Lesson Plan
Session 1 Lesson Plan
Teachers will be able to explain the core components of the CBT model (thoughts, feelings, behaviors) and how they interact to influence a student's experience in the classroom.
Understanding the CBT Triangle helps teachers better support student emotional and behavioral regulation, fostering a more positive and productive learning environment. It provides practical strategies for addressing challenging classroom situations.
Audience
Teachers
Time
120 minutes
Approach
Interactive discussion, scenario analysis, and reflective practice.
Materials
Whiteboard or projector, Markers, CBT in the Classroom Slide Deck, Dysregulation Scenario Cards, My CBT Triangle Worksheet, and Session 1 Reflection Journal
Prep
Prepare Materials
30 minutes
- Review the CBT in the Classroom Slide Deck for content and flow.
- Print and cut out the Dysregulation Scenario Cards.
- Make enough copies of the My CBT Triangle Worksheet and Session 1 Reflection Journal for all participants.
- Set up the projector/whiteboard and ensure markers are available.
- Familiarize yourself with the key concepts: CBT Model, Thoughts-Feelings-Behaviors Connection, Automatic Thoughts, Dysregulation, and Classroom Application. Review all generated materials as needed for effective delivery.
Step 1
Introduction to Dysregulation
20 minutes
- Hook: Begin by asking teachers to share (anonymously, if preferred) a time they witnessed a student struggling with big emotions or challenging behaviors in the classroom. What did it look like? How did they feel as the teacher?
- Define Dysregulation: Introduce the concept of emotional dysregulation. Explain that it's not
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Slide Deck
The CBT Triangle: A Teacher's Guide
Understanding Thoughts, Feelings, and Behaviors in the Classroom
Teacher Training Session
Today's Focus: Empowering You to Support Every Student
Welcome teachers and introduce the purpose of the session: to explore how the CBT model can enhance their understanding and support for students.
When Students Struggle...
What does 'dysregulation' look like in your classroom?
- Frustration?
- Withdrawal?
- Outbursts?
- Difficulty focusing?
How do these moments make you feel as an educator?
Start with a brief activity or discussion to gauge teachers' current understanding of student struggles related to emotions or behavior.
Understanding Dysregulation
It's More Than Just a "Bad Mood"
- Dysregulation: When our emotional or behavioral responses don't match the situation.
- It's a temporary imbalance, not a permanent state.
- Impacts learning, social interactions, and self-esteem.
Define dysregulation in simple, accessible terms. Emphasize that it's a normal human experience but can be challenging in a classroom setting. Explain that we'll be looking at a framework to understand and help.
The Core: The CBT Triangle
Thoughts, Feelings, Behaviors
- Thoughts: What we think about a situation.
- Feelings: Our emotional reactions.
- Behaviors: What we do in response.
They are all connected! Changes in one area influence the others.
Introduce the CBT Triangle visually. Explain each component (Thoughts, Feelings, Behaviors) and their interconnectedness. Use simple examples relevant to a student's experience.
Unpacking 'Thoughts'
Automatic Thoughts: Our Brain's Quick Judgments
- Thoughts that pop into our heads without much effort.
- Often happen very quickly.
- Can be positive, negative, or neutral.
Examples in the classroom:
- "This is too hard."
- "Everyone else gets it."
- "I'm going to fail."
Deep dive into 'Thoughts'. Explain automatic thoughts and their power. Provide examples of common student automatic thoughts (e.g., "I'm bad at this," "They don't like me").
Feelings and Behaviors
How Our Thoughts Drive Our Reactions
- Thought: "I'm going to fail this test."
- Feeling: Anxiety, fear, sadness.
- Behavior: Giving up, not studying, avoiding class.
Consider how this plays out for students in your classroom.
Discuss 'Feelings' and 'Behaviors' in relation to automatic thoughts. Emphasize how a negative thought can lead to strong feelings and unhelpful behaviors.
CBT in Action: Classroom Scenarios
Applying the Triangle to Real-Life Moments
- We will explore common classroom situations.
- Identify the student's potential thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.
- Discuss how understanding this connection can guide our support.
Get ready to put your detective hats on!
