Barrier Busters Substitute Guide
Substitute Teacher Quick-Start Guide
Barrier Busters: Goals & Perseverance
No Tech Needed (Whiteboard Only)
Target Duration: 45 Minutes
Lesson Mission: Teach students how to spot obstacles and make an “If-Then” plan to persist.
Student Materials: 1 double-sided “Barrier Busters” handout per student + pencil.
Teacher Needs: Whiteboard & dry-erase markers (2 colors recommended).
Whiteboard Blueprint (Draw This Across Your Board)
Set up before class or draw while talking
1. GOAL TYPES
• Short-Term:
Today, this week (e.g., finish reading book).
• Long-Term:
Months, year (e.g., learn guitar, make soccer team).
2. TWO BARRIER TYPES
• External (Outside):
Noise, bad weather, missing materials.
• Internal (Inside):
Boredom, self-doubt, giving up, frustration.
3. IF – THEN FORMULA
“IF [obstacle happens],
THEN I WILL [action].”
Perseverance = sticking with it even when it's tough!
00–07 min
Phase 1: The Mountain Hook (Whole Group)
Warm-Up & Purpose
1. Action on Board: Draw a simple triangle mountain on the board with a stick figure at the base and a flag at the peak labeled “GOAL”. Draw a giant boulder halfway up blocking the path labeled “BARRIER”.
Say to class: “Imagine you are climbing this mountain. You've been hiking for hours. Suddenly, you hit this massive boulder blocking the only trail. Do you sit down, cry, and walk home? Or do you find a way around, over, or through it? Today, we are learning how to be Barrier Busters!”
2. Quick Partner Turn & Talk (1 minute): “Turn to a neighbor: What is one thing you tried to learn recently that felt like hitting a boulder? (e.g., riding a bike, long division, playing an instrument).”
3. Call on 2 volunteers: Validate that everyone hits obstacles—champions just have a plan for them.
07–17 min
Phase 2: Unpacking Goals & Roadblocks
Concept Teaching
Point to Panel 1 on your whiteboard as you explain:
- Short-Term Goal: Something you want to accomplish today or this week (e.g., “Finish chapter 4 of my book without getting distracted.”)
- Long-Term Goal: Something that takes weeks, months, or years of steady practice (e.g., “Earn a spot on the track team” or “Master my multiplication tables.”)
Teach the 2 Types of Barriers (Panel 2):
• External Barriers: Obstacles outside your body you can't control (rain canceling soccer practice, a broken pencil, noisy room).
• Internal Barriers: Obstacles inside your own mind and feelings (thinking “I'm not smart enough,” feeling frustrated, wanting to play video games instead).
“Good news: Internal barriers are completely under your control once you spot them!”
Barrier Busters Lesson Plan • Substitute Facilitation Guide Page 1 of 2 (Turn over for Phases 3–5) →
Part 2
Guided Practice, Handout Work & Wrap-Up
Minutes 17 to 45
17–25 min
Phase 3: Modeling the “If-Then” Power Plan
Model Together
Write this live example on the board under Panel 3 and guide the class through it:
Example Goal: “Read 20 minutes every night this week.” (Short-term)
Possible Barrier: “I feel tired after dinner and just want to scroll on my tablet.” (Internal barrier)
“IF I feel too tired after dinner to read,
THEN I will read for just 5 minutes before turning on any screens.”
Teacher Talk: “Notice how the ‘Then’ statement is a specific, doable action. It gives your brain a recipe to follow before you get stuck!”
25–40 min
Phase 4: Student Handout Work & Circulation
Independent or Pairs
Instructions to Students: Hand out the double-sided student sheet. Instruct them to work individually or in quiet elbow partners.
What to Look for While Circulating:
- Are goals specific? (Prompt: “How will you know when you did it?”)
- Can they label barriers as Internal vs. External?
- Do their “THEN” actions provide a real solution?
Sticking Points & Hints:
- Stuck on a goal? Suggest: math facts, soccer drill, reading a chapter, drawing.
