Impulse Control Lesson Plan Impulse Control: Expected & Unexpected
Individual Tier 3 Support Lesson
20 Minutes
Objective
The student will be able to identify expected and unexpected behaviors, with a focus on impulse control, and practice strategies for self-regulation using the "Stop and Think" button method.
Why This Matters
Understanding expected and unexpected behaviors helps students navigate social situations, reduce frustration, and build positive relationships. Developing impulse control empowers them to make thoughtful choices rather than acting on immediate urges.
Approach
Direct Instruction
Visual Examples
Guided Practice
Materials Needed
Impulse Control Slide Deck
Behavior Worksheet
Teacher Script
Teacher Prep (5 Minutes)
Review Slide Deck content
Print Behavior Worksheet
Review Teacher Script
Gather pencil & markers
Instructional Steps
3m
Introduction & Warm-Up: What Do We Do?
Begin with a quick check-in to set a positive tone.
Introduce expected vs. unexpected behaviors (Slides 1-2).
Ask the student: "What do these words mean in different situations?"
7m
Understanding Impulse Control
Explain the concept of impulse control as a mental tool.
Present slides 3-5 (The "Stop and Think" button).
Discuss real-world situations: waiting for turns, not interrupting.
Use the script to guide deeper questioning on behavioral impact.
7m
Activity: Expected vs. Unexpected Practice
Apply learning through scenario-based analysis.
Complete the worksheet together.
Identify expected alternatives for unexpected behaviors.
Reinforce how impulse control helps achieve the expected goal.
3m
Cool-Down & Review: My Plan
Review takeaways and set a personal goal.
Summarize: Impulse control = thinking before acting.
Student identifies one situation to practice impulse control today.
Provide positive reinforcement for their hard work.
Impulse Control Slide Deck Expected &
Unexpected
"What do we do? What helps us?"
Slide 1: Welcome Notes: Welcome the student. Discuss "rules" or "how we act".
Expected: Helps Everyone
Makes people feel happy and comfortable.
Easy for everyone to understand.
Helps us all learn and play together.
Slide 2: Understanding 'Expected' Expected = Regular, Predictable, Kind
What is Impulse Control?
The "Stop and Think" Button!
Thinking before acting. Making a good choice, even when it is hard!
Stop
Pause your body
Think
Check the rules
Go
Pick the Expected choice
Impulse Control in Action
Expected!
Waiting for your turn to speak.
Keeping your hands to yourself.
Asking nicely for what you want.
Taking a deep breath if frustrated.
No Impulse Control?
Unexpected!
Interrupting friends while they talk.
Blurting out answers in class.
Grabbing toys without asking.
Running when we should walk.
Your Turn!
Practice Time
Is the behavior Expected or Unexpected?
How can your "Stop and Think" button help?
Remember: Think Before You Act!
Impulse control helps us make good choices.
Good choices lead to expected behaviors.
Expected behaviors help us and our friends!
Teacher Script for Impulse Control Instructional Script
Impulse Control: Expected & Unexpected
Section 1
Introduction & Warm-Up (3m)
Visual Aid
Slide 1-2
"Hi [Student's Name]! I'm so glad to see you today. Today we're going to talk about something super important that helps us get along with others and feel good about ourselves. We're going to talk about 'expected' and 'unexpected' behaviors, especially how they connect to something called 'impulse control'."
"Take a look at this first slide. What do you think 'expected' behavior means? What about 'unexpected' behavior?"
Pause for student response
"Exactly! Expected behaviors are things people usually do, like following the rules or being polite. Unexpected behaviors are things that might surprise people or make them feel uncomfortable. These behaviors make it harder for us to learn, play, and make friends."
Section 2
Understanding Impulse Control (7m)
Visual Aid
Slide 3
Slide 4-5
"Now, let's look at how we can choose more expected behaviors. That's where 'impulse control' comes in! Impulse control is like having a 'stop and think' button in our brain. When we want to do something really fast, but we know it might be an unexpected behavior, we can push our 'stop and think' button. It helps us pause, think about the best choice, and then act."
"Let's think about some examples. Imagine you really want to talk, but someone else is already talking. An unexpected behavior might be to interrupt. What would an expected behavior be? How does impulse control help you choose the expected behavior?"
Wait for student answer
"What if you see a toy you really want? An unexpected behavior could be to just grab it. What's an expected behavior? And how does your 'stop and think' button help you do that?"
Allow for processing & response
Key Teaching Point:
"Great thinking! It can be tough to push that 'stop and think' button sometimes, especially when we feel really excited or really frustrated. But the more we practice, the easier it gets!"
Section 3
Activity & Cool-Down (10m)
Visual Aid
Worksheet
Slide 6-7
"Now it's your turn to practice being a behavior detective! I have a worksheet for us. We'll read some scenarios, and you'll tell me if the behavior is expected or unexpected. Then, we'll think about how impulse control helps us make an expected choice."
Teacher Action: Distribute the Expected vs. Unexpected Worksheet.
"We learned that expected behaviors help everyone, and unexpected behaviors can make things tricky. And the special tool we have to help us choose expected behaviors is called... impulse control! It's our 'stop and think' button."
Behavior Detective Worksheet Behavior Detective
Expected vs. Unexpected Behavior
Name:
Date:
Read each situation. Decide if the behavior is Expected or Unexpected . Then, write down a better choice and how your "Stop and Think" button helps.
1
The Board Game
You are very excited and shout out, "Move your piece here!" while your friend is taking their turn.
Expected
Unexpected
What would be an Expected behavior?
How does Impulse Control help?
2
The Classroom Topic
The teacher is talking about your favorite topic. You blurt out answers without raising your hand.
Expected
Unexpected
What would be an Expected behavior?
How does Impulse Control help?
3
The Hallway Greeting
You see your favorite teacher. You start running down the hall to get to them faster.
Expected
Unexpected
What would be an Expected behavior?
How does Impulse Control help?
4
The Dropped Pencil
During quiet reading, your pencil drops. You loudly push your chair and stomp over to get it.
Expected
Unexpected
What would be an Expected behavior?
How does Impulse Control help?
My Impulse Control Goal
One thing I will practice today is...
Behavior Detective Answer Key Answer Key
Behavior Detective: Impulse Control Guide
Teacher Reference
1
The Board Game
Shouting out moves during a friend's turn.
Expected
Unexpected
Expected Choice:
Wait patiently for your friend to finish. Only give advice if they ask for help.
Impulse Control Role:
It helps you take a breath and remember that games are more fun when everyone gets to make their own choices.
2
The Classroom Topic
Blurting out answers without raising your hand.
Expected
Unexpected
Expected Choice:
Raise your hand quietly and wait for the teacher to call on you.
Impulse Control Role:
It helps you use your "stop and think" button to remember the class rule, even when you are excited to share.
3
The Hallway Greeting
Running down the hall to greet a teacher.
Expected
Unexpected
Expected Choice:
Keep walking at a safe speed. Wave or say hello when you get closer.
Impulse Control Role:
It helps you choose safety over speed. You pause and remember the hallway rules.
4
The Dropped Pencil
Loudly retrieving a dropped pencil during quiet time.
Expected
Unexpected
Expected Choice:
Stand up quietly, walk slowly to pick up the pencil, and sit back down without noise.
Impulse Control Role:
It helps you notice the environment (quiet reading time) and choose a quiet way to solve your problem.