Spark Spotters Slides Rumble Radar • Mission 01
Pair Detective Unit
Spark Spotters:
Tracking Hard Feelings
Frustration doesn't just explode out of nowhere. It starts with a tiny spark. Today, your team hunts down those sparks at school and on the weekend.
Target:
Name at least 6 real situations that make you sigh, grumble, or want to quit.
Concept File Slide 2 of 4
What is a Frustration Spark?
A spark is an event that flips your mood from calm to annoyed.
The Surprise
Things didn't go the way you planned or expected.
The Drain
You're tired, hungry, or stuck doing something boring.
The Unfair Call
Rules felt broken, or someone blamed you by mistake.
Remember: Getting frustrated is 100% normal. Catching the spark early is a superpower!
Radar Zones Slide 3 of 4
Where Do Sparks Strike?
Check out these common triggers. Have any happened to you?
School Sparks
Pencil snaps right in the middle of writing
Called "out" at 4-square when you were safe
Chromebook freezes before you submit
Tablemate tapping pencil on the desk non-stop
Weekend Sparks
Told to turn off video game during a boss fight
Rain cancels the big neighborhood game
Sibling wrecks your Lego build or tower
Parent says "we'll see" (which always means no!)
Turn to your partner: Which one on this screen makes your blood boil the fastest?
Partner Mission Slide 4 of 4
Your Mission: Hunt 6 Sparks
Grab the Spark Log Activity Sheet with your detective partner!
1
Review Starters
Read the 8 starter spark cards together. Check the ones you have felt.
2
Write Your Own
Create 3 School Sparks and 3 Weekend Sparks from your own real lives.
3
Compare Notes
Notice: Does the same situation bother both of you, or just one of you?
Rule: No judging your partner's sparks!
Everyone feels things differently.
Spark Spotters Activity Rumble Radar: Spark Log
Pair Mission 01 • Identifying Frustration Triggers
DETECTIVE FILE
Partner 1:
Partner 2:
Date:
Step 1: Check the Starter Sparks
Read each card together. Check the box if this situation has made you feel annoyed or mad!
P1 = Partner 1 | P2 = Partner 2
Zone A: School Sparks
The Recess Out Call
P1 P2
Someone calls you "out" at kickball or 4-square when you know 100% you were safe.
Snap & Smudge
P1 P2
Your pencil point snaps right in the middle of a sentence, then eraser rips the paper.
Tech Glitch Crash
P1 P2
Your Chromebook Wi-Fi cuts out right before submitting your game score or assignment.
Blamed by Mistake
P1 P2
The person behind you is whispering, but the teacher turns and warns you instead.
Zone B: Weekend Sparks
Game Cutoff Notice
P1 P2
Told to shut off the console right during the boss battle or while playing with friends.
The Build Smasher
P1 P2
A sibling or pet stomps through and destroys the Lego fort or card tower you spent an hour on.
Rainout Bummer
P1 P2
You spent all week waiting for Saturday soccer or the bike ride, and it pours rain all day.
The "Maybe Later"
P1 P2
You ask to go somewhere fun, and parents say "We'll see..." which means NO!
Quick Partner Debrief:
Count how many cards you BOTH checked. Are your triggers similar or totally different?
Matching Sparks:
Custom Spark Files
Mission 01 • Page 2: Your Real-Life Frustrations
TEAM FIELD REPORT
Your Turn: Write down 3 frustrations from School and 3 frustrations from the Weekend that happen to you or kids you know. Give each spark a funny or awesome code-name!
School Sparks (In class, hallway, recess, lunch)
Spark #1 Code Name:
What happens:
Spark #2 Code Name:
What happens:
Spark #3 Code Name:
What happens:
Weekend Sparks (At home, sports, car rides, friends)
Spark #4 Code Name:
What happens:
Spark #5 Code Name:
What happens:
Spark #6 Code Name:
What happens:
Mission 01 Debrief Sign-Off:
We collected our sparks and are ready to rank their heat levels in Session 2!
P1 Initials:
P2 Initials:
Spark Spotters Teacher Guide Facilitator Playbook
Spark Spotters: Teacher Guide
Session 1 of 3 • 25 Mins
Learning Goals
Identify physical and emotional signals of frustration.
Distinguish school vs. weekend frustration triggers.
Validate that hard feelings are universal, not weaknesses.
Tone & Hook Strategy
Frame the session like an investigative detective case rather than a behavioral correction. Boys respond best to agency, humor, and action-oriented labels ("sparks", "glitches", "blowouts").
