Lesson Plan
Think Then Do Plan
Students will learn to pause and plan actions before acting by engaging with a puppet-driven story, practicing self-management through role-play, and reflecting in a personal journal.
Impulse control is a foundational self-management skill that helps kindergarteners think before they act, reducing disruptions and building emotional regulation through fun, hands-on practice.
Audience
Kindergarten Small Group
Time
25 minutes
Approach
Puppet story, role-play, reflection.
Materials
Prep
Teacher Preparation
10 minutes
- Gather 2–3 hand puppets for characters in the story
- Review the story flow on Story Steps Slides
- Read through the Puppet Show Dialogue to familiarize with lines and cues
- Print and copy enough Puppet Role-Play Scenarios cards for each child or pair
- Print one copy per student of My Pause Page and ensure pencils/crayons are available
Step 1
Welcome & Warm-Up
3 minutes
- Greet each student and invite them to sit in a circle on the carpet
- Ask: “What happens when we act without thinking?” and briefly discuss responses
- Introduce today’s lesson: learning to pause and plan called Think, Then Do
Step 2
Introduce Impulse Control
2 minutes
- Explain that impulse control means stopping to think before acting
- Show a quick gesture: stop hands up + thinking face + thumbs up = planning before doing
- Tell students they’ll see a story about this skill
Step 3
Storytelling with Slides
5 minutes
- Display Story Steps Slides on the board/projector
- Narrate the story step by step, pausing at moments when the character must choose to stop and think
- Invite students to say “Think, Then Do!” each time the character pauses
Step 4
Puppet Show Demonstration
5 minutes
- Use puppets to act out key scenes from the story, following the Puppet Show Dialogue
- Emphasize puppet characters’ choices: showing impulse vs. planning choices
- After each scene, ask students what the puppet could have done differently
Step 5
Student Puppet Role-Play
7 minutes
- Divide students into pairs or small groups and give each group a scenario card from Puppet Role-Play Scenarios
- Instruct one child to play the impulsive character and the other to prompt “Think, Then Do” before acting
- Circulate, encourage use of the stop–think–plan routine, and offer feedback
Step 6
Reflection & Journaling
3 minutes
- Hand out My Pause Page to each student
- Prompt students to draw or write (with help) one time they paused and planned today
- Invite a few volunteers to share their drawings or ideas
use Lenny to create lessons.
No credit card needed
Slide Deck
Meet Max the Monkey
This is Max the Monkey. Max loves cookies! Sometimes he grabs them too fast.
Introduce the story to hook students. Show the first image of Max the Monkey and get them curious.
Max Sees the Cookie Jar
Max spots a big cookie jar on the kitchen counter. His tummy rumbles.
Prompt children: “What do you think Max will do?” Emphasize noticing impulses.
Max Acts on Impulse
Without thinking, Max jumps up and reaches for the jar…
Demonstrate an “impulse moment.” Ask: “Should Max grab the cookies?”
Stop and Think
But wait! Max remembers: “Stop! Think before I act!”
Cue the stop–think gesture. Invite kids to practice “Stop!”
Make a Plan
Max decides to ask Mama Monkey, “May I have one cookie, please?”
Explain planning. Ask: “What could Max do instead?”
Do the Plan
Max asks politely, gets a cookie, and feels proud he paused first.
Celebrate the positive choice. Reinforce “Think, Then Do!”
Script
Puppet Show Dialogue
Below is the word-for-word script for the puppets. Use simple, clear voices and pause after each question to let students respond. Encourage them to join in the gestures and key phrase: “Think, Then Do!”
Scene 1: Introduction
Stage Direction: Narrator puppet enters center stage, waving to the students.
Narrator: “Hello, friends! Today we have a fun story about Max the Monkey. Max loves cookies, but sometimes he acts too fast!”
Narrator (addressing class): “What do you think Max will do when he sees cookies?”
(Pause for students to answer.)
Scene 2: Max Spots the Cookies
Stage Direction: Max puppet pops up and peeks around the corner.
