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Pause, Think, Solve!

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Lesson Plan

Problem Solving with Impulse Control

Students will learn to use a problem-solving strategy (identify problem size, brainstorm 2+ solutions, select the best choice) and demonstrate impulse control (pausing, waiting, self-regulation) with 80% accuracy.

Learning to problem-solve with impulse control helps students navigate social situations, reduce conflicts, and make thoughtful decisions. These skills are crucial for building positive relationships and becoming independent learners.

Audience

1st Grade Students

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Through an engaging game, direct instruction, and guided practice.

Materials

Whiteboard or projector, Slide Deck: Pause, Think, Solve!, Problem-Solving Scenario Cards, Impulse Control Game Board, Markers or dry-erase pens, and Small tokens or game pieces (optional)

Prep

Teacher Preparation

15 minutes

Step 1

Warm-Up: What's the Problem?

5 minutes

  • Display Slide 1: Welcome!
    * Ask: "Who can tell me something that makes them feel a little frustrated or confused sometimes?" (Allow a few student responses).
    * Explain: "Today, we're going to learn a super skill called 'Pause, Think, Solve!' to help us when problems pop up."

Step 2

Introduce Pause, Think, Solve!

10 minutes

  • Display Slide 2: Pause, Think, Solve!
    * Introduce the Strategy: "Our strategy has three important steps: Pause, Think, and Solve! Let's break it down."

Step 3

Step 1: Pause!

5 minutes

  • Display Slide 3: Pause!
    * Explain: "When a problem happens, our first step is to PAUSE. This means taking a deep breath, counting to three in our heads, or asking ourselves, 'What just happened?' This helps us use our impulse control!"
    * Model: Demonstrate taking a deep breath and a brief pause.
    * Practice: Have students practice pausing with you.

Step 4

Step 2: Think! (Problem Size & Choices)

5 minutes

  • Display Slide 4: Think!
    * Explain Problem Size: "Next, we THINK. First, we think about the size of the problem. Is it a tiny problem, a medium problem, or a big problem?" (Briefly explain each, e.g., tiny = spilled a crayon, medium = argument with a friend, big = someone got hurt).
    * Explain Choices: "Then, we think about at least two choices or solutions to solve the problem. What could we do?"
    * Model: Give a simple scenario (e.g.,

Step 5

Step 3: Solve!

5 minutes

  • Display Slide 5: Solve!
    * Explain: "Finally, we SOLVE! This means we pick the best choice from our ideas. We think, 'Which choice will make things better, not worse?'"
    * Model: Continuing the previous scenario, demonstrate selecting the best solution and briefly explaining why.
    * Review: Quickly review all three steps: Pause, Think, Solve!

Step 6

Practice Game: Impulse Control Challenge

10 minutes

  • Display Slide 6: Time to Play!
    * Explain Game: "Now, we're going to play our 'Impulse Control Challenge' game! We'll use our Impulse Control Game Board and Problem-Solving Scenario Cards."
    * Instructions: "I will draw a card. As a class, we will go through the steps: Pause, identify the problem size, brainstorm two solutions, and pick the Solve best one. We'll practice our impulse control by waiting for instructions and thinking carefully."

Step 7

Guided Practice & Wrap-Up

5 minutes

  • Display Slide 7: Great Job!
    * Facilitate: Lead the class through 2-3 Problem-Solving Scenario Cards together, emphasizing each step of the "Pause, Think, Solve!" strategy and praising impulse control.
    * Discuss: "What was the hardest part of pausing and thinking before solving? What helped you?"
    * Review: "Remember, when a problem comes up, Pause, Think, Solve! You've got this!"
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Slide Deck

Welcome! Ready to be a Problem Solver?

What makes you feel frustrated or confused sometimes?

Welcome students and set the stage for learning a new skill. Ask a general question to get them thinking about challenges.

Pause, Think, Solve!

Our Super Strategy for Problems!

Introduce the core strategy: Pause, Think, Solve! Explain that these are the steps they will learn today.

1. Pause!

Take a deep breath.
### Count to 3.
### Ask: "What just happened?"

This helps with impulse control!

