Lesson Plan

Mapping Behavior Patterns

Guide a 2nd-grade student to plot challenging behaviors and triggers on a visual timeline and brainstorm positive alternative choices to build self-monitoring and planning skills.

This lesson helps the student recognize behavior patterns, understand what sparks difficult moments, and proactively choose healthier responses, fostering self-regulation and preventing future incidents.

Audience

Time

Approach

Materials

Prep

Prepare Materials

5 minutes

Step 1

Review Behavior Goals

5 minutes

Step 2

Map Challenging Behaviors

8 minutes

Step 3

Brainstorm Alternative Choices

7 minutes

Step 4

Reflect and Commit

5 minutes

Slide Deck

Journey Through Choices

Welcome the student warmly. Introduce today’s activity as an adventure where we explore our feelings and choices.

What Is Behavior?

Explain that behavior is anything we do—our actions, words, and expressions. Use examples like raising a hand, smiling, or shouting.

What Is a Trigger?

Define trigger as something that happens right before we act. Ask the student to share a quick example, like a loud noise or teasing.

Making Choices

Talk about making choices—how we decide what to do when we feel upset. Emphasize that we have power over our actions.

Calm-Down Strategies

Present each calm-down strategy one at a time. Invite the student to practice a deep breath with you.

Think About Your Day

Encourage the student to think of a recent time they felt upset or frustrated. Guide them to identify the trigger, their behavior, and a better choice.

Ready for Your Behavior Map!

Explain that they will now use the Behavior Timeline Maze worksheet to map their own examples. Offer support throughout the activity.

Lesson Plan

Mapping Behavior Patterns

Audience

Time

Approach

Materials

Prep

Prepare Materials

Step 1

Review Behavior Goals

Step 2

Map Challenging Behaviors

Step 3

Brainstorm Alternative Choices

Step 4

Reflect and Commit

Slide Deck

Journey Through Choices

What Is Behavior?

What Is a Trigger?

Making Choices

Calm-Down Strategies

Think About Your Day

Ready for Your Behavior Map!

Worksheet

My Behavior Map

Kylie Taniguchi