Think Before You Act Script

Introduction & Reading (10 minutes)

Teacher: Hi Deborah! How are you today?

Teacher: Today, we’re going to work on improving how you make decisions by taking a moment to think before you act. Our goal is to help you see possible outcomes and feel more in control of your choices. Does that sound good?

Teacher: Let’s start by reading a short passage together. This is our Consequences and Choices Reading. I’ll read aloud, and you can follow along. When you see a phrase that really speaks to you, go ahead and underline it or highlight it.

Teacher reads the passage at a comfortable pace.

Teacher: Great—thank you for reading! Now, Deborah, what phrase did you underline first? What about it felt important to you?

Possible follow-up prompts:

• That’s really interesting. Can you say more about why that stuck out?
• How does that phrase connect to something you’ve experienced?
• If you could change one word in that sentence, what would it be? Why?

Discussion (15 minutes)

Teacher: Let’s dive into some questions to explore your thinking. I have our Self-Awareness Discussion Prompts here, but feel free to let this conversation flow naturally.

1. Teacher: What factors—like mood, people around you, or past experiences—often influence the decisions you make?
   • Follow-up: How do those factors feel when you notice them coming into play?
   • Follow-up: Can you share a quick example from this past week?
2. Teacher: Sometimes we compare ourselves to others, and that can trip us up. How do you find comparing yourself affects what you choose to do?
   • Follow-up: When you notice that comparison thinking, what do you tell yourself?
   • Follow-up: How might you shift that thought next time?
3. Teacher: If you could give your future self one tip about making better decisions, what would it be?
   • Follow-up: How could you remind yourself of that tip when you’re about to act?

Teacher: Feel free to jot down your thoughts in your journal or type them out—whatever feels best.

Worksheet Activity (10 minutes)

Teacher: Now let’s get practical. Here’s the Reflective Decision-Making Worksheet. It has three columns: one for the past decision, one for what happened, and one for a different choice you could’ve made.

Teacher: In the first row, write down a recent decision you wish had gone differently.

Pause while Deborah writes.

Teacher: Perfect. In the second column, describe what actually happened when you made that decision.

Pause.

Teacher: In the third column, brainstorm at least two alternative actions you could choose next time. Take a minute.

Pause.

Teacher: Let’s talk through what you wrote. Do you see a pattern in why you chose that action originally?

Possible follow-up prompts:

• Was there a feeling—like fear or frustration—behind your decision?
• How might you notice that feeling sooner?

Game Activity (15 minutes)

Teacher: Time for a game! We’re going to play the Reflection Bingo Game. Each square has a scenario or feeling. When you relate to one, mark it off and tell me why.

Teacher: Here are the rules:

1. Look at your bingo card and read each square silently.
2. When you spot one that resonates, share a quick story or thought about it.
3. Aim to get a BINGO by marking five in a row—horizontally, vertically, or diagonally.

Teacher: I’ll follow along with the Reflection Bingo Answer Key so we can chat about each scenario together.

Begin game play.

Teacher: I see you marked “Acted before thinking.” Can you tell me more about a time that happened?

Possible follow-up prompts:

• How did you feel afterward?
• What would you do differently if that scenario repeated?

Continue until Deborah gets Bingo or time is up.

Action Plan & Quiz (10 minutes)

Teacher: Great job today, Deborah. Let’s turn these insights into action. We’ll use the Personal Action Plan Project Template. It guides you to set a SMART goal—Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound.

Teacher: What’s one situation where you want to make a better choice? Let’s write it down as a specific goal.

Pause to draft.

Teacher: Now, let’s make sure it’s measurable. How will you know you succeeded?

Teacher: Is this goal realistic for you right now? Does it matter to what you’re working on?

Teacher: Finally, what’s your deadline to try this new approach?

Finalize the SMART goal.

Teacher: Last step—here’s the Think Before You Act Quiz. It’s five quick questions to check what we practiced.

Administer quiz.

Teacher: Let’s review your answers together.

Teacher: You did an awesome job today. To wrap up, what’s one key takeaway you’re carrying forward?

Teacher: Thank you for being open and engaged, Deborah. Remember: pause, reflect, and choose. You’ve got this!

Consequences and Choices Reading

Every day, you face choices—some big, some small. Do you text a friend first thing in the morning? Do you spend an extra hour scrolling through social media or start your homework? Each decision sends ripples through the rest of your day. Sometimes those ripples bring positive outcomes: feeling accomplished, proud, or closer to your goals. Other times, they leave you stressed, frustrated, or stuck in situations you didn’t expect.

