Behavior Blueprint Slides Behavior Blueprints
Lesson 1: Understanding the "Why" Behind the "What"
Function of Behavior
7th Grade PBS
The Translation Game
Every behavior is a message . Sometimes the message is clear, but often it's "encoded" in actions that cause trouble.
The Behavior:
Slamming a laptop shut and walking out of the room.
The Secret Translation:
"This math work is too hard and I'm afraid to fail."
The "Why" Factory (S.E.A.T.)
S
Sensory
It feels good or helps my body calm down.
Ex: Tapping, rocking
E
Escape
I want to get away from a task or person.
Ex: Ripping paper
A
Attention
I want people to look at me or talk to me.
Ex: Making jokes
T
Tangible
I want a specific object or activity.
Ex: Grabbing a phone
The Upgrade (Replacement)
A Replacement Behavior gets you the same thing as the old behavior, but in a way that doesn't cause problems.
Old Way
Flipping a desk
The Upgrade
Asking for a 2-minute break
Key Fact: Both get you "Escape" from the work. One gets you in trouble, one gets you what you need.
Time to Blueprint
Check your "Behavior Translation" worksheet. We're going to solve 3 scenarios together as a crew.
Goal: Identify the Function (SEAT) + Choose an Upgrade
Behavior Translator Worksheet Behavior Translator
Unit: Positive Action Arsenal | Lesson 1
Name:
Date:
S Sensory
E Escape
A Attention
T Tangible
"Why am I doing this?"
Decoding Scenarios
Read each scenario below. Identify the likely function (S, E, A, or T) and brainstorm a Positive Upgrade (replacement behavior).
Scenario 1: The Group Project
Level: Easy
"During Science class, Jordan is put in a group to work on a poster. Jordan starts making loud animal noises and tapping their desk until the teacher says, 'Jordan, go sit in the hallway until you can be quiet.'"
The Likely Function (SEAT):
The Upgrade (Replacement):
Scenario 2: The Social Media Break
Level: Medium
"In the cafeteria, Taylor sees a group of friends laughing at a phone. Taylor walks over and grabs the phone out of their hand without asking. When they yell, Taylor says 'I just wanted to see!'"
The Likely Function (SEAT):
The Upgrade (Replacement):
Scenario 3: The Assembly
Level: Hard
"During a loud school assembly, Alex starts rocking back and forth aggressively in their seat and eventually starts humming loudly and covering their ears with their hands. Students around Alex start staring."
The Likely Function (SEAT):
The Upgrade (Replacement):
Personal Connection
Think of a time you got in trouble for something (even something small). What was the real message you were trying to send? What do you think the function was?
The Action:
The Function (S, E, A, or T):
A "Future Upgrade" I could use instead:
Behavior Functions Teacher Guide Teacher Resource
Function Detective Guide
Lesson 1
Behavior Blueprints
Lesson Objective
Students will be able to identify the four main functions of behavior (Sensory, Escape, Attention, Tangible) and propose at least one positive replacement behavior for a given scenario.
Pacing & Flow
5 Mins
The Hook: The Translation Game
Use Slide 2 to present a negative behavior. Ask students: "What is this person trying to say?" without words.
10 Mins
Direct Instruction: S.E.A.T.
Explain the 4 functions. Use real-world examples (e.g., "Why do you check your phone when you're bored? Sensory/Tangible?").
15 Mins
Guided Practice: Scenario Decoders
Model Scenario 1 on the worksheet. Let students try Scenario 2 in pairs. Debate Scenario 3 as a whole class.
10 Mins
Independent Reflection & Wrap-Up
Students complete the "Personal Connection" section and share out one "Upgrade" they've used before.
Probing Questions
"Can a behavior have more than one function at the same time? Give an example."
"If we stop a behavior but don't give the student a replacement, what do you think will happen next?"
"Why is it harder to use an 'Upgrade' when we are already very angry?"
