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Stop, Think, Go!

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Lesson Plan

Stop, Think, Go!

Students will define impulse control and practice using the 'Stop, Think, Go' strategy to manage their impulses.

Developing impulse control helps students make thoughtful decisions, build positive relationships, and create a more focused and harmonious learning environment.

Audience

Kindergarten

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Interactive story, discussion, and practice.

Materials

Whiteboard or chart paper, Markers, Stop, Think, Go! Slide Deck, Impulse Control Story Script, Impulse Practice Activity, and Cool Down: How Did You Stop?

Prep

Gather Materials & Review Content

10 minutes

Step 1

Introduction: What is an Impulse?

5 minutes

Step 2

Impulse Control Story Time

10 minutes

Step 3

Practice: Stop, Think, Go!

10 minutes

  • Lead the class in the Impulse Practice Activity. Present various scenarios and have students physically demonstrate stopping, thinking (e.g., touching their chin), and then
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Slide Deck

Welcome to Stop, Think, Go!

Let's learn how to make smart choices!

Welcome students and get them ready to learn about making good choices!

What's an Impulse?

Have you ever done something really fast without thinking?

Like...
* Shouting out an answer?
* Grabbing a toy from a friend?
* Running inside the classroom?

That's an impulse!

Introduce the idea of an impulse – something we do without thinking. Ask for examples of doing things too fast. (e.g., blurting out, grabbing a toy).

Our Superpower: Stop, Think, Go!

When you have an impulse, you can use your superpower:

🛑 STOP!

🤔 THINK!

✅ GO!

Introduce the 'Stop, Think, Go!' strategy. Emphasize that it's a superpower to help them pause.

🛑 STOP!

  • Freeze! Just like a statue.
  • Take a deep breath.
  • Don't do anything just yet.

Explain 'STOP'. Have students practice freezing like a statue.

🤔 THINK!

  • What happened?
  • How do I feel?
  • How does the other person feel?
  • What are my choices?
  • What is the best choice?

Explain 'THINK'. Ask students what they should think about. Guide them to consider consequences and good choices.

✅ GO!

  • Choose the best option.
  • Do what you decided!
  • You made a great choice!

Explain 'GO'. Emphasize acting on the best choice. Review the full process.

Let's Read a Story!

Meet Leo the Lion! He's learning about Stop, Think, Go too.

Transition to story time. Introduce the character.

Leo's Choices

How did Leo use his superpower?

What other choices could he have made?

Discuss how Leo used or could have used Stop, Think, Go in the story. Use this slide after reading the story and before the activity.

Practice Time!

Let's practice our 'Stop, Think, Go!' superpower with some real-life situations!

Prepare students for the practice activity. Explain they will try using Stop, Think, Go for different scenarios.

You Have a Superpower!

Remember, you have the superpower to Stop, Think, Go!

Use it to make great choices every day!

Concluding slide for the lesson. Remind them they have a superpower.

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Script

The Day Leo Learned to Pause

Teacher: Good morning, Super Thinkers! Today, we're going to read a story about a little lion named Leo. Leo is a lot like us – sometimes he gets really excited, or a little bit upset, and he acts super fast! Let's see how he learns a special superpower.

(Show Stop, Think, Go! Slide Deck - Slide 7)

Scenario 1: The Bright Red Block

Teacher: One sunny morning, Leo was playing with blocks. He was building the tallest tower in the jungle! Suddenly, his friend Mia walked by with a bright, shiny red block. It was exactly the block Leo needed for the very top of his tower! Leo’s paws twitched. He felt a strong urge to just grab it from Mia.

Teacher: Pause here. What do you think Leo is feeling right now? What is his impulse? What should Leo do FIRST? Remember our superpower! (Encourage students to say "STOP!") (Show Stop, Think, Go! Slide Deck - Slide 3)

Teacher: That's right! Leo needs to STOP! He freezes. He takes a deep breath. Now what does he need to do? (Encourage students to say "THINK!") (Show Stop, Think, Go! Slide Deck - Slide 4)

Teacher: Good thinking! Leo needs to THINK! He thinks: "If I grab the block, Mia will be sad, and we might fight. If I ask nicely, maybe she will share or I can borrow it when she's done." What is the best choice? (Encourage students to say "GO!") (Show Stop, Think, Go! Slide Deck - Slide 5)

Teacher: So, Leo takes a deep breath and says, "Mia, that's a cool red block! Can I please use it when you're finished, or maybe we can share and build something together?" Mia smiles and says, "Sure, Leo! Let's build a super long train with it!" They had fun playing together.

(Show Stop, Think, Go! Slide Deck - Slide 8)



Scenario 2: The Exciting News!

