Stress Signals
Name one sign that your body might be feeling stressed
Fast heartbeat, sweating, muscles tensing, feeling restless, etc.
What do we call the event or situation that starts a person's stress?
A trigger.
You feel stressed before a test. Name one thing you can do to help yourself feel calmer.
Take slow breaths, ask for help, or use a calming strategy.
What is one tool that can help you remember what to do when you feel stressed?
coping strategy, going for walk, deep breaths, etc.
Your teacher gives you a worksheet with 20 questions. You feel overwhelmed. What is a helpful first step?
Ask for help, ask to do one section at a time, or request a planned break.
True or False: Stress can make it harder to think clearly
True
During which phase is a person generally calm and ready to learn?
Baseline
You do not understand your assignment. What is a better choice: yell at the teacher or ask for help?
Ask for help.
True or false: Asking for a break is a way to advocate for yourself.
True
A classmate makes a joke about you. You feel your anger growing. What is a safe response?
Walk away if safe, use calm words, or ask a trusted adult for help
You start tapping you pencil moving, and having trouble focusing. What might your body be telling you?
I might be stressed, anxious, or overwhelmed
A student starts arguing, pacing, and refusing to work. Their stress is increasing. What phase might this be?
Escalation or acceleration.
You notice that you are getting angry during a disagreement with a peer. What can you do before the problem gets bigger?
Pause, take space if permitted, breathe, or ask an adult for help.
Name two supports that might help a student who feels overwhelmed by a noisy classroom.
Headphones when permitted, a quieter space, a planned break, or reduced noise.
The cafeteria is loud. You cover your ears, stop talking, and start to feel upset. What might be causing your stress, and what support could help?
a quieter area, approved headphones, or a planned break may help.
Name one behavior that might show a person is becoming more upset.
Yelling, refusing, pacing, arguing, or talking faster.
A student is at the highest point of distress and may be yelling, throwing items, or acting unsafely. What phase is this?
Outburst
When a person is extremely upset, should you give them a long lecture or use calm, simple words?
Use calm, simple words and follow the person's support plan.
A student is beginning to escalate. Why might offering two simple choices help?
It can give the student some control and help them make a safe choice.
A student is yelling and cannot follow directions. What should the adults nearby do first?
Maintain safety, stay calm, reduce stimulation, and follow the student's crisis support plan.
Why is it helpful to notice stress signals early?
You can use a coping strategy or ask for help before stress gets worse.
After a difficult incident, a student becomes calmer but is still tired and needs time before returning to work. What phase might this be?
Recovery. De-escalation happens as the student's distress begins to decrease.
You are calm again after a stressful event. Name one thing you could do to prepare for next time.
Identify the trigger, practice a coping strategy, or make a plan with a trusted adult.
Why might a student need quiet time and fewer demands immediately after a crisis?
They may still be recovering and need time to regulate before returning to learning.
After a stressful incident, a student says,
support the student and help them plan for next time?
"I always get in trouble. I'm never going to get better.
" What could an adult say to
"Everyone has hard moments. Let's talk about what happened and choose one strategy that might help next time.