Lesson Plan
Session 1 Lesson Plan
Students will learn to identify impulses, understand impulse control strategies, and practice self-awareness through a creative art activity. Actionable goals: define “impulse,” list personal triggers, and craft an “Impulse Traffic Light” poster illustrating pause-and-plan steps.
ADHD students often act on impulse without pausing, leading to challenges in school and social settings. Building impulse control fosters better decision-making and emotional regulation.
Audience
Middle School Students with ADHD
Time
25 minutes
Approach
Interactive discussion and hands-on art activity
Materials
Session 1 Slide Deck: Understanding Impulse Control, Impulse Control Warm-Up Cards, Impulse Insight Worksheet, Paper and Markers, Timer or Stopwatch, and Mindful Breathing Script
Prep
Prepare Materials and Space
10 minutes
- Review the Session 1 Slide Deck: Understanding Impulse Control to familiarize yourself with key definitions and examples
- Print and cut out the Impulse Control Warm-Up Cards
- Print enough copies of the Impulse Insight Worksheet for each student
- Gather paper, markers, and a timer/stopwatch
- Set up a quiet area for the cool-down using the Mindful Breathing Script
Step 1
Warm-Up: Impulse Control Card Game
5 minutes
- Distribute the Impulse Control Warm-Up Cards facedown
- Students take turns drawing a card describing a scenario (e.g., “You see a friend drop money”).
- Ask: “What impulse might you feel?” and “How would you pause before acting?”
- Encourage quick responses to build awareness of immediate reactions
Step 2
Discussion: Defining Impulse
5 minutes
- Display slide 1–3 in the Session 1 Slide Deck: Understanding Impulse Control
- Define “impulse” and share 2–3 real-life examples
- Invite students to share personal impulses they’ve experienced in class or at home
- Record common triggers on chart paper or board
Step 3
Art Activity: Impulse Traffic Light
10 minutes
- Hand out paper and markers
- Explain the “Impulse Traffic Light”:
• Green = safe impulse (ok to act)
• Yellow = pause and think
• Red = stop and choose a strategy - Students draw a traffic light and fill each color with 2–3 personal impulses and corresponding actions or coping strategies
- Circulate and prompt deeper thinking (“Why is this impulse yellow?”)
Step 4
Cool Down: Mindful Reflection
5 minutes
- Guide students to sit comfortably and close their eyes
- Read the Mindful Breathing Script
- After breathing exercise, prompt students to write one word on the back of their poster describing how they feel about practicing impulse control
- Collect posters or have students display them on a designated wall
Slide Deck
Understanding Impulse Control
Session 1 Overview
• Define “impulse”
• Identify common triggers
• Learn the Traffic Light Strategy
• Prepare for art activity: Impulse Traffic Light Poster
Welcome everyone to Session 1 on impulse control. Introduce yourself and briefly explain that today we’ll learn what impulses are, identify triggers, and explore a simple strategy—the Traffic Light System—to help manage urges. Explain the flow: definition, examples, strategy, then the art activity.
What Is an Impulse?
• A sudden feeling or urge to act
• Arises quickly and often without planning
• Can feel powerful and hard to ignore
Read the title and ask students: “When you suddenly feel like calling out in class or grabbing an extra cookie, what is happening?” Guide them to the idea of an impulse. Emphasize that impulses are quick urges that pop up without much thought.
Common Impulse Triggers
Examples of Triggers:
• Boredom or restlessness
• Frustration or stress
• Excitement or curiosity
• Peer influence or social pressure
Ask volunteers to share times they felt these urges. Write additional triggers on the board as they come up. Highlight how recognizing triggers is the first step in pausing.
Traffic Light System
Green Light = Go
• Impulse is safe to follow
Yellow Light = Pause
• Take a moment to think
Red Light = Stop
• Choose a different action or strategy
Introduce the Traffic Light System. Explain that it gives us a visual pause-and-plan tool. Describe each color’s purpose and model a quick scenario: “Yellow—take a breath and think of choices.”
Pause-and-Plan Steps
- Notice your impulse
- Take 3 deep breaths
- Think of possible actions
- Choose the best response
Walk students through each step with a simple scenario (e.g., grabbing a toy during class). Encourage them to remember these steps during the card game and art activity.
Art Activity Prep
Create Your Impulse Traffic Light Poster:
• Map 2–3 impulses per color
• Write coping strategies in yellow and red zones
• Use markers and paper provided
Transition to the art activity. Explain that they will create a poster with their own personal impulses mapped to each light color. Remind them to use the steps they just learned while designing.
Activity
Worksheet
Impulse Insight Worksheet
Name: ________________________ Date: _______________
1. Defining “Impulse”
In your own words, what is an impulse?
2. Identifying Personal Triggers
Think of 3 situations where you notice strong urges. For each, complete the table below:
| Trigger Situation | Urge or Impulse Felt | Pause-and-Plan Strategy (Green/Yellow/Red) |
|---|---|---|
| 1. _______________________________ | ______________________________ | _______________________________ |
| 2. _______________________________ | ______________________________ | _______________________________ |
| 3. _______________________________ | ______________________________ | _______________________________ |
3. Reflection on a Recent Moment
Choose one impulse you felt recently and answer:
- What happened? Describe the situation in 2–3 sentences.
- Which Traffic Light color did it fit (Green/Yellow/Red)? Why?
- If you could pause and plan, what strategy would you use next time?
4. Creative Traffic Light Design
Draw your own Impulse Traffic Light. In each light (Green, Yellow, Red), write or sketch a coping strategy that works for you.
5. Actionable Goal Setting
Write one SMART goal you will work on this week to practice impulse control (e.g., “When I feel like interrupting, I will take 3 deep breaths before speaking.”).
Turn this worksheet in at the end of class. We’ll revisit your goals and strategies next session!
Cool Down
Mindful Breathing Script
- Find Your Seat
Sit comfortably in your chair with both feet flat on the floor. Rest your hands gently on your lap. - Settle In
Close your eyes or softly rest your gaze on a spot in front of you. Notice how your body feels—any tension in your shoulders, neck, or jaw. - Belly Breath
• Inhale slowly through your nose for a count of 4, feeling your belly expand.
• Pause and hold your breath for 2 counts.
• Exhale gently through your mouth for a count of 6, noticing your belly contract. - Repeat
Complete three full breaths (inhale–hold–exhale). With each exhale, imagine letting go of any leftover tension or worries. - Notice
After the third breath, pause and take one normal breath. Notice how your chest and belly move.
Observe any changes in your body or mind—are you more relaxed, calm, or focused? - Return
When you feel ready, gently open your eyes (if they were closed) and bring your attention back to our space.
Take one more deep breath together and carry this calm energy into the rest of your day.
Warm Up
The redundant warm-up material has been removed to streamline the resources for Session 1. Let me know if any other adjustments are needed!