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Impulse Control

Lesson Plan

Think-Then-Act Plan

Students will develop a personalized Think-Then-Act plan, practice spotting ‘pause points’ in real-life scenarios, and use an Impulse Log to track and reflect on their impulsive behaviors.

Impulse control supports better decision-making and peer interactions. Teaching students to pause and think helps them regulate emotions, reduce impulsive actions, and become more responsible in daily situations.

Audience

6th Grade Small Group

Time

40 minutes

Approach

Interactive planning, scenario practice, self-reflection, and tracking progress.

Materials

Prep

Prepare Materials

10 minutes

Step 1

Introduction

5 minutes

  • Greet students and explain today’s goal: learn to pause and think before acting
  • Ask: “What is an impulse?” and record a few examples
  • Define impulse control and discuss why it matters for school and friendships

Step 2

Co-Create Think-Then-Act Plan

10 minutes

  • Display Pause & Plan Slides
  • Introduce the three steps: Pause, Think, Act
  • Facilitate a group discussion: What does each step look like? How can it help?
  • Co-write a class Think-Then-Act plan on chart paper or board

Step 3

Scenario Practice (Red Light/Green Light Reflection)

10 minutes

  • Hand out Red Light/Green Light Reflection
  • Students read 3–4 scenarios and mark where they’d hit a “Red Light” (pause) or “Green Light” (go)
  • Discuss choices: What clues signal it’s time to pause? Why?
  • Highlight effective pause points

Step 4

Impulse Log Introduction & Practice

10 minutes

  • Introduce the Impulse Log Worksheet
  • Model completing one entry: identify an impulse, note the pause thought, record the action taken
  • Students complete a personal log entry for a recent impulsive moment
  • Invite volunteers to share their reflections

Step 5

Wrap-Up & Goal Setting

5 minutes

  • Review the Think-Then-Act steps: Pause, Think, Act
  • Ask each student to set one goal for using their plan this week
  • Remind students to use and bring their Impulse Log for next session’s check-in
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Slide Deck

Think-Then-Act: Pause & Plan

Welcome! Today we’ll learn a 3-step plan for controlling impulses:

• Pause
• Think
• Act

Use a soft #ECDCCC background. Greet students and briefly introduce today’s focus: pausing before acting. Highlight the session title in the theme colors.

What is Impulse Control?

• Impulse: a quick feeling or urge to act.
• Impulse Control: pausing to choose a better action before you act.

Switch to a #D1C3BF slide accent. Ask: “Can anyone think of an impulse they’ve had at school?” Record examples.

Step 1: Pause

Stop for a moment. Notice your feelings and the situation.

Show a red traffic light graphic. Explain: “Pausing gives your brain time to think before reacting.” Ask: “What might your body feel when you need to pause?”

Step 2: Think

Ask yourself:

  • What am I feeling?
  • What are my choices?
  • What might happen next?

Use a yellow light image. Model aloud: “I’m feeling upset. My choices are… If I shout, then… If I walk away, then…”

Step 3: Act

Choose and do your best action based on your plan.

Examples:
• Take deep breaths
• Speak calmly
• Walk away

Display a green traffic light. Invite students to share actions they’ve taken after pausing and thinking.

Co-Create Our Plan

Pause: ________________

Think: ________________

Act: ________________

Switch back to #B7ABA2 accent. Facilitate a discussion to fill in each step on chart paper.

Practice: Spot the Pause Point

Scenario:
You see two classmates arguing. You feel like joining in to pick a side.

Where do you “Pause”? Why?

Connect this slide to the upcoming Red Light/Green Light Reflection activity. Encourage students to explain their reasoning.

Ready to Pause & Plan

Remember our plan:

  1. Pause
  2. Think
  3. Act

Use your Impulse Log this week!

Remind students to use their Impulse Log Worksheet all week. Encourage them to set a goal.

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Activity

Red Light/Green Light Reflection

Time: 10 minutes
Materials: Printed scenarios sheet (one per student), pencils or colored pencils (red and green)

Instructions

  1. Distribute the Red Light/Green Light Reflection worksheet to each student.
  2. Explain that for each scenario they will decide whether to hit a “Red Light” (pause) or a “Green Light” (go ahead) before acting.
  3. Students should circle the red light or green light icon next to each scenario, then answer the follow-up questions:
    • Why did you choose Red or Green?
    • What clue or feeling signaled it was time to pause (if Red)?
    • If you hit a Red Light, what could you do next?
  4. After students complete the worksheet, invite volunteers to share their answers for one scenario. Discuss as a group what signals helped them decide to pause.

Scenarios

  1. During recess, you see two friends fighting over a game and you feel like jumping in to grab the ball for yourself.
    🔴 Red Light  🟢 Green Light
    Why? ________






    Clue/Feeling: ________






    If Red, next action: ________





  2. Your teacher calls on you to answer a question, but you aren’t sure you know the answer. You feel like blurting out something anyway.
    🔴 Red Light  🟢 Green Light
    Why? ________






    Clue/Feeling: ________






    If Red, next action: ________





  3. A classmate accidentally bumps into you in the hallway, and you’re angry. You want to push them back.
    🔴 Red Light  🟢 Green Light
    Why? ________






    Clue/Feeling: ________






    If Red, next action: ________





  4. You finish your work early and see a friend whispering about a secret game during class. You think about joining in quietly.
    🔴 Red Light  🟢 Green Light
    Why? ________






    Clue/Feeling: ________






    If Red, next action: ________





Group Discussion Questions:

  • Which scenario was hardest to decide? Why?
  • What signals help you notice a pause point in real life?
  • How can you use your Think-Then-Act plan next time you hit a Red Light?
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Worksheet

Impulse Log Worksheet

Name: _________________________ Date: ____________ Time: ____________

Use this worksheet to track moments when you feel a strong impulse to act. For each entry:

  1. Describe the situation and your impulse.
  2. Write down a pause thought (what you tell yourself to slow down).
  3. Record the action you chose.
  4. Reflect on what happened and how you can adjust next time.

Entry 1

Situation:
______________________________________________





Impulse or Urge:
______________________________________________





Pause Thought (“Stop and think…”):
______________________________________________





Action Taken:
______________________________________________





Reflection:

  • What happened after I acted?
    ______________________________________________





  • Next time I can…
    ______________________________________________





Entry 2

Situation:
______________________________________________





Impulse or Urge:
______________________________________________





Pause Thought (“Stop and think…”):
______________________________________________





Action Taken:
______________________________________________





Reflection:

  • What happened after I acted?
    ______________________________________________





  • Next time I can…
    ______________________________________________





Entry 3

Situation:
______________________________________________





Impulse or Urge:
______________________________________________





Pause Thought (“Stop and think…”):
______________________________________________





Action Taken:
______________________________________________





Reflection:

  • What happened after I acted?
    ______________________________________________





  • Next time I can…
    ______________________________________________





Remember to bring this Impulse Log to our next session and share one entry where your pause thought helped you make a better choice!

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