Lesson Plan
GPS Behavior Roadmap
Students will use a GPS Behavior Roadmap to create a personalized behavior intervention plan—from identifying triggers to setting goals—using real-time tracking and reflection.
This lesson empowers 7th graders to understand their behavior patterns, self-monitor progress, and proactively navigate challenges, fostering autonomy and improved classroom engagement.
Audience
7th Grade Student
Time
60 minutes
Approach
Use a GPS metaphor to map triggers, strategies, and goals.
Prep
Prepare Materials
5 minutes
- Review the From Trigger to Goal Slide Deck and familiarize yourself with the GPS analogy.
- Print copies of the Behavior Tracking Log Worksheet for the student.
- Ensure the Daily Reflection Journal is ready (printed or digital).
- Gather any props or scenario cards needed for the Roadblock Role-Play Game.
Step 1
Introduction & Goal Setting
10 minutes
- Display the From Trigger to Goal Slide Deck and introduce the GPS behavior framework.
- Explain how identifying triggers acts as the “starting point” and setting goals as the “destination.”
- Collaborate with the student to define a clear, specific behavior goal for the upcoming week.
Step 2
Identify Triggers
15 minutes
- Use slides 2–4 of the From Trigger to Goal Slide Deck to discuss common triggers.
- Prompt the student to brainstorm and list personal triggers on the Behavior Tracking Log Worksheet.
- Guide the student in distinguishing between internal and external triggers.
Step 3
Behavior Tracking Plan Development
15 minutes
- Introduce the tracking columns on the Behavior Tracking Log Worksheet for recording incidents, responses, and outcomes.
- Walk the student through mapping coping strategies corresponding to each trigger (the “route steps”).
- Have the student complete at least two sample entries to practice the process.
Step 4
Daily Reflection Practices
10 minutes
- Present the structure of the Daily Reflection Journal, highlighting morning check-ins and end-of-day reflections.
- Model completing an entry, demonstrating self-assessment of emotions and behavior progress.
- Guide the student to complete their first journal entry based on a recent classroom event.
Step 5
Roadblock Role-Play Activity
10 minutes
- Explain the purpose of the Roadblock Role-Play Game in preparing for real-life triggers.
- Present a scenario card and have the student identify the trigger and apply their mapped strategy.
- Debrief after each role-play to reinforce effective choices and discuss alternative paths.
Slide Deck
From Trigger to Goal
Navigating Your Behavior Path with GPS
Use this roadmap to transform triggers into positive outcomes.
Welcome the student and introduce the slide deck. Explain that today’s lesson will use a GPS metaphor to guide them from identifying what triggers their behavior to setting a clear goal.
The GPS Metaphor: Your Behavior Roadmap
• Starting Point: Your Trigger
• Route: Coping Strategies and Choices
• Destination: Your Desired Behavior Goal
Explain how a real GPS works: you set a starting point and destination, and it maps a route. Today, triggers are our starting point, strategies are the route, and goals are our destination.
Identifying Your Triggers
- Internal Triggers
– Thoughts, feelings, physical sensations - External Triggers
– People, surroundings, events
→ Brainstorm and list your personal triggers
Define internal vs. external triggers. Ask the student to think of recent situations where they felt upset or distracted, and categorize each as internal or external.
Mapping Your Strategies
• For each trigger, choose 1–2 coping strategies
• Picture these as route steps on your GPS
• Plan alternate routes for roadblocks
Describe how strategies act like route directions. Discuss examples (deep breaths, asking for help). Emphasize flexibility: detour around roadblocks with alternative strategies.
Setting Your Destination: Goals
Use the SMART framework:
• Specific: Clear and focused
• Measurable: Trackable progress
• Achievable: Realistic steps
• Relevant: Meaningful to you
• Time-bound: Set a deadline
Introduce SMART goals. Collaborate to craft a specific goal (e.g., “I will use deep breathing three times this week when I feel frustrated”).
Next Steps & Reflection
- Record triggers and strategies in your log
- Reflect each day in your journal
- Practice scenarios in role-play
Let’s get started on your personalized GPS plan!
Summarize the process and preview next steps: filling out the Behavior Tracking Log, completing the Daily Reflection Journal, and practicing in the Roadblock Role-Play Game.
Worksheet
Behavior Tracking Log
Use this log to record each time you notice a trigger, the strategy you use, and the outcome. Fill in as many rows as you need.
| Date & Time | Trigger | Type (Internal/External) | Strategy Used | Outcome | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
(Feel free to add more rows as needed.)
Journal
Daily Reflection Journal
Use this journal each day to check in with yourself in the morning and reflect on your progress in the evening.
Morning Check-In
- How do I feel this morning? (Choose a word or phrase)
- What is one thing I will focus on today to help me reach my behavior goal?
- Which strategy will I try first if I notice my trigger today?
End-of-Day Reflection
- What triggers did I notice today, and how did I respond?
- Which strategy worked best for me and why?
- On a scale from 1–5, how well did I stay on track with my goal today?
(1 = Not at all, 5 = Completely)
- What is one thing I can try differently tomorrow?
- Any other thoughts or observations:
Game
Roadblock Role-Play Game
Objective:
Empower the student to practice identifying real‐life triggers and applying their personalized GPS coping strategies in a safe, supportive role‐play format.
Materials:
- Behavior Tracking Log Worksheet
- Daily Reflection Journal
- Printed Scenario Cards (below)
- Timer or stopwatch (optional)
Setup & Instructions:
- Shuffle the scenario cards and place them face down in a stack.
- Student draws the top card, reads the scenario aloud, and identifies the trigger.
- Student selects 1–2 coping strategies from their GPS plan.
- Student role-plays their response to the scenario (teacher or partner acts as the other person).
- After each role-play, pause to debrief:
- What worked well?
- What could you try differently next time?
- How did it feel to use your strategy?
- Return the card to the bottom of the deck and draw a new one until time is up.
Scenario Cards
Scenario 1: The Noisy Neighbor
You’re trying to focus on a math problem when the student next to you repeatedly taps their pencil. You feel annoyed and find it hard to concentrate.
Tasks:
- Trigger: __________
- Strategy Chosen: __________
- Role-Play Response: __________
- What Worked & Why: __________
Scenario 2: Group Project Frustration
During a group project, one teammate ignores your ideas and takes over. You feel unimportant and frustrated.
Tasks:
- Trigger: __________
- Strategy Chosen: __________
- Role-Play Response: __________
- Alternative Route: __________
Scenario 3: Surprise Quiz Panic
Your teacher announces a pop quiz you didn’t expect. You feel anxious and your mind goes blank.
Tasks:
- Trigger: __________
- Strategy Chosen: __________
- Role-Play Response: __________
- Where to Detour Next Time: __________
Scenario 4: Sudden Schedule Change
A substitute teacher changes the seating chart, and you’re separated from your friend. You feel unsettled and alone.
Tasks:
- Trigger: __________
- Strategy Chosen: __________
- Role-Play Response: __________
- Reflection: __________
Scenario 5: Alarm Disruption
The fire alarm unexpectedly goes off during a quiet reading time. You feel startled and worried.
Tasks:
- Trigger: __________
- Strategy Chosen: __________
- Role-Play Response: __________
- Next Strategy to Practice: __________