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What's Your ABC?

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Lesson Plan

ABC Behavior Map Lesson Plan

Students will learn to identify antecedents, behaviors, and consequences using the ABC model and complete their own behavior maps to monitor and improve their choices.

By recognizing triggers and outcomes, students develop self-awareness and proactive strategies, fostering positive classroom behavior and reducing disruptions.

Audience

3rd Grade Students

Time

45 minutes

Approach

Interactive warm-up, guided modeling, collaborative practice, and reflection.

Materials

Prep

Teacher Preparation

10 minutes

Step 1

Trigger Detective Warm-Up

5 minutes

  • Distribute the Trigger Detective Warm-Up sheets to pairs
  • Have students identify antecedents (triggers) in three short scenarios
  • Debrief as a class: discuss why certain events trigger behaviors

Step 2

Introduction to ABC Behavior Map

10 minutes

  • Present the ABC model using the Understanding Antecedents Slide Deck
  • Define and give examples of Antecedent, Behavior, and Consequence
  • Model filling in an ABC chart for a common classroom example
  • Ask students to volunteer answers and clarify misconceptions

Step 3

Guided Practice

10 minutes

  • Organize students into small groups with chart paper or digital map
  • Provide each group with two new scenarios
  • Ask groups to complete ABC maps collaboratively
  • Circulate to prompt deeper thinking and correct errors
  • Invite one group to share their completed map with the class

Step 4

Classroom Behavior Journal Activity

15 minutes

  • Hand out the Classroom Behavior Journal Activity
  • Students reflect on a recent personal experience and fill in their own ABC map
  • Encourage use of sentence starters ("When I…, I felt…")
  • Teacher circulates to provide individualized support and feedback

Step 5

Reflection Snapshot

5 minutes

  • Use the Reflection Snapshot for students to record one strategy to change an unwanted behavior outcome
  • Invite volunteers to share their snapshots
  • Collect snapshots or display for a follow-up discussion next class
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Slide Deck

Understanding the ABCs of Behavior

A fun exploration of Antecedents, Behaviors, and Consequences
Let’s discover what makes us act the way we do!

Welcome students! Today we will explore the ABCs of behavior—Antecedents, Behaviors, and Consequences. Explain that understanding these helps us make positive choices and solve problems.

What Is an Antecedent?

  • The event or trigger that happens just before a behavior
  • It sets the stage for what we do next
    Example: The teacher turns off the lights

Introduce ‘Antecedent.’ Emphasize that it’s the trigger or signal that comes right before we do something.

Antecedent Examples

  • Hearing the recess bell ring
  • Seeing a math problem on the board
  • A classmate calling your name
    (Discussion: Which triggers make you feel excited, nervous, or curious?)

Show real-life examples. Ask students to raise hands when they’ve experienced similar triggers.

What Is a Behavior?

  • The action or response that follows an antecedent
  • It’s what you do, say, or think
    Example: Packing up quickly when you hear the bell

Define ‘Behavior.’ Explain that it’s what we actually do or say in response to the antecedent.

What Is a Consequence?

  • The result or outcome of a behavior
  • Can be a reward, feedback, or a learning moment
    Example: Earning praise for packing up quietly

Define ‘Consequence.’ Explain that it’s what happens after our behavior, either good or not so good.

ABC Model in Action

AntecedentBehaviorConsequence
Fire drill alarm ringsStudents line up quietlyClass stays safe and calm outside

Model filling in an ABC chart using a common scenario. Walk through each column clearly.

Your Turn: Identify the ABCs

Scenario: The classroom lights flicker off.
• What is the antecedent?
• What behavior might follow?
• What could be the consequence?
Discuss with a partner and jot down your ideas.

Guide students to work with a partner. Encourage discussion of possible answers before sharing with class.

Wrap-Up & Next Steps

Great work today!
Tomorrow, we’ll practice mapping our own ABCs in the Classroom Behavior Journal.
Keep an eye out for triggers and outcomes today.

Praise students for participation. Preview the next lesson, which will use the Classroom Behavior Journal.

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Warm Up

Trigger Detective Warm-Up

Instructions: Read each scenario below. Underline the antecedent (the trigger), circle the behavior (what the person does), and draw a box around the consequence (what happens next).

1. When the bell rang for recess, Mateo dropped his pencil on the floor, and the teacher reminded him to pick it up before going outside.


2. After the lights flickered off during a lesson, Mia whispered to her friend about the power outage, and the class remained calm until the teacher fixed the switch.


3. As soon as the music started playing, Evan tapped his foot to the beat, and the other students smiled and joined in dancing quietly.


When you’ve finished, be prepared to share which part of a scenario felt most like a trigger for you!

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Activity

Classroom Behavior Journal Activity

Instructions: Think of a recent time in our classroom when you felt strong feelings (happy, upset, excited, or nervous). Use the sentence starters below to fill in your own ABC map.

1. Antecedent (What happened first? The trigger.)

When I…





2. Behavior (What did I do or say?)

I did…





3. Consequence (What happened next?)

The result was…





4. Reflection & Strategy

• How did this outcome make me feel? ____________________________



• One thing I can do differently next time is…





Be ready to share one idea from your journal with a friend or the class!

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Cool Down

Reflection Snapshot

Instructions: Use this quick exit ticket to plan a new strategy for improving your behavior.

1. Behavior I want to change:





2. One strategy I can try next time:





3. How will I know it worked?





Be ready to share one idea from your snapshot!

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