Focus Power Teacher Guide Brain Power Academy
Teacher Guide: Focus and Brain Stamina
Lesson 01
Lesson Objective
Students will define stamina as "keeping your brain focused on work even when it gets hard," identify 3 behaviors of a focused student, and practice a 2-minute stamina sprint.
Materials
Lesson 1 Slides
Focus vs. Fidget Sort
Visual Timer
Hook
The Muscle vs. Brain Challenge
Start with a Physical Challenge : Have students stand on one foot. See who can last the longest. Then transition to the Brain Challenge : Sit perfectly still and silent for 30 seconds.
"Just like our leg muscles get tired when we stand, our brain has a muscle called Stamina . It's the power to keep working even when we want to stop!"
Teach
Defining Focus
Use the slides to define Focus Power . Brainstorm what focus looks like:
Focused Behaviors
• Eyes on paper/teacher
• Quiet voice and body
• Pencil is moving (working)
Distracted Behaviors
• Looking around the room
• Talking to neighbors
• Fidgeting with toys
Practice
The Stamina Sprint
Explain that we are going to train our brains like athletes.
Provide students with a low-stakes task (drawing, coloring, or simple math).
Set a visual timer for 2 minutes .
Challenge: Work without stopping until the timer beeps.
Reflect: "How did your brain feel? Was it hard to stay focused?"
Differentiation & Support
For Students with High Anxiety:
Start the 'sprint' with only 30 seconds and celebrate success immediately to build confidence.
Sensory Support:
Provide a "fidget tool" that can be used *quietly* while working to help maintain focus.
Focus Power Slides BRAIN POWER
Level 1: Focus Power
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What is Stamina?
Body Power
Running, jumping, and playing for a long time without stopping!
Brain Power
Thinking, reading, and working for a long time without stopping!
Focus Detectives
Eyes on Work
Quiet Voice
Hand Moving
"When we do these 3 things, we are building Brain Stamina!"
The Stamina Sprint
Can you keep your Focus Power for 2 minutes?
Get Ready
Get Set
FOCUS!
Focus vs Fidget Worksheet Name:
Date:
Focus vs. Fidget
Brain Power Academy: Level 1
Instructions
Look at the behaviors below. Is it a Focus Power behavior (helping your brain work) or a Fidget/Distraction (taking your power away)? Draw a line to the correct brain!
FOCUS
POWER
FIDGET
ZONE
Looking at my paper
Talking to a friend
Pencil is moving
Playing with my eraser
Quiet voice and body
Looking out the window
Finish this sentence:
When I use my Focus Power , I can ___________________________________________________________
Task Bites Teacher Guide Brain Power Academy
Teacher Guide: Chunking Tasks into Steps
Lesson 02
Lesson Objective
Students will understand the strategy of chunking by breaking a "big task pizza" into smaller slices and applying the same logic to a classroom assignment using a visual checklist.
Key Skill
Task Analysis &
Hook
The Giant Apple Challenge
Hold up an apple (or a picture of a giant sandwich). Ask: "Can I eat this whole thing in one giant bite?"
"No! I'd choke! I have to take tiny bites . Big school projects are the same way. If we try to do the whole thing at once, our brains 'choke' or feel overwhelmed. We need to take tiny work bites!"
Teach
The Chunking Strategy
Use the pizza metaphor to explain how to break down a task:
1
Look at the Big Task
2
Cut it into Slices (Steps)
3
Finish One Slice at a Time
Activity
The Task Pizza
Distribute the Task Pizza Worksheet .
Have students label each "slice" with a part of a common task (e.g., writing a story: 1. Name, 2. Drawing, 3. First Sentence, 4. Second Sentence).
Practice Checking Off each slice as it's completed.
Discussion: "Does the work feel easier when we only look at ONE slice?"
Support Strategies
For Non-Readers:
Use icons or small drawings inside the pizza slices instead of words to represent steps.