Imagine this scenario: You promise your teacher you’ll turn in an assignment on Friday. On Thursday night, you’re tired and decide to stay up late watching a show instead of working. The next morning, you scramble to finish the project. You hand it in late, feeling stressed and worried about your grade. Later, you realize the extra sleep you skipped made you less focused in class—and now you have to explain yourself. Could a small change—a quick start before the show—have led to a better outcome?

Every choice carries a consequence, and consequences shape your confidence and next steps. When you pause before acting, you give yourself time to picture possible outcomes: good and bad. This moment of reflection builds awareness. It helps you learn from past decisions and imagine different paths.

What patterns do you notice in your own choices? When have you acted on impulse, and what happened afterward? How might a moment of thinking first change how you feel later?

Remember: thinking before you act isn’t about overanalyzing every detail. It’s about giving yourself permission to slow down, explore options, and choose the path that feels right for your goals and values.

Self-Awareness Discussion Prompts

Use these questions to explore how you think, feel, and compare yourself to others. Feel free to journal your answers or discuss them out loud.

1. What internal or external factors (like mood, people, or past experiences) most influence the choices you make?

1. When you compare yourself to others, what thoughts or feelings usually come up for you?

1. Describe a moment recently when you acted on impulse. What happened, and how did you feel afterward?

1. What signals—such as stress, excitement, or a racing mind—tell you that you might need to pause before deciding?

1. When comparison thinking starts (“They’re doing better than me”), what could you say to yourself to shift toward a more helpful mindset?

1. If you could give your future self one tip about making better decisions, what would it be and why? How might you remind yourself of this tip in the moment?

Feel free to add any other thoughts or questions that come to mind. The goal is to notice patterns and build awareness of your decision-making process.

Reflective Decision-Making Worksheet

Use this worksheet to analyze past decisions, understand what happened, and brainstorm alternative actions for the future.

Reflection Questions

1. What common patterns or feelings influenced your original choices?

1. How might you notice these patterns sooner next time?

1. What is one specific action you will try in a similar situation moving forward?

Decision-Making Scenarios Activity

Use this activity to practice pausing and reflecting before making a choice. Read each scenario, then answer the questions that follow. Be honest—this is a chance to learn from yourself, not judge.

Scenario 1

You’re running late for class. On the way, you notice a new series of videos trending online. You feel a strong urge to stop and watch just one clip.

1. What impulse or feeling is pushing you to watch the video?

1. If you stop, what might happen to your class performance or stress level?

1. What alternative action could you take instead?

Scenario 2

A friend texts you to hang out, but you have an important assignment due tomorrow. You’re tempted to say “yes” to avoid letting them down.

1. Why do you feel pressured to say yes, even if it conflicts with your work?

1. What are the possible consequences of choosing fun over homework tonight?

1. How could you balance both—support your friend and meet your deadline?

Scenario 3

You receive a lower grade than expected. You feel like blaming the teacher or telling yourself it doesn’t matter. Impulsively, you consider not studying for the next quiz.

1. What immediate emotion is driving that impulse?

1. What could happen if you stop studying?

1. What is a more constructive response you could choose?

Scenario 4

You compare yourself on social media and think, “Everyone else is doing better than me.” You feel shame and want to delete your account instantly.

1. What thoughts trigger your urge to delete or quit?

1. How might that action affect your mood or connections later?

1. What could you say or do instead to shift your perspective?

Scenario 5

You need to talk to a teacher about extra help, but you feel nervous and consider pretending everything is fine.

1. What fear or belief is holding you back from asking for help?

1. What might happen if you don’t reach out?

1. What’s a small first step you could take to start that conversation?

Final Reflection

1. What patterns do you notice in your impulses across these scenarios?

1. Which reflection technique (pausing, asking “What if?”, listing pros and cons) felt most helpful?

1. What is one concrete habit you will try next time you feel an impulse to act without thinking?

Reflection Bingo Game

Use this Bingo card to spot moments when you paused, acted, or reflected on your choices. Mark a square when it resonates, then share a quick story or thought about that moment.

How to Play:

1. Read each square silently.
2. When a statement resonates, mark it off.
3. Share a brief example: What happened? How did you feel?
4. Aim to get B-I-N-G-O (five in a row). Discuss each marked square using the Reflection Bingo Answer Key for deeper insights.

Enjoy reflecting and discovering your patterns of action and pause!

Reflection Bingo Answer Key

Use these guiding notes to deepen discussion about each Bingo square. Encourage Deborah to share specific examples, explore feelings, and identify lessons or next steps.

