Stop Think Go Lesson Plan Stop • Think • Go
Tier 2 Group Lesson Plan
Audience: 3rd Grade
Duration: 90 Minutes
Subject: Social-Emotional Learning
Why This Matters
Building self-control helps students manage emotions and behaviors, leading to a calmer classroom, better focus, and stronger peer relationships. Tier 2 support gives small-group practice for those needing extra guidance.
Learning Objective
Students will define self-control and practice the Stop-Think-Go strategy to pause before responding to impulses, improving decision-making and behavior in group settings.
Materials Needed
Self-Control Poster
Pause-Breathe-Think Worksheet
Stop Think Go Scenario Cards
Reflection Journal Pages
Timer
Whiteboard & Markers
Reward Stickers
Preparation (30 Minutes)
Print and laminate Self-Control Poster.
Copy and collate Pause-Breathe-Think Worksheets.
Print, cut, and shuffle Scenario Cards.
Prepare Reflection Journal Pages.
Gather Timer, Whiteboard, and Stickers.
Arrange seating in a semicircle.
Review Stop-Think-Go steps.
Distribute blank journals.
Lesson Flow
1
Introduction to Self-Control
10 MIN
Gather students in a circle and display the Self-Control Poster.
Discussion: Ask: "What does it mean to have self-control?" Record ideas on the whiteboard.
Key Focus: Highlight key words: pause, think, choose. Relate these steps to how we feel and what we do next.
2
Teach Stop-Think-Go Strategy
15 MIN
Introduce Stop-Think-Go as a 3-step plan:
Stop: Take a breath.
Think: Consider options and consequences.
Go: Choose the best action.
Distribute the Pause-Breathe-Think Worksheet and model completing the first scenario together as a group.
3
Model and Demonstrate
10 MIN
Teacher Role-Play: Demonstrate two scenarios using the strategy out-loud (thinking aloud).
Invite a volunteer to model with you, narrating each step of the process. Reinforce the connection between noticing feelings and choosing prosocial actions.
4
Group Role-Play Practice
30 MIN
Divide students into small groups of 3–4. Give each group a set of Stop Think Go Scenario Cards.
Activity: Students take turns drawing a card, reading the scenario, and walking the group through the strategy steps aloud.
Peers provide friendly feedback and a sticker for effort. Teacher circulates to prompt deeper thinking and offer praise.
5
Reflection Journals
15 MIN
Hand out Reflection Journal Pages.
Prompt: Write or draw about a time you used Stop-Think-Go today or a time you wish you had. Encourage sharing one entry with a partner.
6
Closure and Assessment
10 MIN
Reconvene as a whole group. Ask volunteers to share one thing they learned. Review steps on the poster.
Exit Question: "How will you use this strategy tomorrow?" Distribute Participation Stickers.
Stop Think Go Slides Stop • Think • Go
A Group Lesson on Self-Control
3rd Grade • Tier 2 Session
"Welcome everyone! Today we’re going to learn about self-control and a simple plan to help us pause and make good choices. Get settled and look at our title."
Lesson Objectives
Define “self-control”
Learn the Stop-Think-Go steps
Practice the strategy with classmates
Reflect on using Stop-Think-Go
"Read aloud each objective and ask students to raise their hand if they understand or have a question."
What Is Self-Control?
"Self-control means managing your feelings and actions so you can make good choices, even when you’re upset or excited."
See our poster for more tips!
"Ask: 'What do you think self-control means?' Jot ideas, then show this definition."
Why Self-Control Matters
Stay Calm
Helps you focus and keep your cool.
Better Friendships
Helps you treat others with kindness.
Great Learning
Makes it easier to participate and grow.
Happy Class
Creates a safe space for everyone.
"Discuss why self-control helps us in class and with friends. Invite 2–3 examples from students."
The Strategy
Meet Stop • Think • Go
STOP
THINK
GO
"Introduce the three steps briefly and explain we’ll dive into each next."
