Lesson Plan
Impulse Control Fun
Improve impulse control skills
This 8-week lesson series engages 2nd-grade students in interactive activities designed to improve impulse control and decision-making skills. Each week focuses on a different aspect of impulse control, using videos and activities to teach students to think before they act. This series helps students develop self-regulation skills that are essential for their academic and personal growth.
Audience
2nd Grade Students
Time
8 weeks
Approach
Improve impulse control skills
Materials
Post-it notes, Markers, Impulse Control Worksheets, and Parent Handouts
Step 1
Week 1: Understanding Impulse Control
30 mins
- Introduce the concept of impulse control and why it's important.
- Watch Why Do We Lose Control of Our Emotions?
- Discuss strategies for managing emotions.
- Discussion: What does it mean to have impulse control? Can you think of a time when you acted without thinking? How did it turn out?
- ASCA Alignment: M 1. Belief in development of whole self, including a healthy balance of mental, social/emotional and physical well-being.
Step 2
Week 2: Self-Regulation Techniques
30 mins
- Teach self-regulation through breathing exercises.
- Watch Self-Regulation Song For Kids
- Practice deep breathing and stretching.
- Discussion: How do you feel after doing breathing exercises? Why do you think it's important to calm down before reacting?
- ASCA Alignment: B-SMS 2. Demonstrate self-discipline and self-control.
Step 3
Week 3: Building Resilience
30 mins
- Focus on resilience and managing fear.
- Watch Keeping Calm - Building Resilience with Hunter and Eve
- Practice controlled breathing.
- Discussion: What does it mean to be resilient? Can you share a time when you had to be brave?
- ASCA Alignment: M 2. Self-confidence in ability to succeed.
Step 4
Week 4: Managing Anger
30 mins
- Discuss anger management and emotional control.
- Watch Story: The Fish and His Puffy Temper
- Role-play scenarios to practice managing anger.
- Discussion: How do you feel when you're angry? What are some ways you can calm down when you're upset?
- ASCA Alignment: B-SMS 7. Demonstrate effective coping skills when faced with a problem.
Step 5
Week 5: Meditation and Mindfulness
30 mins
- Introduce meditation as a tool for self-soothing.
- Watch Butterfly Hug: 6-Minute Self-Soothing Meditation For Children
- Practice the Butterfly Hug meditation.
- Discussion: How does meditation make you feel? Why is it important to take time to relax?
- ASCA Alignment: B-SMS 10. Demonstrate ability to manage transitions and adapt to changing situations and responsibilities.
Step 6
Week 6: Coping Skills
30 mins
- Explore different coping skills for managing emotions.
- Watch Prepare with Pedro: Coping Skills
- Create a coping skills toolbox.
- Discussion: What are some things you do to feel better when you're sad or upset? How can these skills help you in school?
- ASCA Alignment: B-SMS 6. Demonstrate ability to overcome barriers to learning.
Step 7
Week 7: Emotional Awareness
30 mins
- Teach children to recognize and understand their emotions.
- Watch Social Emotional Learning for Kids: I Am
- Discuss the importance of all emotions.
- Discussion: Why is it important to understand your feelings? How can talking about your emotions help you?
- ASCA Alignment: B-SS 2. Create positive and supportive relationships with other students.
Step 8
Week 8: Calmness and Reflection
30 mins
- Focus on finding calmness and reflecting on learning.
- Watch Song: Calm Body Calm Mind
- Reflect on the skills learned over the series.
- Discussion: What have you learned about staying calm? How can you use these skills in your everyday life?
- ASCA Alignment: M 6. Positive attitude toward work and learning.
use Lenny to create lessons.
No credit card needed
Reading
Parent Handout: Week 1
This handout provides parents with an overview of the first week's lesson on understanding impulse control, including activities to try at home.
Understanding Impulse Control
Key Points:
- Impulse control is the ability to stop and think before acting.
- It's important for making good decisions and building relationships.
Activities to Try at Home:
- Discuss a time when your child acted impulsively and what they learned.