B Column

• Acted before thinking
– Guiding questions: What happened immediately after you acted? How did you feel when you realized you hadn’t paused? What could you do differently next time?

• Made an impulsive choice this week
– Discussion points: Describe the situation and impulse. What triggered you? What unintended consequences followed?

• Changed your mind at the last minute
– Follow-up: What made you reverse your decision? Did it improve the outcome? How can you recognize that instinct sooner?

• Focused on a past mistake
– Reflection: How long did you dwell on it? Did that focus help or hinder you? What small step can you take to shift forward?

• Felt overwhelmed by choices
– Questions: What made the decision feel big or confusing? Could listing pros and cons or asking for help have eased your stress?

I Column

• Compared yourself to someone else
– Explore: Who are you comparing yourself to? What story are you telling yourself? How might you reframe that comparison?

• Paused before making a decision
– Insight: What signals made you stop? How did pausing change your choice? How can you practice that next time?

• Took a deep breath before acting
– Discuss: What did you notice when you paused and breathed? How did your perspective shift?

• Underestimated consequences
– Probe: What outcome surprised you the most? How could you anticipate hidden effects in the future?

• Sought feedback before acting
– Reflection: Who did you ask, and what did you learn? How did their feedback change your plan?

N Column

• Ignored a gut feeling
– Discussion: What did your intuition tell you? Why did you set it aside? How might you honor that feeling next time?

• Used a pros and cons list
– Insight: How did listing pros and cons help clarify your decision? Would you use this strategy again?

• Free Space: Reflect Now
– Prompt: Take a moment to review your card. Which square stands out most, and what’s one insight you’ll carry forward?

• Asked “What if?” before acting
– Questions: What scenarios did you imagine? How did weighing possibilities influence your choice?

• Avoided making a decision
– Explore: What fears or uncertainties held you back? What small step could move you toward a choice?

G Column

• Asked for help when needed
– Reflection: Who did you turn to, and how did it help? What made it easier or harder to ask?

• Overlooked a possible consequence
– Discussion: Which consequence slipped your mind? How can you build in a quick “impact check” next time?

• Celebrated after a good choice
– Insight: How did recognizing your success feel? How can you remind yourself to celebrate small wins?

• Completed a SMART goal
– Probe: What made this goal SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound)? How did structure help you succeed?

• Distracted by social media impulse
– Discussion: What triggered the urge? How long were you distracted? What’s one tactic to limit that next time?

O Column

• Felt proud after a good decision
– Reflection: What decision was it, and why did it matter? How can you build on that confidence?

• Felt stressed after a choice
– Explore: What aspect of the outcome caused stress? Could pausing or planning reduce that in the future?

• Talked through options with someone
– Insight: Who did you involve, and what did they suggest? How did the conversation change your approach?

• Felt confident after planning
– Discussion: How did planning impact your mindset? What planning step was most valuable?

• Learned from someone else’s advice
– Reflection: Whose advice made a difference? What lesson will you carry forward?

Encourage Deborah to connect each square to personal experiences, notice patterns across her reflections, and identify one concrete strategy to try next time she faces a choice.

Personal Action Plan Project Template

Use this template to turn today’s insights into a clear, SMART action plan. Fill in each section to define your goal, outline steps, and prepare for challenges.

1. Situation & Goal

What’s one situation where you want to make a better choice? Describe it here.

2. SMART Goal Details

• Specific: What exactly do you want to achieve?

• Measurable: How will you track your progress or know you’ve succeeded?

• Achievable: What resources, skills, or support will help you reach this goal?

• Relevant: Why does this goal matter to you right now? How does it connect to your values or bigger objectives?

• Time-bound: When will you complete this goal or check your progress?

3. Action Steps

List the concrete steps you’ll take to move toward your SMART goal. Aim for at least three.

1. Step 1: What’s the very first thing you’ll do?
   
   
   
   
   
   
2. Step 2: What comes next?
   
   
   
   
   
   
3. Step 3: What will you do after that?
   
   
   
   
   
   
4. (Optional) Additional steps:
   
   
   
   
   
   

4. Potential Obstacles & Solutions

Think of what might get in your way and how you’ll handle it.

5. Check-In & Reflection

Choose a date to review your progress. Reflect on what’s working, what’s not, and adjust your plan as needed.

• Check-in Date: ____________________

• Reflection Prompts:
  1. What successes did I notice?
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
  2. What challenges came up, and how did I respond?
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
  3. What’s one change I’ll make for the next check-in?
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

Congratulations on creating your Personal Action Plan! Keep this template handy, revisit it often, and celebrate each step forward.