Chunking Intro Slides Executive Function Skills
Master the Blueprint
Breaking big missions into small, manageable chunks.
Lesson 01
The Sandwich Robot Challenge
Imagine your teacher is a robot who only understands exact instructions.
"Robot, make me a peanut butter sandwich!"
What happens if I forget to say "open the jar" first?
CRASH!
Without a plan, even simple tasks can fall apart.
What is Chunking?
Decompose
Breaking one big, scary job into many tiny, easy jobs.
Sequence
Putting the steps in the perfect order so they make sense.
Mastery
Completing one small step at a time until the mission is done.
The Power Pattern
1
FIRST...
What is the very first tiny action I need to take?
2
NEXT...
What happens immediately after that?
3
THEN...
What comes next until I cross the finish line?
The Working Memory Trap
Brain Overload
Big tasks are like trying to carry 50 books at once. You're going to drop some!
The Solution
Carry one book at a time. It's slower at first, but you'll get them all there safely.
"When we break things down, we stop guessing and start doing."
Mission Prep
Let's practice breaking down the easiest things so we can handle the hardest ones later.
Ready to Decode?
Sandwich Robot Teacher Guide Robot Sandwich Script
Lesson 1: Introduction to Task Decomposition
Teacher Guide
Learning Goal
Students will understand that complex tasks are made of smaller, sequential "chunks." By witnessing a failure in instructions (the "Robot" activity), students will recognize the importance of identifying every step in a sequence.
Preparation & Materials
Loaf of bread (or cardboard slices)
Jar of peanut butter/jam (or props)
Spreading knife (plastic/blunt)
"Error" buzzer sound (optional)
Instructional Script
Phase 1: The Literal Robot
Explain that you are a robot. You only follow the exact words given. If a student says "put peanut butter on the bread," but the jar is closed, you might try to rub the closed jar on the bag of bread.
Teacher: "Class, I need a sandwich. Give me the first step."
Student: "Put the peanut butter on the bread!"
Action: Pick up the closed jar and place it physically on top of the closed bag of bread.
Teacher: "Error. Sandwich not detected. Instructions incomplete."
Phase 2: Correcting the Blueprint
Prompt the class to find the "hidden" steps they missed. Use the following guiding questions:
"Is the bread accessible? How do we get it out?"
"Can we reach the peanut butter through the plastic?"
"Do we have a tool to spread it?"
The "Chunking" Anchor Point
End the activity by writing the finalized steps on the board. Group them into three main "Super-Chunks":
FIRST
Preparation
Open bags, jars, and get tools ready.
NEXT
Action
Spread the ingredients on the bread.
THEN
Completion
Put pieces together and clean up.
Sandwich Sequencing Worksheet Mission Blueprint
Topic: Task Decomposition & Sequencing
Agent:
Date:
Mission Objective: Don't let the task overwhelm you! Break your mission into 3 "Super-Chunks" using the First, Next, Then framework.
Part 1: The Perfect Sandwich Plan
Recall our Robot activity. What were the critical steps to make a sandwich without a "Robot Error"?
1
First...
2
Next...
3
Then...
Part 2: Practice Your Sequencing
Choose ONE task below and break it into three small, sequential steps.
Brushing My Teeth
Packing My Backpack
Setting the Table
FIRST
NEXT
THEN
Why are we doing this?
Think about a time you felt "stuck" on a big school project. How would breaking it into 3 small steps like this have helped you start?
Math Detective Slides Mission: Math Decoding
Find the Hidden Steps
Why solving the math isn't the first step.
Lesson 02
The Mental Traffic Jam
When you read a math problem, your brain tries to do TWO big jobs at once:
Job A: Understanding
"What is the story? What do I need to find?"
Job B: Calculating
"What is 15 × 4? Carry the one..."
OVERLOAD! Your working memory runs out of space.
The Plan-First Method
Stage 1: Decoding
Find the operations (+, -, ×, ÷) and put them in order.
