My Control Circle Lesson PlanMy Control Circle Individual Tier 3 Intervention • 5th Grade 20 Minutes Why It Matters Understanding the Circle of Control empowers students to manage their emotional responses, reduce anxiety, and foster more positive social interactions by focusing their energy on what they can change. Preparation Review the Lesson Plan and all linked materials. Prepare the Slide Deck and Script. Print the Control Circle Worksheet. Materials Control Circle Slide Deck Control Circle Script Control Circle Worksheet Small whiteboard / Markers Instruction Guide Introduction & Hook 2 MIN Greet the student and explain the purpose of the session using Slide 1. Ask a brief question to gauge current feelings about friendships. Refer to the Control Circle Script for phrasing. Introducing the Circle of Control 5 MIN Present the concept using the Slide Deck. Explain what the circle represents with simple examples (actions vs. weather). Use the Script to guide the explanation and check for understanding. Applying to Peer Conflicts 8 MIN Distribute the Control Circle Worksheet. Help the student brainstorm examples of "girl drama." Guide them in sorting these into "Control" vs. "Concern" categories using Script prompts. Wrap-Up & Reflection 5 MIN Discuss why focusing on control matters. Review key takeaways from the Slide Deck. Remind the student that practicing this skill takes time. Use closing statements from the Script. Session Objective Identify elements within and outside your circle of control in peer conflicts and develop constructive responses for situations outside your control.
Control Circle Slide DeckFeeling in Control? Have you ever felt like things with friends were confusing or hard? Today's Superpower: The Circle of Control The Circle of Control Inside the Circle Things you CAN control. Outside the Circle Things you CAN'T control. MY POWER What's In Your Circle? Your words Your actions Your attitude How you react Remember These are your superpower! What's Outside Your Circle? Other people's feelings Other people's words The weather What others think of you Girl Drama & Your Control Friendships can feel like a big mess sometimes, right? Let's use our superpower to untangle the tricky parts. What parts can YOU control? Your Superpower! You have the power to choose how you react and where you put your energy. You got this!
Control Circle ScriptInstructional Script My Control Circle • Intervention Session Facilitator Guide Slide 1 1. Introduction & Hook (2 MIN) Script "Hi [Student Name]! Thanks for coming in today. We're going to talk about something really interesting that can help you feel stronger and more in charge, especially when things with friends feel a little tricky or confusing. Have you ever felt like that? Like sometimes, things happen with friends, and you're not sure what to do?" Pause for student response. Acknowledge their feelings with empathy (e.g., "Yeah, that can be tough, can't it?"). "Today, we're going to learn a tool that many grown-ups use too, and it's called the 'Circle of Control.' It's all about figuring out where your power is. Are you ready to explore it?" Slide 2-4 2. Introducing the Circles (5 MIN) Slide 2: Concept "Inside the circle are all the things you have power over. These are things you can directly influence or change. What are some things you think you can control in your own life? Just general ideas, not about friends yet." Guide with examples if needed: "What you eat," "doing homework." Slide 3 & 4: In vs. Out "Exactly! Here are some big ones: your words, your actions, your effort, and your attitude. Now, what about outside the circle? These are things you don't have direct control over, no matter how much you wish you did. What are some things that just happen?" Guide with examples: "The weather," "what a movie character does." Slide 5 3. Applying to Conflicts (8 MIN) Transition to Worksheet "On this worksheet, you'll see two circles. Let's think about a time recently when something felt hard with a friend. What happened? What did people say or do? What did you feel? We're just brainstorming here." Listen carefully. Help them identify specific actions vs. feelings. "Looking at this list, which of these things do you have control over? Let's write those inside the 'My Control Circle'. And the things outside? Those go into the 'Concern Circle'—things we might worry about, but can't directly change." Slide 6 4. Wrap-Up & Reflection (5 MIN) "So, what's the big idea? You have a superpower! When you focus on what you can control, you start to feel a lot stronger and happier. You can't control if someone says something unkind, but you can control if you let it ruin your whole day, or if you walk away." "Think about that situation we just talked about. If you focus only on what you can control, how might that change how you approach it next time?"
Control Circle WorksheetMy Control Circle Friendship Superpower Worksheet Name: Date: When things happen with friends, it can feel like a big mess. This circle helps you untangle that mess by seeing what you CAN control and what you CANNOT control. My Concern Circle (Things I can't control but worry about) My Control Circle (Things I HAVE power over) Think about: Other people's words, choices, and feelings... Think about: The weather, the past, and what others think... Think about: Your words, your actions, and your attitude! 1 Brainstorm Think of a "girl drama" situation. List the parts here first, then sort them into the circles above! 2 Reflect What is one thing you can choose to do or say next time you face a similar situation? Focus on your power • You got this
