As a special educator, guiding middle school students towards understanding self-regulation is a crucial part of their development. This blog post presents an engaging, easy-to-implement lesson plan centered around a printable PDF activity, “What I Can Control Interactive Worksheet.” This resource is tailored to help students differentiate between what is within their control and what is not, fostering a sense of empowerment and self-awareness.
Lesson Plan Overview
Duration: 30-40 minutes
Materials: “What I Can Control Interactive Worksheet” (printable PDF), scissors, glue.
Objective: Students will identify aspects of their lives that they can and cannot control, enhancing their self-regulation skills.
Preparation Steps
- Print the “What I Can Control Interactive Worksheet” for each student.
- Ensure scissors and glue are available.
- Prepare a short introductory talk about self-regulation.
Lesson Execution
- Introduction to Self-Regulation (5 minutes): Begin with a discussion on self-regulation. Explain how recognizing what we can and cannot control helps us react more positively.
- Worksheet Activity (15-20 minutes): Distribute the worksheets. Students will cut out items and sort them into two columns: “What I Can Control” and “What I Can’t Control.”
- Group Discussion (10-15 minutes): Have students share their insights. Discuss how focusing on what we can control leads to better emotional well-being.
- Closing Reflection (5 minutes): Encourage students to think about how they can apply this understanding in their daily lives.
Post-Lesson Activities
- Encourage students to keep the worksheet as a reminder.
- Suggest journaling as a way to reflect on daily experiences related to control.
Conclusion
This lesson plan offers a straightforward, impactful way to teach self-regulation to middle schoolers. By engaging in the What I Can Control Interactive Worksheet, students gain valuable insights into managing their reactions and emotions, a skill that will serve them well throughout their lives.
Sample Video
Students learn best from watching real students their own age model skills. Try out this sample video-modeling lesson below. We offer our entire Social-Emotional Learning platform free for 30 days here!