NO CALCULATORS ALLOWED YET!
Stage 2: Execution
Actually doing the math.
Wait until Stage 1 is perfectly finished.
Decoding in Action
THE CASE
"Leo bought 4 boxes of pens. Each box has 12 pens. He gave 10 pens to his sister. How many pens does Leo have left?"
1
Hidden Step 1
Multiply (4 × 12)
To find the total number of pens.
2
Hidden Step 2
Subtract (Total - 10)
To remove the pens he gave away.
Math Detectives
Today, we don't care about the final answer. We only care about the blueprint.
Step 1: Read
Step 2: Decode
Step 3: Solve
Hidden Steps Teacher Guide Math Detective Guide
Lesson 2: Identifying Hidden Math Steps
Teacher Guide
The Strategy: Cognitive Offloading
Students with working memory challenges often lose their place in a multi-step problem because they are trying to hold the sequence of operations in their head while simultaneously performing calculations . By externalizing the plan (Step 1: Multiply, Step 2: Subtract), we "offload" the memory requirement.
Guiding Questions for Decoding
To find Operation 1:
"Before we can find the final answer, what do we need to know first that the problem hasn't told us yet?"
To identify the Action:
"Are we putting groups together? Are we taking something away? Is this a total or a part?"
Sample Problem for "I Do"
"Sarah has 3 bags of candy. Each bag has 8 pieces. She eats 5 pieces. How many are left?"
Plan 1
Operation: Multiplication (Groups of pieces)
3 × 8 = 24
Plan 2
Operation: Subtraction (Pieces eaten)
24 - 5 = 19
The "Answer-First" Reflex
Many students will try to shout out the final answer (19) immediately. Challenge this. Ask: "I don't care about the 19. What was the math blueprint you used to get there?" Refuse to move on until the two distinct steps are named.
Encourage students to use the "Math Blueprint" worksheet for every multi-step problem this week.
Math Blueprint Worksheet Math Blueprint
Operation: Decode & Execute
Detective:
Mission Objective: Identify the hidden steps! Write the Operation for each step before you start the math.
01
Case: The School Garden
"The 5th-grade garden has 6 rows of tomato plants. Each row has 9 plants. Yesterday, a storm knocked over 15 plants. How many tomato plants are still standing?"
Stage 1: The Blueprint
Step 1: Hidden Step
Example: Multiplication (Rows × Plants)
Step 2: Hidden Step
Example: Subtraction (Total - Knocked over)
Stage 2: Execution
Solve Here
02
Case: The Art Store
"A pack of 12 paintbrushes costs $24. Ms. Lopez wants to buy 3 packs for her class. How much will she spend in total?"
Stage 1: The Blueprint
Step 1: Hidden Step
Step 2: Hidden Step
Stage 2: Execution
Solve Here
Did the blueprint make the math easier to start?
Yes
No
Checklist Champions Slides Master Your Day
Checklist Champions
Building the ultimate tool for your brain.
Lesson 03
Stop the "Memory Leak"
Have you ever walked into a room and forgotten why you were there?
That's your Working Memory running out of space.
A checklist is like a "hard drive" for your brain. It holds the information so your brain can focus on the work.
External Memory
Don't store it in your head. Store it on the page.
How to Write Like a Pro
Too Much Info
Avoid long paragraphs. Your brain will ignore them!
Actionable
Get 1 pencil.
Open Notebook.
Write Date.
Short. Sharp. Starting with a VERB.
Who uses Checklists?
Pilots
Before they even touch the engine, they check every switch.
Surgeons
They use a checklist to make sure they have the right tools.
NASA
Every launch has a checklist that takes hours to finish.
"Even the smartest people use checklists!"
Routine Builder
Pick your most chaotic time of day—Arrival, Math, Lunch, or Dismissal. We are going to build your Ultimate Checklist.
Let's Build It!
