Pause Patrol Teacher Guide
Grade 1 SEL Lesson Guide 30 Minutes
Pause Patrol Teacher Guide
Self-Control Superpowers
CASEL Competency Self-Management: Impulse Control & Calming
Core Skills 1. Stop & Think • 2. Calm My Body
Recommended Book Clark the Shark (Bruce Hale)
"I Can" First-Grade Objectives
• Stop & Think: "I can freeze my hands and feet to press my pause button before making a choice."
• Calm My Body: "I can use my 3-count Balloon Breath or Star Breathing to steady my energy."
30-Minute Master Pacing
0–4 MIN Freeze Hook Wiggle & Freeze
4–14 MIN Read-Aloud Story & Discussion
14–19 MIN 2 Superpowers Teach & Model
19–25 MIN Patrol Game Practice Scenarios
25–30 MIN Badge Sheet Color & Pledge
Interactive Read-Aloud Prompts (10 Mins)
Alt: My Mouth Is a Volcano / Waiting Is Not Easy
Before
Introduce the concept of energy vs. brakes:
"Clark is a shark who LOVES school, but he gets so excited that his motor runs super fast! Have you ever had so much energy your body felt like a rocket zoom?"
During
Pause when Clark zooms into his friends' games:
"Look at Clark's friends. How do their faces look when Clark crashes in? What did Clark forget to do with his body before jumping in?" (Prompt: He forgot to STOP!)
After
Connect to Clark's classroom rhyme: 'Stay cool at school':
"Clark learned that having big energy isn't bad, but we need our Stop & Think button to keep ourselves and our friends safe. Today we become Pause Patrol officers!"
Pause Patrol Lesson Guide • Page 1 of 2 Turn to Page 2 for Physical Strategies & Scenario Game
Modeling Superpowers & Practice Game
Classroom Delivery
1
STOP AND THINK
Physical Anchor: The Pause Button
Step 1: Freeze Feet: Glue both feet to the floor like tree roots.
Step 2: Press Pause: Press your hand gently flat over your chest/heart button.
Step 3: Think First: Ask in your brain: "Is this safe? Is this kind?"
Teacher Cue: "When you feel an impulse, slam your gentle hand brake and whisper: Freeze, Pause, Think!"
2
CALM MY BODY
Breathing Anchor: 3 Balloon Breaths
Step 1: Balloon Hands: Cup both hands around your mouth and nose.
Step 2: Breathe In: Breathe in slow through the nose (expand your balloon hands).
Step 3: Deflate Out: Blow out soft and slow through your mouth: "Shhhhhhh."
Star Breath Alt: Trace 5 fingers up (breathe in) and down (breathe out) for students needing tactile input.
Movement Game: "Patrol Freeze & Choose" (6 Mins)
Have all students stand behind their chairs. Teacher reads a scenario. Students pretend to act out the excitement, then teacher shouts "PAUSE PATROL!" Students must freeze, press their chest button, take 1 balloon breath, and vote with thumbs up/down.
A
Recess Lineup: The bell rings and everyone wants to be first in line! You want to sprint and push to the front. → Patrol Action: Freeze feet, 1 balloon breath, walk calmly to the end of the line.
B
Carpet Shouting: Teacher asks a question and you know the answer SO BADLY your mouth wants to burst! → Patrol Action: Press lips together, bubble in mouth, raise silent hand high.
C
Crayon Craze: Your classmate is using the gold crayon you really need right now. You want to grab it! → Patrol Action: Hands in lap, count to 3, ask: "May I use that when you are done?"
High-Energy Students
Give physical fidget tools (velcro strip under desk or chair band). Practice "Turtle Shell" shoulder tucks when breathing alone isn't enough.
Non-Verbal Anchor Cues
Establish a silent visual signal: Tap two fingers over your heart to remind individual students to hit their pause button without drawing unwanted attention.
Classroom Wrap-Up Pledge
"I have the power inside of me! I Stop and Think, I breathe 1-2-3!"
End of Lesson
Pause Patrol Slides
Grade 1 SEL Mission
Self-Management
Unlock Your Inner Brake
PAUSE PATROL!
Two awesome superpowers to help us take charge of our hands, our feet, and our big feelings!
Superpower 1
Stop and Think
Superpower 2
Calm My Body
Story Time
Look & Listen
Meet Clark the Shark!
Clark loves life! But sometimes his energy goes ZOOM and his body forgets to stop.
Clark's School Rhyme:
"Stay cool at school — think before you zoom!"
Carpet Talk
•
What happens when we move too fast without looking?
•
How do our classmates feel when we crash into them?
•
What can we do to hit the brakes?
Having big energy is normal — the secret is knowing how to control it!
1
Superpower: Stop & Think
Hit the Brakes
Step 1
Glue Your Feet
Freeze your body like a statue. Plant both feet firmly into the floor!
Step 2
Press Pause
Place your hand gently over your chest button. You are in control!
Step 3
Ask in Brain
"Is this choice safe? Is this choice kind for my friends?"
Classroom Practice: "Everybody freeze, press your heart button, and say: FREEZE & THINK!"
2
Superpower: Calm My Body
Balloon Breathing
The Balloon Breath
1. Inhale (Nose): Breathe in deep and blow your balloon hands wide!
2. Hold (1 count): Keep the air gentle inside your tummy.
3. Exhale (Mouth): Blow out slow and soft: "Psssssssshhh."
Try it now with your teacher: Inhale 1... 2... 3... and exhale!
The 5-Finger Star
1. Open Hand: Spread one hand wide like a glowing star.
2. Trace Up: Slide your pointer finger up... breathe in!
3. Trace Down: Slide down into the valley... breathe out!
Take all 5 fingers to feel completely relaxed and ready.
Calm bodies make brilliant choices!
Patrol Scenario Challenge
What Would You Do?
Scenario 1
The Slide Line
Pause Patrol Activity Sheet
Pause Patrol Activity Sheet
Grade 1 • Self-Control Mission
Name:
Date:
Official Officer Badge
"I have the power inside of me! I Stop and Think, I breathe 1-2-3!"
My Superpowers Stop & Think • Calm Body
Draw Yourself Hitting Your "Pause Button" (Hand on heart, calm smile)
When I feel big energy or anger, I press my pause button and freeze!
Part 2: Stop & Think Choice Check
Circle the SMART Pause Patrol choice in each pair!
1 Recess Time: The swings are finally open!
Sprint and push in front of others Zoom fast so nobody else gets it first
Freeze feet, walk safely, take turns Hit the body brake and keep everyone safe
2 Carpet Talk: You know the answer to the teacher's question!
Yell the answer out super loud Shout before the teacher calls your name
Put bubble in mouth and raise silent hand Wait patiently for your turn to share
3 Art Class: Your friend has the sparkly blue crayon you want!
Snatch it right out of their fingers Grab it quickly without asking
Take 1 calm breath and ask kindly to share "May I please use that when you finish?"
Part 3: Calm My Body Finger Trace
Practice with your finger or pencil right now!
Breathe In (Nose) • HOLD 1 • Breathe Out (Mouth)
↑ Thumb Inhale
↑ Pointer Exhale
↑ Middle Inhale
↑ Ring Exhale
↑ Pinky Calm!
Trace all five fingers up and down whenever you need a peaceful body!
My Go-To Strategy:
Balloon Breath
5-Finger Star
Turtle Shell Tuck
Official Pause Patrol Trainee • Keep on your desk or in your folder! Pause • Breathe • Choose Kind
