🌟 Character Trait of the Week: Self‑Control
Next week we’re focusing on Self‑Control—a foundational skill that helps students manage emotions, make thoughtful choices, and build positive relationships. Below is a curated set of videos, read‑alouds, and teaching tools you can use all week long.
🎥 Read‑Alouds & Videos
Short, engaging, and perfect for morning meetings, SEL blocks, or calm‑down time.
📚 Books That Teach Self‑Control
Impulsive Ninja by Mary Nhin A kid‑friendly story about slowing down and thinking before acting. ▶️
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6BxI6mTxGDw(youtube.com in Bing)Some Days I Flip My Lid by Kellie Doyle Bailey Helps kids understand what’s happening in their brains when emotions take over. ▶️
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IsPUhExY7fw(youtube.com in Bing)Interrupting Chicken by David Ezra Stein A fun reminder about waiting your turn and listening. ▶️
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SFugzH39V6Q(youtube.com in Bing)
🧠 Understanding Emotions
Why Do We Lose Control of Our Emotions? A simple whiteboard explanation of the brain’s “upstairs” and “downstairs” parts. ▶️
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3bKuoH8CkFc(youtube.com in Bing)Coping Skills for Kids Strategies for managing big feelings—great for whole‑group or small‑group SEL. ▶️
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vs-MyQgfH3A(youtube.com in Bing)
🌬️ Mindfulness & Calm‑Down Tools
Release Your 5 Senses A quick grounding meditation students can use anytime. ▶️
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2o1ybeYelxs(youtube.com in Bing)
📝 Student‑Friendly Character Trait Definitions
Use these for anchor charts, journals, or morning meeting discussions.
| Trait | Kid‑Friendly Definition |
|---|---|
| Self‑Control | Being in charge of your own actions and choices. |
| Self‑Discipline | Managing your feelings and doing what’s right. |
| Patience | Staying calm while waiting. |
| Respect | Caring about how your words and actions affect others. |
| Responsibility | Doing what you say you’ll do and owning your actions. |
| Empathy | Understanding how someone else feels. |
| Honesty | Telling the truth in what you say and do. |
| Integrity | Doing the right thing—even when no one is watching. |
| Kindness | Being friendly, caring, and helpful. |
| Cooperation | Working well with others. |
| Forgiveness | Letting go of anger when someone makes a mistake. |
| Courage | Making good choices even when you feel nervous. |
(Your full list is wonderful—this table just highlights the ones most connected to self‑control.)
📂 Teacher Resources
These sites offer quick mini‑lessons, worksheets, and discussion starters:
Responsibility Resources
https://talkingtreebooks.com/category/teaching-traits/responsibility-worksheets-teaching-resources.html(talkingtreebooks.com in Bing)Respect Resources
https://talkingtreebooks.com/category/teaching-traits/respect-worksheets-teaching-resources.html(talkingtreebooks.com in Bing)Honesty Resources
https://talkingtreebooks.com/category/teaching-traits/honesty-worksheet-teaching-resources.html(talkingtreebooks.com in Bing)Empathy Resources
https://talkingtreebooks.com/category/teaching-traits/empathy-worksheets-teaching-resources.html(talkingtreebooks.com in Bing)
💡 Ideas for the Week
Create a Self‑Control Challenge Chart (e.g., “I waited my turn,” “I used a calm‑down strategy,” “I paused before reacting”).
Add a calm‑down corner refresh with breathing cards or sensory tools.
Use a daily reflection prompt: “When did I show self‑control today?” “What was hard for me, and how did I handle it?”
A WONDERFUL resource for some of the traits listed:
This has a short power-point presentation and
worksheets to help introduce responsibility.
Respect
https://talkingtreebooks.com/category/teaching-traits/respect-worksheets-teaching-resources.html
Honesty
https://talkingtreebooks.com/category/teaching-traits/honesty-worksheet-teaching-resources.html
Empathy
https://talkingtreebooks.com/category/teaching-traits/empathy-worksheets-teaching-resources.html
🌟 SELF‑CONTROL
Being in charge of your actions, words, and choices
🧠 What Self‑Control Looks Like
I pause before I act
I think about my choices
I wait my turn
I use calm‑down strategies
I keep my hands and feet to myself
I stay focused on the task
I use kind words, even when I’m frustrated
💬 Student‑Friendly Sentence Starters
“I can stay calm by…”
“Before I react, I can…”
“When I feel upset, I will…”
“A smart choice I can make is…”
🌬️ Calm‑Down Strategies
Take 5 deep breaths
Count to 10
Use positive self‑talk
Ask for a break
Use a grounding strategy (5‑4‑3‑2‑1)
❤️ Why Self‑Control Matters
It helps me solve problems
It helps me get along with others
It helps me stay safe
It helps me learn and grow
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