Attention Adventure Worksheet

Part 1: Identify Your Distractions

Write three things that distract you the most when you are working. One per line.

1. _______________________________
   
   
2. _______________________________
   
   
3. _______________________________
   
   
   

Part 2: Match Distractions with Strategies

Below are some focus strategies you learned today. For each strategy, write one of your distractions that it could help with.

• Focus Stones (tactile object to rub)
  Helps with distraction: _______________________________
  
  
• Deep Breathing (take 3 slow breaths)
  Helps with distraction: _______________________________
  
  
• Visual Timer (see how much time is left)
  Helps with distraction: _______________________________
  
  
• Mindful Note (write a quick reminder of your goal)
  Helps with distraction: _______________________________
  
  
  

Part 3: Rate Your Focus

On a scale from 1 (very distracted) to 5 (very focused), circle the number that best shows how well you think you can stay focused right now.

1 2 3 4 5

What could help you move up to a higher number?

Part 4: My Focus Plan

Choose two strategies you want to use in your next work time. For each, write the strategy name and how and when you will use it.

Strategy 1:

How and when I will use it:

Strategy 2:

How and when I will use it:

Warm-Up Discussion

Duration: 3 minutes
Objective: Activate student thinking about their own focus and distractions, and introduce the lesson’s goal of discovering and practicing strategies to stay on task.

Discussion Guidelines

• Speak honestly about what helps or distracts you.
• Listen carefully to each question.
• There are no wrong answers—this is about your own experiences.

Discussion Questions

1. Think of a time when you felt really focused on schoolwork or a hobby. What were you doing, and how did it feel to be so “in the zone”?
   • Follow-up: What made it easier for you to keep going?

2. Name two things that help you focus when you’re working.
   • Possible examples: a quiet room, a fidget toy, a timer, music, etc.

3. Now, name two things that distract you the most.
   • Follow-up: Why do you think those things pull your attention away?

Making Connections

• Look for patterns in what helps and what distracts.
• Notice if some distractions happen at the same time (for example, cell phone noises or chatty classmates).

Introducing Today’s Goal

“Today, we’ll explore and practice simple tools that can help you when you feel pulled away—like rubbing a stone from the Focus Stones Set or watching a Visual Countdown Timer. By the end, you’ll have a plan to stay on track all by yourself!”

Let’s get started on our Attention Adventure! 🎯

Focus Stones Activity

Duration: 5 minutes
Objective: Use a tactile object to ground your attention and practice staying focused.

Materials

• Focus Stones Set

Instructions

1. Choose Your Stone
   • Spread out the stones and pick one that feels interesting.
   • Notice its color, shape, weight, and surface texture.
   • Prompt: “What do you notice first about your stone?”

2. Engage Your Senses
   • Hold the stone in one or both hands.
   • Close your eyes if you like and feel its edges and curves.
   • Follow-up: “How does it feel when you move the stone between your fingers?”

3. Combine Touch with Breathing
   • Place your free hand on your chest or belly.
   • Take 3 slow, deep breaths—inhale while rubbing the stone, exhale while still holding it.
   • Tip: Count silently “1–2–3” on each inhale and again on the exhale.

4. Notice Your Focus
   • After three breaths, pause and see where your mind is.
   • Question: “Did you feel more calm or focused? What did you notice in your thoughts?”

5. Practice When Distracted
   • Explain that rubbing the stone and breathing can be done anytime they feel pulled away.
   • Role-play a quick scenario: “Imagine you hear a noise—reach for your stone, rub, and breathe.”

Reflection Questions

• When did you feel the stone helped you focus the most?
• How could you use this strategy during your next homework or reading time?

Write a short sentence or two about how and when you’ll use your focus stone:

Distraction Detective Cards

Instructions: Print and cut along each dashed line to create individual scenario cards. Shuffle and use with the Distraction Detective Game.

Card 1: You hear noisy construction outside the window. What strategy will help you stay on task?

Card 2: Your friend taps you to talk about last night’s TV show. What strategy will help you keep working?

Card 3: You can’t stop thinking about the game you’ll play after school. What tool from today can help you refocus?

Card 4: The clock’s loud ticking keeps catching your attention. How could you use a strategy to stay focused?

Card 5: You feel restless and want to move around instead of doing your work. Which strategy would ground your attention?

Card 6: Your mind keeps wandering to your upcoming birthday party. What strategy could bring you back to the task?

Card 7: A classmate is doodling and it’s distracting you. Which focus tool can help you ignore that distraction?

Card 8: You feel worried about a math problem you couldn’t solve yesterday. Which strategy will calm your mind so you can try again?

Card 9: You get thirsty and want to get up for a drink instead of working. What strategy can help you stay seated and focused?

Card 10: You see a colorful book on the shelf nearby and want to read it. Which focus tool will keep you on task?