Pacing Breakdown
5 MIN
Mission Hook (Slides 1-2)
Show Slide 1. Ask: "Think about the last time you felt like ripping your paper or slamming a door. Did it feel like a slow burn or an instant lightning bolt?" Validate all reactions.
8 MIN
Starter Spark Scan (Slide 3 & Handout Page 1)
Have boys alternate reading the 8 starter spark cards out loud. Give them 30 seconds per card to independently check whether they have experienced it. Notice matches with high-fives.
8 MIN
Custom Spark Lab (Slide 4 & Handout Page 2)
Challenge the pair: "Invent funny, epic code-names for 3 school and 3 weekend gripes." Encourage humor (e.g., "The Soggy Fries Incident", "The Lag Monster").
4 MIN
Teaser Close & Sign-Off
Sign off on their dossiers. Hook Session 2: "Next time, we put all our sparks into the Rumble Radar showdown to find out whose triggers are hottest!"
Coaching Tips for 3rd Grade Dynamics
If one student laughs at the other's trigger: Intervene immediately with neutrality: "Remember detective law—everyone's nervous system is wired differently. What’s easy for you is a spark for him, and vice versa."
If a student clams up or says "nothing bugs me": Offer a micro-spark: "Not even when you drop your pencil on the floor and it rolls five desks away?" Relatable small irritations build trust before deeper ones.
Rumble Radar Sequence • Session 1 Facilitation Guide Prep for Session 2: Keep students' Page 2 Spark Logs
Rumble Ranking Slides Rumble Radar • Mission 02
Heat Calibration
Rumble Ranking:
The Heat Showdown
Not all frustrations are created equal! A tiny glitch isn't an explosion. Today, we rank every spark on a 1-to-5 scale and compare your radar readings.
The Mission:
Rank 10 frustration scenarios and discover your Twin Triggers and Opposite Triggers!
The Calibration Meter Slide 2 of 4
The 5 Rumble Radar Levels
From a tiny mosquito buzz to a full molten eruption!
LVL 1
Bug Bite
Tiny itch. Annoying for 5 seconds, then forgotten.
Eye roll / shrug
LVL 2
Shoe Pebble
Distracting and irritates you until you fix it.
Deep sigh / groan
LVL 3
Simmer Pot
Definite heat! Clenched hands, muttering under breath.
Jaw tight / scowl
LVL 4
Steam Engine
High alert! Heart pounding, ready to yell or throw something.
Face hot / pacing
LVL 5
Volcano
Maximum overload! Brain goes offline. Immediate safety stop.
Explosion / tears
Key Rule: A Level 1 situation doesn't need a Level 5 reaction! Match your move to the meter.
Head-to-Head Rules Slide 3 of 4
How the Showdown Works
You and your partner will rank situations independently, then reveal!
Step 1: Secret Rank
Without showing your partner, write your level (1 to 5) for the situation on your showdown sheet.
Step 2: The Reveal
On the count of three ("1, 2, 3, FLASH!"), flip your sheets and reveal your numbers.
Step 3: Heat Check
If your scores match, it's a Twin Trigger . If they differ by 2+, it's an Opposite Trigger !
Neither person is wrong! Learning each other's heat levels makes you unbeatable teammates.
Practice Run Slide 4 of 4
Live Trial Scenario
"Your dog chews up your favorite trading card or homework right before school."
What is your heat level?
1
Bug Bite
2
Pebble
3
Simmer
4
Engine
5
Volcano
Ready? Grab your Rumble Scale Activity Sheet! Start Showdown Round 1
Rumble Ranking Activity Rumble Radar: Heat Board
Pair Mission 02 • Calibrating Frustration Levels
HEAT GAUGE
Partner 1:
Partner 2:
Date:
The Official 1-5 Frustration Gauge
5
Volcano Blowout (Extreme Frustration)
Total overload, boiling over, feels impossible to think straight, yelling or tears.
RED ALERT
4
Steam Engine (High Alert)
Heart pounding, hot cheeks, clenched fists, feeling furious, want to throw something.
HOT ZONE
3
Simmering Pot (Medium Frustration)
Gritting teeth, muttering under your breath, crossed arms, clearly upset.
SIMMERING
2
Shoe Pebble (Irritating / Annoying)
Distracting, makes you sigh loudly, rolls your eyes, hard to focus until fixed.
WARMING UP
1
Bug Bite (Mild Nuisance)
Quick tickle of annoyance. A shrug, a quick blink, and you move right on.
COOL ZONE
Body Warning Signals (How does your body tell you your heat is rising?)
