Lesson Plan
Pause and Engage Lesson Plan
Students will learn and practice self-regulation strategies (positive thinking, movement break, deep breathing, quiet corner) and communication skills (I-messages, active listening) to manage emotions and resolve peer conflicts with one reminder.
Teaching coping tools and pro-social communication builds self-control, reduces outbursts, and fosters positive peer interactions—crucial for a supportive classroom community.
Audience
6th Grade
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Interactive modeling, guided practice, and role-play
Prep
Material Preparation
15 minutes
- Print and laminate Self-Regulation Strategy Cards.
- Display I-Message Poster and Active Listening Poster in the room.
- Set up Quiet Corner Setup with seating and sensory tools.
- Prepare Movement Break Timer.
- Photocopy and cut Role-Play Scenario Cards.
- Photocopy Breathing Exercise Script and Reflection Worksheet for each student.
- Review all materials and familiarize yourself with scripts and posters.
Step 1
Establish Group Norms
5 minutes
- Greet students and review confidentiality and respect.
- Introduce group norms: one speaker at a time, active listening, positive body language.
- Point to Active Listening Poster as a visual reminder.
Step 2
Introduce Self-Regulation Strategies
7 minutes
- Show Self-Regulation Strategy Cards and briefly explain each strategy.
- Model deep breathing using the Breathing Exercise Script.
- Demonstrate movement break with the Movement Break Timer.
- Explain how to use the Quiet Corner Setup when feeling overwhelmed.
Step 3
Practice Self-Regulation
5 minutes
- Distribute strategy cards; each student picks one to practice.
- Use the Movement Break Timer (1 minute) or perform deep breathing.
- Invite volunteers to share how the strategy felt and when they might use it.
Step 4
Teach Communication Skills
7 minutes
- Introduce the structure of I-messages on the I-Message Poster: “I feel…when…because…I need…”
- Review active listening cues on the Active Listening Poster.
- Model a brief conversation with a co-facilitator using an I-message and active listening.
- Invite two students to practice small dialogue using I-messages.
Step 5
Role-Play Conflict Scenarios
4 minutes
- Pair students and have each pair draw a Role-Play Scenario Card.
- In pairs, students role-play managing a conflict using a coping strategy and I-messages.
- Circulate and provide feedback, highlighting self-control and respectful language.
Step 6
Reflection & Closing
2 minutes
- Distribute Reflection Worksheet.
- Ask students to write one self-regulation strategy and one I-message they plan to use.
- Collect worksheets as exit tickets and preview the next session’s focus.
Slide Deck
Pause and Engage
Building self-regulation and communication skills to manage emotions and resolve conflicts.
Welcome everyone to our first session of ‘Pause and Engage.’ Introduce yourself and briefly explain today’s goals: practice self-regulation strategies and communication skills. Remind students this is a safe space and encourage participation.
Group Norms
• One speaker at a time
• Active listening (eyes on speaker, nodding)
• Respectful language and body language
Greet students, review confidentiality (‘what’s said here stays here’) and respect. Introduce norms and point to the Active Listening Poster as a visual cue.
Self-Regulation Strategies
• Positive Thinking
• Movement Break
• Deep Breathing
• Quiet Corner
Display the Self-Regulation Strategy Cards. Briefly explain each: positive thinking, movement breaks, deep breathing, and the quiet corner. Use the Breathing Exercise Script to model deep breaths and start the Movement Break Timer to show how it works.
Practice a Strategy
- Pick a strategy card
- Try it now (1 minute)
- Share how it felt and when you might use it
Hand out one strategy card per student. Start the Movement Break Timer for 1 minute or guide students through deep breathing. Afterward, ask volunteers to share what they tried and how it felt.
Communication Skills
I-Message Format:
“I feel… when… because… I need…”
Active Listening:
• Eye contact
• Nodding
• Paraphrasing
Point to the I-Message and Active Listening posters. Explain the I-message structure and list key listening cues. Role-model a brief dialogue with a co-facilitator, then invite two students to practice.
Role-Play Conflict Scenarios
• Pair up and draw a scenario card
• Practice using a strategy + I-message
• Use active listening and respectful language
Pair students and have them draw a Role-Play Scenario Card. Instruct them to use a coping strategy and I-message to resolve the conflict. Circulate and highlight positive examples of self-control and respectful language.
Reflection & Closing
Write down:
- One self-regulation strategy you’ll use
- One I-message you’ll use
Hand in this sheet as your exit ticket.
Distribute the Reflection Worksheet. Ask students to write down one self-regulation strategy they will use and one I-message they plan to use. Collect them as exit tickets and preview next session’s focus.
Worksheet
Self-Regulation Strategy Cards
Use these cards to practice a coping strategy when you start to feel upset, frustrated, or angry. Print, cut, and laminate so each student can choose one when needed.
Positive Thinking
• Notice any negative thought.
• Pause and replace it with a positive memory or statement (e.g., “I am safe,” “I can handle this,” “I’ve done this before”).
• Repeat your positive thought slowly three times.
Movement Break
• Stand up and clear a small space around you.
• March in place or do 10 jumping jacks.
• Stretch your arms overhead, reach to the sides, and roll your shoulders back.
• Notice how your body feels calmer.
Deep Breathing
• Sit up straight or stand with feet shoulder-width apart.
• Breathe in slowly through your nose for a count of 4.
• Hold your breath for a count of 2.
• Exhale slowly through your mouth for a count of 6.
• Repeat this cycle three times.
Quiet Corner
• Move to the designated Quiet Corner space.
• Sit or lie down on the cushion.
• Choose a sensory tool (stress ball, soft cloth) to hold or squeeze.
• Stay for at least one minute or until you feel calm.
• When you’re ready, rejoin the group quietly.
Activity
Role-Play Scenario Cards
Cut out these cards and place them face down. In pairs, draw one card and role-play the conflict. Use a self-regulation strategy and an I-message to practice managing emotions and resolving disagreements.
Scenario 1
You and a friend both want to use the same red colored pencil for an art project. There’s only one left in the supply.
Scenario 2
A classmate accidentally bumps into you in the hallway and your books fall to the floor, pages get wrinkled.
Scenario 3
During recess, you’re playing basketball but your teammate keeps dribbling without passing the ball to you.
Scenario 4
At lunchtime, you invited a friend to sit with you, but they choose to sit with another group instead.
Scenario 5
Someone in class calls you a nickname that you find hurtful and makes you feel embarrassed.
Scenario 6
You’re working on a group project and one partner isn’t doing their share of the work, leaving you to finish everything alone.
Worksheet
Reflection Worksheet
Name: ________________________________ Date: _______________
- Which self-regulation strategy did you practice today, and when will you use it?
- Write an I-message you could use if you feel upset with a peer. Use the format "I feel… when… because… I need…"
- How will you show active listening the next time someone shares their feelings with you?