High Overwhelm:
Physically cover up the rest of the pizza/checklist with a piece of paper, only showing the current "slice."
Task Bites Slides BRAIN POWER
Level 2: Task Bites
Strategy Unlocked:
CHUNK IT UP!
The Big Bite Problem
When a project is TOO BIG, our brain wants to...
Give up
Run away
Cry or get mad
Overwhelmed Brain
The Solution: Pizza Bites!
1. The Whole Task
"This is too much!"
2. Chunk it up
Break it into tiny slices.
3. Finish One
"I can do this slice!"
Check it Off!
Write my name
Draw the picture
Write sentence #1
Crossing items off makes our brain HAPPY!
Task Pizza Worksheet Name:
The Task Pizza
Brain Power Academy: Level 2
Slice 1
Slice 5
Slice 3
Slice 7
One slice
The "Big" Task:
Break it into 4 tiny slices:
1
2
3
4
You Did It!
Every time you finish a "slice," give yourself a giant checkmark on your pizza!
Brain Power Secret:
"Small bites lead to big finish!"
Time Commanders Teacher Guide Brain Power Academy
Teacher Guide: Timers and Break Cards
Lesson 03
Lesson Objective
Students will learn to use visual timers to set work goals and Break Cards to request structured breaks, understanding that hard work leads to high-quality rest.
Cycle of Focus
Work
Hook
Beat the Clock!
Introduce the visual timer as a "teammate."
"The timer isn't a scary clock. It's our teammate! It tells us exactly when we can take a break. If we work until the red goes away, we WIN a Power Break!"
Teach
The Power Break Rules
Model using a Break Card :
Wait for the Beep: We work focus-style until the timer is finished.
Trade the Card: Hand the 'Break Card' to the teacher to start your 2-minute rest.
Brain Recharge: Choose a quiet break (deep breaths, stretching, or looking at a book).
Practice
The Timer Challenge
Set individual visual timers for students (start with 3-5 minutes depending on need).
Students pick a task to complete.
Teacher sets the timer.
Students who "Beat the Clock" by staying focused get to use their first Break Card immediately for a choice activity.
Teacher Tips
For Physical Seekers:
The 'Break Card' can include options like "Wall Pushes" or "Heavy Carry" to provide proprioceptive input during the break.
Break Refusal:
Some students struggle to transition BACK from breaks. Use a second timer specifically for the break itself to signal the end of rest.
Time Commanders Slides BRAIN POWER
Level 3: Time Commanders
Strategy Unlocked:
TIME CONTROL!
Your Teammate: The Timer
The Timer helps us see how much Focus Power we have left!
"I only have to work while the red is here!"
BEAT THE CLOCK!
Power Breaks
1. ASK
Show your Break Card.
2. RECHARGE
Breathe and relax.
3. RETURN
Get back to work!
"A break is not stopping... it's getting more power!"
What is a good break?
Deep Breaths
Look at
Stretch
Water
Power Break Cards Printable Name:
Power Break Cards
Brain Power Academy: Level 3
Cut out these cards. When you stay focused until the timer beeps, you can trade one card for a 2-minute Power Break!
Power Break
"I worked focus-style!"
Good for 2 Minutes
Power Break
"I worked focus-style!"
Good for 2 Minutes
Power Break
"I worked focus-style!"
Good for 2 Minutes
Power Break
"I worked focus-style!"
Good for 2 Minutes
Recharge Choices:
Breathe
Look at
Stretch
Fidget
Thought Guardians Teacher Guide Brain Power Academy
Teacher Guide: Positive Self-Talk
Lesson 04
Lesson Objective
Students will identify "Stop Thoughts" (negative self-talk) that make them want to quit and practice replacing them with "Go Thoughts" (positive self-talk) to persist through frustration.
Internal Voice
Thought Guardian
Hook
Meet Quitting Quincy
Use a puppet or a character drawing named Quitting Quincy .