Partner 1's First Physical Clue:
Partner 2's First Physical Clue:
Radar Rule of Thumb:
The earlier you catch your level (at 2 or 3), the easier it is to cool down!
Head-to-Head Ranking Showdown
Mission 02 • Page 2: Compare Your 1-5 Scores
SECRET REVEAL
1. Cover your sheet & write your rank (1-5). 2. Say "1, 2, 3, FLASH!" and reveal. Twin = Same | Opposite = 2+ levels apart
Frustration Scenario
P1 (1-5)
P2 (1-5)
Match?
[School] You studied hard for a spelling test, but made a silly mistake on the first word.
[School] Recess is called indoors because of 3 raindrops on the pavement.
[Weekend] Your tablet dies while you are 2 hits away from beating a video game boss.
[School] The cafeteria runs out of pizza and serves lukewarm cheese sticks instead.
[Weekend] You are in the middle of a game with friends and have to stop to clean your room.
[School] Someone cuts right in front of you in the water fountain line after gym.
[Weekend] You lose a game of Monopoly or Mario Kart on the final turn by pure bad luck.
[Pair Pick] Choose 1 custom spark from Mission 01 to rank!
Rumble Ranking Teacher Guide Facilitator Playbook
Rumble Ranking: Teacher Guide
Session 2 of 3 • 25 Mins
Core Instructional Anchor
The central cognitive skill is emotional proportionality : realizing that minor nuisances (Levels 1-2) do not require explosive responses (Level 5).
Managing Tough Guy Posturing
Third-grade boys often try to rank everything as Level 1 to look invincible ("That wouldn't even bug me!"). Reframe: "Pretending nothing bugs you leaves you open to surprise explosions."
Session Flow & Facilitation
5 MIN
Meter Calibration (Slides 1-2 & Handout Page 1)
Walk through the 5 tiers (Bug Bite to Volcano). Emphasize body clues: "Where do you feel Level 3? Clenched fists, tight throat, hot ears?" Have each boy write their top physical cue.
12 MIN
The Showdown Tournament (Slides 3-4 & Handout Page 2)
Run the 8-scenario showdown game. Read each scenario with energy. Count down: "3, 2, 1, FLASH!" If they disagree, prompt curiosity: "Why is that a 4 for you, but only a 2 for him?"
5 MIN
Twin & Opposite Debrief
Help them spot their Twin Trigger (shared high-stakes annoyance) and Opposite Trigger (one person cares deeply, the other is unbothered). Fill in the bottom box.
3 MIN
Session 3 Setup
"Now that we know our numbers, Session 3 is about power moves: how do you drop a Level 4 down to a Level 2 before the volcano blows?"
High-Impact Discussion Cues
"Can a Level 1 turn into a Level 4?" Guide them to see that small irritations (pencil snapping, whispered mocking) multiply when you're already tired or hungry.
"Why is it helpful to know your friend's Level 4?" Highlight empathy and teamwork: "So you don't tease him when his meter is already in the danger zone."
Rumble Radar Sequence • Session 2 Facilitation Guide Materials needed next: Showdown Sheets from this session
Steam Control Slides Rumble Radar • Mission 03
Action Tactics
Steam Control:
Pressure Valves & Power Moves
Knowing your heat level is only half the battle. Now we install the pressure valves! Learn how to cool your engine before it explodes.
Final Mission:
Choose your top cool-down moves and lock in a secret partner safety code-word.
The Action Arsenal Slide 2 of 4
Match the Move to the Meter
Different heat levels require different cooling power.
LVL 1 & 2
Micro-Resets
• The 5-second shoulder drop
• The heavy sigh & shrug
• "Not a big deal in 10 minutes"
LVL 3
Heat Breakers
• Tactical 4-count box breath
• Hallway water fountain lap
• Squeeze stress ball or fist tight, then release
LVL 4 & 5
Emergency Valves
• Say the secret partner code-word
• Wall push / heavy body work
• 2-minute chill zone time out
Pro Secret: Physical moves (breathing, drinking cold water, wall push) reset your heart rate fast!
Partner Tactics Slide 3 of 4
The Secret Partner Code-Word
When you hit Level 4, talking is hard. Use a secret code instead!
How It Works
Pick an innocent, funny word (like "Cactus" , "Pineapple" , or "Turbo" ). When one partner says it, the other partner knows:
1. Stop joking or teasing immediately.
2. Give them 60 seconds of quiet space.
3. Offer a fist bump or quick water break.
The Golden Wingman Rule
A great partner doesn't say:
A great wingman says:
Today you will invent your pair's secret code-word and custom hand signal!
