Lesson Plan
Stop, Think, Act!
Students will learn and practice the 'Stop, Think, Act' strategy to improve self-control by pausing before responding and considering consequences, leading to more positive classroom behaviors.
Developing self-control is crucial for academic success and positive social interactions. This lesson provides a concrete tool for students to manage impulses and make thoughtful choices, empowering them to navigate challenging situations more effectively.
Audience
5th Grade Special Education (Severe Learning Language)
Time
40 minutes
Approach
Direct instruction, visual aids, guided practice, and role-playing.
Materials
Stop, Think, Act! Slide Deck](#stop-think-act-slide-deck), Stop, Think, Act! Script](#stop-think-act-script), Self-Control Scenarios Worksheet](#self-control-scenarios-worksheet), and Self-Control Visual Aid](#self-control-visual-aid)
Prep
Teacher Preparation
15 minutes
- Review the Stop, Think, Act! Lesson Plan and all generated materials.
* Print copies of the Self-Control Scenarios Worksheet, one for each student.
* Prepare the classroom for slide deck presentation.
* Consider laminating the Self-Control Visual Aid for future classroom use.
Step 1
Warm-Up: What Does Self-Control Look Like?
5 minutes
- Begin by asking students: "What does 'self-control' mean? What does it look like when someone has self-control?" (Use visual cues and simple language).
2. Show Slide 2 and briefly discuss student responses, focusing on observable behaviors.
Step 2
Introduce 'Stop, Think, Act!'
10 minutes
- Present the 'Stop, Think, Act!' strategy using the Stop, Think, Act! Slide Deck (Slides 3-6).
2. Explain each step clearly with simple language and examples relevant to the students' experiences.
* STOP: Take a breath, count to three. (Show Slide 3)
* THINK: What are my choices? What might happen? (Show Slide 4)
* ACT: Choose the best idea. (Show Slide 5)
3. Distribute the Self-Control Visual Aid to each student and review it together. Emphasize the visual cues.
Step 3
Guided Practice: Scenario Exploration
15 minutes
- Distribute the Self-Control Scenarios Worksheet.
2. Read the first scenario aloud from the worksheet.
3. Model applying the 'Stop, Think, Act!' strategy as a whole class for the first scenario.
* "What is happening?" (STOP)
* "What could we do? What might happen if we do that?" (THINK)
* "What is the best choice?" (ACT)
4. Guide students through 1-2 more scenarios together, allowing them to share their ideas. Encourage use of the Self-Control Visual Aid.
Step 4
Role-Playing and Application
8 minutes
- Choose one or two simple scenarios from the Self-Control Scenarios Worksheet or create new ones relevant to the classroom.
2. Ask for volunteers to role-play applying the 'Stop, Think, Act!' strategy. Provide positive reinforcement for attempts.
3. Discuss how they can use 'Stop, Think, Act!' during their school day. (Show Slide 7)
Step 5
Cool-Down: Self-Control Star
2 minutes
- Ask students to give a thumbs up, thumbs down, or thumbs sideways if they feel they understand the 'Stop, Think, Act!' strategy. (Show Slide 8)
2. Reinforce that practicing self-control is a journey and everyone can improve.
Slide Deck
Stop, Think, Act!
Taking Control of Our Choices!
Welcome students and introduce the topic of self-control. Ask a general question to get them thinking, like "What does it mean to be in charge of yourself?"
What is Self-Control?
Being in charge of your body and your actions.
Making smart choices, even when it's hard.
Start with a simple discussion. Ask students: "What does self-control look like? What does it sound like?" Encourage them to think of examples in school or at home. Use gestures to support understanding. Connect their ideas to being
Step 1: STOP!
Take a deep breath.
Count to 3 in your head.
Give yourself a moment before you do anything else.
Introduce the first step: STOP. Explain that this means literally pausing. Model taking a deep breath and counting to three. Emphasize that it's okay to take a moment before reacting.
Step 2: THINK!
What are my choices?
What will happen if I make this choice?
Is it a good choice or a not-so-good choice?
Introduce the second step: THINK. Explain that after stopping, we need to think about our choices. Ask: "What could I do? What might happen if I do that?" Use simple cause-and-effect examples.
Step 3: ACT!
Choose the best idea.
Do something helpful and safe.
Make a good choice!
Introduce the third step: ACT. Explain that after thinking, we choose the best option. Reiterate that the goal is to make a positive choice that helps ourselves and others. Reinforce that it's okay to make mistakes, but we learn from them.
Stop, Think, Act! Review
STOP! (Take a breath)
THINK! (What are my choices?)
ACT! (Choose the best idea)
Review the full strategy. Ask students to repeat the steps. This slide is a quick recap before moving to practice.
Using 'Stop, Think, Act!'
At school
At home
With friends
When you feel mad or sad
When you want to interrupt
Connect the strategy to their daily lives. Ask where and when they can use 'Stop, Think, Act!'. Emphasize that practice makes it easier. Provide specific examples like during group work, when feeling frustrated, or when wanting to blurt out answers.
You are a Self-Control Star!
How well do you understand 'Stop, Think, Act!'?
Thumbs Up = I get it!
Thumbs Sideways = I kind of get it.
Thumbs Down = I need more help.
For the cool-down, ask students to give a thumbs-up if they feel they understand the strategy, thumbs-sideways if they somewhat understand, and thumbs-down if they need more help. Reassure them that it's a new skill and continued practice will help.
Script
Stop, Think, Act! Script
(Slide 1: Stop, Think, Act! - Taking Control of Our Choices!)
Teacher: Hello everyone! Today we're going to talk about something super important: being in charge of ourselves and making smart choices. Our lesson today is called "Stop, Think, Act!" It's about taking control of our choices.
