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
- Executive Functioning Skills Slide Deck, - Executive Edge Student Planning Worksheet, - Timer or Stopwatch, - Whiteboard and Markers, and - Sticky Notes or Index Cards
Prep
Prepare Materials
5 minutes
- Queue up the slide deck: Executive Functioning Skills Slide Deck
- Print one worksheet per student: Executive Edge Student Planning Worksheet
- Gather timer or stopwatch, whiteboard, markers, sticky notes or index cards
- Review slides and worksheet prompts to anticipate student questions
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
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:
- List all tasks (e.g., research, gather materials, build model)
- Estimate time needed for each task
- 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.
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.
- ________________________________________________
- ________________________________________________
- ________________________________________________
- ________________________________________________
- ________________________________________________
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: ____________________________________________________________