Brain Overload Slides Brain Overload
How to Spot When Your Cup is Full
The Gallon Challenge
Imagine pouring a whole gallon of water into a tiny coffee cup all at once.
"What happens to the water that doesn't fit?"
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What is Working Memory?
The Definition
Your brain's Sticky Note . It holds information just long enough for you to do something with it.
The Limit
Most humans can only hold 3 to 5 chunks of information at a time. After that, the cup overflows!
Body Check!
Tight
Shoulders or jaw
Fast Breath
Feeling rushed
Zoned Out
Staring at space
The Mental Fog
"Wait... what did they just say?"
"I'm stuck on Step 1 while they are on Step 4."
"I give up. It's just too much."
Overflow Meter Worksheet My Brain's Overflow Meter
Recognizing when I need a pause.
Name:
The Metaphor
Working memory is like a cup. When a teacher gives too many directions at once, it's like pouring a whole gallon into that cup—it overflows!
My "Full Cup" Feeling
Overflow!
Ready
Color where you feel "Full."
When my brain is "Full," I...
Clench my jaw or fists
Get a headache
Forget the first step
Start thinking about something else
When do you feel your brain "cup" getting too full?
What should the teacher do to help you in that moment?
Filling Cup Teacher Guide Teacher Facilitation Guide
Duration
45 Minutes
Focus
Metacognition
Goal
Self-Identification
The "Filling Cup" Demo (10 min)
Pour water into a small cup while rapidly speaking complex directions. Stop once it overflows.
Working Memory Explained (15 min)
Use the slides to explain that "small cup" isn't "bad"—it just means we need a slower pour.
Individual Assessment (20 min)
Have students complete the Overflow Meter. Monitor for students who may struggle with handwriting and offer to scribe.
Advocacy Toolkit Slides The Clarification Toolkit
Building Your Advocacy Scripts
The Power of "The Script"
When your brain is full, it's hard to find words.
We use scripts so we don't have to think—we just speak! It's like having a pre-written note in your pocket.
"I'm sorry, I'm ready for Step 2 now."
My Three Main Tools
The Pause
Stop the flow so you can catch up.
The Chop
Break big chunks into single steps.
The Echo
Repeating back what you heard.
Advocacy Script Cards Reference Sheet Advocacy Script Cards
Keep these in your notebook or desk!
Tool: The Pause
Use this when the teacher is talking too fast.
"Could you please wait one second? I'm still writing down Step 1."
Tool: The Chop
Use this when you get 3+ steps at once.
"Can you please give me just the first step? I'll ask for Step 2 when I'm ready."
Tool: The Echo
Use this to make sure you heard it right.
"So Step 1 is to open the book to page 45? Is that right?"
Golden Rule
How to be polite:
• Use a calm, "asking" voice
• Say "Please" and "Thank you"
• Make eye contact if you can
Script Selection Worksheet Script Selection
Pick the best tool for the job.
Name:
Scenario 1
"Class, open your books to page 12, answer questions 1-5, and then come show me your work when you're finished."
Which script would work best here? Why?
The Pause
The Chop
Scenario 2
The teacher is talking very quickly about the three causes of the American Revolution. You are still writing down the first cause.
Write the script you would use out loud:
Scenario 3
The teacher says: "Put your name on the paper and then turn it over." You think you heard it, but you're not 100% sure.
Which tool should you use?
The Echo
The Chop
Script Selection Answer Key Answer Key: Script Selection
Scenario 1 (Three Steps at Once)
Best Tool: The Chop
Why: Because the teacher gave three distinct tasks. Breaking them down into one at a time helps the brain focus.
Scenario 2 (Talking too fast)
Sample Response: "Excuse me, could you please pause for a second? I'm still writing down the first cause."
Tool Used: The Pause
Scenario 3 (Uncertainty)
Best Tool: The Echo
Why: Repeating it back confirms the instruction and prevents errors caused by mishearing.