Scenario Answer Guide
Scenario 1: Jordan
Likely Function: Escape (avoiding the group task/social pressure).
Upgrades: Requesting a break, asking for a different role in the group, requesting a quiet workspace.
Scenario 2: Taylor
Likely Function: Tangible (the phone/video) or Attention (wanting to be part of the group).
Upgrades: Asking "Can I see that?", waiting for a turn, asking a friend to describe the video.
Scenario 3: Alex
Likely Function: Sensory (overstimulation/sensory overload).
Upgrades: Putting on noise-canceling headphones, using a fidget, asking to sit in the back or near an exit.
Differentiation Toolbox
For Emerging Readers
Provide picture-based scenario cards. Use SEAT icons for them to point to instead of writing.
For Extension
Challenge students to write a "Choose Your Own Adventure" scenario where the character picks the wrong behavior first, then tries the upgrade.
Mindset Mechanics Slides Mindset Mechanics
Lesson 2: Flipping the Script on Negative Thoughts
Cognitive Reframing
7th Grade PBS
Distortion Glasses
Negative thoughts are like wearing blurry, dark glasses. They change how we see the world.
Through the "Always" Lens
"The teacher always picks on me. Everyone hates me. I never get it right."
Through the "Clear" Lens
"The teacher corrected me today . I'm frustrated, but I can ask for help."
The "Absolute" Traps
ALWAYS
"It happens 100% of the time."
NEVER
"It will 0% happen for me."
EVERYONE
"100% of people feel this."
These thoughts are almost never true, but they make our anger explode.
Flip the Script
"I'm stupid and I'll never pass."
"This part is hard, but I've done hard things before."
"She did that just to annoy me."
"I don't know why she did that. I'll stay focused on me."
Thought Repair Shop
Grab your "Script Rewriter" activity. You are now a Mindset Mechanic . Let's fix some broken thoughts.
Identify
Analyze
Rewrite
Script Rewriter Worksheet Script Rewriter
Mindset Mechanics | Lesson 2
Mechanic Name:
Shift Date:
The Mechanic's Goal
Absolute thoughts (always, never, everyone) are like broken gears in your mind. They cause high stress and bad choices. Your job is to replace them with Growth Thoughts that are realistic and helpful.
Thought Repair Log
The Broken Thought (Absolute)
"I'll never understand this. I'm just bad at math."
The Fixed Script (Realistic)
The Broken Thought (Absolute)
"He bumped into me on purpose. He always tries to start a fight."
The Fixed Script (Realistic)
The Broken Thought (Absolute)
"The teacher hates me. She only ever calls me out."
The Fixed Script (Realistic)
My Own Broken Thought
Think of a thought that makes you feel angry or like giving up. Write it down, then perform a "Full Engine Swap" by rewriting it into something helpful.
Current Broken Thought
Upgraded Growth Script
Found the Absolute
Fact-Checked the Truth
Upgraded the Engine
Regulation Lab Slides Regulation Lab
Lesson 3: Finding Your Body's "Reset" Button
Sensory Exploration
7th Grade PBS
Your Nervous System
When we're stressed, our body enters "Red Alert." Heart beats faster, breathing gets shallow, and thinking gets fuzzy.
Regulation tools act like a thermostat —cooling your body down before it boils over.
Today's Lab Stations
Breath Control
Box breathing and "Hiss" breathing.
Heavy Work
Wall pushes and chair lifts.
Grounding
5-4-3-2-1 Senses technique.
Internal Scan
Muscle squeeze and release.
Test & Rate
Not every tool works for every body. You need to find your best fit.
Didn't Work
Actually made me more annoyed.
Just Okay
I felt a little bit better.
Power Tool
I felt significantly calmer!
Start the Experiment
Use your "Body Baseline Tracker." Rotate when you hear the chime. Collect your data!
4 Stations | 5 Minutes Each
Body Baseline Tracker Worksheet Body Baseline Tracker
Regulation Lab | Lesson 3
Scientist:
Date:
Pre-Lab Status
How does your body feel right now?
