Focus Flight Slides Executive Function Workshop
Mission Focus
A 3-step routine for starting strong, staying on track, and finishing your classwork.
1. Launch
2. Orbit
3. Landing
Warm-Up Check-In
Where Does Your Work Get Stuck?
Starting
Staring at a blank page and not knowing how to begin.
"I'll do it in a minute..."
Focusing
Getting pulled away by noises, thoughts, or classmates.
"Wait, what was I doing?"
Finishing
Doing most of the work, then forgetting to check or turn it in.
"It's in my backpack..."
The System
Your 3-Step Flight Plan
1. Launch
Set up your space and take one tiny first step right away.
Goal: Beat the freeze.
2. Orbit
Work in short sprints and park distractions until break time.
Goal: Stay on course.
3. Landing
Do a quick quality check, write your name, and turn it in.
Goal: Cross the finish line.
Step 1: Starting Routine
Launch in 60 Seconds
1
Clear the Launchpad
Keep only what you need for this task on your desk.
2
Spot the Target
Read or underline the directions so you know the goal.
3
Pick One Micro-Step
Don't look at the whole page—just do Question #1 or Sentence #1.
The 2-Minute Rule
Tell yourself: "I only have to work for 2 minutes." Starting is the hardest part!
Step 2: Focusing Routine
Stay in Orbit
5-Minute Sprint
Work with full focus for 5 minutes, then take a 30-second stretch or breath.
Parking Lot
Random thought or idea? Jot it on a sticky note and come back to it after the sprint.
Notice & Reset
Drifted off? Don't get mad—just say "Back to orbit" and point to your next line.
Step 3: Finishing Routine
Stick the Landing
Scan Every Section: Did I answer both sides and every part?
Claim Your Work: Is my name and date clearly written at the top?
Turn It In Now: Put it straight into the turn-in bin or submit button.
Your Turn
Live Mission: 5-Minute Sprint
Grab your Task Sprint Worksheet and one real assignment.
Write down your first micro-step and clear your desk.
When the timer starts, work for 5 minutes—park any distractions!
Focus Mission Teacher Guide Teacher Facilitation Guide
Mission Focus Lesson Plan
Duration: 45 Minutes
Setting: 1-on-1, Small Group, or Class
Learning Objectives
Initiate classwork within 60 seconds using a clear Launch routine.
Sustain attention during a 5-minute Orbit sprint using a distraction parking lot.
Verify completeness and turn in work using a Landing checklist.
Materials Needed
Focus Flight Slides (projected or on tablet)Flight Plan Checklist (1 per student, laminate for reuse)Task Sprint Worksheet (1 per student)Visual timer, sticky notes, and 1 real class assignment
45-Minute Instructional Pacing
1. Warm-Up: Name the Bottleneck
5 min · Slide 2
Normalize that everyone's brain gets stuck sometimes. Ask: "When you get an assignment, which part feels hardest—getting started, staying focused in the middle, or finishing and turning it in?" Validate their answer without judgment.
2. Introduce Launch, Orbit & Landing
10 min · Slides 3–6
Walk through the 3-step Flight Plan. Model Launch aloud: clear extra items from your desk, underline the direction verb, and point to Question #1. Emphasize the 2-Minute Rule and the Parking Lot for off-task thoughts.
3. Guided Practice: Live 5-Minute Sprint
15 min · Slide 7
Hand out the Task Sprint Worksheet and a real assignment. Guide the student to fill in Part 1 (Launch) before starting the timer.
Set a visible 5-minute timer. Work silently alongside the student for the first 60 seconds to model focus.
If the student drifts, point silently to their Flight Plan Checklist or whisper: "Park it or reset."
4. Stick the Landing & Debrief
10 min
Practice the Landing check even if the assignment isn't 100% finished yet—check what's done, verify their name is at the top, and identify where it goes next. Complete the reflection on the Task Sprint Worksheet.
5. Wrap-Up & Desk Setup
5 min
Tape or place the Flight Plan Checklist on the corner of the student's desk. Agree on one silent hand signal (e.g., tapping the desk corner) you will use tomorrow to cue "Launch" without calling them out in front of peers.
Coaching & Differentiation Supports
Targeted scaffolds for students with attention, working-memory, or task-initiation challenges.
If They Freeze (Start)
Cover the bottom half of the page with a blank sheet so only 2–3 problems show.
Do the very first item together ("I do #1, you do #2").
Ask: "What is the smallest first mark you can make?"
If They Drift (Focus)
Shorten sprints to 3 minutes, then gradually build back to 5–8 minutes.
Offer noise-reducing headphones or a preferential seat away from high-traffic areas.
Use a private sticky-note tally for each sprint completed.
If They Lose It (Finish)
Build a 2-minute "Landing Alarm" before transitions so work isn't shoved into a bag.
Use a bright "Turn-In Folder" with one clear pocket.
Praise effort and routine use, not just accuracy.
Follow-Up Observation & Coaching Log
Use this log during the week after the lesson to track independent routine use and fading prompts.
| Date | Task / Subject | Launch
Fading Prompts Over Time
Week 1: Verbal + visual checklist cue. Week 2: Silent point to desk checklist. Week 3: Student self-initiates Launch and checks off Landing independently.
Flight Plan Checklist My Flight Plan
Keep this card on your desk to start, focus, and finish!
Name: __________________________
Date: ___________________________
1. LAUNCH (Starting Routine · 60 Seconds)
Beat the Freeze
Clear Desk: Only needed tools out.
Read Goal: Underline key directions.
1st Tiny Step: Just do #1 or line 1.
2-Min Rule: Start for just 2 minutes.
My First Micro-Step Right Now:
2. ORBIT (Focusing Routine · 5-Min Sprints)
Stay on Course
Check off each 5-minute sprint:
Sprint 1
Sprint 2
Sprint 3
Sprint 4
If My Brain Drifts:
1. Notice it without getting mad.
Distraction Parking Lot
Jot down random thoughts here so you can handle them after the sprint:
3. LANDING (Finishing Routine · 60 Seconds)
Cross the Finish Line
Full Scan: I checked both sides and answered every part.
Name & Date: My name and date are clearly written at the top.
Turned In: My work is in the turn-in bin / folder / submitted online.
Task Sprint Worksheet Mission Focus Practice
Task Sprint Log
Name: __________________________
Date: ___________________________
1
Pre-Flight Launch (Complete before the timer starts)
Assignment or task I am working on today:
My 1st tiny micro-step (Example: "Read directions and finish #1"):
2
In-Orbit 5-Minute Sprint (During the timer)
Desk cleared
Started within 60 sec
Used reset if drifted
Distraction Parking Lot (write any off-task thoughts here to save for later):
3
Landing & Debrief (After the timer ends)
Which part felt easiest or hardest? Circle one for each:
Easiest part for me:
Launch Orbit Landing
Hardest part for me:
Launch Orbit Landing
What did I finish during my 5-minute sprint?
One Mission Focus strategy I will use on my next assignment:
