Lesson Plan
Impulse Investigation Unit
Students will be able to identify common impulses, recognize personal triggers, and brainstorm healthy coping strategies for managing impulses.
Understanding and managing impulses is a fundamental life skill that helps students make thoughtful decisions, build positive relationships, and succeed in various situations. This lesson empowers them to become more aware and in control of their actions.
Audience
2nd Grade Class
Time
50 minutes
Approach
Interactive discussion, engaging game, and reflective worksheet activities.
Materials
- Detective's Guide to Impulses, - Trigger Trouble Game, - My Clue Collector Sheet (one per student), and - Pencils or crayons
Prep
Preparation
15 minutes
- Review the Impulse Investigation Unit and all linked materials: Detective's Guide to Impulses, Trigger Trouble Game, and My Clue Collector Sheet.
- Print one copy of the My Clue Collector Sheet per student.
- Prepare materials for the Trigger Trouble Game as outlined in its instructions (e.g., cut out scenario cards).
- Ensure projector/smartboard is ready for the Detective's Guide to Impulses.
Step 1
Warm-Up: What's an Impulse?
5 minutes
- Begin by asking students what they think an "impulse" is. Guide them to understand it's a sudden urge or feeling to do something without thinking it through.
- Introduce the idea of being an "Impulse Detective" to investigate these urges.
Step 2
Introducing the Detective's Guide
15 minutes
- Present the Detective's Guide to Impulses slide deck.
- Go through the slides, explaining what impulses are, identifying common triggers (e.g., feeling frustrated, seeing a toy, being bored), and discussing healthy responses (e.g., counting to ten, deep breaths, asking for help).
- Encourage students to share examples of impulses they've had and brainstorm triggers and healthy responses as a class.
Step 3
Trigger Trouble Game
15 minutes
- Introduce the Trigger Trouble Game.
- Explain the rules: students will read scenario cards (impulses) and work in small groups or as a class to identify the trigger and a healthy response.
- Facilitate the game, providing guidance and positive reinforcement.
Step 4
My Clue Collector Sheet
10 minutes
- Distribute the My Clue Collector Sheet to each student.
- Instruct students to reflect on a personal impulse they've experienced. They will identify the impulse, the trigger, and a healthy response they could use next time.
- Circulate and assist students as they complete their sheets.
Step 5
Share and Reflect
5 minutes
- Invite a few students to share what they wrote on their My Clue Collector Sheet (optional, respecting privacy).
- Conclude by reinforcing the idea that everyone has impulses, but with practice, they can become great "Impulse Detectives" and manage them effectively.
Slide Deck
Welcome, Impulse Detectives!
Are you ready to solve some mysteries?
Today, we're becoming Impulse Detectives!
Welcome students and introduce the concept of being an 'Impulse Detective.' Ask what they think an impulse might be before revealing the definition.
What's an Impulse?
An impulse is a sudden feeling or urge to do something, without thinking it through.
It's like your brain has a quick idea and wants your body to do it RIGHT NOW!
Define 'impulse' in simple terms. Give a few child-friendly examples like grabbing a cookie or blurting out an answer.
Impulses: Friend or Foe?
Sometimes impulses are fun, like wanting to play!
But sometimes, they can get us into trouble if we don't stop and think.
Explain that even good impulses need a moment of thought. Discuss how some impulses can lead to trouble if not managed.
Finding the Trigger!
Every impulse has a 'trigger' -- something that makes it start.
What makes you suddenly want to...
- Shout out an answer?
- Grab a toy?
- Run away when you're mad?
Introduce 'triggers.' Ask students what makes them feel a certain way or want to do something suddenly.
Common Impulse Triggers
Triggers can be:
- Feelings: like being angry, excited, or bored.
- Seeing something: like a yummy treat or a friend's new toy.
- Hearing something: like a loud noise or an exciting story.
Give concrete examples of common triggers for 2nd graders and ask for student input.
Detective Step 1: PAUSE
When you feel an impulse, your first job is to PAUSE.
