Protecting Your Peace

Grade 8 | 60-Minute Session | 1 Student

Overview

This lesson centers on the theme “Protecting Your Peace,” focusing on emotional well-being, self-awareness, and stress management skills, aligned with Common Core State Standards (CCSS) related to Reading, Writing, Speaking & Listening, and Language. The materials and activities accommodate autistic and dyslexic learners, providing multisensory engagement and scaffolded supports.

Common Core State Standards Addressed

Reading: Informational Text (RI.8.1, RI.8.4)

RI.8.1: Cite textual evidence to support analysis of informational texts.
RI.8.4: Determine the meaning of words and phrases as used in a text, including figurative, connotative, and technical meanings.

Writing (W.8.2, W.8.4)

W.8.2: Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas clearly.
W.8.4: Produce clear and coherent writing appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.

Speaking & Listening (SL.8.1, SL.8.2)

SL.8.1: Engage effectively in collaborative discussions.
SL.8.2: Analyze the main ideas and supporting details presented in diverse media.

Language (L.8.4)

L.8.4: Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words or phrases.

Learning Objectives

By the end of the lesson, the student will be able to:

"I can" identify and explain healthy coping mechanisms for stress and anxiety by referencing text and activities.
"I can" categorize actions and thoughts that protect emotional well-being through interactive activities.
"I can" demonstrate understanding of vocabulary associated with emotional self-care.
"I can" reflect and write clearly about personal strategies to manage stress.

Materials

Dyslexia-friendly reading passage on “Protecting Your Peace”
Worksheet packet: Emotion identification, coping strategies, and self-care actions
Categorizing cards: Healthy vs. unhealthy coping (with visual symbols)
Coloring page featuring calming nature scenes designed for relaxation
Crossword puzzle and word search featuring key vocabulary
Solve-the-mystery puzzle enfolding a scenario about protecting one’s peace
Writing journal with lined and spaced pages for dyslexic-friendly writing
Timer and visual schedule to outline activities

Lesson Structure

Time	Activity	Description	Supports & Differentiation
0–5 min	Welcome & Sensory Check-In	Brief breathing exercise; student rates current feeling on a feelings chart	Visual feeling chart; encourage use of a fidget object
5–15 min	Dyslexia-friendly Reading Passage	Read passage aloud together with peer or teacher; highlight and discuss key vocabulary	Use colored overlays; text-to-speech support; highlight keywords in bold color
15–25 min	Vocabulary & Crossword Puzzle	Identify new words, discuss meanings, complete crossword puzzle	Provide word bank with pictures; allow use of dictionary/glossary
25–35 min	Categorizing Cards Activity	Sort cards into “Protecting My Peace” or “Not Helping My Peace” piles	Use large cards with visuals; scaffold with hints if needed
35–45 min	Solve-the-Mystery Puzzle	Solve a mystery scenario where choices impact emotional peace	Break problem into chunks; provide guided questions; use visuals
45–55 min	Journaling & Writing	Write an “I can” statement reflecting personal strategies for protecting peace	Provide sentence starters; allow dictation or drawing for expression
55–60 min	Reflection & Cool Down	Student discusses what strategy they found most helpful; coloring calming page	Offer choices (talk, write, draw) to express reflection

Detailed Activity Descriptions

1. Sensory Check-In (5 min)

Use a feelings chart with faces/emojis ranging from calm to stressed.
Student points or uses tokens to select current state.
Brief guided breathing (e.g., 3 deep breaths); explicit modeling.

2. Dyslexia-Friendly Reading Passage (10 min)

The passage (~250 words) explains stress triggers and self-care strategies.
Features short sentences, sans serif font, with ample spacing.
Keywords like “peace,” “boundaries,” “calm” are bolded and accompanied by simple visuals in margins.
Read aloud together to support decoding and comprehension.
Stop to clarify vocabulary using simplified definitions.

3. Vocabulary & Crossword Puzzle (10 min)

Words: boundaries, calm, stress, mindfulness, peace, self-care, anxiety, coping
Use picture-word flashcards.
Crossword grid designed with dyslexia-friendly font and spacing.
Scaffold by working on half of the clues first, then completing the rest.

4. Categorizing Cards (10 min)

Cards have images and phrases (e.g., “Taking a break,” “Ignoring feelings,” “Talking to a friend,” “Yelling at others”).
Student sorts cards into two piles: strategies that protect peace vs not helpful.
Cards are large and tactile.
Teacher models at least two examples.
When stuck, use process of elimination or hint cards.

5. Solve-the-Mystery Puzzle (10 min)

Scenario: “Jamie feels overwhelmed at school and struggles to protect their peace. What should Jamie do?”
Puzzle broken into steps - clues about Jamie's options hidden in text and pictures.
Student decides best choice based on prior activities.
Teacher prompts with guiding questions (What would protect Jamie’s peace? Why?).
Visual flowchart helps track puzzle progress.

6. Journaling & Writing (10 min)

Student writes or dictates statements such as:
- “I can take deep breaths when I feel upset.”
- “I can ask for help when overwhelmed.”
- “I can choose to take breaks to protect my peace.”
Offer templates with sentence starters and examples.
Positive reinforcement and feedback.

7. Reflection & Cool Down (5 min)

Student shares aloud or writes/draws about the most helpful strategy.
Finish with a coloring page activity—thematic to calming environments (nature, clouds).
This helps self-regulate before closing.

Success Criteria

I can explain two ways to protect my emotional peace using examples from the reading and activities.
I can correctly sort actions into healthy or unhealthy coping categories.
I can solve a simple problem to help someone protect their peace.
I can write an “I can” statement about my own coping strategies.

Student progress is monitored through worksheets, categorization accuracy, participation in puzzle solving, and writing clarity.

Differentiation and Scaffolded Supports

Multisensory Instruction: Use visuals, tactile materials, auditory reading, and kinesthetic sorting.
Small chunks: Break tasks into understandable parts with processing time.
Sentence starters and graphic organizers: Aid writing and thought organization.
Flexible response modes: Allow verbal, written, or drawn responses.
Repetition & review: Key concepts revisited in varied activities to reinforce learning.
Calm environment: Options for breaks, sensory tools, and positive reinforcement support emotional regulation.

Teacher’s Notes

Use consistent, clear language with a calm tone.
Monitor for signs of overwhelm; redirect or pause as needed.
Praise effort specifically: “I like how you found the healthy ways to protect peace.”
Encourage the student to keep the journal as a resource for other lessons.
This lesson serves as a foundation for ongoing social-emotional learning units.

End of Plan

Teaching Instructions