Sentence Superpowers Lesson Plan Sentence Superpowers!
Executive Function & Writing Intervention
Duration
30 MIN
WHY THIS MATTERS
Developing strong executive function skills in writing helps students with ADHD and learning disabilities break down complex tasks, manage their thoughts, and produce clear, organized written work, boosting their confidence and academic success.
AUDIENCE
3rd Grade Students (Tier 2/Small Group)
Designed for ADHD and Learning Disabilities
OBJECTIVE
Students will be able to use executive function strategies to organize thoughts and sequence ideas into grammatically correct sentences and short paragraphs.
MATERIALS
Sentence Superpowers Slide Deck
Teacher Script
Writing Practice Worksheet
Whiteboard & Markers
Pencils/Pens
TEACHER PREPARATION
!
Review the Slide Deck, Teacher Script, and Writing Practice Worksheet before starting.
1
Print copies of the Writing Practice Worksheet for each student.
2
Gather whiteboard/chart paper and markers for the brainstorming "Idea Web".
3
Ensure your technology is ready to present the Slide Deck.
Page 1 of 2
Instructional Flow
5m
Warm-Up: Idea Web
"Today, we're going to talk about how our brains organize thoughts, especially when we want to write! Think about your favorite animal. What comes to mind when you think about it?"
Ask students about a familiar topic (favorite animal or weekend activity).
Create a visual Idea Web on the whiteboard with branches for each student thought.
Explicitly explain that this visual represents how we organize thoughts.
7m
Executive Function for Writing
Use Slides 1-3 and the Teacher Script.
Introduce Think it → Plan it → Write it.
Teach the parts of a Super Sentence: Naming Part + Action Part + Complete Idea.
8m
Paragraph Power: Connecting Ideas
Use Slide 4.
Explain that paragraphs group super sentences around one main idea.
Introduce Transition Words (First, Next, Also, Finally) as bridges between thoughts.
8m
Guided Practice
Use the Writing Practice Worksheet.
Students match naming parts and action parts.
Students draft their own paragraph with transitions.
Differentiation: Provide extra verbal prompts for students struggling with sequencing.
2m
Cool Down: One Big Idea
Review the key superpowers: Planning, Super Sentences, and Connecting Ideas.
Each student shares one strategy they will use in their next writing task.
Page 2 of 2
Sentence Superpowers Slide Deck Tier 2 Writing
Sentence
Superpowers
Organize Your Thoughts!
THINK
PLAN
WRITE
Brain Builders: Planning
LEGO STYLE!
1
Think it!
What do you want to write about?
2
Plan it!
What ideas fit together?
3
Write it!
Put ideas into sentences!
What Makes a Sentence Super?
Naming Part
Who or what is the sentence about?
Example: The dog
Action Part
What is the naming part doing?
Example: runs fast
Complete Idea
Does it make sense all by itself?
Result: The dog runs fast.
Paragraph Power
Paragraphs are like groups of super sentences that talk about ONE main idea.
The "Bridges"
Use transition words to connect your sentences!
First, Next, Also, Finally,
Wait, Check!
"Wait... am I still talking about the same thing? If I start a new idea, I might need a new paragraph!"
Practice Time!
Time to put your Sentence Superpowers to work!
BRAIN BUILDERS
SUPER SENTENCES
TRANSITION POWER
You've Got the Power!
THINK & PLAN your amazing ideas.
Write SUPER SENTENCES with naming & action parts.
Connect ideas for POWERFUL PARAGRAPHS.
UNLOCKED!
Sentence Superpowers Teacher Script Teacher Script
Sentence Superpowers!
TIER 2
5 MIN
Warm-Up: Idea Web
SAY THIS:
"Hey everyone! Welcome to Sentence Superpowers class! Today, we're going to unlock some amazing abilities to make our writing super clear and exciting. To start, let's think about something fun. What's your favorite animal? Or, what's a really fun thing you did last weekend?"
Teacher Action:
As students share, write their ideas on the whiteboard, creating an Idea Web around a central topic. This visually demonstrates brainstorming and organization.
"Wow, look at all these cool ideas! See how our brains have so many thoughts? When we write, it's like we're trying to share these thoughts with others, but in a really organized way. That's what we'll be practicing today!"
7 MIN
Intro to Executive Function
SLIDE 1: Organize Your Thoughts!
"Ever wonder how writers make awesome stories or explain things really well? It all starts with organizing our amazing ideas! Just like a superhero needs a plan, a super writer needs to organize their thoughts."
SLIDE 2: Brain Builders
"Our brains are like master builders! Think of writing like building with LEGOs. You wouldn't just grab a bunch of random blocks and hope for the best, right? You'd probably look at the picture or think about what you want to build."
"Think it! This means deciding what you want to write about. What's your main idea?"
"Plan it! This is where you think about what ideas fit together. What details support your main idea?"
"Write it! This is when we put all those organized ideas into sentences."
Page 1 of 2
SLIDE 3: Super Sentence Checklist
"Before we build big paragraphs, we need to make sure our individual 'LEGO blocks' – our sentences – are super strong! Every super sentence needs two main parts:"
A Naming Part: Tells us *who* or *what*. Like 'The dog' or 'Sarah.'
An Action Part: Tells us *what* they are *doing*. Like 'runs fast.'
A Complete Idea: It has to make sense all by itself!
8 MIN
Paragraph Power
SLIDE 4: Connecting Ideas
"Paragraphs are groups of super sentences that all talk about ONE main idea. To make them flow, we use transition words – our bridges! Words like: First, Next, Also, and Finally."
Example to Read:
"First, I get bread. Next, I spread peanut butter. Also, I put jelly on. Finally, I put the slices together."
8-10 MIN
Guided Practice & Cool Down
Worksheet Time
Writing Practice Worksheet Writing Superpowers!
Building Sentences & Paragraphs
Name:
Date:
1
Super Sentence Match-Up
Draw a line to match the Naming Part to the Action Part. Then, rewrite one complete sentence on the lines below.
The orange cat
My super friend
A heavy box
fell on the floor.
chases a laser.
helps me learn.
Rewrite your favorite sentence here:
2
Brain Builder: Plan It!
Pick a topic: My Favorite Sport OR A Rainy Day. Write your ideas in the circles below.
Topic
3
Paragraph Power Challenge
Use your ideas from the Brain Builder to write a paragraph. Use at least 2 Transition Bridges!
First,
Next,
Also,
Finally,
Check Your Powers:
Naming Parts
Action Parts
Transitions
Sentence Superpowers Answer Key Answer Key
Sentence Superpowers Practice
TEACHER USE
1. Super Sentence Match-Up
The orange cat chases a laser.
My super friend helps me learn.
A heavy box fell on the floor.
2. Brain Builder: Plan It!
Accept any 3-4 keywords related to chosen topic (Sport or Rainy Day).
Example: Rainy Day
Puddles
Raincoat
Splashing
Dark clouds
Example: Favorite Sport
Basketball
Practice
Orange ball
The hoop
3. Paragraph Power Challenge
SCORING CRITERIA:
Includes 3-4 sentences total.
Uses at least TWO transition words (First, Next, Also, Finally).
Sentences have naming and action parts.
Topic remains consistent throughout.
Example Paragraph:
"First, it started raining very hard today. Next, I put on my yellow raincoat and boots. Also, I ran outside to jump in the puddles. Finally, I went back inside to dry off."
