Impulse Inspector Script

Warm-Up (5 minutes)

Teacher says: “Ethan, let’s kick things off with a quick warm-up. I’m going to show you a card from our Impulsive Cues Warm-Up Cards. When you see it, tell me what you feel inside your body or notice in your mind—things like a fast heartbeat, butterflies, or an urge to blurt out an answer. Ready?”


Show one card.
Teacher prompts: “What did you notice?”
Possible student response: “My heart was pounding.”
Teacher reinforces: “Exactly—that pounding heart is an internal cue telling you you might act on impulse. Nice job naming that!”


(Repeat with 2–3 cards, praising correct identifications.)

Introduction (5 minutes)

Teacher says: “Now we’ll look at our first two slides in the Impulse Inspector Slide Deck. Ethan, today you’re my special Impulse Inspector. Your mission is to spot the clues inside your body and mind that shout ‘impulse coming!’ and then practice pausing before you react.”
(Advance to Slide 1: “Impulse Inspector”)
Teacher says: “See this title? It’s your new job description!”
(Advance to Slide 2: “What Are Internal Cues?”)
Teacher asks: “What happens in your body when you feel like blurting out an answer or shouting at someone?”
Follow-up if needed: “Do you ever feel your face get hot? Your muscles tense?”
Teacher confirms: “Those signals are internal cues—just like the ones on our cards.”

Teacher says: “Remember your pausing strategies: ‘Stop and Breathe,’ ‘Count to Five,’ ‘Take a Step Back,’ or ‘Use a Reminder Cue.’ Can you show me one deep breath? How about counting to five out loud?”
(Praise each demonstration.)

Main Activity (10 minutes)

Teacher says: “Great work! Now it’s practice time. Here’s your Impulse Signals Activity Sheet. There are 9 short scenarios. For each one, circle the internal cue you would notice and pick which pausing strategy you’d use. I’ll be right here if you have questions.”


Give Ethan the sheet and a pencil.
Teacher quietly monitors and then offers feedback:

• “I see you circled ‘racing heart’ in scenario 3—nice! Which strategy will you use there?”
• If Ethan hesitates: “You might ‘Stop and Breathe’ until your heart slows. Want to give that a try?”
• After he answers: “Perfect—that’s exactly right.”

(Continue through all 9 scenarios, aiming for at least 6 out of 9 correct identifications.)

Reflection (5 minutes)

Teacher says: “Let’s wrap up with some reflection. Here’s your Impulse Inspector Reflection Worksheet. First, tell me three internal cues you noticed today.”


Wait for responses.
Teacher writes down: “1. ___ 2. ___ 3. ___ ”
Teacher asks: “Which pausing strategy will you try the next time you notice one of these cues?”
Student responds: “___.”
Teacher praises: “Excellent choice! You’re building your detective skills as an Impulse Inspector.”

Cool-Down (5 minutes)

Teacher says: “You did fantastic work today. Now let’s use our Impulse Inspector Cool-Down Pages for a quick breathing exercise.”
Teacher guides:

1. “Sit comfortably and place your hand on your belly.”
2. “Breathe in slowly for 4 seconds—feel your belly rise.”
3. “Exhale for 4 seconds—feel your belly fall.”
   (Repeat 3 times.)
   
   
   Teacher asks: “Which reminder cue will you use during the day—a sticky note or a bracelet?”
   Student chooses.
   Teacher concludes: “Great decision, Ethan! Keep your cue handy and remember your mission: if you spot an internal clue, pause first. Congratulations, Impulse Inspector!”

Impulsive Cues Warm-Up Cards

Use these 6 simple cards to prompt Ethan to notice and name internal sensations. Each card shows one word and a matching, child-friendly sketch. Print and cut apart; show 2–3 cards during the Warm-Up.

