Focus First Teaching Guide
Executive Functioning Coaching Guide
Focus First Teaching Guide
Grade 4 • Self-Control Routine Skill: Resisting Doodle Impulses in Math
The Strengths Reframe: Doodling is Creativity, Not Disobedience Fourth graders who doodle have active, imaginative brains. Our goal is not to eliminate drawing—it is teaching them to be the “Brain Boss” who decides when to draw. Reframe self-control not as boring rules, but as an athletic mental muscle that unlocks earned creative freedom.
10-Minute Mini-Lesson Sequence (Before Homework)
Direct Instruction & Coaching
1. Notice & Name (2 Min)
Normalize the Urge
Acknowledge that drawing feels fun and exciting, especially when math problems get tricky or long.
"Your brain loves drawing! But during math, your brain needs to catch clues first."
2. The Rule (3 Min)
Introduce "First-Then"
Teach the formula: "First [Must-Do], Then [Want-To]." You never lose your doodle; you just park it.
"First I complete my 4 math problems, then I unlock my official 5-minute Doodle Zone."
3. The 3-Count Brake (3 Min)
Physical Impulse Stop
Teach the reflex when the pencil drifts to margins: Lay pencil flat, take 1 deep breath, say the goal aloud.
"Pencil down. Breathe in: 'First math.' Breathe out: 'Doodle waiting.' Back to work."
4. Celebrate Effort (2 Min)
Track Resistance Wins
Praise resisting impulses over pure speed. Count how many times the student steered their pencil back.
"I saw you want to sketch on problem 2, but you stopped and finished it! That is real brain strength."
Student-Facing First-Then Daily Blueprint
1
Define the Target
Circle the specific math problems to complete before opening any drawing space.
2
Parking Lot Sticky
If an awesome drawing idea pops in, write 1 word on a sticky ("Dragon") and park it aside.
3
Earned Doodle Zone
Celebrate finished math with guaranteed, guilt-free creative drawing time.
Real-Time Redirection Scripts for Parents & Teachers
Avoid Shaming Language
"Stop doodling!" • "You never pay attention in math!" Triggers guilt, defiance, and secret sketching under papers.
Use First-Then Prompts
"I see that creative brain waking up. Remember: First problem 3, Then doodle page. Park pencil here." Builds agency, mutual trust, and executive control.
Focus First Executive Functioning Routine • Grade 4 Homework Coaching Paired Resource: First Then Focus Worksheet
First Then Focus Worksheet
Executive Functioning Practice • Grade 4
Brain Boss: First-Then Power
Name:
Date:
Your Brain Has Two Superpowers! 1. Creative Energy (drawing, imagining, dreaming) • 2. Focus Muscle (listening, finishing jobs). A true Brain Boss doesn't throw creativity away—you decide which power runs FIRST, and which runs THEN!
Skill 1: Spot the Impulse vs. The Goal
Read each thought. Check whether it is an Impulse or a Goal:
"The teacher is explaining fractions, but I want to shade 3D blocks in my notebook margin."
Impulse (Want-To) Goal (Must-Do)
"Write down the two example multiplication steps on the whiteboard so I know how to do problem 1."
Impulse (Want-To) Goal (Must-Do)
"Suddenly remember a cool spaceship idea and start sketching its laser cannons right on my math test."
Impulse (Want-To) Goal (Must-Do)
Skill 2: Build Your "First-Then" Game Plans
Turn impulses into strong plans
Scenario A The teacher starts a 10-minute math lesson on area and perimeter. You want to doodle comic characters.
FIRST (What I have to do right now):
THEN (What I get to do when finished):
Scenario B You are on problem 3 of your math worksheet. A tricky word problem makes you want to tune out and sketch dragons.
FIRST (What I have to do right now):
THEN (What I get to do when finished):
Skill 3: Practice the "Brain Brake" Physical Drill
Rehearse the 3 steps right now
1 Lay Pencil Flat Let go of the grip so your fingers reset.
2 Take 1 Deep Breath In through nose, out through mouth.
3 Say Your Focus Motto "First my work, then my doodle."
My Personal Brain Boss Motto:
Brain Boss Executive Functioning Mission • Page 1 of 2 Turn to Page 2 to park your ideas & unlock the VIP Doodle Zone! ➔
Impulse Control Strategy • Earned Drawing
Skill 4: The Idea Parking Lot & VIP Zone
Delay of Gratification Power
The "Idea Parking Lot" Technique Don't lose great ideas—just park them until work is done!
When an awesome drawing idea pops into your head during math, don't draw it. Write 1 to 3 words in your Parking Lot so your brain knows the idea is safe!
Parked Idea 1:
Parked Idea 2:
Parked Idea 3:
✓
Unlocked VIP Doodle Zone (Draw One of Your Parked Ideas Here!)
Earned by Completing Page 1 Plans
