Spot and Stop Lesson Plan Spot and Stop
Self-Awareness & Self-Control Lesson Plan
Duration 30 Mins
Objective
Students will identify and name their emotions (self-awareness) and practice pausing to choose a positive response (self-control) in everyday situations.
Why This Matters
Building self-awareness and self-control helps students manage feelings, make thoughtful choices, and create a calm learning environment. These foundational skills support emotional regulation and positive classroom behavior.
Audience
2nd Grade (Tier 1)
Approach
Guided Discussion & Role-Play
Materials
Emotion Cards
Stop-and-Think Poster
Reflection Worksheet
Preparation
Print and cut the Emotion Cards Set.
Print and display the Stop-and-Think Poster.
Prepare individual copies of the Reflection Worksheet.
Review all emotions on the cards.
Instructional Steps
1
Introduction to Emotions
5 Minutes
Gather students in a circle and explain today’s goal: noticing feelings and choosing how to react.
Show one Emotion Card and ask: “What feeling is this? When might you feel this way?”
Invite a few students to share times they felt that emotion.
2
Spot Your Feelings
10 Minutes
Distribute one Emotion Card to each student.
In pairs, students show their card, name the emotion, and describe a moment they felt it.
Rotate cards so each student practices with 2–3 different emotions.
3
Stop and Think Strategy
10 Minutes
Display the Stop-and-Think Poster.
Introduce the three steps: Stop (pause), Breathe (take a deep breath), Think (choose a helpful response).
Role-play two short scenarios. Ask volunteers to demonstrate using the steps.
4
Reflection and Assessment
5 Minutes
Hand out the Reflection Worksheet.
Students circle one emotion and draw/write which Stop-and-Think step helps them most.
Collect worksheets or conduct a quick thumbs-up/thumbs-down check.
Mindful Me Slides Mindful Me
Spot and Stop
Self-Awareness: Notice your feelings
Self-Control: Pause before you react
2nd Grade Tier 1 SEL Lesson
1
Introduction to Emotions
Look at an emotion picture
Name the feeling aloud
Share when you’ve felt this way
“What feeling is this? When might you feel it?”
2
Spot Your Feelings
Get an Emotion Card from your teacher.
In pairs, name the emotion and share a moment you felt it.
Swap cards and find a new partner!
Stop and Think
Your Superpower Strategy
1
Stop
Pause your body
2
Breathe
One deep breath
3
Think
Choose a help response
4
Role-Play Practice
Scenario 1
Someone bumps into you by accident in the hall.
Stop Breathe Think
Scenario 2
You lose a game during recess.
Stop Breathe Think
5
Reflection & Assessment
Complete your worksheet: Circle an emotion.
Draw or write your favorite Stop-and-Think step.
Give a Thumbs-Up if you can pause and think!
Great Job!
Remember: Spot your feelings and Stop-Breathe-Think before you react.
Be Aware
Stay in Control
Emotion Exchange Activity Guide Emotion Card Exchange
Interactive Activity Guide
Pairs
Objective
Reinforce emotion vocabulary and build comfort talking about feelings with a peer.
Materials
A shuffled deck of Emotion Cards (1 card per student)
Setup (2 minutes)
Have students pair up facing each other.
Give each student one random Emotion Card.
Explain that they will “exchange” feelings by showing their card and talking about it.
Activity Steps (10 minutes)
1
Show & Name (2 mins)
On cue, students hold up their card and name the emotion (e.g., “This is frustrated.”). Partners confirm: “Yes, that’s frustrated!”
2
Tell & Listen (3 mins)
Speaker Prompt
“I felt [emotion] when ______________________.”
Listener Prompt
“You felt [emotion] when ______________________.”
3
Swap & Repeat (3 mins)
Students exchange cards and repeat the process with a new emotion.
Guiding Questions
How did you know what emotion was on your card?
Why is it helpful to name our feelings?
What could you do next time you feel this emotion?
Teacher Tips
Circulate and listen for encouraging language.
Model a short example for students who struggle.
For ELLs, allow one-word responses or quick sketches.
Mindful Me Worksheet Mindful Me
Name:
Date:
Spot
1 Circle one emotion you practiced today:
Happy
Sad
Angry
Frustrated
Excited
Scared
Proud
Surprised
2 Circle the step that helps you the most:
1
STOP
2
BREATHE
3
THINK
3 Draw or write about how you use this step:
Show your work here!
Example: When I feel , I to help me calm down.
Feeling Flashcards Feeling Flashcards
Print and cut along the dashed lines! ✂️
Happy
Wide smile and
Sad
Downturned mouth and
Angry
Furrowed eyebrows and
Frustrated
Scrunched eyebrows
Excited
Big, open eyes
Scared
Wide round eyes and
Proud
Gentle smile and
Surprised
Wide eyes and
Stop and Think Poster Stop and Think
I have the power to choose!
1
STOP
Pause your body and your words.
Hands down, feet still.
2
BREATHE
One slow, deep breath in (nose).
Let it out gently (mouth).
3
THINK
Ask yourself: “What can I do to help?”
Walk away Use kind words Ask for help
You’ve got this! ❤️
Quick Check Warmup Quick Feelings Check
Lesson Opener • 5 Minutes
Objective
Students recognize and name how they feel right now (self-awareness).
Instructions
1
Show Your Feelings
👍 Happy / Calm
👈👉 Okay / Unsure
👎 Sad / Upset
Alternative: Students hold up an Emotion Card.
2
Pair Share
Turn to a neighbor and name your feeling.
“I feel [emotion] because [reason].”
3
Class Check-In
Invite 2–3 volunteers to share. Always acknowledge: “Thank you for sharing!”
Transition
Use responses to remind students how today’s lesson will help them notice feelings and choose how to respond.
Pause and Draw Activity Sheet Pause and Draw
Cool-Down Activity
Name:
Step 1: Draw
Draw yourself feeling one of the emotions from today. Show yourself using a Stop-Breathe-Think step!
Step 2: Write
Complete the sentence at the bottom to explain your drawing.
When I feel
, I
.
I am the boss of my feelings!