1. Racing Heart
   (Sketch: a heart with motion lines around it)

2. Butterflies
   (Sketch: a simple butterfly over a wiggly stomach)

3. Sweaty Palms
   (Sketch: two open hands with little droplets)

4. Clenched Jaw
   (Sketch: a side-view of a face with teeth tight together)

5. Fidgety Hands
   (Sketch: hands tapping or wriggling fingers)

6. Tense Shoulders
   (Sketch: shoulders raised up near ears)

Impulse Signals Activity Sheet

Instructions: For each scenario below, do two things:

1. Circle the internal cue you would notice.
2. Circle the pausing strategy you would use.

Internal Cues (circle one):
A. Racing Heart
B. Butterflies
C. Sweaty Palms
D. Clenched Jaw
E. Fidgety Hands
F. Tense Shoulders

Pausing Strategies (circle one):

1. Stop and Breathe
2. Count to Five
3. Take a Step Back
4. Use Reminder Cue (e.g., bracelet or sticky note)

Scenario 1: You want to shout out the answer in class before your teacher calls on you.

Cue: A B C D E F Strategy: 1 2 3 4

Scenario 2: Your sibling teases you and you feel like yelling back.

Cue: A B C D E F Strategy: 1 2 3 4

Scenario 3: A friend cuts in line in front of you at lunch and you want to push them.

Cue: A B C D E F Strategy: 1 2 3 4

Scenario 4: You see a classmate drop their pencil, and you feel an urge to grab it before they do.

Cue: A B C D E F Strategy: 1 2 3 4

Scenario 5: During a game, you’re losing and feel like snatching the ball from someone’s hands.

Cue: A B C D E F Strategy: 1 2 3 4

Scenario 6: You hear a kid talking about you and feel the urge to interrupt them immediately.

Cue: A B C D E F Strategy: 1 2 3 4

Scenario 7: You’re frustrated with a hard math problem and want to crumple your paper.

Cue: A B C D E F Strategy: 1 2 3 4

Scenario 8: A friend borrows your marker without asking and you feel like snatching it back.

Cue: A B C D E F Strategy: 1 2 3 4

Scenario 9: You’re excited to tell a joke but haven’t thought of it fully and want to blurt it out.

Cue: A B C D E F Strategy: 1 2 3 4

Impulse Inspector Reflection Worksheet

Name: ____________________________ Date: ________________

1. List three internal cues you noticed today:

Cue 1: _________________________________



Cue 2: _________________________________



Cue 3: _________________________________

2. For each cue, write which pausing strategy you will use next time:

• Cue 1 Strategy: _________________________________



• Cue 2 Strategy: _________________________________



• Cue 3 Strategy: _________________________________

3. How will you remind yourself to pause when you notice an internal cue?

(Check one or write your own)

[ ] Sticky Note on Desk

[ ] Bracelet or Reminder Cue

[ ] Other: _________________________________

4. Why is it helpful to pause before reacting?

__________________________________________________

Impulse Inspector Cool-Down Pages

Use the steps below to relax and set your reminder.


1. Deep Belly Breaths

• Sit comfortably and place one hand on your belly and one on your chest.
  
• Inhale slowly through your nose for 4 seconds (feel your belly rise).
  
• Hold for 2 seconds.
  
• Exhale slowly through your mouth for 4 seconds (feel your belly fall).
  
  
  (Repeat 3 times.)
  
  
  2. Gentle Muscle Relaxation
  
• Roll your shoulders up to your ears, hold for 3 seconds, then release. Repeat twice.
  
• Clench your fists tightly for 3 seconds, then relax. Repeat twice.
  
  
  3. Choose Your Reminder Cue
  
  Decide how you’ll remind yourself to pause when you notice an internal cue today:
  
  [ ] Sticky Note on Desk
  
  [ ] Bracelet or Wristband
  
  [ ] Other: ____________________________
  
  
  
  My Reminder Choice: _______________________________
  
  
  
  Great job, Impulse Inspector! Remember: when you feel a clue, take a deep breath, pause, and choose your strategy.