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Can I Be a Focus Detective?

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Lesson Plan

Detective Day Plan

Students will become focus detectives by using self-monitoring checklists to identify two classroom distractions and record on-task behaviors independently.

Building awareness of distractions and celebrating focus helps first graders boost attention, self-regulation, and independence with fewer teacher prompts.

Audience

1st Grade Group

Time

20 minutes

Approach

Interactive detective-themed activities

Materials

Detective Badges, Clue Hunt Warm-up Cards, Clue-Collecting Steps, Detective Role-Play Script, Focus Case File, Self-Monitoring Checklists, and Timer or Stopwatch

Prep

Prepare Detective Materials

5 minutes

Step 1

Clue Hunt Warm-up

5 minutes

  • Tell students they’re on a detective mission to find common classroom distractions
  • Give each student a Clue Hunt Warm-up Card with a picture of a distraction
  • Students quietly search the room to match their card to a hidden picture
  • Regroup and list distractions found on the board

Step 2

Introduce Detective Tools

3 minutes

  • Display the Clue-Collecting Steps slide deck
  • Model how to use the Self-Monitoring Checklist when you notice a distraction or stay on task
  • Highlight checklist items: identifying distraction, choosing focus strategy, marking on-task

Step 3

Role-Play Practice

5 minutes

  • Pair students and assign roles: Detective and Distractor
  • Follow the Detective Role-Play Script to practice spotting distractions
  • Switch roles so each student practices both parts
  • Encourage clear “detective” observations and checklist markings

Step 4

Focus Case File Worksheet

5 minutes

  • Hand out the Focus Case File
  • Students draw or list one personal distraction they notice and record a time they stayed on task
  • Circulate to support checklist use and positive feedback

Step 5

Celebrate Focus Findings

2 minutes

  • Invite a few detectives to share one distraction they found and one on-task success
  • Award each student a Detective Badge for their effort and independence
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Slide Deck

Clue-Collecting Steps

Follow these 5 simple steps to become a Focus Detective and track your attention using your checklist.

Welcome detectives! Introduce the Clue-Collecting Steps as your guide to finding distractions and staying focused. Explain that you’ll walk through each step together. Engage students by asking if they’ve ever had trouble focusing and what distracted them.

Step 1: Find the Distraction

• Scan your space and look for anything that pulls your attention away
• Common clues: noise, movement, objects out of place

Model scanning the room and point out a sample distraction (e.g., a pencil rolling). Ask, “What might pull our eyes away from our work right now?”

Step 2: Note the Clue

• Write or draw what you noticed on your Self-Monitoring Checklist
• Use simple words or quick sketches to capture the distraction

Demonstrate writing or drawing a quick picture of the distraction on a sample checklist. Emphasize that it’s okay if it’s messy—just get the clue down!

Step 3: Choose Your Focus Tool

• Pick one strategy to help you refocus:
– Take a deep breath
– Look at the teacher or board
– Wiggle fingers quietly
• Point to your choice on the checklist

Review 2–3 focus strategies (e.g., deep breath, look at the teacher, wiggle fingers quietly). Let students whisper-share their favorite strategy before choosing.

Step 4: Mark On-Task

• When you stay focused for 1 full minute, tick or color in the On-Task box
• Use the timer or count in your head to measure your success

Explain that staying on task for one minute earns a checkmark. Use the timer to show how you’ll mark on-task behavior. Encourage cheering quietly when they hit a minute!

Step 5: Celebrate Success!

• Give yourself a Detective Badge or sticker for each on-task checkmark
• Share one thing you’re proud of with your classmate

Praise effort! Ask 2–3 students to share their favorite step. Remind everyone that every checkmark is a win. Reinforce the celebration with a group cheer.

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Script

Detective Role-Play Script

Teacher Note: Model this short dialogue with a volunteer. Then have students practice in pairs, swapping roles.

Teacher (to the group):
“Class, watch me and my helper role-play being a Distractor and a Detective. Listen to each line so you can follow along!”

Detective:
“I notice you’re wiggling your foot under the desk. That could pull your attention away from your work.”

Distractor:
“You’re right, Detective! I will stop wiggling and keep my feet still.”

Detective:
“Great choice. Now let’s pick a focus tool. I’m going to take a deep breath.”

Distractor:
“I choose to look at the teacher and listen carefully.”

Detective:
“When you stay focused for one full minute, tick your On-Task box on your checklist.”

Distractor:
“(Counts silently for one minute.) I stayed focused for one full minute!”

Detective:
“Fantastic work! You’ve earned a checkmark for staying on task.”

Teacher (to students):
“Now, get into pairs. One of you will be the Distractor and the other will be the Detective. Use these exact lines. After you finish, switch roles so everyone practices both parts!”

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Worksheet

Focus Case File

Name: ______________________ Date: ________________

  1. Draw a distraction you noticed today in your classroom.
    Use the space below to sketch it!










  1. What was the distraction? Write or draw a quick clue.






  1. Which focus tool did you choose to help you get back on task?
  • Take a deep breath
  • Look at the teacher or board
  • Wiggle fingers quietly
  1. How many minutes did you stay on task after using your focus tool?
    Minutes: _______


  1. Color or tick one box for each full minute you stayed focused.
    [ ] 1 minute [ ] 2 minutes [ ] 3 minutes [ ] 4 minutes [ ] 5 minutes
  2. Share one thing you’re proud of as a detective today:






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Warm Up

Clue Hunt Warm-up (5 minutes)

  • Tell students they’re on a detective mission to find common classroom distractions
  • Give each student a Clue Hunt Warm-up Card with a picture of a distraction
  • Explain that matching hidden pictures are taped around the room
  • Students quietly hunt the room to find the picture that matches their card
  • When they find it, they show the teacher and return to their seat
  • Regroup and list all the distractions found on the board, praising each detective’s discovery
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Can I Be a Focus Detective? • Lenny Learning