Max (excited voice): “Ooh! Cookies! My tummy is rumbling!”
Narrator (to class): “Max sees a big cookie jar on the counter. Should Max grab the cookies right now?”
(Pause for students to answer.)
Scene 3: Impulse Moment
Stage Direction: Max lunges forward toward the jar.
Narrator (concerned): “Uh-oh! Max is about to grab them without thinking!”
Interactive Prompt (choral): Narrator holds hands up like a stop sign and says, “Everyone, say ‘Stop!’ and hold up your hands!”
(Students practice the stop gesture.)
Scene 4: Stop and Think
Narrator (gentle voice): “Now let’s think first. Put your finger on your temple and look like you’re thinking.”
Interactive Prompt (choral): “Everybody, say ‘Think, Then Do!’”
(Students practice the thinking gesture and say phrase.)
Scene 5: Making a Plan
Stage Direction: Max puppet lowers arms and taps chin thoughtfully.
Max (pondering): “Hmm… Maybe I should ask Mama Monkey for a cookie instead of grabbing!”
Narrator (to class): “Great idea, Max! What could Max say to ask nicely?”
(Pause for student suggestions, then continue.)
Scene 6: Asking Politely
Stage Direction: Mama Monkey puppet enters, smiling.
Max (polite voice): “Mama Monkey, may I have one cookie, please?”
Mama Monkey (warmly): “Of course, Max! Here you go.”
Scene 7: Celebration & Reinforcement
Narrator (cheerful): “Max did it! He stopped, thought, then politely asked—and got a cookie!”
Interactive Prompt (choral): “Let’s all remember: ‘Think, Then Do!’”
Stage Direction: Puppets wave goodbye.
Narrator (waving): “Great job, everyone! Keep practicing your Stop–Think–Plan routine!”
Next up: use your own puppets and Puppet Role-Play Scenarios to practice being the impulsive character and the helpful friend who says “Think, Then Do!”
Activity
Puppet Role-Play Scenarios
Use these scenario cards for pairs or small groups. One child plays the impulsive puppet, and the other is the helper puppet who says “Think, Then Do!” before the first puppet acts. After each scene, swap roles.
Card 1: Cookie Jar Temptation
Scenario: Your puppet spots a big jar of cookies on the kitchen counter and wants to grab some right away.
Helper prompt: “Think, Then Do!”
Plan: Ask politely, “May I have one cookie, please?”
Card 2: Toy Take-Away
Scenario: Your puppet sees a friend’s toy truck and tries to snatch it.
Helper prompt: “Think, Then Do!”
Plan: Say, “Will you please share the truck with me?”
Card 3: Scissors in Art Center
Scenario: Your puppet rushes for the scissors without asking.
Helper prompt: “Think, Then Do!”
Plan: Ask the teacher, “May I use the scissors, please?”
Card 4: Jumping on the Couch
Scenario: Your puppet jumps on the couch without checking the rule.
Helper prompt: “Think, Then Do!”
Plan: Remember to ask, “Is it okay if I jump on the couch?”
Card 5: Snack Time Surprise
Scenario: Your puppet grabs a snack before the teacher says it’s snack time.
Helper prompt: “Think, Then Do!”
Plan: Wait and ask the teacher, “When can I have my snack?”
Swap partners and try again!
Journal
My Pause Page
Name: ________________________ Date: _______________
1. Draw Your Pause Moment
Draw a picture of a time when you stopped and thought before you did something today. How did you pause? What did it look like?
2. Tell the Story
Write or draw what happened just before you paused. What were you about to do? Why did you need to stop and think?
3. Make a Plan
What did you decide to do instead after you paused? Describe your plan and how you asked or acted differently.
4. How Did You Feel?
How did you feel after you stopped, thought, and did your plan? Choose words or draw a small face to show your feelings.
Great job practicing your Think, Then Do routine! Remember to use your Stop–Think–Plan steps every day. You can revisit the lesson steps in the Think Then Do Plan to help you.