recognize when students successfully use a scanner strategy, reinforcing the positive impact of self-regulation on learning and relationships.
• Communicate with families about the Self-Controller Scanner and share a “menu” of possible strategies so generalization happens at home as well.

Wrapping Up: Fostering Lifelong Self-Regulation with the Self-Controller Scanner

By teaching the Self-Controller Scanner, educators provide students with a powerful framework for understanding and managing their feelings. The “Finding Strategies that Work for You” video lesson offers a visual model to anchor these concepts in real classroom scenarios. When students practice these skills regularly, they gain independence, confidence, and a stronger foundation for both academic success and positive social interactions. The ultimate goal is to help every student learn how to recognize when big emotions arise and have personalized, effective coping strategies at their fingertips—setting them up for healthy self-management throughout their school years and beyond.