Mission Wrap-Up Slide 4 of 4
Build Your Steam Playbook
Open the Steam Release Playbook with your partner!
1
Choose Moves
Pick your #1 move for School triggers and #1 move for Weekend triggers.
2
Set Your Code
Agree on a secret word and emergency hand gesture only you two recognize.
3
Lock the Pact
Sign the Rumble Radar Partner Contract and collect your official Radar Badges!
Steam Control Activity Steam Release Playbook
Pair Mission 03 • Action Moves & Pressure Valves
ACTION FILE
Partner 1:
Partner 2:
Date:
Step 1: Choose Your Personal Emergency Valves
Pick moves that work best for your body when frustration creeps up.
Tool Arsenal
Partner 1 Action Protocol Custom Loadout
When a School Spark hits (pencil snap, bad call):
My #1 reset move:
When a Weekend Spark hits (game cut off, rainout):
My #1 reset move:
Partner 2 Action Protocol Custom Loadout
When a School Spark hits (pencil snap, bad call):
My #1 reset move:
When a Weekend Spark hits (game cut off, rainout):
My #1 reset move:
Tactic Idea Bank (Pick from these or invent your own!)
💨 4x4 Box Breath
🚰 Water Fountain Sprint
🧱 Heavy Wall Push
✊ Fist Clench & Release
🤫 Secret Partner Signal
⏱️ The 10-Minute Shrug
Rumble Radar • Mission 03 Playbook Turn over for the Team Contract & Radar Badges ➔
Radar Partner Pact
Mission 03 • Page 2: Secret Code & Wingman Treaty
OFFICIAL PACT
Our Pair Secret Code System
Our Secret Code Word:
e.g., Cactus, Typhoon, Blue Jay
Our Secret Hand Gesture:
e.g., Double tap chest, thumb flip
The 3 Wingman Laws (Check each when agreed)
No Teasing on Level 4+: If my partner uses our code or hits Level 4, I will stop all jokes and playful trash talk immediately. 60-Second Space: I will give my partner quiet breathing room without asking "Why are you mad?" 10 times in a row. The Backup Fist-Bump: Once the heat drops to Level 2 or 1, I will offer a clean fist bump and help them get back in the game.
Cut & Keep Radar Badges Slip inside your pencil case or pocket!
Rumble Radar Agent
Agent:
Code Word:
Level 1: Shrug • Level 3: Breathe • Level 5: Code Word
Rumble Radar Agent
Agent:
Code Word:
Level 1: Shrug • Level 3: Breathe • Level 5: Code Word
Agent 1 Signature:
Agent 2 Signature:
MISSION 03 CERTIFIED
Steam Control Teacher Guide Facilitator Playbook
Steam Control: Teacher Guide
Session 3 of 3 • 25 Mins
Somatic Regulation Focus
Boys often experience cognitive shutdown at Levels 4-5. Verbal reasoning fails in the heat; physical reset moves (cold water, proprioceptive wall pushes, tactical breathing) must be rehearsed when calm.
The Code-Word Standard
The code-word gives both students dignity and autonomy. Emphasize: using the code is not "tattling" or "giving up"—it is the ultimate pro-gamer tactical timeout.
Session Flow & Strategy Rehearsal
5 MIN
Review & Power Moves Intro (Slides 1-2)
Briefly review their top Twin and Opposite Triggers from Session 2. Introduce the concept of "matching the move to the meter"—why a shrug works for Level 1, but Level 4 needs heavy action.
8 MIN
Physical Rehearsal Lab (Handout Page 1)
Have both boys stand up and physically practice: 1) The 4x4 tactical box breath, 2) The wall push (palms against wall, pushing for 8 seconds), and 3) The fist clench/release. Have them pick their favorites.
8 MIN
Partner Code & Pact (Slides 3-4 & Handout Page 2)
Guide them to brainstorm a secret code-word and discreet gesture. Rehearse a scenario: Partner A simulates heating up, drops the code-word, and Partner B steps back without teasing.
4 MIN
Badge Cutting & Certification
Have them cut out their pocket radar badges, sign each other’s contracts, and exchange an agreed-upon team secret handshake.
Post-Sequence Maintenance (2-Week Check-in)
Hallway Touchpoint: "Hey guys, what level did recess hit today? Anyone have to pull a Level 3 move?"
Partner Check: "Did your wingman back you up when you gave the code? How did it feel?"
Calibration Update: If new triggers emerge (e.g., group projects), add them to their radar dossier.
Rumble Radar Sequence • Session 3 Facilitation Guide Sequence Complete • Keep Radar Dossiers on file
