• lenny-learning-logoLenny Learning
  • Home
    Home
  • Lessons
    Lessons
  • Curriculum
    Curriculum
  • Surveys
    Surveys
  • Videos
    Videos
  • Support
    Support
  • Log In
lenny

My Behavior Map

user image

Kylie Taniguchi

Tier 3

Lesson Plan

Mapping Behavior Patterns

Guide a 2nd-grade student to plot challenging behaviors and triggers on a visual timeline and brainstorm positive alternative choices to build self-monitoring and planning skills.

This lesson helps the student recognize behavior patterns, understand what sparks difficult moments, and proactively choose healthier responses, fostering self-regulation and preventing future incidents.

Audience

2nd Grade Student

Time

25 minutes

Approach

Timeline mapping paired with guided discussion.

Materials

Journey Through Choices slide deck, and Behavior Timeline Maze worksheet

Prep

Prepare Materials

5 minutes

  • Print copies of the Behavior Timeline Maze worksheet.
  • Load and preview the Journey Through Choices slide deck.
  • Review the key steps in the Mapping Behavior Patterns lesson plan.

Step 1

Review Behavior Goals

5 minutes

  • Welcome the student and explain today’s goal: mapping behaviors to plan positive choices.
  • Use the first slides of the Journey Through Choices deck to define behavior, trigger, and choice.
  • Discuss real-life examples of both positive and challenging behaviors.

Step 2

Map Challenging Behaviors

8 minutes

  • Hand the student the Behavior Timeline Maze worksheet.
  • Ask the student to recall moments from their day when they felt upset or frustrated.
  • Guide them to place each moment on the timeline and label the challenging behavior.
  • Help them identify and jot down what triggered each behavior next to the plotted points.

Step 3

Brainstorm Alternative Choices

7 minutes

  • Prompt the student to imagine different, healthier responses for each challenging behavior.
  • Show calm-down strategies on the next slides of the Journey Through Choices deck.
  • Have the student write at least one alternative choice beside each behavior on the worksheet.

Step 4

Reflect and Commit

5 minutes

  • Review the completed Behavior Timeline Maze together.
  • Ask the student to pick one behavior and its new alternative response to practice next.
  • Encourage them to keep the worksheet accessible and self-monitor when challenges arise.
  • Praise the student’s effort and commitment to positive change.
lenny

Slide Deck

Journey Through Choices

Today we will learn about behavior, triggers, and healthy choices to help us feel better and make good decisions.

Welcome the student warmly. Introduce today’s activity as an adventure where we explore our feelings and choices.

What Is Behavior?

Behavior is how we act or respond in different situations.
• It includes what we say and do.
• It shows how we feel inside.

Explain that behavior is anything we do—our actions, words, and expressions. Use examples like raising a hand, smiling, or shouting.

What Is a Trigger?

A trigger is what happens just before our behavior.
• It can be something we see, hear, or feel.
• Triggers can make us upset, excited, or calm.

Define trigger as something that happens right before we act. Ask the student to share a quick example, like a loud noise or teasing.

Making Choices

When we notice a trigger, we can choose how to respond.
• We can react quickly or pause and think.
• Choosing a good response helps us feel better.

Talk about making choices—how we decide what to do when we feel upset. Emphasize that we have power over our actions.

Calm-Down Strategies

Here are some ways to calm down:
• Take 3 deep breaths
• Count slowly to 10
• Ask a friend or teacher for help
• Take a short walk or stretch

Present each calm-down strategy one at a time. Invite the student to practice a deep breath with you.

Think About Your Day

Think of a time you felt upset:

  1. What happened first? (Trigger)
  2. What did you do? (Behavior)
  3. What could you try next time? (Choice)

Encourage the student to think of a recent time they felt upset or frustrated. Guide them to identify the trigger, their behavior, and a better choice.

Ready for Your Behavior Map!

Let’s use your worksheet to:
• Plot your triggers and behaviors on a timeline
• Brainstorm new, healthy choices
• Practice planning for next time

Explain that they will now use the Behavior Timeline Maze worksheet to map their own examples. Offer support throughout the activity.

lenny

Worksheet

Behavior Timeline Maze

Instructions

  1. Think about your day and identify moments when you felt upset, frustrated, or didn’t make the best choice.
  2. Follow the path from Start to Finish on the maze diagram below. At each circle (○), stop and complete the questions in the corresponding Event section.
  3. Use the calm-down strategies from the Journey Through Choices slide deck to help you plan healthier responses.

Maze Diagram

Start → ○ → ○ → ○ → ○ → Finish

Event 1

Trigger (What happened just before?):







Behavior (What did I do?):







Alternative Choice (What could I try next time?):






Event 2

Trigger (What happened just before?):







Behavior (What did I do?):







Alternative Choice (What could I try next time?):






Event 3

Trigger (What happened just before?):







Behavior (What did I do?):







Alternative Choice (What could I try next time?):






Event 4

Trigger (What happened just before?):







Behavior (What did I do?):







Alternative Choice (What could I try next time?):






Reflection & Commitment

  1. Which one of your new alternative choices will you practice first?











  2. How will you remind yourself to use this new choice when you face that trigger again?











Great work mapping your behaviors and planning positive choices! Keep this sheet where you can see it and use it to check in with yourself when challenges come up.

lenny
lenny