Impulse Freeze Game Guide

Description: A fun, active game where students act out impulsive reactions to prompts and practice pausing by freezing on cue. This builds awareness of impulses and strengthens self-control skills.

Objective: Students will practice noticing impulses in the moment, pausing their reaction, and reflecting on how that pause can change their response.

Time: 10 minutes

Materials:

• List of scenario prompts on cards or index cards (e.g., Impulse Scenarios Cards)
• Timer or bell/stopwatch
• Open floor space in the classroom

Setup (2 minutes)

• Clear an open area in the classroom where students can move safely.
• Place scenario cards face down in a pile on a table.

Instructions

1. Explain the Game (2 minutes)

• Gather students around the open area.
• Tell them: “When I read a scenario, show me the first thing you’d do – your impulse – for 15 seconds. When I ring the bell, freeze in place and notice what you’re feeling or thinking.”
• Emphasize that freezing is the important “pause” moment to catch their impulse.

2. Play Rounds (6 minutes)

• Teacher draws a scenario card (or reads a prompt). Example prompts:
  • “You really want to shout out the answer without raising your hand.”
  • “You see your friend drop their pencil and you want to grab it before they notice.”
  • “You’re upset and want to push past someone in line.”
• Say “Go!” and start the timer for 15 seconds; students act out their impulse.
• After 15 seconds, ring the bell and say “Freeze!”; students hold their positions for 5 seconds and silently think:
  1. What did I feel just before freezing?
  2. Did pausing change what I wanted to do next?
• Invite 1–2 volunteers to share quick thoughts: “I felt… After pausing, I could… ”
• Repeat for 3–4 different scenarios.

3. Reflection and Debrief (2 minutes)

• Ask students:
  • “Which impulse surprise you the most?”
  • “How did freezing help you think differently?”
• Reinforce: Pausing gives your brain time to choose a better response.

Next Steps: Use this same freeze-and-reflect strategy throughout the week. In upcoming sessions, we’ll build on this by identifying triggers and practicing alternative responses.

Session 1 Cool Down

Take a few minutes to reflect on today’s lesson about impulses. Write your answers below.

1. In your own words, what is an impulse?

1. Describe one scenario from our Impulse Freeze game and explain: How did pausing change your reaction?

1. Write one impulse you handled well today and one impulse you want to improve:• Handled well: ____________
   • Want to improve: ____________

1. My plan for pausing next time an impulse strikes:

Session 1 Reflection Journal

Use this space to think about today’s lesson on impulse control. Write your responses thoughtfully.

1. In your own words, what does the word impulse mean?

1. Think back to one scenario from our Impulse Freeze game. Describe what happened and explain:
   • What did you feel or want to do at first?
   • How did pausing (freezing) change your reaction?

1. Write about two impulses you noticed in yourself today:
   • One impulse you handled well and why it went well.
   • One impulse you want to improve and what you could do differently next time.

1. My personal plan for pausing when an impulse strikes:
   • What reminder or strategy will I use to remember to pause?
   • How will I check in with myself after pausing?

1. Imagine it’s the end of the week. Write a short reflection on how practicing pausing has helped you so far.

Session 2 Cool Down

Reflect on today’s activity identifying impulse triggers. Write your responses below.

1. List one Feeling trigger and one Situation trigger you discovered today:
   • Feeling: __________
   • Situation: __________

1. Which trigger feels strongest to you, and what clue will help you notice it next time?

1. Name one specific action you can take tomorrow when this trigger appears:

Session 3 Cool Down

Reflect on today's deep breathing practice. Write your responses below.

1. How did deep breathing feel? Describe any changes in your body or mind.

1. When might you use deep breathing at school or home?

1. What reminder or cue could help you remember to pause and breathe next time you feel an impulse?

Session 4 Cool Down

Take a moment to reflect on today’s focus: choosing alternative responses instead of acting on impulse. Write your answers below.

1. Which alternative response from today’s activity do you plan to use, and why is it a better choice than your impulse?

1. What reminder or cue could help you remember to use this alternative next time you feel the impulse?

1. Describe a specific situation this week when you will try this alternative response.

Session 5 Cool Down

Reflect on today’s impulse‐tracking practice. Write your responses below.

1. Describe one impulse you recorded and the trigger that led to it:

1. Which self‐check strategy did you choose, and how did it help you in the moment?

1. What pattern or common theme did you notice across your tracking entries today?

1. For tomorrow, set one goal: Which strategy will you use again, and how will you track its outcome?

Session 5 Impulse Tracking Chart

Use this chart to record impulses as they occur. Fill in at least three entries below.

Self-Monitoring Checklist

When you notice an impulse, choose one self-check strategy from the list below. Put a check (✔️) next to the one you plan to use, and add any notes if needed.

• Take 3 deep breaths
  
  
• Count slowly to 5
  
  
• Squeeze a stress ball or clench/unclench fists
  
  
• Stand up and stretch or take a quick walk
  
  
• Say a calming phrase to yourself (e.g., “I can pause”)
  
  
• Visualize a calm place or count backward from 10
  
  
• Ask yourself “What’s a better choice?”
  
  
• Other: _______________________________
  
  

Session 6 Cool Down

Reflect on today’s review game. Write your brief responses below.

1. Which impulse control strategy did your team use most effectively, and why did it work?

1. What is one key lesson you’ll remember from today’s game when you face an impulse?

Session 6 Review Game Guide

Description: A lively relay-style game where teams practice identifying impulse triggers, naming pause strategies, and suggesting positive alternative responses using review cards.

Objective: Students will reinforce all learned impulse-control skills—trigger recognition, pausing techniques, and thoughtful responses—by applying them quickly in a fun team competition.

Time: 10 minutes

Materials:

• Session 6 Strategy Review Cards (scenario cards)
• Timer or stopwatch
• Whiteboard and markers for scoring
• Open space for teams to line up

Setup (2 minutes)

• Divide students into two or three equal teams.
• Assign each team a starting line facing the teacher’s table.
• Shuffle the Session 6 Strategy Review Cards and place them face down at the table.
• Draw team columns on the whiteboard and label their scores as 0.

Instructions

1. Team Relay Turns (8 minutes)
   • Teams take turns sending one player to the table.
   • The player draws the top review card, reads the scenario aloud, and then must:
     1. Identify the trigger (e.g., frustration when a classmate interrupts).
     2. Name one pause strategy learned (e.g., take three deep breaths).
     3. Suggest an alternative response (e.g., raise hand and wait your turn).
   • If the player covers all three parts correctly, their team earns 1 point. If not, allow a quick 10-second chance for teammates to help; if they succeed, award 1 point.
   • The player returns to the back of their team’s line, and the next team sends a player.
   • Continue rotating until a team reaches 5 points or the timer ends—whichever comes first.
2. Tie-Breaker (if needed)
   • If two teams tie when time is called, each team sends one player to draw a final card. The first to give a complete answer wins the game.

Debrief (about 1 minute)

• Celebrate the winning team!
• Ask:
  • “Which part was easiest: naming triggers, pause strategies, or alternatives?”
  • “How can remembering this game help you next time an impulse strikes?”

Tip for Teachers: Keep the pace brisk and encourage concise answers to maintain energy and engagement.