Routine Builder Teacher Guide Routine Builder Guide
Lesson 3: Creating Personal Checklists
Teacher Guide
Workshop: Building Actionable Lists
The goal of this lesson is not just to make a list, but to make a functional memory prosthetic . Students should identify the "Transition Trap" (the moment they forget what they are doing) and build a checklist to bridge that gap.
Workshop Facilitation Steps
1
Identify the Target
"When is the time of day you feel most 'lost' or 'confused' about what to do next?"
Common 5th Grade Targets: Arrival (Locker to Desk), Post-Lunch Transition, Math Small Groups, Dismissal.
2
The "Verb-First" Rule
Explain that every item MUST start with an action word. This makes the step immediate and clear.
"Math materials" "Get 1 ruler and 1 pencil"
3
The 5-Item Limit
Checklists for working memory should not exceed 5 items. If it's more than 5, it needs to be broken into two different checklists.
Sample Checklist Blueprints
Morning Arrival
Hang up coat/backpack
Put homework in bin
Sharpen 2 pencils
Read board for "Morning Work"
Essay Launch
Clear your desk
Open "Writing Folder"
Read the Prompt
Write 1 sentence (Topic)
Teacher Tip: Make it Permanent
Once students finalize their "Master Checklist" on the template, laminate it or tape it inside a clear sleeve. Use a dry-erase marker for daily checking. The physical act of checking the box provides a dopamine hit that supports sustained attention.
My Daily Checklist Template Ultimate Checklist
My Routine:
The Rule: Start every step with an Action Verb (e.g., Get, Open, Write). Keep it short!
1
2
3
4
5
Name
Date
Cut this out and tape it to your desk!
Time Tracker Slides Self-Monitoring Skills
Beat the Clock
Estimating time and effort to manage your energy.
Lesson 04
Time Blindness
Sometimes, a task feels like it will take HOURS, but it actually only takes 5 minutes.
When we don't know how long a task takes, our brain gets anxious and wants to quit.
"The hardest part is often the start because of the 'Unknown Time' trap."
Sort Your Steps
Quick Hits
Takes 1-3 minutes. High energy, fast finish.
Examples
Sharpening pencils
Writing your name
Opening a book
Heavy Lifting
Takes 10+ minutes. Deep focus required.
Examples
Solving 5 math problems
Reading a whole chapter
Writing a paragraph
The Calibration Game
PREDICT
"I think this step will take me exactly 4 minutes."
MEASURE
"Set a timer. Work until the step is finished."
COMPARE
"Was I faster or slower than my guess?"
Beat the Clock
Let's practice guessing how long it takes to do 3 simple tasks. We'll use our stopwatches and see who is the Master of Time.
Start Your Engines!
Time Management Teacher Guide Time Mastery Guide
Lesson 4: Estimating Time and Effort
Teacher Guide
Goal: Calibrating the Time Sense
Students with ADHD or executive function challenges often experience Time Blindness . They may avoid a task because it feels "infinite." This lesson uses "Beat the Clock" to prove that most chunks of work take less than 10 minutes.
Activity: The Calibration Game
How to Run It
1
Choose a "Neutral Task" (e.g., "Write the alphabet in cursive" or "Draw 5 perfect circles").
2
Predict: Have every student write down how many seconds or minutes they think it will take.
3
Work: Use a large classroom timer. Start! Students work until they finish.
4
Compare: Compare the guess to the clock. Most will realize they were slower in their head than they were on paper.
Discussion Starters
The "I Can't" Moment
"When a task feels too long, what does your brain tell you to do?" (Answer usually: distract myself, give up, get angry).
The "Heavy Lifting" Reality
"If we know a math problem takes 2 minutes, and we have 5 problems... how long is the 'heavy lifting'?" (Answer: 10 minutes - manageable!).
