What Were You Thinking

Name: What Were You Thinking
Author: Bryan Smith

A story that explores patience and opens a conversation with your child.

★★★★★ Loved by families

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♥ This book teaches: Patience. staying calm while something unfolds.

Before, During & After Reading

Guiding Questions for Parents.

Definition: Patience means having self-control, waiting and enduring when one would rather not. In short: Stay calm while you wait. Summary: Braden is a third grader who struggles with impulse control at school and at home. His teacher gives him some good advice to follow: 1. Stop what you’re doing, 2. Think about what you’re going to do or say, 3. Ask if this action will make the situation better or worse, 4. Choose the behavior that will make the situation better. Braden realizes that when he’s able to control his impulses using these steps, he feels good about himself. As we practice self-control and self-discipline, we benefit ourselves and those around us. Lesson Objectives:

Teachers guide students to make visual reminders of the 4 steps of impulse control and post them in the classroom.
Students journal about their own experiences of impulse control.

Guiding Questions:

Braden doesn’t think third graders need to go over rules at the beginning of the school year. What changes his mind about that?
At the very beginning of the school day, Braden makes a joke and gets in trouble. What did he do?
What does his teacher give Braden to help him with impulse control?
What are the four steps that help with self-control?
Why do you think self-control is so difficult for Braden?
How does Braden feel when he’s able stop himself from throwing the mashed potatoes at the student who threw jello at him?
Do you think you need help with self-control? Why or why not?
Do you know anyone like Braden? If so, do you think this story would help that person learn how to control their impulses?
Do you think that practicing self-control as a child will help you when you’re an adult? Why or why not?
When is it okay to make a joke or act like a clown, and when is it not okay?

🌿 Virtue Connection: Patience means waiting without losing yourself.

About the Story.

This guide is part of the Values & Virtues library, a free collection of 400+ book guides and activities organized around 12 core virtues for children from pre-K to 6th grade. Each guide includes Guiding Questions designed to open a real conversation with your child in 10 minutes or less.

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Explore more guides for 3rd & 4th Grade.

Browse all Patience guides See all 12 virtues

Patience · Family Discussion Guide

What Were You Thinking

by Bryan Smith

Guiding Questions

Teachers guide students to make visual reminders of the 4 steps of impulse control and post them in the classroom.
Students journal about their own experiences of impulse control.

Guiding Questions:

Braden doesn’t think third graders need to go over rules at the beginning of the school year. What changes his mind about that?
At the very beginning of the school day, Braden makes a joke and gets in trouble. What did he do?
What does his teacher give Braden to help him with impulse control?
What are the four steps that help with self-control?
Why do you think self-control is so difficult for Braden?
How does Braden feel when he’s able stop himself from throwing the mashed potatoes at the student who threw jello at him?
Do you think you need help with self-control? Why or why not?
Do you know anyone like Braden? If so, do you think this story would help that person learn how to control their impulses?
Do you think that practicing self-control as a child will help you when you’re an adult? Why or why not?
When is it okay to make a joke or act like a clown, and when is it not okay?

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What Were You Thinking

Guiding Questions for Parents.

About the Story.

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Explore more guides for 3rd & 4th Grade.

What Were You Thinking

Guiding Questions