Role Play Slides Role Play Lab
Practicing Advocacy in Real Time
Role Play Rules
1
It's okay to make mistakes! That's why we practice.
2
Stay in character—even when it gets "stressful."
3
Give "Cool" feedback: Kind, Clear, and Helpful.
Scenario Shuffle Cards Scenario Shuffle Cards
Cut these out for the "Fast Teacher" activity.
1
Teacher Prompt
"Alright everyone, clear your desks, get a pencil, grab the blue worksheet from the bin, and start on the back side immediately!"
Challenge for Student:
Use The Chop to get just the first task.
2
Teacher Prompt
(Speak very fast) "Photosynthesis is the process by which green plants and some other organisms use sunlight to synthesize foods from carbon dioxide and water."
Challenge for Student:
Use The Pause to slow the teacher down.
3
Teacher Prompt
"For your project, you'll need to research three animals, but only if they live in the tundra, otherwise pick two desert animals."
Challenge for Student:
Use The Echo to confirm what you heard.
!
Fast Teacher Tip
Don't make it too easy!
If the student doesn't ask politely, pretend you didn't hear them or keep talking. They have to use their "advocacy voice."
Interaction Feedback Guide Interaction Feedback Guide
Observe and support your peers during role play.
Student Advocate: ____________________
Scenario #
Was the request polite?
Yes Getting there
Did they wait for a natural pause?
Yes No
Which tool did they use?
Pause Chop Echo
One thing they did great:
Student Advocate: ____________________
(Second Observation Area)
Advocacy Pro Slides Brain User Manual
Putting Your Support in Writing
Why Tell Your Teachers?
They can't read minds.
Teachers want to help, but they don't always know when your "cup" is full.
It's professional.
Advocating for yourself is a superpower in middle school and beyond.
"When you explain how you learn, you give your teacher the tools to help you succeed."
Brain User Manual Graphic Organizer My Brain: The User Manual
Help your teachers help you.
Name:
Operating Specs
My working memory works best when...
Warning Signs
If I have too many steps at once, I might...
Preferred Support
What I would like my teachers to do:
Give me only 1 step at a time
Wait for me to write things down
Check in with me after Step 1
Provide a written list of steps
Advocacy Email Template Advocacy Email Template
Use this to write a professional email to your teacher.
To:
Teacher's Name
Subject:
Request for support with instructions
Dear ____________________,
I am writing to share some information about how I learn best in your class. I sometimes struggle with working memory, which means that when I get many directions at once, I can feel overwhelmed.
It would be very helpful for me if you could ____________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________.
I am also practicing using my "Clarification Toolkit" to ask for a pause when things are moving too fast.
Thank you for helping me succeed!
Sincerely,
Email Checklist:
[ ] Did I include a greeting?
[ ] Did I explain my specific need?
[ ] Did I offer a solution?
[ ] Did I sign my name?
Peer Support Slides The Ally Challenge
Helping Your Team Focus
Giving Clear Directions
Step 1: One at a Time
Wait for your teammate to finish the first step before giving the next one.
Step 2: Visual Aids
Point to what you are talking about or show an example.
Single Step Challenge Activity Sheet Single-Step Challenge
Can you be a clear-direction champion?
The Task: The Mystery Drawing
Your Role: The Instructor. You have a secret picture. You must guide your partner to draw it perfectly, but you can only give one instruction at a time.
Instructor Steps
1. Give ONE direction.
2. WATCH your partner draw.
3. Wait for them to look up at you.
4. Give the NEXT direction.
What NOT to do
❌ Say "Draw a cat with a hat."
❌ Keep talking while they draw.
❌ Give Step 2 before they're done with Step 1.
Secret Drawing Area (Instructor Only)
Allyship Reflection Exit Ticket Exit Ticket: Allyship
Reflecting on Lesson 5
1. What was the hardest part of giving ONLY one instruction at a time?
2. Why is giving single-step directions a way to be a good friend?
Name: ____________________
Submit