Focus on the 'Pause' step. Explain what it means and why it's important (impulse control). Model and practice with students.

2. Think!

Is it a Tiny, Medium, or Big Problem?
### What are at least 2 choices to solve it?

Introduce the 'Think' step, specifically focusing on problem size and brainstorming choices. Give a simple example.

3. Solve!

Pick the BEST choice.
### "Which choice will make things better?"

Review: Pause, Think, Solve!

Introduce the 'Solve' step. Emphasize choosing the best solution. Review all three steps briefly.

Time to Play!

Impulse Control Challenge Game!
### Using our Impulse Control Game Board
### And Problem-Solving Scenario Cards

Remember to PAUSE!

Explain that they will now play a game to practice the strategy. Briefly go over the game instructions again.

Great Job, Problem Solvers!

You learned to Pause, Think, and Solve!
### Keep practicing your impulse control!

What helped you pause today?

Conclude the lesson, reinforce the strategy, and encourage students to use it. Ask a reflective question.

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Activity

Problem-Solving Scenario Cards

Instructions: Print and cut out each card. Use these during the "Impulse Control Challenge" game.

Card 1: Missing Crayon

Scenario: You are drawing a beautiful picture, and you can't find your favorite blue crayon. You feel a little frustrated.

Card 2: Bumped in Line

Scenario: You are standing in line, and another student accidentally bumps into you. You feel annoyed.

Card 3: Sharing Toy

Scenario: You and a friend both want to play with the same toy at recess. You both grab for it at the same time.

Card 4: Loud Classmate

Scenario: You are trying to read during quiet time, but the student next to you is making loud noises.

Card 5: Spilled Juice

Scenario: You accidentally knock over your juice box during snack time, and it spills on your desk.

Card 6: Friend's Feelings

Scenario: You said something to your friend that wasn't very kind, and now your friend looks sad.

Card 7: Group Project Disagreement

Scenario: You are working on a group project, and two of your teammates can't agree on whose idea to use.

Card 8: Lost Item

Scenario: You can't find your backpack after school, and everyone else is ready to leave.

Card 9: Playground Rule

Scenario: You see another student breaking a playground rule that could hurt someone.

Card 10: Unfair Game

Scenario: You are playing a game with friends, and you think someone is not playing fairly.

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Game

Impulse Control Game Board

Instructions:

  1. Print and laminate the game board (or draw it on a whiteboard).
  2. Players take turns drawing a Problem-Solving Scenario Card.
  3. For each card, the player must go through the steps of Pause, Think, Solve!
    • Pause: Take a deep breath or count to three. (Teacher observes for a brief pause.)
    • Think - Problem Size: Identify if it's a Tiny, Medium, or Big problem.
    • Think - Choices: Brainstorm at least 2 different solutions.
    • Solve: Choose the best solution and explain why.
  4. If the student successfully demonstrates all steps, they move one space on the game board.
  5. Special Spaces:
    • Take a Deep Breath (Pause!): If you land here, take an extra deep breath before your next turn to practice your impulse control. You get to move an extra space on your next successful turn!
    • Brainstorm Power-Up (Think!): If you land here, when it's your turn to draw a scenario card, you must think of three solutions instead of two. If successful, move an extra space!
    • Best Solution Bonus (Solve!): If you land here, explain why your chosen solution is the best one. If your explanation is super clear, you get to move two spaces!
  6. If the student struggles with a step or a special space challenge, the teacher provides guided support and the student does not move a space.
  7. The first player to reach the "FINISH" space wins! (For whole-class play, celebrate collective progress.)

Game Board Layout

+-------------------------------------------------------------+
|  START  ->  [ 1 ]  ->  [Take a Deep Breath!]  ->  [ 2 ]    |
|                                                             |
|    [FINISH]  <-  [ 5 ]  <-  [Best Solution Bonus!]  <-  [ 4 ]  <-  [ 3 ]  <-  [Brainstorm Power-Up!]
+-------------------------------------------------------------+

(Teacher can draw simple squares or circles for spaces on the board, adding labels for special spaces as shown above.)

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Pause, Think, Solve! • Lenny Learning