STOP
Step 1: Stop
Take a deep breath
Pause for a moment
Notice how you feel
"Explain Step 1. Have students practice taking a deep breath with you."
Step 2: Think
Ask: "What are my choices?"
Consider what happens next
Pick the best option
"Discuss what kinds of choices we might consider. Ask: 'What’s one thing you could think about?'"
Step 3: Go
Choose your best action
Do what you decided
Make good choices!
"Emphasize acting on the best decision. Ask students to give an example of a positive action."
Let's Try It Together
"Your friend grabs a toy you were playing with without asking."
1. STOP
2. THINK
3. GO
"Read this scenario together. Invite a volunteer to walk us through Stop-Think-Go."
Self-Control Poster Self-Control
Managing your feelings and actions so you can make good choices, even when you’re upset or excited.
Why Practice?
Helps you stay calm and focused
Builds stronger friendships
Improves learning and behavior
Makes the classroom a happier place
Strategy
STOP
• Take a deep breath
• Pause & notice how you feel
THINK
• What are my choices?
• What could happen next?
GO
• Choose your best action
• Practice good choices!
Pause Breathe Think Worksheet Pause • Breathe • Think
Using the Stop • Think • Go Strategy
Name:
Date:
Use your Stop • Think • Go strategy for each situation. Write your plan in the boxes!
1
Your classmate takes the crayon you were using without asking.
STOP
THINK
GO
2
You're in line for lunch and someone cuts in front of you.
STOP
THINK
GO
3
You worked hard on a game but didn’t win. You feel like shouting.
STOP
THINK
GO
4
Your friend is upset and crying because they lost their pencil.
STOP
THINK
GO
Your Turn
Think of a time you might feel upset, excited, or confused. Describe it below:
STOP
THINK
GO
Stop Think Go Scenario Cards Scenario Cards
Print and cut along the lines to create your practice cards!
Scenario 1
Your friend grabs a toy you were playing with without asking.
Scenario 2
Someone cuts in front of you in the lunch line.
Scenario 3
You lost a game and feel like yelling.
Scenario 4
A classmate calls you a mean name.
Scenario 5
Your project partner doesn’t share the markers.
Scenario 6
You spill juice on your desk by accident.
Scenario 7
You see a mean drawing about you on the art board.
Scenario 8
Someone sits in your spot during circle time.
Scenario 9
Your friend is crying because they lost their pencil.
Scenario 10
You forgot your homework and the teacher asks for it.
Stop • Think • Go Role-Play Practice
Reflection Journal Page Reflection Journal
Thinking about Stop • Think • Go
Name:
Date:
1
Describe a situation where you felt upset, excited, or confused today. What happened?
2
How did you use the Stop • Think • Go strategy in that moment? Or if you didn’t use it, what would you do differently next time?
3
Draw a picture of yourself using Stop • Think • Go to make a good choice.
4
What is one goal you have for using self-control tomorrow?
5
How will practicing self-control help you be a better friend or student?
Think Pair Share Warm Up Think • Pair • Share
Lesson Warm-Up Activity
Time: 10 Minutes
Get your brain ready to talk about self-control! Follow the steps below.
1. Think (2 Minutes)
Work on your own to answer these questions.
What does "self-control" mean to you?
Name one time you used self-control at school.
When you feel upset, what helps you pause before acting?
2. Pair (3 Minutes)
Share your answers with your partner.
Partner's Name:
One new thing I heard from my partner:
3. Share (5 Minutes)
Let's discuss our ideas as a whole group.
Class Idea Notes:
Minute Mindful Moment Cool Down Minute Mindful Moment
Closing Reflection & Cool-Down
1
Sit comfortably, place your hands in your lap, and gently close your eyes.
2
Breathe in slowly for a count of 3.
Breathe out slowly for a count of 3.
Repeat three times
3
In your mind, recall one moment today when you used the Stop • Think • Go strategy. Notice how pausing helped you choose a good action.
Personal Reflection
Write one word that describes how you feel after today's mindful moment:
Carry this calm with you!