Take a deep breath. Count to three. Give your brain a moment to catch up!
This slide focuses on the 'detective work' of pausing. Emphasize that taking a breath is the first step.
Detective Step 2: Healthy Responses
After you pause, think: What's a smart choice?
- Count to 10
- Take 3 deep breaths
- Ask for help
- Walk away
- Use your words
Discuss various healthy responses. Encourage students to brainstorm more. Connect these to the idea of making smart choices.
The Impulse Cycle
Impulse!
PAUSE!
What's the Trigger? What's a Healthy Response?
ACT (Make a smart choice!)
Reinforce the cycle: Impulse -> Pause -> Think (Trigger, Healthy Response) -> Act.
Let's Play: Trigger Trouble Game!
Now it's time to put your detective skills to the test!
We'll play a game to practice finding triggers and healthy responses.
Explain the game. Emphasize teamwork and problem-solving.
My Clue Collector Sheet
You'll get your very own My Clue Collector Sheet.
Think of an impulse you've had. Write down:
- The Impulse
- The Trigger
- A Healthy Response
Introduce the worksheet and explain how students will use it to apply what they've learned to their own experiences.
Great Work, Detectives!
You are now expert Impulse Detectives!
Remember to PAUSE, identify the TRIGGER, and choose a HEALTHY RESPONSE.
Keep practicing your skills every day!
Summarize the lesson and encourage students to keep practicing their impulse detective skills.
Game
Trigger Trouble Game: Impulse Detective Edition
Objective: To practice identifying impulses, their triggers, and appropriate healthy responses.
Materials:
- Scenario Cards (print and cut out)
- (Optional) Small whiteboards or paper for groups to write responses
Setup:
- Divide the class into small groups (3-4 students per group) or play as a whole class.
- Place the Scenario Cards face down in a pile.
How to Play:
- A student from the first group (or the teacher, for whole-class play) picks a card and reads the scenario aloud.
- As a group (or class), students act as "Impulse Detectives" and discuss:
- What is the impulse in this situation?
- What might have been the trigger for this impulse?
- What is a healthy response the person could choose instead?
- Encourage discussion about why certain responses are healthy and what the consequences of an unmanaged impulse might be.
- After discussing, the group shares their ideas with the class. The teacher can facilitate a brief whole-class discussion if playing in groups.
- Repeat with a new card and a new group.
Scenario Cards:
Card 1: Your friend has a really cool new toy car. You really, really want to play with it right now, even though they are still playing. You feel a strong urge to just grab it!
Card 2: The teacher asks a question, and you know the answer! You feel like you need to shout it out right away, even though you know you should raise your hand.
Card 3: You're working on a drawing, and your crayon breaks. You feel so frustrated and want to crumple up your paper and throw it away.
Card 4: It's almost time for recess, and you're super excited. You start running inside the classroom, even though the rule is to walk.
Card 5: Someone bumps into you by accident in the hallway. You feel a burst of anger and want to push them back.
Card 6: You're bored during quiet reading time. You start tapping your pencil loudly on your desk, even though you know it's distracting others.
Card 7: Your classmate is telling a long story, and you have something important to say. You feel the need to interrupt them right in the middle.
Card 8: You see a piece of candy on your teacher's desk. You really want it and think about sneaking over to take it when no one is looking.
Worksheet
My Clue Collector Sheet
Impulse Detective: Your Name: _____________________________
Great job, Impulse Detective! Now it's time to investigate your own impulses.
Think about a time when you had a sudden urge or feeling to do something without thinking it through. What was it?
My Impulse Case File
1. The Impulse: What did you feel like doing all of a sudden?
2. The Trigger: What happened right before you felt that impulse? What made it start? (Think about feelings, what you saw, or what you heard.)
3. My Healthy Response Plan: What is a smart choice you could make next time you feel this impulse? (Remember to PAUSE and think!)
4. What will be the good result if you use your Healthy Response Plan?