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Unthinkabot Detectives

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Suzie Hart

Tier 2
For Schools

Lesson Plan

Unthinkabot Detectives Session 1

Introduce the concept of Unthinkabots—those sneaky, misleading thoughts—and guide students to spot examples through a group story and hands-on activity while establishing respectful group norms.

Learning to recognize and outsmart Unthinkabots builds early social awareness, helping first graders manage tricky thoughts, improve peer interactions, and set the tone for a supportive group environment.

Audience

1st Grade

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Story, discussion, and hands-on practice.

Materials

Unthinkabot Introduction Story, Detect the Unthinkabot Activity Sheet, Unthinkabot Character Cards, Group Norms Chart, Reflection Coloring Sheet, Mood Meter Cards, and Crayons or Markers

Prep

Prepare Materials

10 minutes

  • Print and cut Unthinkabot Character Cards
  • Print copies of Detect the Unthinkabot Activity Sheet
  • Review the Unthinkabot Introduction Story
  • Create and display the Group Norms Chart

Step 1

Warm-Up: Mood Check

5 minutes

  • Greet each detective by name and welcome them warmly.
  • Use Mood Meter Cards to ask, “How are you feeling today?”
  • Encourage students to point to the face that matches their mood.

Step 2

Introduce Unthinkabots

8 minutes

  • Show the Unthinkabot Introduction Story.
  • Read the story about Alex and his sneaky thoughts, pausing to discuss images.
  • Ask: “What tricky thoughts did Alex have?”
  • Define an Unthinkabot as a sneaky thought that can trick us in conversations.

Step 3

Establish Group Norms

5 minutes

  • Present the Group Norms Chart.
  • Discuss each norm: listen, use kind words, wait your turn, and respect ideas.
  • Invite students to agree and add one more norm if they’d like.

Step 4

Interactive Activity: Detect the Unthinkabot

8 minutes

  • Distribute the Detect the Unthinkabot Activity Sheet and crayons.
  • Read each scenario aloud together.
  • Students circle or color the picture showing the Unthinkabot glitch.
  • Discuss why each circled example is an Unthinkabot.

Step 5

Cool-Down Reflection

4 minutes

  • Hand out the Reflection Coloring Sheet.
  • Prompt: “Draw or color a time you spotted or outsmarted an Unthinkabot.”
  • If time allows, invite one or two students to share their drawing.
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Slide Deck

Unthinkabot Detectives

Session 1: Spot the Sneaky Thoughts!

Welcome the detectives! Introduce the group: “Today we start our Unthinkabot Detective work—finding sneaky thoughts!”

Warm-Up: Mood Check

Point to how you feel on the Mood Meter.

Greet each student by name. Use the Mood Meter Cards to ask, “How are you feeling today?” Encourage pointing to the face that matches.

What Is an Unthinkabot?

A sneaky thought that can trick us!

Introduce the term. Define: “An Unthinkabot is a sneaky thought that tricks us in conversations.”

Story Time: Meet Alex

Alex thought his friends didn’t like him.

Show the Unthinkabot Introduction Story. Pause on the first picture. Ask: “What is Alex thinking?”

Spot the Sneaky Thought

“They must be mad at me.” Is this an Unthinkabot?

Continue the story. Ask: “Could Alex’s thought be an Unthinkabot? Why?” Reinforce definition.

Group Norms

• Listen • Use kind words • Wait your turn • Respect ideas

Present the Group Norms Chart. Read each norm and invite agreement or an extra norm.

Activity: Detect the Unthinkabot

Circle the picture with the sneaky thought glitch.

Distribute the Detect the Unthinkabot Activity Sheet and crayons. Read each scenario. Students circle the sneaky thought picture. Discuss answers.

Cool-Down: Reflection

Draw a time you outsmarted an Unthinkabot.

Hand out the Reflection Coloring Sheet. Prompt: “Draw a time you spotted or outsmarted an Unthinkabot.” Invite one or two to share.

Great Work, Detectives!

See you next time for more detective practice!

Praise their detective work. Recap: “An Unthinkabot is a sneaky thought. We can spot it!” Preview next session: perspective-taking.

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Activity

Detect the Unthinkabot Activity Sheet

Instructions: Read each scenario and look at the two thought bubbles (Picture A and B). Circle the picture that shows the Unthinkabot—a sneaky or misleading thought. Then, in the space provided, tell why you chose it.

Scenario 1: Recess Tag

Mia is at recess and sees her friends playing tag.

A. ![Picture A: Mia thinks, “They want me to play!”]

B. ![Picture B: Mia thinks, “They must not like me.”]

Circle the Unthinkabot image: A or B.
My choice: _____
Why?






Scenario 2: Classroom Question

Liam raises his hand to answer a question in class.

A. ![Picture A: Liam thinks, “I know this answer!”]

B. ![Picture B: Liam thinks, “I’m going to sound silly.”]

Circle the Unthinkabot image: A or B.
My choice: _____
Why?






Scenario 3: Birthday Invitation

Jayden hears his classmates talking about a birthday party.

A. ![Picture A: Jayden thinks, “Wow, I wonder if I’m invited.”]

B. ![Picture B: Jayden thinks, “They probably forgot me.”]

Circle the Unthinkabot image: A or B.
My choice: _____
Why?






Scenario 4: Lunch Table

Noah sits down at lunch and sees a table of friends.

A. ![Picture A: Noah thinks, “I hope there’s a spot for me.”]

B. ![Picture B: Noah thinks, “They don’t want me sitting there.”]

Circle the Unthinkabot image: A or B.
My choice: _____
Why?






Great detective work! Be ready to share one example of when you’ve spotted an Unthinkabot.

lenny
lenny

Reading

Unthinkabot Introduction Story

Page 1: Meet Alex

Alex walks to the playground. He sees his friends playing tag and wants to join in. He thinks, “They will let me play!”
But then a tiny voice in his head whispers, “No one wants me.”

![Alex stands near the playground, looking unsure]

Page 2: A Friend’s Invitation

Alex sits on a bench with his arms crossed. He feels sad and thinks, “They forgot to ask me.”
Just then, his friend Mia waves. “Come play with us, Alex!” she calls.

![Mia waves to Alex with a smile]

Page 3: Outsmarting the Unthinkabot

Alex’s heart feels happy. He runs over and laughs with his friends.
He learns the thought “No one wants me” was an Unthinkabot—a sneaky thought that tricks us into feeling left out even when friends do care.
Next time he has a sneaky thought, he can ask a friend instead of staying quiet.

![Alex plays happily with his friends]

Think About It:
What sneaky thought did Alex have?
Is that an Unthinkabot?

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lenny

Activity

Session 1 Reflection Coloring Sheet

Instructions: Draw and color your own detective work!

1. Draw It

Draw a picture of a time you spotted or outsmarted an Unthinkabot.











2. Color the Unthinkabot Faces

Use crayons or markers to color each sneaky Unthinkabot face below.

Face AFace BFace C

Great detective work! Be ready to share how you outsmarted an Unthinkabot.

lenny
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