Choosing a calming action that helps

Learning goal

Choose a short pause and one small next step.

Materials

The student page below and a pencil.

Opening question · 3 minutes

“What pause and next step could help?”

A school situation · 5 minutes

A made-up student, Jules, has tried three times to fold a paper shape and it keeps opening. Jules feels frustrated and wants to crumple the paper. The class still has time to work.

One possible response · 4 minutes

Rest hands, then ask to see one fold again.

Practice · 10 minutes

What pause and next step could help?

1. A puzzle has no picture showing the finished shape. Jules feels frustrated.

2. A student is stuck on a drawing and keeps erasing the same line.

Possible answers

1. Pause and ask, “Could I see the picture or try one piece with you?”

2. Set the pencil down briefly, then ask for an example of that line.

Student page · 5 minutes

Use the ready-to-print student page at the end of this lesson. Students may write, draw, or give an answer aloud.

Exit question · 3 minutes

“Choose one of the stories. What could the student say or do first?”

Student page to print

Choosing a calming action that helps

Write, draw, or say your answer. You may pass.

An example

A made-up student, Jules, has tried three times to fold a paper shape and it keeps opening. Jules feels frustrated and wants to crumple the paper. The class still has time to work.

What pause and next step could help?

One possible response: Rest hands, then ask to see one fold again.

1. A puzzle has no picture showing the finished shape. Jules feels frustrated.

What pause and next step could help?

2. A student is stuck on a drawing and keeps erasing the same line.

What pause and next step could help?

One sentence to keep

Choose one story above. Write the first thing the person could say or do.