Lesson Plan
Impulse Detective Lesson Plan
Students will learn to recognize and verbalize their own internal cues that signal impulsive urges and practice pausing strategies, achieving correct identification in at least 6 out of 9 practice trials by 01/16/2026.
By building self-awareness around impulsive signals and rehearsing pause techniques, students boost their self-control, reduce classroom disruptions, and improve decision-making both in and out of school.
Audience
7th Grade Students
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Interactive cue identification and pause-practice
Materials
Impulse Detective Cue Cards, Pause Strategy Checklist, Impulse Cue Identification Worksheet, and Timer or Stopwatch
Prep
Prepare Materials
10 minutes
- Print one set of Impulse Detective Cue Cards per pair of students and individual Impulse Cue Identification Worksheets.
- Download and review the Pause Strategy Checklist.
- Ensure a timer or stopwatch is available and working.
- Familiarize yourself with each scenario on the cue cards and associated internal cues.
Step 1
Introduction
5 minutes
- Greet students and state the lesson goal: identifying feelings or thoughts that signal an impulse before acting.
- Ask volunteers to share a moment when they acted without thinking and what they felt inside.
- Explain why noticing these "internal cues" helps us pause and make better choices.
Step 2
Cue Card Identification
10 minutes
- Distribute Impulse Detective Cue Cards to pairs.
- In each card, a scenario is described; students read aloud and identify the internal cue (e.g., heart racing, itching to speak).
- Student A says, “I notice my ____, which tells me I might act on impulse.” Student B confirms or prompts for clarity.
- Rotate cards so each pair practices 4–5 scenarios.
Step 3
Pause Strategy Practice
10 minutes
- Hand out the Pause Strategy Checklist to each student.
- Present 3 new scenarios verbally and set a 30-second timer for students to silently check off a strategy (e.g., counting to five, taking deep breaths).
- After each scenario, ask volunteers to share which strategy they picked and why.
- Emphasize using the chosen strategy before reacting.
Step 4
Reflection and Data Collection
5 minutes
- Students complete the Impulse Cue Identification Worksheet, noting one internal cue and one strategy they’ll use next time.
- Teacher collects worksheets and tallies trials where students correctly identified and paused (should reach 6/9 by 01/16/2026).
- Close by reinforcing how practicing these steps helps control impulses in class and in life.
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Slide Deck
Impulse Detective
Welcome to today's lesson: Become an Impulse Detective!
Time: 30 minutes
Use this slide to greet students and introduce the lesson theme. Emphasize that they'll learn to spot internal cues and practice pausing before acting.
Lesson Objective
Identify and verbalize internal cues signaling impulsive behavior, and practice strategies to pause before reacting.
Goal: Correctly identify internal cues in at least 6 out of 9 trials by 01/16/2026.
Read aloud the objective. Highlight the measurement criteria and the date for mastery.
What Are Impulses?
An impulse is a sudden urge to act without thinking.
Internal cues are the thoughts or physical sensations that warn us an impulse is coming.
Define 'impulse' and 'internal cues'. Provide examples: racing heart, sweaty palms, thoughts like 'I'll just do it!'.
Examples of Internal Cues
- Racing heart
- Butterflies in stomach
- Itching to speak or move
- Thoughts like “I have to do it now”
- Tense muscles
Ask students for examples they've felt. Encourage sharing personal experiences briefly.
Pause Strategies
- Count to 5
- Take 3 deep breaths
- Squeeze your fist
- Visualize a stop sign
- Ask yourself: “What could happen if I wait?”
Introduce the Pause Strategy Checklist. Have students note which strategy they think works best for them.
Activity 1: Cue Card Identification
Pair up and grab your Impulse Detective Cue Cards.
• Read the scenario.
• Identify the internal cue.
• Say: “I notice my ____, which tells me I might act on impulse.”
Rotate cards after 4–5 scenarios.
Distribute cue cards. Monitor pairs. Prompt students to use full sentence.
Activity 2: Pause Strategy Practice
Get your Pause Strategy Checklist.
• Listen to 3 scenarios verbally.
• Set timer for 30 seconds.
• Choose and check off one strategy.
• Share your strategy choice.
Read scenarios one by one. Start timer. Encourage volunteers to explain their choice.
Reflection & Data Collection
Complete your Impulse Cue Identification Worksheet:
• Note one internal cue you noticed today.
• Write down the pause strategy you’ll use next time.
Teacher will collect worksheets and record progress.
Prompt students to reflect honestly. Collect worksheets and congratulate progress. Remind them practice makes stronger impulse control.
Worksheet
Impulse Cue Identification Worksheet
Name: ________________________ Date: ____________
Instructions: Reflect on today’s lesson and complete the prompts below.
-
Describe one situation from today’s activities where you noticed you had an impulse. What happened?
-
What internal cue did you feel? (Examples: racing heart, sweaty palms, itchy to speak, tense muscles, a thought like “I have to do it now.”)
-
Choose a pause strategy from the Pause Strategy Checklist. Write which strategy you will use next time and explain why you chose it.
-
How do you think noticing this internal cue and using your chosen pause strategy will help you make better choices in class or in your daily life?
Teacher Use Only
Trials with correct identification and pause: _____ / 9
Initials: __________ Date recorded: __________
Activity
Impulse Detective Cue Cards
Directions for Students: Read each scenario. In your pair, identify the internal cue that signals an impulse (for example: racing heart, sweaty palms, itching to speak, tense muscles, or a thought like “I have to do it now.”). Then say: “I notice my ____, which tells me I might act on impulse.”
Card 1
You’re sitting in math class when you suddenly think, “I know this answer—I’ll just shout it out!”
Card 2
On the playground, someone accidentally steps on your foot. You feel a strong urge to shove them back.
Card 3
While working on a difficult puzzle with a friend, you want to crumple the paper and walk away because it’s frustrating.
Card 4
In a group discussion, you have an idea but everyone’s still talking. You feel the impulse to interrupt and speak over them.
Card 5
During a competitive game, the other team scores. You want to yell at them, “That’s cheating!”
Card 6
At lunch, you see the last slice of pizza. You feel like grabbing it before anyone else notices.
Card 7
You hear classmates gossiping about you and feel the urge to storm over and demand they stop.
Card 8
During a quiet reading time, your mind races with an idea for your story. You want to jump up and write it down right away.
Use these cards to practice noticing what you feel inside before acting!
Activity
Pause Strategy Checklist
Name: ________________________ Date: ____________
Instructions: When you notice an impulse, pause and choose one strategy below. Check it off and, if you’d like, write a quick note about why it helps you.
- Count to 5
- Take 3 deep breaths
- Squeeze your fist or roll your shoulders
- Visualize a stop sign
- Ask yourself: “What could happen if I wait?”
- Use my own strategy: ______________________
After pausing: How do you feel now?
______________________________________________