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

Pause and Process

Molly

Tier 1
For Schools

Lesson Plan

Pause and Process

Students will be able to define impulse control, identify its benefits in various life situations, and practice concrete strategies to manage impulsive behaviors.

Developing impulse control is crucial for making responsible decisions, achieving long-term goals, and building strong, healthy relationships. This lesson provides practical tools for students to navigate challenging situations more effectively.

Audience

12th Grade

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Interactive discussion and practical exercises

Materials

Whiteboard or projector, Markers or pens, Slide Deck: Pause and Process, Warm-Up: Instant Reactions, Activity: Real-Life Ripple Effects, and Cool-Down: My Control Code

Prep

Preparation Checklist

10 minutes

  • Review the Pause and Process Lesson Plan and all linked materials: Slide Deck: Pause and Process, Warm-Up: Instant Reactions, Activity: Real-Life Ripple Effects, and Cool-Down: My Control Code.
  • Ensure projector/whiteboard is ready.
  • Have markers/pens available.
  • Print or prepare to display the warm-up, activity, and cool-down prompts.

Step 1

Introduction & Warm-Up: Instant Reactions

5 minutes

  • Begin with the Warm-Up: Instant Reactions activity to engage students and introduce the concept of immediate responses.
  • Project or write the warm-up prompts on the board.
  • Ask students to quickly jot down their first thoughts/reactions.
  • Facilitate a brief discussion about how different situations can trigger instant reactions.

Step 2

What is Impulse Control?

7 minutes

  • Transition to the main topic using the Slide Deck: Pause and Process (Slides 1-3).
  • Define impulse control and discuss the difference between an impulse and a thoughtful decision.
  • Brainstorm examples of everyday impulsive behaviors (e.g., buying something unnecessary, speaking without thinking, procrastinating).
  • Discuss the short-term satisfaction versus long-term consequences of impulsive actions.

Step 3

Why Does it Matter? Ripple Effects

8 minutes

  • Continue with the Slide Deck: Pause and Process (Slides 4-5).
  • Introduce the concept of 'ripple effects' using the Activity: Real-Life Ripple Effects.
  • Have students work individually or in pairs to consider a scenario and its potential long-term impacts.
  • Share a few examples and discuss how practicing impulse control can lead to more positive outcomes.

Step 4

Strategies for Controlling Impulses

7 minutes

  • Present strategies for developing impulse control using the Slide Deck: Pause and Process (Slides 6-8).
  • Discuss techniques like 'Stop, Think, Act,' delaying gratification, identifying triggers, and practicing mindfulness.
  • Encourage students to share any strategies they already use or find helpful.

Step 5

Cool-Down: My Control Code

3 minutes

  • Conclude the lesson with the Cool-Down: My Control Code activity.
  • Ask students to reflect on one strategy they will try to implement.
  • Briefly collect responses or have students share with a partner as an exit ticket.
lenny

Slide Deck

Pause and Process

Navigating Impulses for Better Choices

Ever do something without really thinking it through?

Welcome students and introduce the topic of decisions. Ask a rhetorical question about making choices without thinking.

What Is Impulse Control?

It's your ability to resist immediate urges or temptations in favor of more thoughtful, long-term goals.

Basically, it's hitting the 'pause' button between an urge and your action.

Introduce the core concept of impulse control. Emphasize that it's about making conscious choices.

Impulse vs. Thoughtful Decision

Impulse: A sudden, strong, unreflective urge or desire.

Thoughtful Decision: A choice made after considering consequences, goals, and values.

Think of a time you acted on an impulse. What happened?

Discuss how impulse control plays out in daily life. Ask students for examples.

The Ripple Effect of Choices

Every decision, big or small, sends out ripples.

Impulsive actions can create unexpected and often negative ripples.

Thoughtful choices lead to positive and desired outcomes.

Introduce the idea of ripple effects. Explain that every action, impulsive or not, has consequences that spread.

Why Does Impulse Control Matter?

  1. Better Relationships: Less regretful words, more understanding.
  2. Achieving Goals: Staying focused instead of getting distracted.
  3. Personal Well-being: Reduced stress, fewer mistakes.
  4. Financial Stability: Avoiding unnecessary spending.

Explain the importance of understanding long-term impacts. Connect to the activity.

Strategy 1: Stop, Think, Act

STOP: Physically pause. Take a deep breath.

THINK: What's the impulse? What are the potential consequences (short-term and long-term)? What are my goals?

ACT: Make a conscious decision that aligns with your goals.

Introduce the first strategy: Stop, Think, Act. Emphasize the importance of pausing.

Strategy 2: Identify Your Triggers

What situations, emotions, or people tend to make you act impulsively?

Recognizing these triggers is the first step to managing them.

Example: Stress snacking, online shopping when bored, reacting defensively when criticized.

Introduce the second strategy: Identify Triggers. Explain how knowing triggers can help prevent impulsive reactions.

Strategy 3: Practice & Patience

Delay Gratification: Can you wait 5 minutes? 1 hour? A day? Building this muscle helps you resist immediate urges.

Mindfulness: Pay attention to your thoughts and feelings without judgment. This helps you observe impulses rather than immediately acting on them.

Introduce the third strategy: Practice Mindfulness/Delay Gratification. Explain how these build mental strength.

Your Power to Choose

Impulse control isn't about never having impulses; it's about choosing how you respond to them.

You have the power to pause, process, and make decisions that truly serve you.

Summarize the key takeaways and lead into the cool-down activity.

lenny

Warm Up

Warm-Up: Instant Reactions

Instructions:

Read each scenario and write down your very first thought or feeling that comes to mind. Don't overthink it! Just capture your immediate, gut reaction.

  1. Your friend texts you a mean comment about someone you both know.






  2. You see an advertisement for a brand-new video game/clothing item you really want, but you just spent most of your money.






  3. You're studying for a big test, and your phone buzzes with a notification from your favorite social media app.






  4. Someone cuts you off aggressively while driving or walking in the hallway.






Discussion Questions:

  • Was it easy or hard to just write your first reaction?
  • Do you think acting on every first reaction is always a good idea? Why or why not?
lenny
lenny

Activity

Activity: Real-Life Ripple Effects

Instructions:

Read the scenario below. Imagine you are the person in the scenario. Consider the impulsive action and then explore the thoughtful action. Think about the short-term and long-term consequences (the "ripple effects") of each choice.

Scenario:

You are assigned a major group project worth a significant portion of your grade. Your group members suggest meeting after school, but you really want to go to a concert with friends that night. You haven't started your part yet.

Impulsive Action:

You tell your group you can't make the meeting, lie about having another commitment, and go to the concert. You plan to quickly do your part of the project the next day.

Short-Term Ripple Effects (within the next day or two):










Long-Term Ripple Effects (weeks/months later):










Thoughtful Action:

You explain to your group that you have a conflict but will dedicate extra time immediately to complete your part and contribute to the planning session virtually or catch up on notes. You try to find another time to go to a concert or attend a different event.

Short-Term Ripple Effects (within the next day or two):










Long-Term Ripple Effects (weeks/months later):










Discussion Questions:

  • Which action would you feel better about? Why?
  • How does practicing impulse control in situations like this impact your reputation and relationships?
  • Can you think of a similar situation in your own life where you either acted impulsively or thoughtfully, and what the ripple effects were?
lenny
lenny

Cool Down

Cool-Down: My Control Code

Instructions:

Think about one strategy for impulse control that you learned today or that you already use. Write it down and explain how you plan to use it in your daily life.

My Personal Impulse Control Strategy:










How I Will Use It:










lenny
lenny