(Slide 2: What is Self-Control?)
Teacher: First, let's talk about what "self-control" means. When you hear "self-control," what comes to your mind? What does it look like when someone has self-control? Or what does it not look like?
Teacher: Great ideas! Self-control is about being in charge of your body and your actions. It means making smart choices, even when it feels hard. It's like having a superpower that helps you choose the best path.
(Slide 3: Step 1: STOP!)
Teacher: Our first step in gaining this superpower is STOP! When you feel like doing something quickly, or you feel upset, the first thing to do is STOP. Let's practice. Everyone, take a deep breath in... and out. Good. Now, silently count to three in your head. One... two... three. This gives your brain a little break. It gives you a moment before you do anything else.
(Slide 4: Step 2: THINK!)
Teacher: After you STOP, the next step is to THINK! This is where you think about your choices. What are the different things you could do? And what might happen if you choose each one? Is it a good choice, or a not-so-good choice?
For example, if you're upset, you could yell. What might happen if you yell? (Pause for student responses). Or you could ask for help. What might happen if you ask for help? (Pause). Thinking helps us see what might happen next.
(Slide 5: Step 3: ACT!)
Teacher: Once you've stopped and thought about your choices and what might happen, it's time to ACT! This means you choose the best idea. You do something helpful and safe. You make a good choice based on your thinking.
(Slide 6: Stop, Think, Act! Review)
Teacher: So, let's review our three steps! What's the first step? STOP! (Students respond). Good! What's next? THINK! (Students respond). Excellent! And the last step? ACT! (Students respond). Wonderful! Stop, Think, Act!
(Distribute the Self-Control Visual Aid and review it with students.)
Teacher: Now, let's look at this visual aid. It has our three steps to help us remember. We have "Stop," "Think," and "Act" with pictures to help us remember each step. We can keep this near us to help us practice.
Scenario Practice
(Distribute the Self-Control Scenarios Worksheet.)
Teacher: Now let's try using our new superpower with some examples. I'm going to read a situation, and we'll use "Stop, Think, Act" together. Look at your worksheet.
Teacher: (Read Scenario 1 from the worksheet): "You are working on a puzzle, and another student accidentally knocks over your pieces."
Teacher: First, let's STOP. What do you feel? What do you want to do? (Allow responses, guide to pausing). Take a deep breath.
Teacher: Now, let's THINK. What are some choices you could make? What might happen if you shout at them? What might happen if you tell the teacher calmly? What might happen if you just pick up your pieces without saying anything? (Guide students to consider consequences).
Teacher: Finally, let's ACT. What's the best choice here? Why? (Guide students to a positive solution, e.g., "I could say, 'Please be careful,' or 'Can you help me pick these up?'").
(Repeat for Scenario 2, then guide students to discuss Scenario 3 in pairs or small groups. Circulate and assist.)
(Slide 7: Using Stop, Think, Act!)
Teacher: This "Stop, Think, Act!" strategy can help us in many places! Where do you think you can use this strategy? At school? At home? With your friends?
Teacher: That's right! You can use it at school, at home, with friends, when you feel mad or sad, or even when you want to interrupt. It helps you make better choices everywhere!
Role-Playing
Teacher: Let's try some role-playing. Who wants to try acting out a situation and using "Stop, Think, Act!"?
(Choose one or two simple scenarios. Have volunteers act out the situation, pausing to identify the Stop, Think, and Act steps. Provide positive feedback for participation and effort.)
(Slide 8: You Are a Self-Control Star!)
Teacher: You all did a fantastic job today learning about "Stop, Think, Act!" Let's do a quick check-in. Show me with your thumbs:
- Thumbs Up: I understand "Stop, Think, Act!" and feel like I can try to use it.
- Thumbs Sideways: I kind of understand it, but I might need more practice.
- Thumbs Down: I'm not sure I understand it yet.
(Observe student responses.)
Teacher: Remember, practicing self-control is like building a muscle. The more you practice, the stronger it gets! Keep trying to "Stop, Think, Act!" and you will become self-control stars! Thanks everyone!"
Worksheet
Self-Control Scenarios Worksheet
Name: ________________________
Date: _________________________
Directions: Read each situation. Use the "Stop, Think, Act!" strategy to decide what to do.
Scenario 1:
You are working on a puzzle, and another student accidentally knocks over your pieces. You feel angry!
STOP! What do you feel? What do you want to do?
THINK! What are your choices? What might happen if you yell? What might happen if you tell the teacher calmly? What might happen if you ask for help?
ACT! What is the best choice? What will you do?
Scenario 2:
It is time for snack, and your favorite crackers are on the table. You want to grab them all right now!
STOP! What do you feel? What do you want to do?
THINK! What are your choices? What might happen if you grab them all? What might happen if you wait patiently for the teacher to hand them out?
ACT! What is the best choice? What will you do?
Scenario 3:
Your teacher is talking, and you suddenly remember something very important you want to say. You want to shout it out!
STOP! What do you feel? What do you want to do?
THINK! What are your choices? What might happen if you shout it out? What might happen if you raise your hand and wait?
ACT! What is the best choice? What will you do?
Activity
My Self-Control Steps!
STOP!
- Pause
- Take a breath
- Count to 3
(Image idea: A stop sign or a hand raised in a stopping gesture)
THINK!
- What can I do?
- What will happen next?
- Good choice? Not-so-good choice?
(Image idea: A thought bubble with different paths or question marks)
ACT!
- Choose the best idea
- Do something helpful and safe
- Make a good choice!
(Image idea: A person choosing a path, or a checkmark/star)