Pause Practice Activity

Objective: Help students practice pausing and reflecting before acting on impulses through role-playing scenarios.

Materials Needed:

• Open space in the classroom for movement
• Scenario cards (prepared in advance)

Instructions:

1. Introduction (2 minutes):

   • Explain to the students that they will be participating in an activity where they will practice pausing and reflecting before making decisions.
   • Emphasize the importance of thinking before acting to make better choices.

2. Scenario Setup (3 minutes):

   • Divide the class into small groups of 3-4 students.
   • Distribute one scenario card to each group. Each card should describe a situation where a student might feel an impulse to act quickly.

3. Role-Playing (5 minutes):

   • Instruct each group to read their scenario and discuss what the impulsive action might be.
   • Ask them to role-play the scenario, first acting on impulse and then pausing to reflect before acting.

4. Discussion (5 minutes):

   • After role-playing, have each group discuss the following questions:
     • What was the impulsive action?
     • What could happen if you acted on impulse?
     • How did pausing and reflecting change the outcome?
     • What did you learn from pausing and reflecting?

5. Class Debrief (5 minutes):

   • Bring the class back together and invite a few groups to share their scenarios and reflections.
   • Highlight effective strategies for pausing and reflecting that were discussed.

6. Conclusion (2 minutes):

   • Reinforce the lesson by reminding students that pausing and reflecting can help them make better decisions and avoid trouble.

Scenario Examples:

• Scenario 1: You see a toy you really like in your friend's backpack and want to take it without asking.
• Scenario 2: You're frustrated because you can't solve a math problem and want to shout out in class.
• Scenario 3: You're excited to go to recess and want to run down the hallway.

Reflection:

• Encourage students to think about how they can apply pausing and reflecting in their daily lives.

Teacher Notes:

• Ensure that the scenarios are age-appropriate and relatable to the students.
• Encourage students to be respectful and supportive during role-playing and discussions.
• Use this activity to foster a classroom environment where thoughtful decision-making is valued.

Reflection Journal Worksheet

Pause and Reflect

Instructions:

Think about a time when you acted without thinking first. Use the prompts below to guide your reflection. Write your answers in the spaces provided.

1. Describe a situation where you acted impulsively. What happened?
Write about a time when you did something without thinking it through. What was the situation?

2. What was the impulsive action you took?
Explain what you did in the moment. Why do you think you acted that way?

3. What were the consequences of your action?
Think about what happened because of your impulsive action. How did it affect you or others?

4. How could pausing and reflecting have changed the outcome?
Consider how the situation might have been different if you had paused and thought before acting.

5. What will you do differently next time?
Plan for the future. How will you remind yourself to pause and reflect before acting?

Reflection

Take a moment to think about how pausing and reflecting can help you make better decisions in the future. Share your thoughts with a classmate or write them down here.

Remember: Pausing and reflecting can help you make choices that you feel proud of and avoid trouble. Keep practicing these skills every day!

Reflection Exit Ticket

Name: _______________________

1. What is one thing you learned today about pausing and reflecting?
Write a short sentence about what you learned.

2. Why is it important to pause and reflect before acting?
Explain in your own words why pausing and reflecting can be helpful.

3. How will you remind yourself to pause and reflect in the future?
Think of a strategy or a reminder you can use.

Remember: Taking a moment to pause and think can help you make better choices and avoid impulsive actions. Keep practicing!