Pause Power Teacher Guide SEL Core Unit Grades K–3
Pause Power: Teacher Guide
Duration: 45–50 Mins
Skill: Self-Management
Core Learning Objectives
• Notice Body Cues: Identify internal physical alerts (hot cheeks, racing heart, clenched fists).
• Pause & Reset: Execute sensory reset techniques (Balloon Breath, Star Trace) before reacting.
• Make Helpful Choices: Evaluate options to choose safe, respectful problem-solving actions.
Key Vocabulary
Pause: Pressing your brain's stop button.
Body Alarm: Feeling sensations inside.
Helpful Choice: An action that helps everyone.
Instructional Flow & Step-by-Step Pacing
1
Hook & The "Body Alarm" Scan (8–10 Mins)
Engage & Notice
Hook Activity: Hold up a remote control (or imaginary one). Ask: "What happens if a show gets too fast or loud? We hit pause! Our brains have a built-in remote control, but we must notice when to press it."
Teacher Script: "Put one hand on your chest and one on your belly. When anger or frustration arrives, what does your body do? Your heart might go thump-thump-thump, your teeth might grit, or your hands might squeeze tight. That is your Body Alarm calling for Pause Power!"
2
Direct Instruction: The 3-Step Formula (12–15 Mins)
Teach & Model
Step 1: STOP
Freeze your hands, feet, and mouth. Name the big emotion ("I feel mad / scared").
Step 2: BREATHE
Take 3 deep Balloon Breaths: inhale slow through the nose, blow out gently through lips.
Step 3: CHOOSE
Ask: "Will this choice keep everyone safe and solve the problem?" Select a helpful path.
3
Kinesthetic Practice: 2 Calming Resets (8 Mins)
Active Practice
🎈 The Balloon Breath
Cup hands around mouth. Inhale through nose expanding hands like a giant balloon; exhale with a gentle whoosh as balloon deflates. Repeat 3 times.
⭐ Five-Finger Star Trace
Spread open non-dominant hand. Use pointer finger to trace up each finger (inhale) and down each finger (exhale). Calms motor and sensory nervous system.
Pause Power Lesson Bundle • Instructional Plan Page 1 of 2
Guided Scenarios, Scripts & Differentiation
Part 2 Facilitation
Classroom Role-Play Scenarios (10 Mins)
Scenario A: Sharing
The Swiped Block
You are building a tall tower. Another student grabs the roof block without asking.
Helpful Choice:
Say calmly: "I am using that right now. You can have it in 2 minutes."
Scenario B: Waiting
The Line Cut
It's recess time! You are walking to the door and someone runs right in front of you.
Helpful Choice:
Take a star breath. Remind self: "We will all get to the playground safely."
Scenario C: Frustration
The Tough Puzzle
Your drawing ripped or the math problem feels impossible to finish.
Helpful Choice:
Pause hands, take 2 deep belly breaths, and raise hand to ask for a helper clue.
Responsive Teacher Coaching Scripts
When Escalating
"I see your body has big energy right now. Your fists are tight. Let's press the pause button together. Inhale with me... 1, 2, 3... and let it out."
Before Choosing
"Your brain is calm enough to think now. What are two choices we have? Which choice will protect you and your friend?"
Praising Effort
"You felt upset, but you paused your body and used your words. That showed incredible Pause Power!"
Grade-Level Differentiated Pathways
Kindergarten & 1st Grade
• Focus on physical cues: "Put hand on belly when mad."
• Use animal metaphors: "Turtle shell pause" or "Blow out birthday candles."
• Provide tactile calming objects (squeeze ball, pinwheel) in a dedicated Cozy Corner.
2nd & 3rd Grade
• Emphasize self-talk: "I am in control of my words and body."
• Guide students to identify personal triggers (being rushed, losing, loud spaces).
• Have students write out an "If / Then" personal calm-down plan on their activity sheet.
Teacher Pro-Tip: Hang the 3-step anchor chart near your classroom meeting rug. Whenever transitions get noisy or chaotic, raise your hand in a gentle "peace/pause" sign and lead three silent deep breaths together before speaking.
