Lesson Plan
Check & Reflect Overview
Students will learn to use a self-monitoring checklist to track attention and task completion, then reflect on their performance with guided prompts.
Self-monitoring and reflection build students’ self-regulation, improve focus, and increase task completion by making progress visible and prompting growth.
Audience
3rd Grade Small Group
Time
20 minutes
Approach
Use checklists and reflection prompts in guided group activities.
Prep
Prepare Materials
5 minutes
- Print or load enough copies of the Task Completion Checklist Worksheet for each student
- Print or distribute the End-of-Day Reflection Prompts Journal
- Prepare projector or device to display the Steps to Self-Check Slide Deck
- Review the Sample Completed Checklists Answer Key to anticipate discussion points
- Familiarize yourself with the Check & Reflect Overview
Step 1
Warm-Up
2 minutes
- Greet students and remind them of today’s goal: staying on task and checking their work
- Briefly review why monitoring attention helps us learn better
- Show slide 1 of the Steps to Self-Check Slide Deck and introduce the routine
Step 2
Introduce Checklists
5 minutes
- Display slides 2–4 of the Steps to Self-Check Slide Deck
- Explain each step of the self-check process:
• Stop and notice where you are in the task
• Check off completed parts on your checklist
• Refocus if you’ve lost attention - Model filling out the Task Completion Checklist Worksheet for a sample task
Step 3
Guided Practice
8 minutes
- Distribute the Task Completion Checklist Worksheet to each student
- Provide a short, 3-step task (e.g., solve two math problems, write two sentences)
- Have students work and pause at each step to check off progress
- Circulate and prompt students who skip checking to slow down and reflect
Step 4
Reflection Prompt
3 minutes
- Ask students to open the End-of-Day Reflection Prompts Journal
- Guide them through prompts:
- What step did I do well?
- Where did I lose focus?
- What will I do next time to stay on task?
- Encourage brief, honest responses
Step 5
Share and Wrap-Up
2 minutes
- Invite one or two volunteers to share a reflection from their journal
- Highlight use of the checklist and how it helped
- Remind students to use this routine during independent work
Slide Deck
Steps to Self-Check
Learn a quick, three-step routine to monitor your work and keep your attention on track.
Welcome everyone! Today we're learning the three simple steps to check our work and stay focused. Point out the title and why routines help us succeed.
Step 1: Stop and Notice
• Pause your work for a moment
• Notice where you are and what you’re doing
• Ask yourself: “Am I working on the right task?”
Explain Step 1 slowly. Ask students to say the question aloud: “Am I on the right task?” Encourage them to tap their head or hold up a hand to signal their check.
Step 2: Check Off Completed Parts
• Look at your checklist worksheet
• Mark a ✔ next to each completed step
• Watching your progress helps you stay motivated
Display a simple checklist graphic. Model checking a box each time you finish a part. Emphasize neatness and honesty—only check what’s done.
Step 3: Refocus and Continue
• Notice if your mind has wandered
• Take a deep breath or stretch briefly
• Get back to the next step—or ask for help if needed
Model taking a deep breath if you drifted. Show how to refocus your eyes on the paper or look at the teacher for help.
Model: Filling Out the Checklist
Task: Write two sentences about your favorite pet.
Checklist:
- [✔] Brainstorm ideas
- [✔] Write first sentence
- Write second sentence
Next: Mark the last box when you finish your second sentence.
Use this slide to walk through an example with students. Point to each check mark and explain why we marked it. Invite a volunteer to help fill in the final box.
Worksheet
Task Completion Checklist
Name: ________________________ Date: ________________________
Task Description:
______________________________________________________________________________
Checklist (Put a ✔ in each box when you complete the step):
- Step 1: _______________________________________________
- Step 2: _______________________________________________
- Step 3: _______________________________________________
Keep this checklist open and check off each part before you move on to the next step!
Journal
End-of-Day Reflection Prompts
Name: ________________________ Date: ________________________
Take a few minutes to think about how you used your checklist today. Write your answers in complete sentences.
- What step of the checklist did I complete best today, and why?
- When did my attention drift, and what was I thinking about?
- What helped me refocus when I noticed I was off task?