Teacher: Later that day, Leo was working on a drawing. His teacher, Ms. Giraffe, was telling the class about a special field trip to the zoo next week! Leo loves the zoo! He knew so much about monkeys and couldn't wait to share! He felt his mouth open, ready to shout out, "I know! Monkeys love bananas!" without raising his hand.

Teacher: Pause again. What is Leo's impulse this time? What should Leo do FIRST? (Encourage students to say "STOP!")

Teacher: Yes! He needs to STOP! He closes his mouth and remembers to listen. Now what? (Encourage students to say "THINK!")

Teacher: He needs to THINK! He thinks: "If I shout out, Ms. Giraffe might be upset, and others won't hear. If I raise my hand, I can share my idea when it's my turn." What's the best choice? (Encourage students to say "GO!")

Teacher: Leo raises his hand and waits patiently. When Ms. Giraffe calls on him, he shares his exciting monkey fact. Ms. Giraffe thanks him for waiting his turn, and the other students learn something new!

(Show Stop, Think, Go! Slide Deck - Slide 8)



Conclusion

Teacher: So, Leo learned that even when he's super excited or really wants something, he has a superpower called Stop, Think, Go! It helps him make smart choices and be a kind friend and a good listener. And you have that superpower too! Now, let's practice our superpower together!

(Show Stop, Think, Go! Slide Deck - Slide 9)

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Activity

Stop, Think, Go! Role Play

Objective: Students will physically practice the 'Stop, Think, Go' strategy in various common classroom scenarios.

Materials: None needed, just open space and student participation.

Instructions:

  1. Introduce the Game: Explain to students that they are going to play a game where they pretend to be in different situations and use their 'Stop, Think, Go!' superpower.

    • "I'm going to tell you a short story about something that might happen at school. When you hear the situation, you will first STOP! (freeze like a statue). Then, you will THINK! (put your hand on your chin or forehead, pretending to think). Finally, you will GO! (show me what a good choice would look like with an action)."

  2. Model the Activity: Do one example with the whole class first.

    • Teacher: "You really want to be first in line for the playground. Your friend is right in front of you, and you feel like pushing past them."
    • Teacher: "What do you do first?" (Students yell "STOP!") Teacher models freezing.
    • Teacher: "Now, what do you do?" (Students yell "THINK!") Teacher models thinking pose.
    • Teacher: "What's a good choice?" (Students might say "Ask nicely" or "Wait my turn.") Teacher models waiting patiently or tapping friend gently on shoulder and asking to go first.

  3. Lead Scenarios: Present the following scenarios one at a time. Encourage students to participate in the 'Stop, Think, Go' actions and then act out their 'Go' choice.

    • Scenario 1: Sharing Toys

      • "You are playing with a toy, and another student grabs it from your hand. You feel angry and want to grab it back."
      • Guide students through STOP, THINK (What are my choices? Grab back? Yell? Tell teacher? Ask for it?), GO (ask for it, tell the teacher, or wait for a turn).

    • Scenario 2: Getting Attention

      • "The teacher is talking to another student, and you have something super important to tell her RIGHT NOW! You feel like interrupting."
      • Guide students through STOP, THINK (Is it an emergency? Can I wait? Can I raise my hand?)., *GO (raise hand, wait quietly, or if urgent, politely say
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Cool Down

Cool Down: My Stop, Think, Go Moment

Objective: Students will reflect on the 'Stop, Think, Go' strategy and identify one way they can use it in the future.

Instructions:

  1. Recall the Lesson: Gather students for a quick wrap-up. Ask:

    • "What was our superpower today?" (Expected: Stop, Think, Go!)
    • "Why is it important to Stop, Think, Go?" (Expected: To make good choices, be kind, stay safe, etc.)

  2. Individual Reflection & Sharing (Option 1: Verbal Share):

    • Ask students to think about one time today or tomorrow they might use their "Stop, Think, Go!" superpower.
    • Go around the room and have a few students share their ideas. For example, "I will Stop, Think, Go when I want to run inside," or "I will Stop, Think, Go when I want to grab a crayon from my friend."

  3. Individual Reflection (Option 2: Thumbs Up/Down/Sideways):

    • Ask: "Give me a thumbs up if you think you can use Stop, Think, Go when you feel mad. "
    • Ask: "Give me a thumbs up if you think you can use Stop, Think, Go when you want to shout out an answer. "
    • Ask: "Give me a thumbs up if you think you can use Stop, Think, Go when you want to take something from a friend. "

Teacher: "Great job using your Stop, Think, Go! superpower today, everyone! Keep practicing, and you'll be super decision-makers!"

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Stop, Think, Go! • Lenny Learning