Lesson Plan
Mastering Your Mindset
Students will learn strategies for managing impulses and setting achievable goals, developing the self-management skills necessary for thoughtful choices and working towards aspirations.
Developing impulse control and effective goal-setting skills are crucial for students to make positive decisions, improve self-discipline, and achieve personal and academic success. This lesson provides practical tools for lifelong self-management.
Audience
7th Grade Class
Time
60 minutes
Approach
Interactive discussion, guided practice, and personal application activities.
Materials
The Pause Button Slide Deck, Goal Getter Challenge Activity, My Action Plan Worksheet, Whiteboard or projector, and Markers or pens
Prep
Teacher Preparation
15 minutes
- Review Mastering Your Mindset Lesson Plan and all linked materials: The Pause Button Slide Deck, Goal Getter Challenge Activity, and My Action Plan Worksheet.
- Ensure projector or whiteboard is ready.
- Prepare copies of the My Action Plan Worksheet for each student.
Step 1
Warm-Up: Instant Gratification vs. Future Reward
10 minutes
- Begin by asking students: 'Think about a time you wanted something right now, but waiting for it would have led to something even better. What was it?' (e.g., eating candy before dinner, buying something impulsively).
2. Facilitate a brief discussion on the feelings associated with instant gratification versus the satisfaction of achieving a delayed, larger reward.
Step 2
Introduction: The Pause Button
15 minutes
- Introduce the concept of impulse control using The Pause Button Slide Deck.
2. Explain that 'The Pause Button' is a metaphor for taking a moment to think before acting on an impulse.
3. Discuss common impulses students face (e.g., blurting out answers, reacting quickly to social media, spending money).
4. Introduce the 'STOP' strategy: Stop, Think, Observe, Plan.
Step 3
Activity: Goal Getter Challenge
20 minutes
- Distribute the Goal Getter Challenge Activity.
2. Explain the importance of setting SMART goals (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) as a way to practice self-management and delay gratification.
3. Guide students through brainstorming personal or academic goals and applying the SMART criteria.
4. Have students work individually or in small groups to complete the activity, focusing on one short-term and one long-term goal.
Step 4
Reflection: My Action Plan
10 minutes
- Distribute the My Action Plan Worksheet.
2. Instruct students to choose one of their SMART goals from the Goal Getter Challenge Activity and break it down into actionable steps on the worksheet.
3. Emphasize how practicing impulse control will help them stick to their action plans.
Step 5
Wrap-Up: Personal Commitment
5 minutes
- Ask students to share one insight they gained about impulse control or goal setting.
2. Encourage them to commit to using 'The Pause Button' strategy or working on one step of their action plan this week.
Slide Deck
Mastering Your Mindset: The Power of The Pause Button
How can taking a moment help you reach your goals?
Welcome students and introduce the topic of impulse control and goal setting. Briefly explain why these skills are important for their everyday lives.
What's an Impulse?
- An urge to do something without thinking it through.
- Sometimes good, sometimes not so good.
- Examples: Speaking out of turn, hitting 'send' too fast, buying something you don't need.
Ask students to consider times they acted without thinking and the outcomes. Use this to lead into the definition of impulse.
Your Inner 'Pause Button'
- Imagine a pause button for your brain!
- It gives you a moment to stop and think before you act.
- This helps you make smarter choices and avoid regrets.
Introduce 'The Pause Button' as a mental tool. Emphasize that it's about giving themselves space to think.
The S.T.O.P. Strategy
- Stop: Freeze! Don't act immediately.
- Think: What are my options? What might happen if I do X or Y?
- Observe: How am I feeling? What's going on around me?
- Plan: What's the best choice? How will I act thoughtfully?
Introduce the STOP acronym and explain each step clearly. Provide simple, relatable examples for each step.
Why Impulse Control Helps with Goals
- Achieving goals requires patience and delaying gratification.
- Impulse control helps you stick to your plan, even when distractions come up.
- Example: Saving money for something big instead of spending it right away.
Transition to goal setting. Explain that controlling impulses is key to achieving goals. Introduce the SMART acronym.
Setting S.M.A.R.T. Goals
- Specific: What exactly do you want to achieve?
- Measurable: How will you know when you've reached it?
- Achievable: Is it realistic to accomplish?
- Relevant: Is this goal important to you and your future?
- Time-bound: When do you want to achieve this by?
Explain each letter of SMART with a brief description and an example. Engage students by asking for their own SMART goal ideas.
You've Got This!
- Use your Pause Button! (S.T.O.P.)
- Set SMART goals for your dreams.
- Every small, thoughtful choice builds self-management.
- You are in control of your mindset!
Summarize the main takeaways. Encourage students to practice both the 'Pause Button' and SMART goals in their daily lives.
Activity
Goal Getter Challenge: Turn Dreams into Plans!
Instructions: This challenge is all about taking your big ideas and turning them into real, achievable goals. We'll use the S.M.A.R.T. method to make sure your goals are clear and you know how to reach them.
Part 1: Brainstorm Your Aspirations
Think about things you want to achieve, learn, or improve. These can be in school, with friends, at home, or even a personal skill. List at least three ideas below.
Part 2: Choose Your S.M.A.R.T. Goals
Now, choose two of your aspirations from Part 1. One should be a short-term goal (something you can achieve in a few weeks or months), and the other a long-term goal (something that might take several months to a year, or even longer).
Short-Term S.M.A.R.T. Goal
Aspiration Chosen:
Let's make it S.M.A.R.T.!
- Specific: What exactly do you want to achieve? (Be very clear!)
- Measurable: How will you know when you've achieved it? What will you see, hear, or be able to do?
- Achievable: Is this goal realistic given your resources and time? What steps can you take to make it happen?
- Relevant: Why is this goal important to you right now? How does it connect to your interests or future?
- Time-bound: When do you want to achieve this goal by? Set a clear deadline.
Long-Term S.M.A.R.T. Goal
Aspiration Chosen:
Let's make it S.M.A.R.T.!
- Specific: What exactly do you want to achieve? (Be very clear!)
- Measurable: How will you know when you've achieved it? What will you see, hear, or be able to do?
- Achieavable: Is this goal realistic given your resources and time? What steps can you take to make it happen?
- Relevant: Why is this goal important to you right now? How does it connect to your interests or future?
- Time-bound: When do you want to achieve this goal by? Set a clear deadline.
Worksheet
My Action Plan: Taking Control of My Goals
Instructions: Choose ONE of your S.M.A.R.T. goals from the Goal Getter Challenge Activity (either your short-term or long-term one). Use this worksheet to break it down into smaller, manageable steps. This is your personal roadmap to success!
My Chosen S.M.A.R.T. Goal:
Write your complete S.M.A.R.T. goal here:
Breaking It Down: Steps to Success
What are the individual actions you need to take to achieve your goal? Think about the very first step, then the next, and so on. Also, consider how 'The Pause Button' (S.T.O.P.) will help you stay on track.
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Step 1:
How will impulse control (S.T.O.P.) help you complete this step?
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Step 2:
How will impulse control (S.T.O.P.) help you complete this step?
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Step 3:
How will impulse control (S.T.O.P.) help you complete this step?
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Step 4 (if needed):
How will impulse control (S.T.O.P.) help you complete this step?
Potential Roadblocks & Solutions
What might make it hard to stick to your plan or control impulses along the way? How will you use your 'Pause Button' to overcome these challenges?
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Challenge:
Solution (using S.T.O.P.): -
Challenge:
Solution (using S.T.O.P.):
My Commitment
I commit to starting my action plan by (date): ___________________
And I will check in on my progress on (date): ___________________