Fifth graders learn that worry eases when they focus on what they can actually control, telling their own choices from things outside them, and sort real examples into the two groups.
Students will be able to…
Some worries you can do something about, and some you cannot. What changes when you spend your energy only on what is actually in your control?
Project this and sort each example into in your control or not in your control — tap an example, then tap where it belongs.
Tap any phase to open the teacher moves and student actions.
When a lot is on your mind, some of it you can do something about and some you cannot. What happens when you spend all your worry on things you cannot change?
Students sort things into control and no control.
Students turn worry into action.
Students draw a control circle.
Students reflect on control.
Aligned to the CASEL Framework for Social and Emotional Learning across its five core competencies.
Distinguish what is within your control from what is not.
Focus effort and attention on your own actions.
Recognize feelings like worry and what is driving them.
Choose a helpful response to things you cannot change.
Preview the three formative checks. Tap “Sample answer” to see what mastery looks like — hide them before you print for students.
Have students draw a circle, write what they can control inside it and what they cannot outside it, so the line between the two becomes clear. A printable circle-of-control worksheet is in the Social-Emotional Learning library.
Tap a card to flip it, then rate whether you knew it. Built from this lesson’s vocabulary.
A quick self-check with instant feedback, drawn from this lesson’s key terms.
A print-and-go review sheet with a built-in answer key. Tap “Show answer key” to reveal answers, or print the clean version for students.