Tense
Bored
Calm
Anxious
Experiment Data
Station Strategy Tested Effect on Body Effectiveness Rating 1. BREATH Box Breathing (4-4-4-4)
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| 2. HEAVY | Wall Pushes (10 seconds) |
|
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| 3. SENSES | 5-4-3-2-1 Grounding |
|
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| 4. MUSCLE | Muscle Squeeze (Toe to Head) |
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My Top Lab Result
Which strategy felt like it worked the best? Why do you think that is?
Implementation Plan
When would you actually use this tool in a real classroom situation?
Power Talk Slides Power Talk
Lesson 4: Replacing Action with Assertive Voice
Assertive Communication
7th Grade PBS
Which Voice Is Yours?
Passive
"It's fine... I don't care." (Mumbling, avoids eye contact)
You get ignored.
Aggressive
"MOVE! You're in my way!" (Shouting, intimidating)
You get in trouble.
Assertive
"I'm feeling frustrated. I need some space." (Clear, calm, firm)
You get heard.
The Power Talk Formula
1
"I feel..."
Identify the emotion (Angry, Sad, Overwhelmed)
2
"When..."
Identify the behavior without blaming.
3
"I need..."
Ask for what you want (A break, help, space).
Behavior to Word
Old Behavior Action
Ripping up the worksheet
New Power Talk
"I feel overwhelmed by this work. I need help starting."
Old Behavior Action
Pushing someone in the hall
New Power Talk
"I feel crowded. I need some personal space."
Power Talk Improv
Grab your "Assertive Scripts." We're going to practice conveying our needs without the drama.
Action -> Communication
Assertive Scripts Worksheet Assertive Scripts
Power Talk | Lesson 4
Speaker:
Date:
The I-Statement Blueprint
"I feel ____ when ____. I need ____."
1. The Interruption
You are trying to tell the teacher something important, but another student keeps talking over you.
I feel...
When...
I need...
2. The Confusing Test
You just opened your Social Studies test and you don't understand the first three questions. You feel like throwing your pencil.
I feel...
When...
I need...
3. The Cafeteria Seat
Someone put their bag on the chair you usually sit in, and they won't move it when you walk up.
I feel...
When...
I need...
Ready to practice? Choose one scenario to perform with a partner using your script.
Roleplay Ready
Choice Catalog Slides Choice Catalog
Lesson 5: Building Your Personal Strategy Menu
Final Synthesis
7th Grade PBS
The Restaurant Parallel
Why do restaurants have menus? Because people have different tastes and different needs at different times.
Breakfast Menu
Appropriate for the morning. Not what you'd want for dinner.
Your Choice Menu
Appropriate for specific places. Not every tool works everywhere.
The Catalog Sections
HOME
Things you can do in your room or with family.
CLASS
Quiet tools that don't disrupt the lesson.
PUBLIC
Discreet tools for the hallway, bus, or mall.
Final Curation
You've tested functions , thoughts , senses , and words .
Which ones are going into your permanent arsenal?
The Selection Process:
Does it get me what I need?
Is it safe and respectful?
Can I actually remember to do it?
Build Your Menu
Today we design our physical Strategy Cards. These are yours to keep, carry, and use.
Design
Print
Deploy
Personal Strategy Menu Worksheet Personal Strategy Menu
My Positive Action Arsenal
Name: ________________________
Instructions: Fill out your personalized menu with the tools that worked best for you in this workshop. Cut out the cards at the bottom to keep in your pocket or binder.
Body Reset Tools
Top 3 Physical Strategies
Thought Upgrades
Favorite Growth Phrases
Power Talk Phrases
My "I-Statement" Starters
Best Environments
Where I use these most
Cut-Out Strategy Cards
Pocket Card: Calm
Always Have Options
Pocket Card: Voice
"I feel..."
"I need..."
Be Heard, Not In Trouble
