Lesson Plan

Digital Pause Toolkit

Students will learn to use digital timers and apps as “pause” tools to practice impulse control through demo, hands-on stations, reflection, and a personal tech pledge.

Impulse control underpins focus, decision-making, and positive interactions. By exploring concrete digital strategies, students gain self-management skills to pause before reacting, reducing impulsive behaviors in and out of class.

Audience

Time

Approach

Materials

Prep

Prepare Materials & Stations

10 minutes

Step 1

Introduction & Objective

5 minutes

Step 2

App Demo Slides

10 minutes

Step 3

Timer Trial Stations

15 minutes

Step 4

Reflection

10 minutes

Step 5

Tech Pledge Exit Ticket

5 minutes

Slide Deck

Digital Pause Toolkit: App Demo

Welcome students! Today we’ll explore four digital “pause” tools to help manage impulses. Walk them through the purpose and structure of this mini-demo before diving into each app.

1. Countdown Timer App

Show the countdown timer app screenshot. Explain how a visual countdown can help you pause and think before acting. Share an example: use a 10-second timer before answering impulsive questions.

2. Mindful Breathing App

Demonstrate the breathing app’s guided inhale/exhale animation. Model a quick breathing exercise to show how short breathing breaks can reset emotions.

3. Reward-Based Focus App

Explain the reward-based focus app: it gamifies waiting by earning points. Use a real classroom example: waiting 2 minutes for a star to appear before speaking.

4. Comparing Our Pause Tools

Compare the core strengths and challenges. Ask students which tool matches their style. Preview the upcoming stations where they’ll test each tool themselves.

Next Up: Try It Yourself

Transition: Explain the station rotations and what to record. Encourage students to note one strength and one challenge per station.

Lesson Plan

Digital Pause Toolkit

Audience

Time

Approach

Materials

Prep

Prepare Materials & Stations

Step 1

Introduction & Objective

Step 2

App Demo Slides

Step 3

Timer Trial Stations

Step 4

Reflection

Step 5

Tech Pledge Exit Ticket

Slide Deck

Digital Pause Toolkit: App Demo

1. Countdown Timer App

2. Mindful Breathing App

3. Reward-Based Focus App

4. Comparing Our Pause Tools

Next Up: Try It Yourself

Activity

Worksheet

Cool Down

Can I Hit the Pause Button

Susan Ashe