"Quincy is trying to draw a dragon, but it's hard. He just said: 'This is stupid! I'm a bad artist! I quit!' Look at his face. Is his brain helping him or stopping him?"
Teach
Stop vs. Go Thoughts
Stop Thoughts
• "I can't do this."
• "This is too hard."
• "I'm not smart."
Go Thoughts
• "I can ask for help."
• "I will try one more time."
• "My brain is getting stronger."
Practice
The Whisper Challenge
Have students "whisper" Go Thoughts to Quincy to help him finish his dragon.
Show a picture of a student looking frustrated.
Ask: "What is their brain saying?" (Identify the Stop Thought).
Ask: "How can we change it?" (Practice the Go Thought).
Students complete the Go Thoughts Worksheet .
Teacher Tips
For Selective Mutism:
Provide a choice board with "Go Thought" icons so the student can point to the phrase they would use.
High Frustration:
Use the "Three Before Me" rule—try 3 Go Thoughts before asking the teacher for help.
Thought Guardians Slides BRAIN POWER
Level 4: Thought Guardians
Strategy Unlocked:
THOUGHT GUARD!
The Two Voices
STOP Thoughts
"I can't do this. I want to quit."
GO Thoughts
"I can try again. I can ask for help."
THOUGHT TRANSFORMATION
"I quit!"
"I'll take a tiny bite."
"This is hard."
"My brain is learning."
"I can't."
"I'll try one more!"
Guard Your Brain!
When a STOP Thought tries to come in, block it with a GO Thought!
YOU ARE THE BOSS!
Go vs Stop Thoughts Worksheet Name:
Go Thoughts vs. Stop Thoughts
Brain Power Academy: Level 4
STOP THOUGHTS
These make us quit
"I can't do this!"
"This is too hard."
GO THOUGHTS
These help us work
Power Phrases Word Bank:
I can ask for help. I'll try one more! Small bites. My brain is strong.
Persistence Masters Teacher Guide Brain Power Academy
Teacher Guide: Persistence Toolkit
Lesson 05
Lesson Objective
Students will synthesize all strategies (stamina, chunking, timers, and self-talk) to create a personalized Persistence Toolkit and self-monitor their focus during an independent work session.
Graduation
Brain Boss
Hook
The Super Student Control Panel
"Today is Graduation Day at Brain Power Academy! You've learned all the secret powers. Now, you get to build your own Control Panel for your desk so you can be the Boss of your Brain every day."
Review
Choosing Your Tools
Quickly review the 4 major tools:
Stamina
Chunking
Timers
Self-Talk
Final Task
The Persistence Mission
Students assemble their Persistence Toolkit (coloring and cutting the desk visual).
Set a 10-minute "Mission" (independent work time).
Students use their toolkit during the work.
After 10 minutes, students complete the Brain Boss Reflection to rate how they did.
Graduation Support
For Students with ASD:
Tape the 'Persistence Toolkit' directly to their desk as a permanent visual schedule/reminder of strategies.
Ongoing Monitoring:
Use the reflection sheet daily for 1 week after the unit to turn these skills into long-term habits.
Persistence Masters Slides BRAIN POWER
Level 5: Persistence Masters
Final Level:
MISSION COMPLETE!
Review Your Powers
Stamina
Work for a long time.
Chunking
Tiny bites of work.
Timers
Beat the clock!
Self-Talk
Use Go Thoughts.
The Mission
1
Pick your project.
2
Pick your brain power tool.
3
DO NOT STOP!
Launch in... 3, 2, 1...
BRAIN BOSS!
You are now a master of your own focus.
MISSION ACCOMPLISHED
Persistence Toolkit Visual My Persistence Toolkit
Desk Reminder: Brain Power Academy
When work is hard, I can...
Chunk It
Take tiny work bites.
Timer Power
Work until the beep.
Go Thoughts
"I can try one more!"
Recharge
Ask for a break card.
Brain Boss Self-Check:
Did I use my Focus Power?
Did I use a Strategy?
Am I proud of my work?
