Julia Cook’s Wilma Jean The Worry Machine: Game Show & Book Study

Description

What Others Say

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“My very competitive students love these games. They have learned to work together, cheer on their peers, and be good sports. We use them for SEL, please keep them coming.”
Lizette R.
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“I love these game shows! It has become a lower stress activity and helps my clients understand and apply their knowledge of anxiety and managing worries in a fun way!”
Rachel P.
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“I absolutely love these game shows. They are interactive and the students get alot out of them. they enjoy competing against one another (or as a team) to receive points.”
Sarah M.
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Wilma Jean the Worry Machine Game Show – A Fun SEL Lesson on Managing Worry

Looking for an engaging way to teach Julia Cook’s beloved book Wilma Jean the Worry Machine? The Wilma Jean the Worry Machine Game Show is an interactive, quiz-show style SEL activity that brings the story to life while helping students learn practical strategies to cope with anxiety and manage their worries.

This highly engaging lesson keeps students excited to participate, encourages higher-level thinking, and makes learning about emotional regulation fun and memorable.

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The Game Show Categories

• Act It Out – Teams role play the challenge prompt.

• True or False – Decide whether the statement is correct.

• Sketch It – Quickly draw your team’s answer.

• Imagine If – Use creativity and problem-solving skills to answer.

• Risk – Choose this and face a surprise challenge not revealed until selected.

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What Makes This Lesson Unique

• Hands-On and Experiential – Students actively engage with role play, imagination, and drawing.

• Encourages Reflective Thinking – Helps students think critically about how to manage worry and cope with anxiety.

• Completely Customizable – All questions and prompts can be edited to fit your specific needs.

• Low-Prep and Easy-to-Use – Designed for busy teachers and counselors who need ready-to-go lessons.

• Lesson Plan Included – No extra planning required.

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Ways to Use This SEL Activity

• Social emotional learning classroom lessons

• Small group counseling sessions

• Distance learning activities with Google Slides™ or PowerPoint

• Bibliotherapy and book study groups

• Teletherapy and virtual counseling groups

• School counseling guidance lessons

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Flexible for Any Classroom

The Wilma Jean the Worry Machine Game Show typically takes 40–60 minutes to play. But since every classroom is different, you’ll also get 6+ alternative activity formats. These are perfect for shorter lessons, when technology fails, or when a quieter, more reflective activity is needed.

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What You’ll Need to Play

• In-person: Use the Google Slides™ or PowerPoint version on a Promethean White Board or projector.

• Distance learning: Students need internet access; simply share your screen.

• Screen-free option: Printable task cards with the same prompts are included for offline play.

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✅ With the Wilma Jean the Worry Machine Game Show, your students will have fun, collaborate, and most importantly—learn effective strategies for managing worry and building resilience.

Click here if you’re looking for other book companion lessons.  Even better, if love a good deal, be sure to check out our Game Show Bundle, which is always half off the listed price.  

PLEASE NOTE: Julia Cook’s book, Soda Pop Head, is not included in this lesson.

Love to teach Julia Cook books? Check out this money saving bundle: Julia Cook Book Companion Bundle: School Counseling Lessons & Games