Routine Power Slides Routine Power
How Our Daily Habits Change Our Mood
Lesson 1: The Secret of the Schedule
A Tale of Two Saturdays
🛋️
Day A: Sam
Sam woke up and sat on the couch. He didn't have a plan. He stared at the ceiling for a while. He felt "blah" and bored. By bedtime, he felt grumpy and tired, even though he didn't do much.
🚲
Day B: Maya
Maya woke up and decided to: 1. Eat breakfast, 2. Bike to the park, and 3. Draw a picture. She had a plan for her "empty spots." By bedtime, she felt proud and happy.
What is a Routine?
A routine is a plan for things we do every day without thinking much about them.
Brushing Teeth
Getting Dressed
Eating Lunch
The "Empty Spot" Problem
Sometimes our day has "Empty Spots" where we don't know what to do.
"When we have too many empty spots, our brain can start feeling bored, lonely, or sad."
An Empty Spot...
Filling the Gaps!
We can use Positive Activities to fill those empty spots.
Playing a quick game
Reading a funny book
Helping a friend
Think & Share
"When do you usually have 'empty spots' in your day? Is it right after school? Before bed? On Saturday mornings?"
Day in the Life Worksheet Day in the Life
Case Study: Spotting the Empty Spots
Name:
Date:
Case Study: Alex's Saturday
Alex woke up at 8:00 AM. He had no plan for the day. He ate cereal, then walked around the house. He didn't feel like playing with his toys. He sat by the window and watched the rain. He started to feel a bit sad and lonely. "I have nothing to do," Alex sighed.
1. Find the "Empty Spots"
Look at Alex's morning. Circle the words that show an "Empty Spot" where he had no plan.
Waking up
"Nothing to do"
Eating cereal
No plan
Brushing teeth
How did Alex feel?
Happy
Excited
Sad/Bored
2. Be a Routine Hero!
Help Alex fill his "Empty Spots" with 3 fun, positive activities he could do at home.
1
2
3
Show your work! Draw Alex doing one of your ideas. Routine Power Guide Teacher Guide
Routine Power
Lesson 1 of 5
Time: 45 Minutes
Objectives
Define "routine" and identify personal examples.
Identify "empty spots" in a schedule that may lead to low mood.
Suggest positive activities to fill unscheduled time.
Key Concepts
Behavioral Activation
The practice of increasing activity levels to improve mood.
Empty Spots
Unscheduled gaps in the day that can lead to rumination or boredom.
Materials
Routine Power Slides
Day in the Life Worksheet
Crayons/Markers
Instructional Steps
10m
The Story of Two Days (Hook)
Use the Routine Power Slides to compare Sam and Maya. Ask students: "Why do you think Maya felt happier at the end of the day?" Focus on the idea of having a "plan" versus "drifting."
15m
Defining Routines & Empty Spots
Brainstorm everyday routines (brushing teeth, lunch). Introduce the term "Empty Spots." These are the times when we ask "I'm bored, what should I do?" Explain that too many empty spots can make our mood go down.
Discussion Prompt:
"How does your body feel when you are bored for a long time? Tired? Heavy? Grumpy?"
15m
Case Study: Alex's Saturday
Distribute the Day in the Life Worksheet . Have students work independently or in pairs to find Alex's empty spots and suggest three "Routine Hero" activities to help him.
5m
Wrap Up
Gather the class. Ask: "If you had an empty spot after school today, what is ONE thing you could do to make it a positive activity?"
Differentiation & Support
For Struggling Students:
Provide a "Choice Menu" of activities (draw, blocks, book) for them to select from when filling Alex's routine.
For Advanced Learners:
Challenge them to write a "Character Advice Letter" to Alex explaining *why* routines help our brains feel better.
Joy Jar Slides Joy Jars
Building a Toolkit for Happier Days
The Boredom Brain-Freeze
Have you ever had an Empty Spot in your day and thought...
"Ugh, I don't know what to do!"
When our brain is tired or sad, it's hard to think of good ideas.
What is a Joy Jar?
It's a container filled with Happiness Tickets!
When you have an empty spot, you don't have to think. Just pick a slip and go!