- What will I try next time to stay on task from start to finish?
- How do I feel about my work and my focus today?
Answer Key
Sample Completed Checklists Answer Key
This answer key provides two components:
- Sample Task Completion Checklist (Worksheet) – a fully filled example for a writing task.
- Sample End-of-Day Reflections (Journal) – model responses to each prompt, with teacher notes explaining the reasoning behind each answer.
1. Sample Task Completion Checklist (Worksheet)
Material: Task Completion Checklist
Student Name: Alex Rivera Date: 10/12/2023
Task Description:
Write two sentences about your favorite pet.
Checklist (Put a ✔ in each box when you complete the step):
- [✔] Step 1: Brainstorm ideas
Thought Process: Alex listed ideas (dog fetching, cat purring) before starting to write. - [✔] Step 2: Write first sentence
Thought Process: Alex wrote: “My dog Max loves to play fetch in the yard.” - [✔] Step 3: Write second sentence
Thought Process: Alex wrote: “He wags his tail so hard it looks like he will take off.”
Teacher Notes:
- All boxes are checked only after the student completed each part.
- The task description matches the writing (two sentences about a pet).
- The student used descriptive language, showing a clear understanding of the assignment.
2. Sample End-of-Day Reflection Prompts (Journal)
Material: End-of-Day Reflection Prompts
Student Name: Alex Rivera Date: 10/12/2023
1. What step of the checklist did I complete best today, and why?
Sample Answer:
“I completed Step 1 best because I took time to think of good ideas before I wrote. Brainstorming helped me write more interesting sentences.”
Teacher Note:
- Reasoning: The student identifies the specific step (brainstorming) and explains why it was effective (led to stronger writing).
2. When did my attention drift, and what was I thinking about?
Sample Answer:
“My attention drifted after I wrote the first sentence. I started thinking about recess and the game I want to play.”
Teacher Note:
- Reasoning: The student pinpoints the moment of distraction and describes the thought content (recess), demonstrating self-awareness.
3. What helped me refocus when I noticed I was off task?
Sample Answer:
“I took a deep breath and reminded myself I still had one more sentence to write. That helped me get back to my paper.”
Teacher Note:
- Reasoning: The student describes a concrete strategy (deep breath + self-reminder) aligned with Step 3 of the routine.
4. What will I try next time to stay on task from start to finish?
Sample Answer:
“Next time, I will set a timer for each step so I don’t think about other things. I can check the timer before I move on.”
Teacher Note:
- Reasoning: The student proposes a new, manageable strategy (using a timer) to maintain focus throughout the task.
5. How do I feel about my work and my focus today?
Sample Answer:
“I feel proud that I finished both sentences and used my checklist. I know I can keep getting better at staying focused.”
Teacher Note:
- Reasoning: The student reflects positively on effort and growth mindset, acknowledging both success and room for improvement.
Using This Answer Key
- For Grading: Compare student checklists to the sample—ensure steps are checked only after correct completion and reflections address both the what and the why.
- For Student Feedback: Share exemplars to model detailed, honest reflection and proper checklist use.
- Next Steps: Encourage students who struggle to add specific details (e.g., exactly when they got off task) and to articulate new strategies for focus.
Worksheet
Behavior Checklist
Name: ________________________________ Date: ______________________
Instructions: Throughout today, notice how you behave during different parts of the day. For each behavior below, put a ✔ in the box when you demonstrate it during that time period.
| Behavior | Morning | Afternoon | End of Day |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Raised my hand before speaking | [ ] | [ ] | [ ] |
| 2. Listened quietly to instructions | [ ] | [ ] | [ ] |
| 3. Stayed on task during work time | [ ] | [ ] | [ ] |
| 4. Used kind words with classmates | [ ] | [ ] | [ ] |
| 5. Followed directions the first time | [ ] | [ ] | [ ] |
| 6. Worked quietly without disturbing others | [ ] | [ ] | [ ] |
Reflection Prompts
- Which one of these behaviors did I do best today, and why?
- Which behavior was hardest for me to remember, and what distracted me?
- What is one thing I will try tomorrow to improve that behavior?
- How do I feel about my effort and behavior today?