Executive Functioning Fun

Christina Pesiridis

Tier 1

Lesson Plan

Executive Functioning Fun

Developing Executive Functioning

This lesson focuses on enhancing executive functioning skills in third graders through a fun and interactive activity followed by a reflective discussion. Executive functioning skills are crucial for students as they help in planning, organizing, and managing tasks effectively. By engaging in this lesson, students will practice these skills in a supportive environment, which will aid in their academic and personal growth.

Audience

Third Grade

Time

25 minutes

Approach

Materials

Post-it notes, Markers, Timer, and Discussion Questions

Step 1

Introduction

3 minutes

Briefly explain what executive functioning skills are and why they are important.
Share the objective of the lesson: to practice planning, organizing, and managing time through a fun activity.

Step 2

Activity: Post-it Planning with Time Management

12 minutes

Divide students into small groups.
Provide each group with post-it notes and markers.
Set a timer for 10 minutes and challenge them to plan a simple event (e.g., a class party) using the post-it notes to outline tasks, assign roles, and set a timeline.
Encourage students to use time management strategies such as setting priorities, breaking tasks into smaller steps, and using the timer to stay on track.

Step 3

Time Management Reflection

3 minutes

After the activity, ask students how they managed their time.
Discuss strategies they used to stay on track and any challenges they faced with the time limit.
Highlight effective time management strategies observed during the activity.

Step 4

Discussion

5 minutes

Gather students for a group discussion.
Use the provided discussion questions to guide the conversation about their planning process and what they learned.
Encourage students to share their strategies and any challenges they faced.
Discuss how the time management strategies used in the activity can be applied to other tasks in their daily lives.

Step 5

Closure

2 minutes

Summarize the key points discussed.
Reinforce the importance of executive functioning skills, including time management, in everyday life.
Encourage students to practice these skills in their daily activities.

Discussion

Executive Functioning Discussion

This discussion will help students reflect on their planning activity and understand the importance of executive functioning skills.

What was the most challenging part of planning your event?

Encourage students to think about specific tasks that were difficult to organize or assign.

How did your group decide who would do each task?

Discuss the importance of communication and teamwork in assigning roles.

What would you do differently next time to improve your plan?

Guide students to think about strategies for better organization and time management.