Lesson Plan
Brain Boss Bootcamp Plan
Over 6 weeks, students will master executive functioning skills—goal-setting, planning, time management, organization, self-monitoring, and reflection—by applying each skill in hands-on activities and real-world tasks.
This bootcamp builds foundational habits in 5th graders, fostering self-directed learning, improved organization, and sustained academic success.
Audience
5th Grade Students
Time
6 sessions, 30 minutes each
Approach
Progressive skill-building through targeted activities and reflection.
Materials
- Goal-Setting Worksheet, - Planning Template, - Time Management Chart, - Organization Map Worksheet, - Self-Monitoring Checklist, - Weekly Reflection Journal, - Timer or Stopwatch, and - Sticky Notes or Index Cards
Prep
Prepare Materials
15 minutes
- Print copies of each worksheet: Goal-Setting Worksheet, Planning Template, Time Management Chart, Organization Map Worksheet, Self-Monitoring Checklist, and Weekly Reflection Journal.
- Gather a timer or stopwatch, sticky notes, and index cards.
- Review each session’s flow and example responses.
Step 1
Week 1: Kickoff & Goal-Setting
30 minutes
- Introduce Brain Boss Bootcamp and review executive functioning.
- Explain SMART goals and model one example.
- Distribute the Goal-Setting Worksheet.
- Students draft their own SMART academic goals.
- Pair-share and refine goals; record reflections in journal.
Step 2
Week 2: Planning & Action Steps
30 minutes
- Recap last week’s goals and share progress.
- Explain importance of breaking goals into steps.
- Distribute the Planning Template.
- Model turning a goal into 3–5 actionable steps.
- Students create and peer-review their action plans.
Step 3
Week 3: Time Management Deep Dive
30 minutes
- Discuss estimating time and staying on schedule.
- Introduce the Time Management Chart.
- Students estimate durations and block time for their action steps.
- Use a timer to simulate start/stop on one task.
- Reflect on accuracy and adjust future estimates.
Step 4
Week 4: Organization Strategies
30 minutes
- Define organization and its impact on task completion.
- Distribute the Organization Map Worksheet.
- Students map their materials, workspace, and digital files for one project.
- Share tips in small groups and record best practices on sticky notes.
- Journal entry: How will you organize your next assignment?
Step 5
Week 5: Self-Monitoring & Adaptation
30 minutes
- Explain self-monitoring and the value of checkpoints.
- Distribute the Self-Monitoring Checklist.
- Model tracking progress on a sample task.
- Students apply the checklist to their own plan and identify adjustments.
- Reflection: What changes will you make next week?
Step 6
Week 6: Reflection & Future Planning
30 minutes
- Review initial SMART goals and track outcomes.
- Distribute the Weekly Reflection Journal.
- Students reflect on wins, challenges, and lessons learned.
- Revise or set new goals with updated action steps and time blocks.
- Celebrate completion and discuss “Next Steps as a Brain Boss.”
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Slide Deck
Brain Boss: Executive Functioning Skills
A 30-minute lesson on goal-setting, planning, and time management to boost your learning and confidence.
Welcome students. Introduce yourself and the Brain Boss lesson. Explain that today they’ll learn three skills to help them take charge of their learning.
Today’s Agenda
• What is executive functioning?
• Goal-setting activity
• Planning activity
• Time management activity
• Reflection and next steps
Briefly walk through each part of the lesson so students know what to expect.
Getting Started
Think about a time you had to remember many steps or assignments.
What helped you stay on track?
Turn to a partner and share your ideas.
Engage students with a quick think-pair-share. Encourage multiple voices.
What Is Executive Functioning?
Executive functioning are mental skills that help us:
• Set clear goals
• Plan how to reach them
• Manage our time effectively
Define terms clearly on the board as you go over the slide.
Goal-Setting
• Decide on a clear, specific academic goal
• Example: “Read 20 pages by Friday”
Take out your Goal-Setting Worksheet and write your own goal.
Model filling out one example goal on a whiteboard or document camera before students begin.
Planning
• Break your goal into 3–5 actionable steps
• Ask yourself: Who? What? When?
Grab your Planning Template and list each step.
Walk around the room to support students as they break goals into steps.
Time Management
• Estimate how long each step will take
• Block time on your chart to schedule tasks
Use the Time Management Chart to record durations.
Demonstrate using a timer for one of the sample steps. Show how to block time on the chart.
Reflection
• What was your biggest takeaway?
• What’s one change you’ll make next time?
Complete your Brain Boss Reflection Sheet.
Encourage honest reflection. Invite a few volunteers to share.
