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Executive Edge

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Lesson Plan

Executive Edge Lesson Plan

By the end of this lesson, students will identify and apply organizing, planning, and self-monitoring strategies to an upcoming assignment, boosting their time-management and productivity.

Executive functioning skills are foundational for academic success and lifelong productivity. Teaching these strategies helps students manage tasks, reduce stress, and take ownership of their learning.

Audience

8th Grade

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Direct instruction, guided practice, and self-reflection.

Materials

Prep

Prepare Materials

5 minutes

Step 1

Introduction & Hook

5 minutes

  • Write “Executive Functioning” on the board and ask students what it means
  • Show slide 1 of the Executive Functioning Skills Slide Deck with definition
  • Facilitate a 2-minute turn-and-talk: Why might these skills matter in school?

Step 2

Teach Key Strategies

10 minutes

  • Use slides 2–4 to introduce Organizing, Planning, and Self-Monitoring
  • For each strategy: define term, model a real-life example, invite one student to paraphrase
  • Highlight how each skill connects to reducing stress and meeting deadlines

Step 3

Guided Planning Practice

8 minutes

  • Distribute the Executive Edge Student Planning Worksheet
  • Present a sample upcoming assignment on slide 5
  • In pairs, students fill out the worksheet: list tasks, estimate time, set milestones
  • Circulate to offer feedback and prompt deeper planning

Step 4

Self-Monitoring Demonstration

5 minutes

  • Model a simple checklist on the board for tracking progress on the sample task
  • Ask students to add one self-monitoring checkpoint to their worksheet
  • Encourage students to think of reminders: alarms, sticky notes, calendar alerts

Step 5

Wrap-Up & Reflection

2 minutes

  • Each student writes on a sticky note one strategy they’ll use this week
  • Place sticky notes on the board under “Organize,” “Plan,” or “Monitor”
  • Reinforce that using even one strategy can improve productivity
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Slide Deck

What Is Executive Functioning?

Executive functioning refers to the mental skills that help us:
• Organize information and materials
• Plan steps and estimate time
• Monitor our progress and adjust as needed

These skills help us meet deadlines, reduce stress, and take charge of our learning.

Welcome students. Write “Executive Functioning” on the board and invite ideas. After showing this slide, prompt a 2-minute turn-and-talk: Why might these skills matter in school?

Strategy 1: Organizing

Definition:
• Creating systems to store and retrieve information or materials efficiently

Example:
• Color-coding binders by subject
• Using folders or apps to group related notes and resources

Define Organizing. Model how you sort your backpack or digital folders by subject. Ask one student to paraphrase the definition.

Strategy 2: Planning

Definition:
• Breaking a task into smaller steps with goals and timelines

Example:
• For a book report: choose topic, draft outline, write paragraphs, proofread, submit on time

Explain Planning. Use a real-life example—like planning for a weekend and breaking chores into steps. Invite a student to restate.

Strategy 3: Self-Monitoring

Definition:
• Tracking your progress and reflecting on what’s working or needs change

Example:
• Using a checklist or timer to mark completed steps and remind yourself to stay on track

Illustrate Self-Monitoring with a checklist example. Emphasize why checking in reduces last-minute stress.

Guided Practice: Plan an Assignment

Sample Assignment – Science Project: Build a volcano model due next Friday.

In pairs, use the worksheet to:

  1. List all tasks (e.g., research, gather materials, build model)
  2. Estimate time needed for each task
  3. Set at least two milestone dates (e.g., draft due Wednesday)

Get your worksheet: Executive Edge Student Planning Worksheet

Present a sample assignment and distribute the planning worksheet. In pairs, students will list tasks, estimate how long each will take, and set at least two milestones.

Demonstration: Self-Monitoring Checklist

Here’s an example checklist for the volcano project:
• Research volcano types (Mon 6 pm)
• Sketch model design (Tue 7 pm)
• Gather supplies (Wed 5 pm)
• Construct model (Thu 4 pm)
• Test and revise (Fri 3 pm)

Add your own checkpoint to your worksheet.

Model a simple checklist on the board. Ask students to add one checkpoint to their own plan (e.g., "Check facts on Tuesday at 5 pm").

Wrap-Up & Reflection

On a sticky note, write one strategy you’ll try this week:
• Organize something in your schoolwork
• Plan steps for a big assignment
• Monitor your progress with a checklist

Place your note under “Organize,” “Plan,” or “Monitor.”

Ask each student to write one strategy they’ll use this week on a sticky note. They’ll place it under Organize, Plan, or Monitor on the board.

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Worksheet

Executive Edge Student Planning Worksheet

Name: ____________________________ Date: ________________






Assignment Title: ________________________________________________





1. List Your Tasks

Write at least five distinct tasks you need to complete this assignment.

  1. ________________________________________________





  2. ________________________________________________





  3. ________________________________________________





  4. ________________________________________________





  5. ________________________________________________





2. Estimate Time for Each Task

Next to each task above, estimate how long (in minutes or hours) it will take.

Task 1 Time Estimate: ____________________





Task 2 Time Estimate: ____________________





Task 3 Time Estimate: ____________________





Task 4 Time Estimate: ____________________





Task 5 Time Estimate: ____________________





3. Set Milestones

Choose at least two major milestones with target dates to track progress.

Milestone 1: ____________________________________ Date: ___________





Milestone 2: ____________________________________ Date: ___________





(Optional) Milestone 3: ____________________________ Date: ___________





4. Self-Monitoring Checkpoint

Describe one checkpoint you will use to review your progress and the time/date you will check it.

Checkpoint Description: _______________________________________________________





Scheduled Check-In (day/time): _________________________________________________





5. Reflection & Strategy Focus

Which executive functioning strategy will you focus on using this week (Organize, Plan, or Monitor)? How will you apply it?

Strategy: _________________________

How I Will Apply It: ____________________________________________________________





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