Check-In Champion Plan
Students will use the [Focus & Energy Chart](#focus-energy-chart-worksheet) to self-assess their focus, energy, and organization mid-lesson and then engage in the [Strategy Swap Talk](#strategy-swap-talk-guide) to exchange and commit to new strategies for improving executive function skills.
This routine builds metacognitive awareness and empowers students to proactively monitor and adjust their focus and organization, fostering independence and sustained engagement.
Self-assessment paired with peer strategy sharing.
Prep
Gather and Review Materials
10 minutes
- Welcome students and explain today’s goal: to pause and reflect on how they’re working
- Ask each student to share one word describing their current focus or energy level
- Introduce the Focus & Energy Chart and explain its three scales: Focus, Energy, Organization
Step 2
Self-Assessment Check-In
5 minutes
- Distribute the Focus & Energy Chart
- Model rating yourself on each scale and thinking aloud about your score
- Students independently circle or highlight their current levels
- Prompt a brief pair share: “What surprised you about your ratings?”
Step 3
Strategy Swap Talk
8 minutes
- Organize students into pairs or triads
- Display prompts from the Strategy Swap Talk Discussion Guide:
• Share one strategy you use when your focus drops
• Describe a quick energy booster you’ve tried
• Explain how you keep your work organized
- Students take turns sharing and note down at least one new strategy from their partner
Step 4
Wrap-Up & Commitment
4 minutes
- Invite volunteers to name a strategy they’ll try next
- Have each student write a quick action statement on their chart: “I will….”
- Ask for a final thumbs-up/down on confidence using their chosen strategy
- Remind students to keep their charts visible and set a timer for the next mid-lesson check-in
