As high school special educators, we are constantly looking for innovative strategies to help our students navigate the complexities of their emotions. Today, we’ll dive deep into a lesson plan centered around an Interactive Spinner Activity that makes learning about calming strategies fun and engaging. So, if you’re seeking a simple, no-prep activity for your students, keep reading!

Why Focus on Staying Calm?

High school is a time of heightened emotions. The pressures of academics, social dynamics, and personal growth can sometimes become overwhelming for students. And for those in special education programs, these pressures can often be magnified. Teaching students about strategies for staying calm can equip them with the tools they need to navigate high school more successfully.

Introducing the Free Staying Calm Interactive Spinner for High Schoolers

Our featured activity is a spinner game where students can interactively learn and discuss calming strategies. This game includes three scenarios. When a student lands on a scenario, they get to discuss which strategy they’d use to stay calm. This allows students to not only learn but also practice implementing calming techniques in hypothetical situations.

Lesson Plan: Free Staying Calm Interactive Spinner Activity

Objective: By the end of this lesson, students will be able to identify and discuss strategies for staying calm in various scenarios.

Duration: 30 minutes

1. Introduction (5 minutes)
   • Begin with a short discussion about why staying calm is important.
   • Share a personal story or show a short video illustrating the benefits of staying calm.
2. Explanation of the Spinner Activity (5 minutes)
   • Show students the spinner and explain the game rules.
   • Introduce the three scenarios they might land on.
3. Playing the Spinner Game (10 minutes)
   • Let students take turns spinning the spinner.
   • Allow the students to discuss which calming strategy they’d use.
   • Encourage group discussion, asking others if they’d choose the same strategy.
4. Debrief and Discussion (10 minutes)
   • Discuss the strategies mentioned and any new ones students might want to share.
   • Talk about the importance of practicing these strategies in real-life situations.

Three Additional Scenarios for the Spinner:

1. A peer says something hurtful to you in front of a group.
2. You receive a lower grade than you expected on an assignment.
3. You’re feeling overwhelmed with multiple deadlines approaching.

Benefits of the Interactive Spinner Activity

• Engaging: This hands-on activity keeps students engaged and participating actively.
• Promotes Critical Thinking: Students are encouraged to think about and choose calming strategies, strengthening their decision-making skills.
• Builds Community: Sharing strategies promotes open dialogue, helping to create a supportive classroom environment.

Wrap Up

Embracing strategies for staying calm is an essential life skill, and what better way to teach it than through an engaging, interactive activity? The Free Staying Calm Interactive Spinner for High Schoolers is an excellent tool to introduce these concepts in a way that resonates with students. Dive in and watch as your students become more self-aware and better equipped to handle life’s challenges.

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 in School: Strategies for High School Students

Teaching High School Students to Manage Emotions

Strategies for Students to Handle Difficult Situations