Own Your Choices: Mastering Self-Regulation - Script

Warm-Up: Self-Regulation Starter (3 minutes)

Teacher: "Good morning/afternoon, everyone! To kick things off today, I've got a quick question for you. I've handed out a Warm-Up: Self-Regulation Starter or you can see it on the screen. Take about a minute or two to think about what the phrase 'self-regulation' means to you. No right or wrong answers, just your initial thoughts. How would you define it in your own words?"

Teacher: "Alright, let's hear a few ideas. Who'd like to share what they wrote or thought about?" (Call on 2-3 students, acknowledge their responses.)

"Great responses! It sounds like many of you already have a good sense of what we're talking about today."

Introduction to Self-Regulation (4 minutes)

Teacher: (Display Slide 1: Own Your Choices)

"Today, we're diving into a topic that is super important for your success, not just in school, but in life: Self-Regulation. We're calling this lesson 'Own Your Choices' because that's exactly what self-regulation helps you do—take ownership of how you respond to the world around you."

(Display Slide 2: What is Self-Regulation?)

Teacher: "So, what exactly is self-regulation? As you can see, it's essentially your ability to manage your thoughts, emotions, and actions. Think about it: Have you ever felt super stressed before a test, but managed to calm yourself down and focus? Or maybe you felt really angry about something, but you chose to walk away instead of saying something you'd regret? That's self-regulation in action!"

"It's about having that internal control. Why do you think this skill is so important for you right now, as a 10th grader? Where do you see it playing a role in your daily life?"

(Listen to a few student responses. Guide them to connect it to academic challenges, social interactions, future planning, stress management, etc.)

"Exactly! Whether it's choosing to focus on homework, managing frustration with a friend, or sticking to a goal, self-regulation is key."

Strategies for Self-Regulation (6 minutes)

Teacher: (Display Slide 3: Strategies for Self-Regulation)

"The good news is that self-regulation isn't something you're just born with or without. It's a skill, and like any skill, it can be learned and improved with practice. Let's look at some practical strategies we can all use."

"First, Pause and Plan. This is so simple, but powerful. When you feel a strong emotion or are faced with a challenging situation, instead of immediately reacting, take a moment. Breathe. Ask yourself: 'What's the best way to handle this?' 'What are the possible consequences?' Can anyone think of a time when a 'pause and plan' moment would have been really helpful?"

(Allow for a couple of quick examples from students.)

Teacher: "Next, Identify Your Triggers. What sets you off? What makes you feel overwhelmed, angry, or distracted? For some, it might be a specific subject in school, or a certain type of comment from a classmate. When you know your triggers, you can anticipate them and prepare a strategy. It's like knowing when a storm is coming so you can bring an umbrella."

Teacher: "Then we have Practice Mindfulness. This means paying attention to the present moment. Noticing your thoughts and feelings without judging them as 'good' or 'bad.' Just observing. Even a minute of focused breathing can make a difference."

Teacher: "Set Small, Achievable Goals. If you have a huge project, don't just think, 'I have to finish this massive project.' Break it down. 'Today, I will research one topic.' 'Tomorrow, I'll write the introduction.' Small wins build confidence and keep you motivated."

Teacher: "And finally, Seek Support. You don't have to do it alone. If you're struggling to manage your emotions or stay on track, talk to a trusted adult—a parent, a teacher, a counselor, or even a close friend. Sometimes just verbalizing what you're going through can help you process it."

"Which of these strategies resonates most with you right now, or which one do you think you could try practicing this week?"

(Allow for a couple of student shares.)

Cool-Down: One-Word Wonder (2 minutes)

Teacher: (Display Slide 4: Your Power to Choose)

"To wrap up, remember that self-regulation is a skill, and like any skill, it gets stronger with practice. Every choice you make, big or small, is an opportunity to practice this skill."

"Now, for our cool-down, I want you to complete the Cool-Down: One-Word Wonder activity. On an index card, a sticky note, or just on a piece of paper, write one word that describes how you plan to practice self-regulation this week. It could be 'pause,' 'breathe,' 'plan,' 'focus,' 'ask,' 'think'—anything that captures your personal goal. We won't share these out loud, but it's a personal commitment."

"Thank you everyone! Keep practicing those self-regulation skills!"

Self-Regulation Starter

Instructions: Take a moment to think about the word "self-regulation." In your own words, what do you think it means to "self-regulate"?

Can you think of one example from your own life (school, home, sports, etc.) where you had to self-regulate? What happened, and how did you manage it?

One-Word Wonder

Instructions: On the line below, write one word that describes how you plan to practice self-regulation this week. This is a personal commitment to yourself!