Instructional Hack: Start with a Quick Hit
Teach students that when they are stuck on a "Heavy Lifting" task, they should perform a "Quick Hit" (sharpening a pencil, writing the date) to get their brain in motion . Momentum is the enemy of anxiety.
Beat the Clock Worksheet Beat the Clock
Operation: Time Calibration
Timer Master:
Mission Objective: Guess how long a task will take before you start. Use a stopwatch to find the Reality.
Task Description Type Prediction Reality Practice: Sharpen 2 pencils
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Calibration Check
Were your predictions usually LONGER or SHORTER than reality?
Longer
Shorter
The Discovery
What is one task that you thought was "Heavy Lifting" but turned out to be a "Quick Hit"?
Calibration helps your brain stop panicking about the unknown.
Mission Master Slides Mastery Phase
Mission Master
Deploying your executive function arsenal.
Final Level
The Project Manager's Toolbelt
Chunking
Break the "Impossible" into the "Small-Possible".
Decoding
Finding the hidden math steps before you calculate.
Checklists
Externalizing your memory so your brain can work.
Estimation
Predicting time to beat task anxiety.
Final Mission Briefing
Assigned Task
The Local Hero Research Project
"You must research one person from our town's history, write a 3-paragraph summary, and create a visual poster with at least 4 facts and 2 images."
Warning: Too Big for one chunk!
The Quality Control Phase
Peer Review
Swap blueprints with a partner. Can they follow your steps? Did you miss a "hidden" step?
Refinement
Update your plan. Make your checklist sharper. Calibrate your time guesses.
Two Brains > One Brain
Mission Launch
From now on, you don't just "do homework." You Design Your Strategy.
I Am a Mission Master
Project Manager Teacher Guide Mission Mastery Guide
Lesson 5: Project Manager Mission
Final Assessment
Final Mastery Check
Students are tasked with independently decomposing a complex research project. This assessment evaluates their ability to externalize their planning process, reduce cognitive load, and accurately estimate time/effort.
Mastery Rubric
Skill Mastery (3) Developing (2) Chunking 3 logical super-chunks identified (First, Next, Then). Chunks are vague or out of order. Checklist Quality Action-verbs used. Short, concise instructions. Wordy or missing specific actions. Estimation Realistic time estimates for each step. Estimates are missing or wildly unrealistic. Hidden Steps Correctly identifies steps not explicitly in the prompt. Misses "behind-the-scenes" actions.
Peer Review Prompts
The "Robot" Test
"If I followed your checklist exactly, would I finish the project? Or am I missing a tool or a step (like 'Open the book')?"
The "Quick Hit" Test
"Find your partner's 'Heavy Lifting' tasks. Can you suggest one 'Quick Hit' they can do before it to get started?"
Final Success Criteria
Do not grade the quality of the "Research" yet. Grade the quality of the Blueprint . This is about executive function, not content knowledge. A student who struggles with writing can still earn a 3 in planning.
Final Mission Blueprint Assessment Mastery Level
Project Manager Mission
Final Assessment: Comprehensive Planning
Mission Lead:
Launch Date:
Mission Briefing
"The Local Hero Research Project: Choose one historical figure from our town. Research their life, write a 3-paragraph biography, and create a visual poster with 4 facts and 2 images."
This mission is too big to do all at once. You must design a blueprint before you begin.
Part 1: The Super-Chunks
01
Phase 1: FIRST...
What is the broad goal for the beginning? (e.g., Finding my hero and gathering tools)
02
Phase 2: NEXT...
03
Phase 3: THEN...
Part 2: The Action Checklist
Break your Phases from Page 1 into tiny, actionable steps. Don't forget the "Hidden Steps" (like opening the library computer or getting a poster board)!
Done Tiny Step (Action Verb First!) Type Est. Time
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Part 3: Momentum Strategy
Choose one "Heavy Lifting" task from above. What "Quick Hit" will you do immediately before it to build momentum?
The Heavy Lifter
The Quick-Hit Starter