- Stuck on “Then”? Ask: “Who could you ask for help?” or “How can you break it into 2 smaller pieces?”
40–45 min
Phase 5: Wrap-Up & Shout-Outs
Whole Group Closure
1. Call for 2-3 volunteers: Have students share their “IF-THEN” plan. Class responds with two snaps or silent applause.
2. Reflection Prompt: “Put your thumb up if you know one thing you will do next time you feel like quitting.”
3. Collection: Collect student handouts to leave for the classroom teacher.
Substitute Lifesavers (Quick Solutions)
Finish Early? Ask them to draw their “Perseverance Shield” on the back or help a neighbor brainstorm “Then” plans.
Class Running Wild? Use call-and-response: “When we hit a wall...” → Students chant: “Bust it down!”
Low Reading Level? Read the two scenario boxes on Page 2 out loud to the whole class before they begin writing.
Barrier Busters Lesson Plan • Substitute Facilitation Guide Classroom Teacher Follow-Up Ready
Barrier Busters Student Handout
Name:
Date:
Class:
SEL Power Plan Grades 3–5
Barrier Busters: Goals & Perseverance
Spot your roadblocks, build your “If-Then” strategy, and crush your goals!
1
Goal Setting Zone: Short-Term vs. Long-Term
My Short-Term Goal (This Week)
1–7 Days
Something specific you want to achieve by Friday:
My Long-Term Goal (This Term or Year)
Weeks/Months
A bigger goal that takes patience and regular practice:
2
Roadblock Radar: Spotting Barrier Types
Check one box for each obstacle
Internal Inside your own thoughts, emotions, or habits (e.g., self-doubt, getting distracted, frustration).
External Outside events or conditions you cannot control (e.g., bad weather, loud noises, broken tools).
1. “I got frustrated on problem #3 and felt like slamming my workbook shut.”
Internal External
2. “Heavy thunderstorm rain flooded the field and canceled our soccer game.”
Internal External
3. “I thought to myself: ‘Everyone else is faster than me, so why even try?’”
Internal External
4. “The classroom was very noisy and I couldn't find my reading pencil anywhere.”
Internal External
3
The Perseverance Toolbelt (4 Ways to Push Forward)
Star (★) the tool you will use today!
Break It Down
Turn one giant task into 3 small bites you can finish easily.
The Power of YET
Say: “I can't do this YET, but my brain grows with practice!”
Ask a Lifeline
Ask your teacher or classmate for just 1 helpful hint or example.
Reset Breath
Inhale slow for 4 seconds, exhale for 4 to reset your cool.
Barrier Busters Student Handout • Perseverance in Action Turn to Page 2 for Scenarios & Your Action Plan →
Part 4 & 5
Case Studies & Your Personal IF–THEN Action Plan
Put Your Strategy to Work
4
Be the Coach: Help These Students Overcome Their Roadblocks
Case #1: Marcus's Math Wall Math Frustration
Marcus is working on 10 fraction problems. On problem #2, he gets stuck, drops his pencil, and groans: “I'm terrible at this, I quit.”
What is Marcus's main barrier? (Internal or External?)
Write Marcus an IF–THEN Plan to persist:
IF:
THEN:
Case #2: Priya's Mile Run Physical Endurance
Priya's goal is to jog a full mile without stopping. Halfway through lap 2, her side aches, the wind is freezing, and her brain says: “Just walk.”
What barrier is Priya facing? (Physical / Weather)
Write Priya an IF–THEN Plan to persist:
IF:
THEN:
5
My Personal Barrier Buster Action Plan
Core Commitment
1. The Goal I am Committing to Work On:
2. The #1 Obstacle or Roadblock that might try to stop me:
Internal External
3. My Official Perseverance Formula:
IF...
(When this roadblock happens)
THEN...
(I will take this specific perseverance action)
My Accountability Partner (Who can encourage me?):
My Signature (I promise to try my If-Then plan!):
Barrier Busters Student Handout • Classroom Teacher Collection “Perseverance is doing something hard until it gets easy!”
