Lesson Plan
Stop, Think, Act!
Students will understand and apply the "Stop, Think, Act" strategy to make responsible choices in various situations.
This lesson helps students develop crucial self-regulation skills, enabling them to pause, consider consequences, and choose appropriate actions, leading to better decision-making and fewer impulsive reactions.
Audience
5th Grade Students
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Interactive discussion, scenario analysis, and guided practice.
Materials
Whiteboard or Projector, Stop, Think, Act Slide Deck, Scenario Cards, and Decision-Making Worksheet
Prep
Prepare Materials
10 minutes
- Review the Stop, Think, Act Slide Deck and familiarize yourself with the content.
- Print and cut out the Scenario Cards.
- Make copies of the Decision-Making Worksheet for each student.
- Ensure whiteboard/projector is ready.
Step 1
Warm-Up: Impulse Check
5 minutes
- Begin by asking students: "Have you ever done something without thinking and wished you could take it back?" (1 minute)
2. Facilitate a brief discussion about impulsive actions and their potential consequences. (2 minutes)
3. Introduce the idea of a strategy to help with these moments. (2 minutes)
Step 2
Introduce 'Stop, Think, Act'
10 minutes
- Present the Stop, Think, Act Slide Deck, going through each step.
2. Explain what 'Stop' means: pausing, taking a breath.
3. Explain what 'Think' means: considering options, consequences, feelings.
4. Explain what 'Act' means: choosing the best option and doing it.
5. Use the slide deck to prompt a quick class discussion on each step.
Step 3
Scenario Practice
10 minutes
- Divide students into small groups (2-3 students). (1 minute)
2. Distribute one Scenario Card to each group. (1 minute)
3. Instruct groups to use the 'Stop, Think, Act' strategy to decide how to respond to their scenario. They should record their thoughts on the Decision-Making Worksheet. (6 minutes)
4. Bring the class back together and ask a few groups to share their scenarios and their 'Stop, Think, Act' process. (2 minutes)
Step 4
Wrap-Up & Reflection
5 minutes
- Reiterate the importance of using 'Stop, Think, Act' in daily life. (1 minute)
2. Ask students to share one situation where they might use this strategy outside of school. (2 minutes)
3. Assign the remaining Decision-Making Worksheet as homework or a cool-down activity.
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Slide Deck
Ever Acted Too Fast?
Have you ever done something without thinking and wished you could take it back?
What happened?
How did it feel?
Welcome students and gauge their prior understanding of making quick decisions. This is a chance to connect to their personal experiences.
Introduce: Stop, Think, Act!
A simple strategy to help you make smart choices and avoid impulsive actions.
It's like a mental pause button!
Introduce the core concept. Emphasize that it's a tool to help them make better choices.
STOP!
What does STOP mean?
* Pause: Don't just react immediately.
* Breathe: Take a deep breath.
* Calm Down: Give yourself a moment to get control of your emotions.
* Think of a stop sign or a red light!
Explain 'Stop'. Focus on the physical and mental pause. Taking a breath is a great practical tip.
THINK!
What does THINK mean?
* Consider Options: What are your choices?
* Consequences: What might happen if you choose each option? (Good and bad for everyone involved!)
* Feelings: How might others feel? How will you feel later?
* Problem-Solve: What's the best way to handle this?
Explain 'Think'. Encourage them to consider multiple perspectives and potential outcomes.
ACT!
What does ACT mean?
* Choose: Select the best option you thought of.
* Do It: Carry out your chosen action.
* Be Responsible: Take ownership of your actions.
* Sometimes acting means asking for help!
Explain 'Act'. Highlight choosing the best option and then following through. Reinforce that sometimes the 'best' act is to ask for help.
Practice Makes Perfect!
The more you use 'Stop, Think, Act', the easier it becomes.
Let's practice with some real-life situations!
This slide reinforces the entire process and sets up the upcoming activity.
Activity
Scenario Cards
Cut these cards out and distribute one to each small group. Each group will use the "Stop, Think, Act" strategy to discuss and decide how to handle the situation.
Scenario 1: The Accidental Spill
You are walking through the cafeteria with a tray of food. Suddenly, someone bumps into you, and your milk spills all over another student's project that was on a table. It was an accident, but now the project is ruined.
Stop: What do you do immediately?
Think: What are your options? What are the consequences of each option? How will others feel?
Act: What is the best way to handle this situation?
Scenario 2: The Unfair Game
You are playing a game with friends at recess. One friend starts changing the rules to benefit themselves, and it's making the game unfair and not fun for anyone else.
Stop: What do you do immediately?
Think: What are your options? What are the consequences of each option? How will others feel?
Act: What is the best way to handle this situation?
Scenario 3: The Broken Toy
You are playing with your younger sibling's favorite toy, and you accidentally break it. Your sibling is not home yet, and no one else saw you do it.
Stop: What do you do immediately?
Think: What are your options? What are the consequences of each option? How will others feel?
Act: What is the best way to handle this situation?
Scenario 4: The Tempting Treat
Your parent told you not to eat any cookies before dinner. You walk into the kitchen and see a plate of freshly baked cookies cooling on the counter, and no one is around.
Stop: What do you do immediately?
Think: What are your options? What are the consequences of each option? How will others feel?
Act: What is the best way to handle this situation?
Scenario 5: The Mean Comment
You overhear some classmates making fun of another student's new haircut. The student looks sad, but the other classmates haven't noticed you yet.
Stop: What do you do immediately?
Think: What are your options? What are the consequences of each option? How will others feel?
Act: What is the best way to handle this situation?
Scenario 6: The Group Project Problem
You are working on a group project, and one of your group members isn't doing any of their assigned work. The deadline is approaching quickly.
Stop: What do you do immediately?
Think: What are your options? What are the consequences of each option? How will others feel?
Act: What is the best way to handle this situation?
Worksheet
Decision-Making Worksheet: Stop, Think, Act!
Name: _________________________ Date: _____________
Scenario: (Describe the situation you are thinking about or were given)
STOP!
What is happening? What is your immediate reaction? Take a deep breath.
THINK!
What are your different options for how to respond? What might happen with each option (consequences)? How would each option make you and others feel?
Option 1:
Consequences:
Feelings:
Option 2:
Consequences:
Feelings:
Option 3 (if applicable):
Consequences:
Feelings:
ACT!
Considering all your options, what is the best choice you can make? Why is this the best choice? What will you do?