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The Power of Pause

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Ryan Gusman

Tier 2
For Schools

Lesson Plan

Pause and Reflect

Introduce emotional regulation by teaching 4th-grade students to pause and reflect on their emotions before reacting, fostering thoughtful responses and self-control.

Building the habit of pausing helps students manage strong emotions, leading to improved decision-making and better interpersonal relationships.

Audience

4th Grade Group

Time

35 minutes

Approach

Interactive discussion, engaging slide-deck, and a game-based activity.

Materials

Pause and Reflect, The Art of Pausing, and Pause Challenge

Prep

Lesson Preparation

5 minutes

  • Review the Pause and Reflect lesson plan for conceptual guidance.
  • Prepare the The Art of Pausing slide-deck and ensure it is ready for display.
  • Familiarize yourself with the rules and setup of the Pause Challenge to facilitate the game activity.

Step 1

Introduction

5 minutes

  • Begin by asking students if they've ever reacted to a strong emotion without thinking first.
  • Introduce the idea of 'The Power of Pause' and relate it to improved decision-making.

Step 2

Exploring the Concept

10 minutes

  • Use the The Art of Pausing slide-deck to explain what it means to pause and reflect.
  • Highlight scenarios where pausing could help manage emotions.

Step 3

Interactive Game Activity

10 minutes

  • Conduct the Pause Challenge where students practice pausing before reacting in various scenarios.
  • Encourage teamwork and discussion during the game.

Step 4

Reflection and Discussion

10 minutes

  • Facilitate a discussion on how pausing helped during the activity.
  • Ask students to share situations where they can apply the pause in real life.
  • Summarize the lesson's key points and reinforce the benefits of taking a pause.
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Slide Deck

The Power of Pause

Sometimes, before we react to strong feelings, taking a moment to pause can help us think more clearly. Let's learn how pausing can make a big difference!

Introduce the concept of pausing before reacting. Share a personal anecdote of a time when a pause helped make a better decision. Emphasize that this strategy can help manage strong emotions.

Why Pause?

Reacting without thinking can sometimes lead to mistakes. Pausing gives us time to choose a thoughtful response.

Discuss common scenarios where reacting immediately might lead to regret. Ask students to share their experiences and point out moments when a pause would have helped.

How to Pause

  1. Take a deep breath.
  2. Think about your feelings.
  3. Decide how to respond wisely.

Use visuals that show a person taking a deep breath before acting. Explain that during a pause, we can think through our options.

Practice Makes Perfect

Let's practice: Imagine you're upset because a friend took your toy. What would you do if you paused before reacting?

Introduce a scenario-based activity where students practice pausing in different situations using visuals to illustrate each scenario.

Remember: The Power of Pause

Using a pause can help you feel better, make smarter choices, and keep your friendships strong.

Summarize the key points of pausing before reacting. Invite students to share when they might use this strategy and why it's helpful.

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Game

The Power of Pause: Interactive Lesson Game

Game Name: Pause Challenge

Overview

In this interactive game, students will engage in real-life scenarios that encourage them to pause, reflect, and respond thoughtfully to strong emotions. The objective is to build emotional regulation skills and empower students to think before reacting.

Game Setup & Materials

  • The game is designed for a 4th-grade group and will take 10 minutes within the 35-minute session.
  • Materials Needed: A printed or digital list of scenarios, a timer, and a designated safe space for group discussion.
  • Ensure that the The Art of Pausing slide deck is available for any visual reinforcement during the game.

Game Instructions

  1. Divide into Teams: Split the class into small groups. Each group will work together to discuss and decide how to handle a given scenario.

  2. Presenting Scenarios: Present each group with a scenario (e.g., "Your friend takes your toy without asking"). Rotate scenarios so that all groups get a turn.

  3. The Pause Moment: Before responding, each group must take a "pause moment". This means they should stop, take a deep breath, and silently discuss for 30 seconds what their immediate reaction might be and why they need to pause.

  4. Group Discussion: After the pause, each group discusses and writes down their thoughtful response on a piece of paper.

  5. Sharing Responses: Invite each team to share their response with the whole class. Encourage a brief discussion on how pausing helped them think through their responses.

  6. Wrap-Up Discussion: Conclude by asking students how the pause influenced their decisions. Discuss the benefits of pausing before reacting and how they can apply it in their everyday lives.

Questions & Follow-Up Points

  • Before Pausing: What are some of the emotions you felt when you first heard the scenario?





  • After Pausing: How did taking a moment to pause help change your initial reaction?





  • Real-Life Application: Can you think of a time outside of class when pausing might have helped you make a better decision?





Reflections

At the end of the game, ask students to reflect on the following:

  • How did your responses differ after taking a pause?





  • Why is it important to think before reacting, especially when strong emotions are involved?





This interactive activity ties back to the Pause and Reflect lesson plan and reinforces the main idea of pausing to reflect on our actions. Enjoy the game and remember: every pause is a step towards better choices!

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