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Behavior Blueprint

Lesson Plan

Behavior Ninja Skills

Students will identify and practice three key classroom behavior strategies—following expectations, self-managing impulses, and collaborating respectfully—to foster a positive learning environment.

Building strong behavior skills supports academic success, reduces disruptions, and helps students develop self-awareness and positive social interactions both in school and beyond.

Audience

7th Grade

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Interactive discussion, scenario practice, and personal reflection.

Materials

Prep

Prepare Lesson Materials

10 minutes

Step 1

Introduction and Expectations

5 minutes

  • Greet students as “Behavior Ninjas” to set the theme.
  • Display the Behavior Expectations Poster and review each expectation:
    • Follow Directions
    • Manage Your Impulses
    • Respect Others
  • Ask: “Why are these expectations important for our classroom dojo?”

Step 2

Identify Ninja Behaviors

8 minutes

  • Present three key strategies via the Behavior Ninja Slide Deck:
    1. Follow Directions
    2. Self-Manage Impulses
    3. Collaborate Respectfully
  • For each strategy, invite students to share real-life examples of successful “ninja behaviors.”

Step 3

Scenario Practice

10 minutes

  • Divide students into groups of 3–4.
  • Distribute a set of Behavior Ninja Scenario Cards and a Behavior Reflection Worksheet to each group.
  • Groups read a scenario, discuss how a Behavior Ninja would respond, and record their strategy and reasoning on the worksheet.
  • After 5 minutes, rotate cards so each group tackles a second scenario.

Step 4

Reflection and Exit Ticket

7 minutes

  • Invite one or two groups to share insights from their reflection worksheets.
  • Distribute the Behavior Ninja Exit Ticket.
  • Students individually complete:
    1. One ninja strategy they will use today.
    2. A brief explanation of why it matters.
  • Collect exit tickets to assess understanding and plan follow-up.
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Slide Deck

Behavior Ninja Skills

· A 30-minute mission
· 7th Grade Classroom Dojo
· Master 3 Ninja Strategies

Welcome students and introduce the “Behavior Ninja Skills” lesson. Explain that today they’ll become ninjas of positive classroom behavior.

Classroom Dojo Expectations

· Follow Directions
· Manage Your Impulses
· Respect Others

Point to each expectation on the poster or slide. Ask: “Why are these our dojo rules?” Engage 1–2 responses.

Ninja Strategy 1: Follow Directions

· Keep your eyes on the teacher or speaker
· Ask questions at the right time
· Move quickly when instructions change

Explain that following directions is like honing your ninja focus. Ask for a quick example of when clear listening helped them.

Ninja Strategy 2: Self-Manage Impulses

· Pause and breathe before you react
· Choose calm words and actions
· Check: “Is this respectful?”

Discuss impulse control: ninjas pause before acting. Prompt: “What helps you pause and think?”

Ninja Strategy 3: Collaborate Respectfully

· Listen without interrupting
· Share ideas clearly and kindly
· Encourage and help teammates

Emphasize teamwork: respectful collaboration makes every mission easier. Invite a volunteer to share a time they supported a classmate.

Scenario Practice

  1. Read your first scenario card
  2. Discuss: How would a Behavior Ninja respond?
  3. Record your strategy & reasoning
  4. Rotate cards after 5 minutes

Explain group logistics: 3–4 per group, each group gets 2 scenario cards and a worksheet. Circulate to support discussions.

Reflection & Exit Ticket

· One Ninja Strategy I will use:
· Why it matters to our dojo:

Collect exit tickets as students leave. Use their responses to plan any needed follow-up lessons.

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Activity

Behavior Ninja Scenario Cards

Divide into groups of 3–4. Each group gets two scenario cards. Read the prompt, discuss: “How would a Behavior Ninja respond?” Then record your strategy on the Behavior Reflection Worksheet.

1. Whispering During Quiet Time

It’s silent reading time, but Maria leans over and whispers about her weekend plans. How does a Behavior Ninja handle this situation?






2. Noisy Fidgeting

Your group is working independently when Jake starts tapping his pencil loudly on the desk, distracting everyone. What ninja strategy keeps the team focused?






3. Changing Instructions

The teacher announces a new set of instructions before everyone has finished the previous task. You’re still writing when the class is supposed to switch. What does a Behavior Ninja do?






4. Hurt Feelings in Group Work

Liam feels upset because his idea was ignored during the group discussion. How can he self-manage impulses and maintain respect?






5. Nervous Presenter

It’s your group’s turn to present but one teammate is so nervous they refuse to speak. How do you collaborate respectfully to support them?






6. Overheard Gossip

You accidentally hear a classmate making unkind remarks about someone else. What ninja steps do you take to handle this respectfully?






7. Caught Off-Guard

The teacher calls on you but you weren’t paying attention and don’t know the answer. How can you quickly follow directions and recover like a true Behavior Ninja?






8. Early Finisher

You finish your work early and notice classmates chatting loudly, interrupting others. What ninja behavior could you model or suggest?






Once your group discusses two cards, rotate decks so every group tackles new challenges.

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Worksheet

Behavior Reflection Worksheet

Use the prompts on the Behavior Ninja Scenario Cards to guide your reflections. For each scenario you receive, complete the sections below.

Student Name: ________________________________ Date: _______________

Scenario Reflection 1

Scenario Card # or Title: ________________________________________________



1. Behavior Ninja Strategy:






2. Why this strategy matters:











Scenario Reflection 2

Scenario Card # or Title: ________________________________________________



1. Behavior Ninja Strategy:






2. Why this strategy matters:











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Warm Up

Classroom Dojo Expectations

Become a Behavior Ninja by mastering these three dojo rules!

1. Follow Directions 🔍

• Keep your eyes on the teacher or speaker
• Ask questions at the right time
• Move quickly when instructions change


2. Manage Your Impulses 🥋

• Pause and take a deep breath before reacting
• Choose calm words and actions
• Ask yourself: “Is this respectful?”


3. Respect Others 🤝

• Listen without interrupting
• Share ideas clearly and kindly
• Encourage and help your teammates


Why These Rules Matter:
• Create a focused, safe, and supportive classroom dojo
• Help everyone learn and grow together
• Build real-life skills for teamwork and self-control

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Cool Down

Behavior Ninja Exit Ticket

Student Name: __________________________ Date: _______________

1. One Ninja Strategy I will use today:



2. Why this strategy matters to our classroom dojo:






3. My confidence in using this strategy (circle one): 1 2 3 4 5

1 = Not confident 5 = Very confident

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