Pause Power Lesson Bundle • Facilitation & Differentiation Page 2 of 2
Pause Power Student Activity Pause Power Practice
My Self-Control & Calming Activity Sheet
Name:
Date:
1
Body Alarm Detective: How does your body feel with big emotions?
When big feelings arrive, your body sends warning clues. Check all the signals your body gives you:
💓 Racing Fast Heart
✊ Tight Clenched Fists
🔥 Hot Red Cheeks
🌀 Twisty Belly Knots
📢 Loud Voice / Shouting
⚡ Stomping Heavy Feet
2
My Brain Remote Control: The 3 Big Steps
Trace the number and remember the golden rule when big feelings bubble up:
1
STOP
Freeze your hands, feet, and words.
2
BREATHE
Take 3 deep, slow belly breaths.
3
CHOOSE
Pick a kind and safe action.
3
Five-Finger Star Tracing Station
Put your finger on the start arrow. Breathe IN as you go up, and breathe OUT as you go down.
Inhale ↑
1
Exhale ↓
Inhale ↑
2
Exhale ↓
Inhale ↑
3
Exhale ↓
Inhale ↑
4
Exhale ↓
Inhale ↑
5
Exhale ↓
✨ Practice check: Did your body feel lighter and calmer after tracing? Yes!
Pause Power Practice • Student Activity Page 1 of 2
4
Helpful Choice Challenge: What would you do?
Read each classroom moment. Fill in the bubble next to the helpful, safe choice :
Problem 1
Someone knocks over your tall block tower during playtime.
Yell loudly and knock down their tower to get even.
Pause, take 2 deep breaths, and say: "Please help me rebuild it."
Problem 2
You really want to play on the swings, but someone else is on them.
Count to 10, ask "Can I have next turn?", and slide on the slide while waiting.
Pull on the swing chains and push the person off.
Problem 3
Your artwork rips by accident and you feel tears coming.
Rip the whole paper to shreds and throw markers across the table.
Place hands on heart, do a balloon breath, and ask the teacher for tape.
5
Pause Power Slides SEL Power Skills • Grades K–3
Self-Control Superpower
Press Your Brain's Remote Control
PAUSE POWER
Stop. Breathe. Choose your next move!
Ready to learn how your body and brain work together? Step 1 of 3: Notice the Alarm
Step 1 • Notice
What Is Your Body Alarm?
Before we shout or stomp, our body sends clues that big feelings are here:
💓
Fast Heart
Your chest goes thump-thump-thump like a race car motor.
✊
Tight Fists
Your hands squeeze tight and your muscles get stiff like statues.
🔥
Warm Cheeks
Your face feels hot or your stomach feels like a twisting pretzel.
🚨 When you feel the alarm: Do NOT react yet! It's time to PAUSE.
The Golden Formula
3 Steps to Take Control
1
STOP
Freeze your feet, hands, and voice. Don't push, yell, or run.
Name it: "I feel upset."
2
BREATHE
Take 3 deep, slow belly breaths. Cool down your engine.
Inhale slow, blow out calm.
3
CHOOSE
Ask: "Will this choice solve my problem and keep everyone safe?"
Pick a helpful action!
Repeat after me: "Stop. Breathe. Choose!"
Step 2 • Practice
Let's Try Balloon Breathing
1
Make Your Balloon
Cup both hands gently around your mouth.
2
Inhale Deeply (1, 2, 3, 4)
Breathe in through your nose and stretch your hands wide.
3
Slow Whoosh Out
Blow out softly as your balloon hands float gently down.
🎈
Classroom Breathe-Along!
Everyone stand up tall. Let's do 3 giant Balloon Breaths together right now!
Ready... Inhale... and Soft Exhale...
Feel how your shoulders drop and your tummy relaxes? That's Pause Power working!
Step 3 • Choose
Real Life: What's the Helpful Choice?
Scenario
You are playing a game with friends, and your turn gets skipped.
Your Body Alarm sounds: tight fists and upset tummy!
A
React Without Pausing
Knock the game board over and scream: "I'm never playing with you again!"
