Level Up Facilitator Guide Level Up Facilitator Guide
Lesson 1: Digital Pause Strategies
30 MINUTES
Objective
Students will identify physical signs of "overheating" (frustration/over-excitement) during video games and practice using a "Mental Pause Button" to regain control before making a choice they might regret.
Materials Needed
Level Up Anchor Chart (Visual Aid)
Game Over Control Map (Student Worksheet)
Crayons/Markers (Red, Yellow, Green)
Key Vocabulary
Overheating: When emotions get too hot or intense.
Mental Pause: Taking a 10-second break to breathe.
The Save Point: A strategy to stop playing comfortably.
Lesson Timeline
1. Hook: The Glitchy Controller (5 mins)
0:00 - 0:05
"Imagine you're one jump away from winning, and your controller stops working. How does your body feel?"
Ask students to share physical sensations (clenched fists, hot face, fast heart).
Explain that our brains are like consoles—sometimes they "overheat" and need a pause.
2. Instruction: The Pause Button (10 mins)
0:05 - 0:15
Display the Level Up Anchor Chart. Use the visual to discuss:
The Overheat Meter: Identify the three levels of "heat."
The Pause Procedure: Practice the 3 steps as a class.
The "Pause Procedure":
Hands off controller → Eyes off screen → One big "Reset Breath" → Plan the next move.
3. Activity: Control Map (10 mins)
0:15 - 0:25
Distribute the Game Over Control Map.
Students color their "Overheat Level" indicators.
They identify one "Save Point" strategy for when they need to stop playing.
Pro Tips for Success
Modeling
Model a "Pause" yourself when tech glitches or class volume rises. Say out loud: "I'm hitting my pause button to reset."
Wait Time
Remind students that a 'Pause' isn't stopping forever—it's preparing to do even better when you unpause.
Game Over Control Map Control Map
Part 1: The Sensor
Player:
Date:
Overheat Meter
Color each level to show how your brain feels.
3
CRITICAL: STOP NOW.
2
WARNING: I'M ANGRY.
1
COOL: HAVING FUN.
Body Signals
Circle the signals your body gives you:
Hot Face
Fast Heart
Tight Fists
Tight Jaw
Part 2: The Plan
The Pause Procedure
1. Hands
2. Eyes
3. Reset
My Save Point
Where is your safe stop?
I will say...
Drawing Area
Pause, Breathe, Save.
Level Up Anchor Chart Level Up Control
The Pause Reference Sheet
Overheat Meter
3
CRITICAL
Yelling or rage quitting.
2
WARNING
Moaning or sighs.
1
COOL
Having fun & focused.
Body Signals
Hot Face
Heart
Tension
The Procedure
1. HANDS OFF
Drop the controller.
2. EYES OFF
Look away from screen.
3. BREATHE
One reset breath.
Save Point Strategy
"I'll finish this level, then I'm done."
Pause, Breathe, Save.
Blueprint Facilitator Guide Blueprint Facilitator Guide
Lesson 2: Construction Strategy
30 MIN
Objective
Students will apply the "Pause" strategy to physical building tasks (LEGOs, blocks, tiles) to manage frustration when projects fail and plan for peaceful transitions when it is time to clean up.
Materials Needed
Blueprint Anchor Chart (Visual Aid)
Blueprint Pause Plan (Student Worksheet)
Small set of building blocks for demonstration
Visual Timer
Key Concepts
Structural Collapse When a project breaks or falls apart unexpectedly.
Project Blueprint A mental plan for what to build next.
Lesson Timeline
1. Hook: The Tower Tumble (5 mins)
0:00 - 0:05
Teacher Action:
Build a small tower. Deliberately knock it over. Model a big, frustrated sigh. Ask: "What should my Pause Button look like right now?"
2. Instruction: Blueprint Breaks (10 mins)
0:05 - 0:15
Display the Blueprint Anchor Chart. Focus on the two types of Pauses:
The "Oops" Pause
For structural collapses or missing pieces.
The "End Shift" Pause
For clean-up and transitions.
Freeze → Inspect → Re-plan.
3. Activity: The Build Plan (10 mins)
0:15 - 0:25
Distribute the Blueprint Pause Plan.
Students draw their current masterpiece.
Identify one "Construction Tool" (calming strategy).
Decide on a "Safe Spot" for end of clean-up.
Common Misconception
Students often think they *must* finish. Teach them about "Phases" – today was Phase 1, tomorrow is Phase 2. Pausing saves our progress.
The "Safe Spot"
If space allows, use a physical "Work in Progress" shelf. If not, take a photo so they can rebuild it later.
Blueprint Pause Plan Pause Plan
Part 1: The Build Site
Authorized:
Blueprint Draft
Draw what you are currently building today.
Construction Zone
Part 2: Crew Safety
My "Oops" Strategy
When a tower falls down, I will hit pause and:
Hands Up / Freeze
Take 3 Breaths
Ask for Help
The Holding Bay
Where is the SAFE SPOT to save your build?
Draw Location
WIP Shelf
Photo Save
Blueprint Anchor Chart Crew Safety Protocol
Blueprint Breaks Reference
Collapse!
If your build falls down:
!
Stop hands now.
!
No kicking.
!
Big Breaths.
The Crew Quote
"It's just pieces."
The Crew Pause
1
FREEZE
Hands off.
