Lesson Plan
Pause & Think!
Students will be able to identify common impulses and apply at least two strategies to improve their impulse control in various situations.
Developing impulse control is crucial for making responsible decisions, achieving goals, and navigating social situations effectively. It empowers students to think before they act.
Audience
8th Grade Students
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Interactive discussion, visual presentation, and practical application exercises.
Materials
Prep
Lesson Preparation
15 minutes
- Review the Pause & Think Slide Deck and become familiar with the content.
- Print copies of the Impulse Control Worksheet for each student.
- Ensure projector and computer are set up for the slide deck.
Step 1
Introduction: What's an Impulse?
5 minutes
- Begin by projecting the first slide of the Pause & Think Slide Deck.
- Ask students: "What comes to mind when you hear the word 'impulse'?" (Allow for brief student responses and discussion).
- Define impulse control and explain why it's a valuable skill.
Step 2
Recognizing Our Impulses
10 minutes
- Go through the slides detailing common impulse scenarios relevant to middle schoolers (e.g., blurting out, buying something unnecessary, reacting without thinking).
- Facilitate a brief class discussion on examples of impulses they've experienced or observed.
- Emphasize that everyone experiences impulses, and the goal is to manage them.
Step 3
Strategies for Control
10 minutes
- Introduce and explain practical impulse control strategies from the Pause & Think Slide Deck (e.g., Stop-Think-Act, counting to ten, deep breaths, asking 'Is this helpful?').
- Provide scenarios and ask students to suggest which strategy they might use.
- Distribute the Impulse Control Worksheet and give students a few minutes to start working on it independently.
Step 4
Wrap-up and Reflection
5 minutes
- Briefly review the strategies discussed.
- Ask students to share one new idea or strategy they learned about impulse control.
- Collect the Impulse Control Worksheet to review their initial thoughts, or assign it as homework.
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Slide Deck
Pause & Think!
Understanding Impulse Control
What comes to mind when you hear the word "impulse"?
- A sudden urge?
- Acting without thinking?
- Doing something you might regret later?
Welcome students and introduce the topic. Ask them to think about what 'impulse' means to them. Encourage initial thoughts and examples.
What is Impulse Control?
It's Your Brain's 'Stop and Think' Button!
Impulse: A strong, unthinking urge to do something.
Impulse Control: The ability to resist acting immediately on an impulse, allowing you to think through consequences and make better choices.
Why is this important?
- Better decisions
- Stronger relationships
- Achieving goals
- Managing emotions
Define impulse and explain why control is important for their age group. Connect it to real-life situations like social media, spending, or schoolwork.
Impulses in Action: Scenarios
Ever felt these urges?
- Blurting out an answer (or an insult) in class without raising your hand.
- Buying something online the moment you see it, without checking your budget.
- Hitting 'send' on a text or post when you're angry.
- Procrastinating on homework until the last minute because you want to play games.
- Interrupting someone mid-sentence because you have something to say.
What other impulses do you notice in yourself or others?
Present various scenarios where impulses might arise. Ask students to consider how they might react impulsively in these situations and what the potential outcomes could be. Emphasize that everyone deals with impulses.
Strategies: Your Control Toolbox
How to Hit the 'Pause' Button
1. The STOP-THINK-ACT Method
- STOP: Freeze! Don't do anything.
- THINK: What are the possible consequences? What are your options? What's the best choice?
- ACT: Make your thoughtful decision.
2. Count to Ten (or Twenty!)
- Give your brain a moment to catch up with your emotions.
- Take a deep breath.
Introduce the first set of strategies. Explain each one clearly and give examples. Encourage students to think about when they could use these.
More Control Strategies!
Expanding Your Toolbox
3. Ask Yourself: 'Is This Helpful?'
- Will this action help me achieve my goals?
- Will it help me or others?
- What's the long-term impact?
4. Change Your Environment
- If a situation is making you impulsive, step away (e.g., walk away from an argument, close the laptop when tempted to procrastinate).
5. Practice Mindfulness
- Notice your feelings and urges without acting on them immediately. Just observe.
Continue with more strategies. Connect these to managing emotions and making choices that align with their goals. Prepare to transition to the worksheet for practice.
You've Got This!
Key Takeaways:
- Impulses are normal, but controlling them is a superpower!
- You have tools to pause, think, and make better choices.
- Practice makes progress – start small!
Let's put these strategies into practice with a quick activity.
Summarize the key takeaways and encourage students to apply what they've learned. The worksheet will provide immediate practice.
Worksheet
Impulse Control: Pause & Think!
Name: _____________________________
Date: _____________________________
Part 1: Your Impulses
Think about times when you've acted on an impulse. It happens to everyone! Describe one time you acted impulsively and what happened as a result.
Part 2: Strategy Scenarios
Read each scenario below. Then, choose one of the impulse control strategies we discussed (STOP-THINK-ACT, Count to Ten, or "Is This Helpful?") and explain how you would use it to make a better choice.
Scenario 1:
Your friend just told you about a party everyone is going to, but you know you have a big test the next day and need to study. Your first thought is, "I HAVE to go!"
Which strategy would you use?
How would you apply it?
Scenario 2:
Someone in your class makes a rude comment about your new hairstyle. You feel a flush of anger and want to yell something back immediately.
Which strategy would you use?
How would you apply it?
Scenario 3:
You're scrolling online and see an advertisement for a brand-new video game that looks amazing. You really want it, even though you just bought a game last week and are trying to save money.
Which strategy would you use?
How would you apply it?
Part 3: My Personal Strategy
Which impulse control strategy do you think will be most helpful for you in your daily life? Why? How will you remember to use it?