Lesson Plan
Pause Power Lesson Plan
Students will learn to pause, think, and choose appropriate actions by practicing an impulse-control strategy through story reading, a stoplight game, a worksheet, and discussion.
Building impulse control helps students regulate behavior, enhances learning, and boosts social skills. Teaching a clear pause-think-act routine supports self-confidence and smoother classroom interactions.
Audience
2nd Grade Students
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Multisensory story, game, and practice reinforce pausing skills.
Materials
Prep
Prepare Materials
10 minutes
- Print the Pause and Think Worksheet
- Cut out the Pause Power Cards
- Gather traffic-light props or colored cards for the Impulse Stoplight Game
- Review The Thinker Bear Story to anticipate discussion points
Step 1
Introduction
5 minutes
- Greet the student and explain today’s goal: learning to pause before acting
- Show the Pause Power Cards and introduce the steps: Pause, Think, Act
- Model a simple scenario (e.g., grabbing a toy) and demonstrate pausing before deciding
Step 2
Story Reading
7 minutes
- Read The Thinker Bear Story aloud
- Pause at key moments and ask: “What could the bear have done before acting?”
- Encourage the student to spot when the bear paused and thought
Step 3
Game Activity
10 minutes
- Explain the Impulse Stoplight Game rules: green=go, yellow=think, red=stop
- Hold up green/yellow/red cards or props and call out actions (e.g., jump, freeze)
- Have the student practice pausing (yellow) before acting when yellow appears
- Provide immediate praise for correct pauses
Step 4
Worksheet Practice
5 minutes
- Hand the student the Pause and Think Worksheet
- Guide them to match scenarios with Pause, Think, Act steps
- Support reading or writing as needed to complete at least 3 items
Step 5
Reflection and Wrap-Up
3 minutes
- Ask the student to share one moment today when they paused before acting
- Review the Pause Power steps and show the Pause Power Cards again
- Praise their effort and remind them to use pause-think-act in future
Game
Impulse Stoplight Game
A quick, kinesthetic game reinforcing the Pause-Think-Act routine using stoplight color cues. Perfect for one-on-one practice of impulse control.
Materials Needed
- Green card or circle (Go)
- Yellow card or circle (Think)
- Red card or circle (Stop)
Setup
- Place the three colored cards within clear view of the student.
- Ensure the student can easily pick up and hold each card or that you can display them prominently.
How to Play
- Explain Rules (Teacher-Led)
- Green means Go: Move immediately.
- Yellow means Think: Pause and quietly say “Pause,” then think about the action.
- Red means Stop: Freeze and wait until the next cue.
- Practice Actions
- Prepare a list of simple, fun actions (e.g., jump, clap, spin, touch the floor).
- For each round, hold up one colored card and call out an action. For example:
- “Yellow—jump!” → Student pauses, thinks, then waits.
- “Green—jump!” → Student performs the jump.
- “Red—spin!” → Student freezes and does not spin.
- Provide Feedback
- Immediately praise correct pauses on yellow and correct freezes on red.
- If the student moves too early, gently remind them of the “Pause” step and repeat the round.
Variations
- Speed Challenge: Switch cards more quickly to build focus.
- Two-Step Actions: Call out sequences (e.g., “Tap your head, then clap”) to practice sequencing after pause.
Use this game during the 10-minute Game Activity portion of the Pause Power Lesson Plan to help the student internalize stopping and thinking before acting.
Worksheet
Pause and Think Worksheet
Use your Pause Power Cards to help remember the steps: Pause, Think, Act.
1. What Step Is It?
Read each scenario. Write Pause, Think, or Act on the line.
- Someone calls your name while you’re playing. ____________
- You hear the teacher’s question in class. ____________
- Your friend offers you too much candy. ____________
- A ball rolls into the street. ____________
2. Match the Colors
Each traffic-light color matches one step. Draw a line or write the step next to the color.
- Red: ____________
- Yellow: ____________
- Green: ____________
3. Draw It
Draw yourself doing the Pause step. Don’t forget to label your picture “Pause.”
4. Why Pause?
In your own words, explain why it’s important to pause before you act.
(use words or pictures!)
Activity
The Thinker Bear Story
Benny Bear woke up early in the forest. He spotted a bright red apple high on a tree branch. Benny wanted that apple right away!
Benny climbed up quickly. Pause!—He stopped and heard a creaking sound. The branch was weak!
What could Benny do before moving higher?
(Pause, Think, Act!)
…
Benny took a deep breath. He said to himself, “Pause. Think.”
He looked for a stronger branch to hold onto. Then he carefully reached the apple and climbed down safely.
Great job, Benny!
…
Later, Benny and his friend, Ruby Rabbit, played tag near a muddy puddle. Ruby chased after Benny. Pause!—Benny saw the muddy puddle ahead.
What should Benny think before he jumps?
(Pause, Think, Act!)
…
Benny stopped and thought, “If I jump now, I’ll get muddy. I can run around the puddle instead.”
He smiled and darted safely around the puddle. Ruby laughed and said, “Good idea, Benny!”
…
At the end of the day, Benny Bear sat under a tall pine tree. He remembered the steps:
- Pause when he feels rush or excitement.
- Think about safety and what might happen.
- Act in a smart, safe way.
Discussion Questions:
- When did Benny pause today?
- What did he think about before he acted?
- How did pausing help Benny stay safe?
Use these questions to talk about how Pause, Think, Act can help you every day!