Introduce the idea of classroom scenarios. Explain that teachers will work through these to practice identifying the components of the CBT Triangle. Transition to the activity.
Activity: Dysregulation Scenario Cards
Let's Practice!
- Work in small groups.
- Pick a Dysregulation Scenario Card.
- Use the My CBT Triangle Worksheet to break down the scenario:
- What might the student be thinking?
- What feelings might they be experiencing?
- What behaviors are you observing?
Be prepared to share with the whole group!
Explain the Dysregulation Scenario Cards activity. Guide teachers on how to use the cards and the My CBT Triangle Worksheet.
Discussion: What Did We Learn?
Sharing Insights and Strategies
- What patterns did you notice?
- Were there common "automatic thoughts"?
- How can identifying these help you respond?
- What strategies can we use to support students in these moments?
Facilitate a group discussion, having teachers share their insights from the scenario activity. Highlight key takeaways and common patterns.
Reflection & Next Steps
Integrating CBT into Your Teaching Toolkit
- What is one key takeaway from today's session?
- How might you apply the CBT Triangle in your classroom this week?
- What support might you need?
Complete your Session 1 Reflection Journal to solidify your learning.
Guide teachers to reflect on their own practice and consider how they can integrate CBT principles. Introduce the Reflection Journal and encourage goal setting.
Thank You!
Empowering Educators, Empowering Students
Questions? Further Resources?
Thank participants and offer a closing thought or resource.
Activity
Dysregulation Scenario Cards
Instructions: Cut out each scenario card. In small groups, select a card and discuss the potential thoughts, feelings, and behaviors of the student. Use the My CBT Triangle Worksheet to guide your analysis.
Scenario 1: Math Frustration
During an independent math activity, a 4th-grade student, usually confident in math, starts to tap their pencil rapidly, sigh, and eventually puts their head down on the desk, refusing to continue.
Scenario 2: Group Project Anxiety
A 7th-grade student is assigned to a group project with classmates they don't know well. They become very quiet, avoid eye contact, and contribute very little to the initial planning discussion, even when directly asked a question.
Scenario 3: Reading Challenge
A 2nd-grade student is asked to read aloud in class, a task they usually enjoy. Today, they stumble over a few words, blush, and then quickly say, "I can't do this!" before shrinking in their seat.
Scenario 4: Social Exclusion
At recess, a 5th-grade student tries to join a game, but the other students say, "No, we already have enough players." The student immediately walks away, sits alone on a bench, and won't engage with any other peers for the rest of recess.
Scenario 5: Unexpected Change
The morning routine is suddenly changed due to an assembly, causing a 1st-grade student who thrives on predictability to become agitated, ask repetitive questions about the schedule, and tear up when told they need to line up early.
Scenario 6: Perceived Injustice
A 9th-grade student believes they were unfairly graded on an assignment. They become visibly angry, cross their arms, glare at the teacher, and refuse to participate in the next activity.
Worksheet
My CBT Triangle Worksheet
Instructions: Use this worksheet to analyze the student scenarios from the Dysregulation Scenario Cards. For each scenario, identify the potential thoughts, feelings, and behaviors of the student. Consider how they are interconnected.
Scenario Analysis
Scenario Card #:
1. Thoughts
What might the student be thinking in this situation? (Include automatic thoughts)
2. Feelings
What emotions might the student be experiencing?
3. Behaviors
What behaviors are you observing from the student?
4. Interconnections
How do the thoughts, feelings, and behaviors in this scenario influence each other?
Journal
Session 1 Reflection Journal
Instructions: Take some time to reflect on today's session about the CBT Triangle. Your honest reflections will help solidify your learning and consider future applications.
1. Key Takeaways
What were the most important or surprising things you learned about the CBT Triangle and its components (thoughts, feelings, behaviors)?
2. Personal Connection
Think about a specific student you currently teach or have taught. How might understanding the CBT Triangle help you better understand their experiences or challenges?
3. Classroom Application
Describe one specific way you plan to apply the concepts of the CBT Triangle in your classroom this week or in the near future. Be concrete!
4. Further Questions/Support
What lingering questions do you have, or what additional support or resources might help you integrate this approach into your teaching practice?