Next Steps & Closing
• Use your goal, plan, and time chart in upcoming work
• Check in with a partner each week
• You’re now a Brain Boss—take charge of your learning!
Remind students to keep their worksheets in a safe place and apply the skills in future assignments.
Worksheet
Goal-Setting Worksheet
Use the prompts below to create a clear, SMART academic goal.
1. My Academic Goal
Write a general goal you’d like to achieve (e.g., “Improve my math grade,” “Read more books”).
2. SMART Goal Details
Break your goal into SMART components.
Specific: What exactly do I want to accomplish?
Measurable: How will I measure progress or know when I’ve succeeded?
Achievable: Is this goal realistic? What skills or resources will I need?
Relevant: How does this goal connect to my bigger academic or personal aims?
Time-Bound: What is my deadline or timeframe?
3. My SMART Goal Statement
Combine the parts above into one clear statement.
4. Why This Matters
Explain why achieving this goal is important to you.
5. First Action Step
What is one concrete step you can take this week to move toward your goal?
Worksheet
Planning Template
Use this template to break your SMART goal into actionable steps. For each step, fill in the details below to guide your progress.
1. My SMART Academic Goal
Write your SMART goal from the Goal-Setting Worksheet.
2. Action Steps
Complete at least three steps. Add Steps 4 and 5 if you need them.
Step 1
Action: What exactly will I do?
Who: Who will help or be involved?
When: When will I complete this? (Date/time)
Resources Needed: What materials, tools, or support do I need?
Obstacles & Solutions: What might get in my way and how will I handle it?
Step 2
Action:
Who:
When:
Resources Needed:
Obstacles & Solutions:
Step 3
Action:
Who:
When:
Resources Needed:
Obstacles & Solutions:
Step 4 (Optional)
Action:
Who:
When:
Resources Needed:
Obstacles & Solutions:
Step 5 (Optional)
Action:
Who:
When:
Resources Needed:
Obstacles & Solutions:
Worksheet
Time Management Chart
Use this chart to estimate and schedule time blocks for each action step from your Planning Template. Track your plan and reflect on your actual timing.
| Step | Task Description | Estimated Duration (min) | Scheduled Time (Start–End) | Actual Duration (min) | Notes/Reflections |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | |||||
| 2 | |||||
| 3 | |||||
| 4 (Optional) | |||||
| 5 (Optional) |
Instructions:
- Write the step number corresponding to your planning steps.
- Describe the task you’ll work on.
- Estimate how many minutes it will take.
- Block out a time slot (start and end).
- After completing, record the actual time taken and jot any observations or adjustments for next time.
Worksheet
Brain Boss Reflection Sheet
Use the prompts below to reflect on today’s Brain Boss lesson and plan how you’ll apply these executive functioning skills moving forward.
1. What was your biggest takeaway from today’s lesson?
2. Which skill—goal-setting, planning, or time management—do you think will help you the most? Why?
3. What part of today’s activities was most challenging for you, and how could you overcome that challenge next time?
4. How will you use your goal, your action plan, and your time management chart in your next assignment or project?
5. One concrete change or action I commit to doing this week to be a true Brain Boss:
Warm Up
Getting Started Discussion
Today, we’ll warm up with a quick think-pair-share on how we manage tasks and stay organized.
- Think (1 minute): Recall a time you had to juggle several steps in a project or assignment. What helped you remember everything?
- Turn & Talk (2 minutes): Share your strategy with a partner. Listen for one new idea and jot it down.
- Share Out (2 minutes): Volunteers share strategies they discussed. We’ll record ideas on the board to build our “Brain Boss” toolkit.
Cool Down
Exit Ticket
Use these quick prompts to share your learning and set a goal to apply your new Brain Boss skills.
1. One key takeaway from today’s lesson:
2. Which executive functioning skill will I use first? Why?
3. My next step to put this skill into action this week:
Worksheet
Organization Map Worksheet
Use this worksheet to map and optimize your organization for any project, both physical and digital.
1. Project Name & Overview
What is the name of your project or assignment? Describe it briefly.
2. Physical Materials Inventory
List all the physical materials you need (books, notebooks, tools, supplies). Group similar items together.
3. Workspace Layout
Sketch or describe how you’ll arrange your workspace. Where will each item go for easy access?
4. Digital File Organization
Name the folders, file names, and storage locations (computer or cloud) for this project.
5. Labeling & Grouping Strategies
How will you label, color-code, or group your materials and files so you can find them quickly?
6. Maintenance Plan
What daily or weekly habits will you use to keep your physical and digital systems organized?
7. Reflection
What’s one immediate change you can make to improve your organization right now?