Pause Power Slides 10-Minute Super Skill
Grades 2-3 SEL
THE SUPERPOWER INSIDE YOU
Pause Power!
Learn how to use your brain's secret remote control to stop, breathe, and make awesome choices.
Press Pause
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Deep Breath
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Smart Choice
Brain Science
What is an Impulse?
Self-Control Explorer
Impulse = Quick Pop!
When thoughts go POP!
An impulse is doing something instantly before your thinking brain has time to check if it's a good idea!
• Blurting an answer without raising your hand
• Grabbing a toy straight out of someone's grip
• Running down the hallway when excited
Impulses are normal, but they don't have to control you!
Self-Control = The Driver
You Hold the Remote!
Self-control means you decide what your hands, mouth, and feet do next.
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You are the boss of your body.
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You can slow down fast feelings.
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Every time you pause, your brain gets stronger!
Brain Muscle: The more you pause, the easier it gets!
Secret Formula
The 3 Steps of Pause Power
Practice in 3 Seconds!
Step 1
PAUSE
Hit the freeze button in your head. Stop your hands and mouth right where they are.
Tip: Pretend you are a statue!
Step 2
BREATHE
Fill your belly like a slow balloon. In through your nose, slow out like blowing soup.
Tip: In for 3... Out for 3!
Step 3
CHOOSE
Ask: "Will this help or hurt?" Pick the move that keeps everyone happy and safe.
Tip: What would a leader do?
Say it out loud with me: PAUSE! BREATHE! CHOOSE!
Game Time
What Would You Do?
Pause Power Challenge
Challenge 1
Your teacher asks a question, and you know the answer SO WELL you want to explode!
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Impulse: Shout out the answer before anyone else!
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Pause Power: Press pause, take 1 breath, shoot your hand up high!
Challenge 2
You're building with blocks, and someone bumps your tower by accident. It crashes!
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Impulse: Yell loudly or push their blocks down in anger!
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Pause Power: Freeze hands, take 2 belly breaths, say: "That was an accident, can you help me rebuild?"
🌟 Both feelings were big, but Pause Power made things better!
The Self-Control Champion Pledge
Class Promise
Put one hand over your heart and repeat:
"I am the boss of my hands, feet, and words."
"When feelings get fast, I press PAUSE."
"I take a breath, and I choose what's best!"
Pause • Breathe • Choose
Ready to complete your Pause Power Activity Sheet! You've got the power! 🚀
Pause Power Activity Sheet SEL Mini-Lesson Grades 2-3
My Pause Power Mission
Name:
Date:
1 PAUSE: Freeze body
2 BREATHE: 3 deep breaths
3 CHOOSE: Safe & smart
A Mission 1: Choose the Pause Power Move!
Check the box for the smart choice
1. You are standing in line for lunch and someone accidentally steps on your new sneaker.
Push them forward and shout, "Watch where you are stepping!"
Pause, take one slow breath, and say, "Careful, you're on my foot."
2. The teacher asks a trivia question and you know the exact answer right away.
Pause, freeze your voice, and raise your hand quietly until called on.
Yell the answer out as loud as you can so everyone knows you got it.
3. It's time to put away recess games, but you really want to keep playing with the soccer ball.
Kick the ball far away across the field and pretend you didn't hear the bell.
Hit your mental pause button, pass the ball to the bin, and line up with pride.
B Mission 2: Design Your Personal Super Plan
Write and sketch your move
One situation where I will use my Pause Power today:
When I press PAUSE, my calm breath or move will be:
Examples: count 1-2-3, balloon breath, roll shoulders
Draw Yourself using Pause Power:
Show your calm face or hands taking a breath!
(Pencil or colored crayon)
Pause Power Champion Badge
"I have the strength to stop, breathe, and choose my best move!"
Hero Signature:
Self-Control Level:
Pause Power Teacher Guide Teacher Lesson Guide Tier 1 SEL / Morning Meeting / Small Group
Pause Power: 10-Minute Lesson Plan
Total Time: 10 Mins
Grades 2-3 (Ages 7-9)
Minute-by-Minute Instructional Flow
Time Phase Educator Action & Student Routine
0:00 - 2:00 Hook & The Popcorn Brain Project Slide 1-2. Introduce the concept of "impulses" popping like popcorn kernels. Have students tap their heads to feel their thinking brain.
2:00 - 5:00 The 3-Step Super Move Project Slide 3. Teach hand gestures: ⏸️ Tap chest (Pause), 🌬️ Hand on belly (Breathe in 3, out 3), 🎯 Thumbs up (Choose). Practice as a class.
5:00 - 8:00 Guided Practice & Activity Review Slide 4 scenarios together. Distribute Activity Sheet: students complete Mission 1 choices & draft one personal Pause move.
8:00 - 10:00 Pledge & Debrief Project Slide 5. Hand-over-heart recitation of the Self-Control Champion Pledge. Award the Pause Power badge!
Exact Script Prompts ("Say This")
Opening Hook: "Have you ever wanted to shout something out so fast it slipped out before you could stop it? That's an impulse! Today, we become the boss of our impulses."
Kinesthetic Anchor: "Press your invisible chest remote control twice: Beep-Beep! Freeze your feet, take one giant balloon breath, and ask yourself: 'Will this help or hurt?'"
💡 Teacher Tip: Use the "Beep-Beep" verbal cue all day whenever transitions get noisy!
Common 2nd/3rd Grade Misconceptions
Misconception: "Self-control means never feeling angry or excited."
→ Reframe: All feelings are welcome; it's what we choose to DO with them that matters.
Misconception: "If I make a mistake, I have bad self-control."
→ Reframe: Self-control is like riding a bicycle—every wobble helps your brain learn.
🧠 Neuroscience Fact: The prefrontal cortex is still developing rapidly in 7-9 year olds!
Differentiation & Accommodations
For High-Energy / Sensory Seekers:
Give them a fidget or tell them to squeeze their fists tight for 3 seconds during the "Pause" step to release physical tension.
For Emergent Readers / ELL:
Read Mission 1 aloud. Encourage drawing in Mission 2 rather than multi-sentence writing.
Extension for Fast Finishers:
Ask students to write a roleplay comic strip on the back showing a hero teaching Pause Power to a friend.