Draw a picture
Dance for 2 mins
Read a book
How to Build Your Jar
1
Write ideas on your Joy Slips
2
Cut them out and fold them up
3
Put them in your jar or box
Brainstorming Ideas
Indoor Activities
✨ Build a pillow fort
🎨 Draw a superhero
🧩 Do a puzzle
📚 Read 3 pages of a book
Active Ideas
💃 2-minute dance party
🧘 5 deep breaths
🏃 10 jumping jacks
🌿 Find a cool rock outside
The Happiness Hero Challenge
"Your goal is to fill your jar with at least 10 positive activities. Choose things that always make you smile!"
Joy Slips Template Joy Slips
Write, Decorate, Cut, and Fill Your Jar!
Directions: Write 1 positive activity in each box. Draw a small picture next to it. Then cut them out!
JOY SLIP #1
JOY SLIP #2
JOY SLIP #3
JOY SLIP #4
JOY SLIP #5
JOY SLIP #6
JOY SLIP #7
JOY SLIP #8
💡 Tip: Choose things that take less than 15 minutes!
Joy Jar Ideas Teacher Resource
Joy Jar Idea Bank
Lesson 2 Support
Use this list to prompt students who are stuck during the "Joy Jar" creation. Encourage them to pick activities that are quick (5-15 mins), accessible (don't require much equipment), and personal to them.
Creative & Quiet
Draw a family portrait
Make a paper airplane
Color for 5 minutes
Build a LEGO house
Write a kind note to a friend
Read a comic book
Active & Energizing
Do 15 jumping jacks
Have a 2-minute dance party
Run around the yard once
Play "The Floor is Lava"
Stretch like a cat
Practice balancing on 1 foot
Helpful & Kind
Tell someone a joke
Water a plant
Organize a shelf
Help set the table
Give someone a high-five
Sensory & Calming
Listen to a favorite song
Take 5 deep breaths
Blow some bubbles
Squish some play-dough
Look for a ladybug outside
Implementation Tips
• Decision Fatigue: Remind students that the jar is for when they can't think of what to do. Picking for them saves brain energy.
• The "Rule": If they pick a slip, they should try to do that activity for at least 5 minutes before picking another one.
• Keep it Fresh: Suggest that they can add new slips anytime they discover a new hobby or fun activity.
Joy Break Slides Joy Appointments
Making Time for What Makes Us Smile
Planning Habits
Important Appointments
Some things in life have a fixed time because they are important:
School starts at 8:00 AM
Soccer practice at 4:30 PM
Dinner at 6:00 PM
Wait!
"Is your HAPPINESS important enough to have its own time?"
What is a Joy Appointment?
A Joy Appointment is an intentional break you schedule for yourself to do something you love.
The Rule:
It's a promise to yourself. You don't skip it, even if you're busy with chores or TV!
The Goal:
By scheduling it, you ensure that even a tough day has a "Bright Spot" waiting for you.
Teacher's Planner
Tuesday
8:00 - School
12:00 - Lunch
3:00 - Meetings
Dance Party & Music
4:00 PM
See that big red appointment? That's my Joy Appointment.
Teacher Talk:
"I put it in big letters so I don't forget that my happiness matters as much as my meetings!"
Step-by-Step Scheduling
1
Pick a Day
Choose a day this week that usually feels "blah" or busy.
2
Pick a Joy
Choose one activity from your Joy Jar slips.
3
Write it Down
Write it on your planner like an official meeting!
Planner Time!
"Open your Weekly Joy Planner. Let's schedule your FIRST appointment together!"
Weekly Joy Planner Worksheet Weekly Joy Planner
"My happiness is an important appointment!"
Name:
Pick ONE activity from your Joy Jar for each day. Write it in the box. This is your "Joy Appointment" for that day!
Monday
Write Joy Activity Here
Tuesday
Write Joy Activity Here
Wednesday
Write Joy Activity Here
Thursday
Write Joy Activity Here
Friday
Write Joy Activity Here
Saturday
Special Weekend Joy
Sunday
Special Weekend Joy
My Commitment
I, _________________________, promise to try my best to keep my Joy Appointments this week!
My Signature
When will I do it?