- Practice counting to ten before reacting to a situation.
- Play a game of 'Red Light, Green Light' to practice stopping and starting on cue.
Video Link: Why Do We Lose Control of Our Emotions?
Reading
Parent Handout: Week 2
This handout provides parents with an overview of the second week's lesson on self-regulation techniques, including activities to try at home.
Self-Regulation Techniques
Key Points:
- Self-regulation helps manage emotions through techniques like deep breathing.
- It's a skill that can be practiced and improved.
Activities to Try at Home:
- Practice deep breathing exercises together.
- Use a calm-down jar to help your child focus and relax.
- Create a 'quiet corner' at home where your child can go to calm down.
Video Link: Self-Regulation Song For Kids
Reading
Parent Handout: Week 3
This handout provides parents with an overview of the third week's lesson on building resilience, including activities to try at home.
Building Resilience
Key Points:
- Resilience is the ability to bounce back from challenges.
- Controlled breathing can help manage stress and fear.
Activities to Try at Home:
- Practice controlled breathing with your child.
- Discuss a challenging situation and how they overcame it.
- Encourage your child to try something new and discuss how it felt.
Video Link: Keeping Calm - Building Resilience with Hunter and Eve
Reading
Parent Handout: Week 4
This handout provides parents with an overview of the fourth week's lesson on managing anger, including activities to try at home.
Managing Anger
Key Points:
- Anger is a normal emotion, but it's important to manage it effectively.
- Role-playing can help practice managing anger in different situations.
Activities to Try at Home:
- Role-play scenarios where your child might feel angry and discuss ways to handle it.
- Encourage your child to express their feelings through drawing or writing.
- Create an 'anger thermometer' to help your child identify their anger levels.
Video Link: Story: The Fish and His Puffy Temper
Reading
Parent Handout: Week 5
This handout provides parents with an overview of the fifth week's lesson on meditation and mindfulness, including activities to try at home.
Meditation and Mindfulness
Key Points:
- Meditation can help calm the mind and manage emotions.
- The Butterfly Hug is a simple meditation technique for children.
Activities to Try at Home:
- Practice the Butterfly Hug meditation together.
- Create a quiet space for your child to relax and meditate.
- Try a 'mindful walk' where you focus on the sights and sounds around you.
Video Link: Butterfly Hug: 6-Minute Self-Soothing Meditation For Children
Reading
Parent Handout: Week 6
This handout provides parents with an overview of the sixth week's lesson on coping skills, including activities to try at home.
Coping Skills
Key Points:
- Coping skills help manage emotions and stress.
- A coping skills toolbox can be a helpful resource for children.
Activities to Try at Home:
- Create a coping skills toolbox with your child, including items like stress balls and coloring books.
- Discuss different coping skills and when to use them.
- Practice 'positive self-talk' with your child to encourage a positive mindset.
Video Link: Prepare with Pedro: Coping Skills
Reading
Parent Handout: Week 7
This handout provides parents with an overview of the seventh week's lesson on emotional awareness, including activities to try at home.
Emotional Awareness
Key Points:
- Recognizing and understanding emotions is important for self-awareness.
- All emotions are valid and should be expressed in healthy ways.
Activities to Try at Home:
- Encourage your child to talk about their feelings and why they feel that way.
- Use emotion cards to help your child identify and express their emotions.
- Create a 'feelings journal' where your child can write or draw about their emotions.
Video Link: Social Emotional Learning for Kids: I Am
Reading
Parent Handout: Week 8
This handout provides parents with an overview of the eighth week's lesson on calmness and reflection, including activities to try at home.
Calmness and Reflection
Key Points:
- Finding calmness helps manage stress and improve focus.
- Reflection helps reinforce learning and personal growth.
Activities to Try at Home:
- Reflect on the skills learned over the series and discuss how they can be applied in daily life.
- Practice calming techniques like deep breathing or listening to calming music.
- Set aside time each day for quiet reflection or meditation.
Video Link: Song: Calm Body Calm Mind