2
INSPECT
Look around.
3
RE-PLAN
Next move.
End of Shift
Find Your Safe Spot!
Crafting Calm Facilitator Guide Crafting Calm Facilitator Guide
Lesson 3: Sandbox Resilience
30 MIN
Objective
Students will use the "Pause" strategy to handle "Creeper Moments"—unexpected setbacks or conflicts—during collaborative building and digital sandbox play.
Materials Needed
Crafting Calm Anchor Chart (Visual Aid)
Inventory Reset (Student Worksheet)
Minecraft block props (optional)
Key Concepts
Creeper Moments When something unexpected ruins your progress.
Inventory Reset Taking a break to check your emotional toolkit.
Lesson Timeline
1. Hook: The Sss-Boom! (5 mins)
0:00 - 0:05
"You've been building for hours. Suddenly... SSSS... BOOM! A Creeper blew up your castle. How does your 'Internal Server' feel?"
Ask students to describe the feeling of losing progress.
Introduce the term "Creeper Moment" as any unexpected setback.
2. Instruction: Crafting Calm (10 mins)
0:05 - 0:15
Display the Crafting Calm Anchor Chart. Discuss the "Sandbox Rules":
Pause the Pickaxe: Stop building before acting in anger.
Check Your Inventory: Use calm items (breaths, help).
Rebuild Step-by-Step: Small blocks lead to big castles.
3. Activity: Inventory Reset (10 mins)
0:15 - 0:25
Distribute the Inventory Reset worksheet. Help students identify their "Calm Items" and "Rebuild Plan."
Teacher Tip: Collaborative Conflict
Minecraft is social. If a student's work is destroyed by another, the "Inventory Reset" is vital to prevent retaliation and mediate the conflict peacefully.
Crafting Calm Anchor Chart Crafting Calm
Survival Reference
Creeper Moments
THE BOOM
Unexpected lost work.
GRIEFING
Ruined plans.
STUCK
When you can't win.
Don't Explode. Pause.
Inventory Reset
1. PAUSE PICKAXE
Stop & hands up.
2. CHECK ITEMS
What helps now?
3. RE-CRAFT PLAN
Rebuild slowly.
"The world is made of blocks.
Inventory Reset Worksheet Inventory Reset
Part 1: The Explosion
Player:
Creeper Moment
Draw or write about an "explosion" that ruined your progress this week.
The Setback Area
Part 2: The Re-Craft
Calm Inventory
Choose 3 tools for your active hotbar.
Breath
Walk
Call
Pause
Plan
Think
My Active Hotbar
"Blocks can always be replaced.
Master Controller Facilitator Guide Master Controller Facilitator Guide
Lesson 4: Universal Strategies
30 MIN
Objective
Students will generalize the "Pause" strategy to non-play scenarios (schoolwork, friendship, chores) and create a personal "Remote Control" of regulation tools they can use anywhere.
Materials Needed
Master Remote Anchor Chart (Visual Aid)
Remote Control Toolbox (Student Worksheet)
Stickers for remote buttons (optional)
Master Tools
Signal Awareness
The Reset Logic
Lesson Timeline
1. Hook: Universal Control (5 mins)
0:00 - 0:05
"Does the Pause Button work for lunchroom noises? What about when a friend says something mean?"
Brainstorm 3 "Real Life" glitches that happen during the school day. How does the body react to these differently than games?
2. Instruction: The Master Remote (10 mins)
0:05 - 0:15
Display the Master Remote Anchor Chart. Focus on the universal menu options for any situation.
REBOOT
3 Reset Breaths
RE-MAP
Walk or Reset
SUPPORT
Ask for Help
3. Activity: Custom Remote (10 mins)
0:15 - 0:25
Distribute the Remote Control Toolbox. Students customize their "buttons" with their personal regulation strategies.
Facilitator Debugging
"It's not working!"
Remind them that even in games, the menu takes a second to pop up. Be patient with your internal hardware!
The Power of "Unpause"
The pause is to help us get back to the "main menu" of our day, not to quit the game of life. Practice unpausing smoothly.
Remote Control Toolbox Remote Toolbox
Part 1: The Controller
Player ID:
Strategy Bank
Reset Breaths
Safe Walk
Ask Support
Step Count
Water Reboot
"Choose your top 3 and write them on the device buttons!"
SYSTEM PAUSE
1
2
3
Part 2: Settings
Priority Mapping
My Favorite Tool:
Emergency Tool:
The Pause Log
Draw yourself hitting your mental pause button in the classroom today.
Observation Zone
Authorization Complete
Master Remote Anchor Chart Master Controller
Universal Strategy Guide
The Concept
Your BRAIN is the master controller. Hit your mental pause button anywhere.
Real-Life Glitches
Hard Math problems
Loud noises / Lunchroom
Waiting for your turn
Mean comments
Master Menu
REBOOT
3 Reset Breaths
RE-MAP
Walk or Move
SUPPORT
Ask for Help
PAUSE RESET PLAY
Pause Strategy Bank Anchor Chart The Strategy Bank
My Pause Power Tools
Body Reset
Reset Breaths
Take 3 slow, deep breaths.
The Safe Walk
Walk to the water or door.
Push it Out
Push against a wall or desk.
Water Reboot
Take a slow drink of water.
Mind Reset
Pause. Reset. Play.
