Know Yourself Lesson Plan Know Yourself, Own It
Tier 1 Social-Emotional Learning • 4th Grade
Duration
30 Minutes
Lesson Objective
Students will identify and reflect on their emotions and impulses, practice self-control strategies, and connect their behavior to classroom expectations.
The "Why"
Building self-awareness and self-control empowers students to manage emotions, reduce disruptions, and foster a positive learning environment aligned with school rules.
Materials
Reflection Journal Sheets
Emotion Cards
Impulse Control Scenarios
Classroom Expectations Poster
Timer, Chart Paper, Markers
Preparation (10 mins)
1
Print and cut out Emotion Cards and Impulse Control Scenarios .
2
Make copies of Reflection Journal Sheets for each student.
3
Display the Classroom Expectations Poster on chart paper or screen.
Instructional Sequence
5 min Introduction
Expectations & Objective
Gather students in a circle around the Expectations Poster .
Discuss how understanding emotions and controlling impulses supports learning.
State the theme: "Know Yourself, Own It."
7 min Awareness
Self-Awareness Reflection
Distribute Reflection Journal Sheets .
Prompt: Write about a time at school you felt calm, excited, or frustrated.
Guide them to note the trigger and their response .
8 min Emotion ID
Emotion Identification (Charades)
Hand out Emotion Cards to pairs.
Activity: One student acts out the emotion (silent); partner guesses.
Discussion: Partners suggest one classroom-appropriate way to handle that feeling.
8 min Control
Impulse Control Practice
Provide small groups with Impulse Control Scenarios .
Planning (2 min): Discuss a self-controlled response that follow class rules.
Role-Play (1 min each): Groups perform their solution for the class.
2 min Closure
Debrief
Invite volunteers to share a key insight. Reinforce that self-awareness and control are tools for success.
Know Yourself Slides Deck Know Yourself,
Own It
Building Self-Awareness & Self-Control
4th Grade Tier 1 SEL
Lesson Objectives
Identify and reflect on your emotions
Practice self-control strategies
Connect behavior to classroom expectations
What is Self-Awareness?
It means knowing how you feel in the moment.
😊 😤 😌 😟
It also means recognizing what caused that feeling (the trigger).
What is Self-Control?
Managing impulses —taking a moment to pause before acting.
Making choices that follow our classroom rules, even when feelings are strong.
Classroom Expectations
👂
Listen Carefully
🤚
Hands & Feet to Yourself
💬
Use Kind Words
⏱️
Follow Directions Quickly
Activity 1
Self-Awareness Reflection
1
Write about a time you felt calm , excited , or frustrated .
2
What triggered (caused) that emotion?
3
How did you respond ?
Activity 2
Emotion Identification
1
In pairs, act out the emotion on your card (no words!).
2
Your partner guesses the emotion.
3
Suggest one good way to handle that feeling in class.
Activity 3
Impulse Control Practice
1
Read your scenario and plan a response that follows our rules (2 mins).
2
Role-play your solution for the class (1 min).
Know Yourself, Own It!
What did you learn about your feelings today?
How will you use self-control tomorrow?
Refer to our Expectations Poster daily!
Reflection Journal Sheets Reflection Journal
Know Yourself, Own It • Activity 1
Name:
Date:
Today we will think about different feelings you have at school. For each emotion below, write about a time you felt that way. Then tell what caused the feeling and how you handled it.
😌
1. Calm
a. Think of a time at school when you felt calm. What were you doing?
b. What triggered that calm feeling? (What made you feel calm?)
c. How did you respond? Did you use a strategy to stay calm?
😃
2. Excited
a. Think of a time at school when you felt excited. What happened?
b. What caused you to feel excited?
c. How did you manage your excitement so you could keep following expectations?
😤
3. Frustrated
a. Think of a time at school when you felt frustrated. What was happening?
b. What triggered your frustration?
c. What strategy or self-control skill did you use (or could you have used) to handle it?
Reminder: Use what you wrote here to help you understand your feelings and make good choices. When you notice these emotions again, remember your strategies and keep following our classroom rules!
Emotion Cards Activity Emotion Cards
Activity 2: Emotion Identification Charades
Print and Cut
Laminate for Reuse
How to Play
Distribute these cards to pairs. One student acts out the emotion silently (charades). The partner guesses the emotion and suggests one appropriate way to handle that feeling in the classroom.
Emotion Card
😊
Happy
Emotion Card
😢
Sad
Emotion Card
😠
Angry
Emotion Card
😃
Excited
Emotion Card
😤
Frustrated
Emotion Card
😲
Surprised
Emotion Card
😌
Calm
Emotion Card
😟
Nervous Impulse Control Scenarios Activity Impulse Control Scenarios
Activity 3: Role-Play Practice
Instructions
In small groups, read your assigned scenario card. Discuss how you might feel and identify the impulse you need to manage. Plan and role-play a calm, rule-following response that shows self-control.
Scenario 1
The Shout-Out
You have a question and the teacher is in the middle of explaining. You really want to ask right now. What do you do instead of shouting out?
Scenario 2
The Slow Line
It’s time to line up after recess, but you’re chatting with friends and walking slowly. The teacher reminds you to hurry. How can you control the impulse to keep talking?
Scenario 3
The Reading Mistake
Your partner in reading group makes a mistake and mispronounces a word. You feel like giggling or teasing. How can you show self-control instead?
Scenario 4
The Lunch Excitement
It’s almost lunch and you’re so excited you want to bang your desk or run around. How can you manage your excitement while staying calm?
Scenario 5
The Hard Math Problem
You get stuck on a tough math problem and feel like crumpling your paper or throwing your pencil. What could you do to handle that frustration?
Scenario 6
The Dropped Books
You see a classmate drop their books in the hallway and your first thought is to rush over, leaving your spot in line. How can you respond with self-control?
Group Planning Guide
1
How might you feel in this moment? (Identify the emotion)
2
What is the impulse ? (What does your body want to do right away?)
3
What strategy will you use? (Counting, deep breaths, self-talk)
4
Practice a 1-minute role-play showing your controlled response.
Classroom Expectations Poster Our Classroom
Expectations
1. Listen Carefully
Eyes on the speaker
Be patient while others talk
2. Hands & Feet to Yourself
Respect personal space
Stay in your own body bubble
3. Use Kind Words
Speak gently and respectfully
Encourage your classmates
4. Follow Directions Quickly
Move as soon as instructions are given
Raise your hand if you need help
Know Yourself, Own It!
