How to Read a Nutrition Label
6-8
1
Self-Regulation: Pause, Name, Choose
Lesson Details
Grade Level
6-8
Duration (minutes)
1
Summary
Grade 6-8 students learn a simple three-step strategy for handling strong emotions in the moment: Pause to notice what's happening in the body, Name the specific feeling instead of a vague "mad," and Choose a calm response like deep breathing or asking for help. Grounded in relatable classroom scenarios, the lesson reinforces that feelings are real but actions are choices.
Student Worksheet: Self-Regulation
Teacher Note: Students can watch the video lesson above and answer the questions. Click the “Teacher Answer Key” dropdown below when you are ready to review the solutions!
Key Concepts:
• Self-Regulation: Noticing your emotions and choosing how to respond instead of reacting right away.
• Feelings vs. Actions: Feelings are real. Actions are choices.
• Pause, Name, Choose: Pause to notice what your body is doing. Name the specific emotion. Choose a calm response.
Instructions: Read each question carefully and write your answer in the space provided.
- Question 1: What does self-regulation mean?
- Question 2: What are the three steps in “Pause, Name, Choose”?
- Question 3: Why is it better to name a feeling as “frustrated” or “embarrassed” instead of just “mad”?
- Question 4: Give two examples of calm responses you could choose after naming a strong feeling.
- Question 5: Think of a real situation (like a group project) where self-regulation could help. Walk through what Pause, Name, and Choose would look like for you.
- Question 6: True or False: Self-regulation means ignoring your feelings so they go away.
Click to reveal Teacher Answer Key
1. Self-regulation means noticing your emotions and choosing how to respond instead of reacting right away.
2. Pause (notice what your body is doing), Name (put a word to the feeling), Choose (pick a calm response).
3. Naming the specific emotion helps your brain slow down, rather than staying stuck in a general reaction like “mad.”
4. Accept any two: taking deep breaths, stepping away for a minute, asking for help.
5. Answers will vary; check that the student applies all three steps to a real, specific scenario.
6. False — self-regulation means acknowledging feelings are real, then choosing how to act on them, not ignoring them.
Disclaimer: This worksheet was generated with AI assistance based on original video content. It is intended for educational reference only. Teachers are encouraged to review and adjust questions to fit their curriculum standards before classroom use.
🎯 Extension Activity: Have students keep a "Pause, Name, Choose" log for one day, jotting down one moment they felt a strong emotion, the specific word they'd use to name it, and the calm response they chose (or wish they had chosen).