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Can You Tame Your Impulses?

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Lesson Plan

Impulse Detective Blueprint

Students will become impulse detectives by spotting everyday impulses and practicing self-control strategies using interactive slides and a fun worksheet.

Teaching self-management early helps 2nd graders recognize their feelings and choose thoughtful actions, setting the foundation for lifelong emotional regulation.

Audience

2nd Grade

Time

20 minutes

Approach

Detective game plus guided worksheet

Materials

Spot the Impulse Slides, and Impulse Buster Challenges

Prep

Prepare Materials

Before Class

  • Review the Spot the Impulse Slides to become familiar with impulse examples and discussion prompts
  • Print one copy of the Impulse Buster Challenges worksheet for each student
  • Queue up the slide deck on your display or projector
  • Gather pencils and optional colored pencils for student work

Step 1

Warm-Up Introduction

3 minutes

  • Tell students they’ll be impulse detectives today, spotting quick urges in everyday situations
  • Ask: “What is an impulse? Can you share a time you felt a sudden urge?”
  • Use slides 1–2 of Spot the Impulse Slides to define “impulse” and show simple examples

Step 2

Guided Detective Activity

7 minutes

  • Display slides 3–6 from Spot the Impulse Slides
  • For each scenario, pause and have students whisper or raise hands when they spot the impulse
  • Ask: “What choice can help control that impulse?” and record student suggestions on chart paper or the whiteboard

Step 3

Independent Worksheet Time

7 minutes

  • Hand out the Impulse Buster Challenges worksheet to each student
  • Explain they will read short scenarios, circle the impulse, and draw or write a way to tame it
  • Circulate to support students and praise thoughtful strategies

Step 4

Cool-Down Reflection

3 minutes

  • Invite 2–3 students to share one impulse they spotted and how they chose to tame it
  • Reinforce that spotting impulses early helps us make good choices
  • Conclude: “You did a great job being impulse detectives today!”
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Slide Deck

Spot the Impulse!

Welcome, detectives! Today we’ll learn to find quick urges called impulses and tame them.

Detective Clipart

Introduce the slide deck with energy. Tell students they’re going to be impulse detectives and ready to spot quick urges today.

What Is an Impulse?

An impulse is a sudden feeling or urge to do something without thinking first.

Thought Bubble Clipart

Define “impulse” clearly. Ask: “What impulses have you felt today?” Encourage 1–2 student responses.

Scenario 1: I Want Ice Cream!

You walk by an ice cream truck and feel a sudden urge to shout “Ice cream, please!”

Ice Cream Truck Clipart

Show Scenario 1. Ask students to whisper or raise hands when they spot the impulse. Confirm the impulse: “Wanting to shout ‘Ice cream, please!’”

Scenario 2: Jumping on the Couch!

You’re watching TV and feel the urge to jump up and down on the couch.

Jumping Child Clipart

Show Scenario 2. Pause and let students identify the impulse. Emphasize noticing the urge before acting.

Scenario 3: Grab a Toy!

You see your friend’s toy and want to grab it right away.

Toy Clipart

Show Scenario 3. Invite students to name the impulse. Highlight choosing a better action instead of grabbing.

Scenario 4: Yelling Excitedly!

Your team scores a goal in a game and you feel like shouting loudly.

Cheering Child Clipart

Show Scenario 4. Ask: “What impulse do you feel when you’re really excited?” Connect to how we can control it.

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Worksheet

Impulse Buster Challenges

Name: ____________________________ Date: ________________

Directions: Read each scenario. Circle the impulse in the sentence. Then draw or write one way to tame that impulse in the space provided.

Scenario 1: I Want Ice Cream!

Ice Cream Clipart

You walk by an ice cream truck and feel a sudden urge to shout “Ice cream, please!”

Circle the impulse in the sentence above.




Draw or write a way to tame this impulse:






Scenario 2: Jumping on the Couch!

Jumping Clipart

You’re watching TV and feel the urge to jump up and down on the couch.

Circle the impulse in the sentence above.




Draw or write a way to tame this impulse:






Scenario 3: Grab a Toy!

Toy Clipart

You see your friend’s toy and want to grab it right away.

Circle the impulse in the sentence above.




Draw or write a way to tame this impulse:






Scenario 4: Yelling Excitedly!

Cheering Clipart

Your team scores a goal in a game and you feel like shouting loudly.

Circle the impulse in the sentence above.




Draw or write a way to tame this impulse:






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