My favorite time for a Joy break is:
Right after school
Before dinner
On the weekend
Scheduling Facilitation Tips Teacher Support
Scheduling Success
Lesson 3 Tip Sheet
How to Help Students Plan
2nd graders often struggle with abstract time. Use these prompts:
"Anchor" the time: Instead of "at 4:00," say "right after your snack" or "before you put your pajamas on."
Keep it Realistic: Ensure they aren't choosing things that require parental permission every time (like "Go to the movies"). Focus on Joy Jar activities.
Visual Cues: Suggest they hang their Weekly Joy Planner on the fridge or their bedroom door.
Common Obstacles
"I forgot!"
Remind them that missing one is okay. We just pick up the next day!
"I didn't want to do that activity."
Explain they can always trade their slip for a different one from the jar.
Discussion Questions
Concept check
"Why do we call it an 'appointment' instead of just an idea?"
(Goal: It implies commitment and importance.)
Emotion link
"If you have a hard day at school, how does it feel to know you have a 'Joy Appointment' at home?"
Practicality
"Who in your house can help you remember your appointment?"
Mood Detective Slides Mood Detectives
Collecting Clues on What Makes Us Feel Great
The Science of Happiness
Action → Emotion
In science, we look for Patterns.
"If I do Activity X, does my brain feel Mood Y?"
Action
Emotion
"We need to track it to be sure!"
The Detective's Log
Every day this week, you will mark two things:
Did you do your Joy Appointment?
How did you feel right AFTER?
Monday log
😒 😐 😊
"Collecting data is fun!"
The Mood Meter
😴
Low Energy
😐
Okay / Neutral
😃
Great!
"Honest data makes the best science."
Why Track?
"Sometimes we forget how much a quick dance party helped us. The tracker helps our brain REMEMBER the good feelings."
"It shows us that WE have the power to change our mood!"
Mission Start!
"You are now officially Mood Detectives. Here is your habit tracker for the week!"
Positive Habit Tracker Worksheet Mood Detective Log
The Positive Habit Tracker
Detective:
Week Of:
Directions: Every day, check the box if you did your Joy Appointment. Then circle the face that shows how you felt!
Day Joy Appointment? My Mood After Mon 😒 😐 😊 Tue
| 😒 😐 😊 |
| Wed |
| 😒 😐 😊 |
| Thu |
| 😒 😐 😊 |
| Fri |
| 😒 😐 😊 |
| Sat |
| 😒 😐 😊 |
| Sun |
| 😒 😐 😊 |
Weekly Clue #1
What was your favorite activity this week?
Weekly Clue #2
Did you notice any patterns? (When I did _________, I felt _________.)
Happiness Patterns Slides Happiness Patterns
What Your Data Tells You About Your Mood
The Evidence
Look at your completed Mood Detective Log.
Find the Patterns:
Which days have the most smiley faces?
What was your favorite Joy Appointment?
Did you feel different on days you missed a Joy break?
"Follow the trail of smiles!"
A Tale of Two Detectives
Detective Sam
"I scheduled joy breaks but I was too tired and skipped 3 of them. My mood was 'blah' all week."
Clue: Skipping joy makes us feel heavy.
Detective Maya
"I did 5 minutes of coloring every day. I felt much better after doing it than before!"
Clue: Small habits make big changes.
My Joy Commitment
Now that you know what works for YOU, let's make a Habit Plan for next week.
"Which 1 activity do you want to keep as a daily habit?"
Mission Accomplished!
"You've learned the secret: YOU have the power to help your own brain feel better by choosing your habits wisely."
KEEP IT UP, HABIT HEROES!
Happiness Patterns Worksheet Pattern Report
Detective Final Reflection
Detective:
Section 1: Reviewing the Evidence
How many Joy Appointments did you keep this week?
Out of 7
Which activity gave you the BIGGEST smile?
Section 2: The "Happiness Clue"
Complete this sentence based on your tracker:
"I noticed that on the days I did my , I felt afterward."
Section 3: Future Habits
One activity I want to do EVERY DAY next week is:
Write Your Habit Goal Here
How will I remind myself?
Put a note on my mirror
Tell my grown-up
Set a timer
Official Habit Hero
I have the power to create a positive day!