Sharpen Your Super Skills Lesson Plan Sharpen Your Super Skills
Lesson Plan: Executive Functioning (Tier 3)
Duration: 40 Minutes
10th Grade Individual
The Why
Strong executive function skills are crucial for academic success and daily life management, helping students feel more in control and less overwhelmed. For 10th graders, these skills are the bridge between guided learning and independent mastery.
Objective
Students will learn and practice specific strategies for planning, organization, and task initiation to improve academic performance and reduce executive-load stress.
Preparation & Materials
• Review Brain's Best Boss Slide Deck
• Print Task Breakdown & Scheduling Worksheet
• Access to laptop/projector for slides
• Familiarize with the "2-Minute Rule" strategy
Instructional Flow
5m
Introduction: What's Your Brain's Superpower?
Engage the student by defining Executive Functions as "Management Skills" (e.g., party planning, room organizing). Frame the session around sharpening "super skills" rather than fixing deficits.
"Every brain has a CEO. Today we're giving your CEO a better dashboard."
15m
Direct Instruction: Brain's Best Boss
Deliver the slide deck focusing on Planning, Organization, and Task Initiation. Use 10th-grade specific examples (research papers, big science projects, sports schedules).
Slides 1-7 Interactive Discussion
15m
Guided Practice: Task Breakdown & Scheduling
Distribute the worksheet. Help the student choose a real current task (e.g., that history essay due Friday). Facilitate the breakdown process into tiny, non-scary steps.
Initiation Tip
If a student is stuck on Step 1, apply the 2-Minute Rule : "What can you do in just 120 seconds to start?"
Time Blocking
Ensure the student includes 5-10 minute breaks in their schedule to avoid executive fatigue.
5m
Wrap-Up: Your Super Skill Plan
Identify one concrete strategy for the coming week. Reinforce the link between organization and stress reduction. Provide positive, specific feedback on their breakdown logic.
Key Reflection Prompt:
"If you use this strategy on [Student's Task], how will you feel on Sunday night compared to last week?"
Teacher Checklist
Validated student's effort on tough tasks
Worksheet has actionable next steps
Scheduled follow-up check-in
Approached Used
Direct Instruction • Guided Practice • Self-Regulation
Brain's Best Boss Presentation Executive Function Bootcamp
Brain's Best Boss
Taking the wheel of your brain's management system.
System Initialized
The Core Three
Module 01: Core Skills
Planning
Thinking ahead and creating concrete steps for success.
Organization
Keeping track of things and putting them in logical order.
Task Initiation
Getting started on tasks, even the tough ones!
Planning
Power!
It's like drawing a map before a journey. It helps you see the whole picture and avoids last-minute stress!
What needs to be done?
What order should I do it in?
How long will each step take?
"Failing to plan is planning to fail."
Organization Oomph!
Think of it as having a well-arranged toolbox. Everything has its place, making it easy to find when you need it.
Why it matters:
"Saves time and reduces frustration!"
Tidy Backpack
Digital File Management
Structured Notes
The Hardest Part
Task Initiation Ignition
It's the "just do it!" part of your brain.
How to Ignite
01
Chunking
Breaking tasks into tiny steps (we'll practice this!).
02
The 2-Minute Rule
If a starting step takes < 2 mins, do it right now.
03
Visual Timer
Set a timer for just 10 minutes of focused work.
"The hardest part is often just beginning. Once you ignite, the momentum carries you."
Propulsion Loading...
You're the Boss
Your executive functions are like superpowers you can develop. Practice makes progress!
Ready to put these skills into action?
Task Breakdown Worksheet Mission: Task Breakdown
Executive Function Toolkit // Strategy: Chunking & Scheduling
Name:
Date:
1
Choose Your Mission
Think of one big school task or project you need to start soon (Essay, Research, Big Exam). What feels a bit overwhelming right now?
2
Break It Down
Imagine you're writing a recipe for success. Break your mission into 8 small, manageable steps.
Step 01
Step 02
Step 03
Step 04
Step 05
Step 06
Step 07
Step 08
3
Schedule Your Success
Let's map these steps to specific days. Be realistic! Don't forget to include breaks.
Day / Time Task Steps Est. Time Start Needs
4
My Initiation Ignition
What is one small thing you can do to just start your task, even when you don't feel like it? (Example: "Set a 5-minute timer," "Open the Google Doc and write the title," "Clean just one corner of the desk.")
Commitment: I will start this task on ______________ at ______________
