Executive Functioning Fun

Aly Lanzone Wiesner

Tier 1

Lesson Plan

Executive Functioning Fun

Teach executive functioning skills

This lesson introduces first-grade students to executive functioning skills through a fun and interactive activity followed by a worksheet. Executive functioning skills are crucial for students as they help with planning, focusing attention, remembering instructions, and juggling multiple tasks successfully. By engaging in this lesson, students will begin to develop these foundational skills in a supportive and enjoyable environment.

Audience

First Grade Students

Time

20 minutes

Approach

Materials

Worksheet: Executive Functioning Skills, and Activity Instructions

Step 1

Introduction

3 minutes

Begin by explaining what executive functioning skills are in simple terms, such as 'These are skills that help us plan, focus, and remember things.'
Ask students if they can think of a time when they had to remember something important or plan something fun.

Step 2

Activity: Simon Says

10 minutes

Play a game of 'Simon Says' to practice listening and following instructions.
Explain the rules: Students should only follow the command if it starts with 'Simon says.'
Use a variety of commands that require different actions, such as 'Simon says touch your toes' or 'Simon says jump up and down.'
Discuss how listening carefully and remembering the rules are part of executive functioning.

Step 3

Worksheet Completion

5 minutes

Hand out the 'Executive Functioning Skills' worksheet.
Guide students through the worksheet, which includes simple tasks like drawing a sequence of events or matching items that go together.
Encourage students to think about how they used their executive functioning skills during the activity.

Step 4

Closure

2 minutes

Recap the importance of executive functioning skills and how they help us in everyday activities.
Ask students to share one thing they learned about executive functioning today.

Worksheet

Executive Functioning Skills Worksheet

This worksheet helps students practice executive functioning skills through simple tasks like sequencing and matching.

Draw the steps to get ready for school in the morning.

Think about what you do first, next, and last.

Match the items that go together: toothbrush and toothpaste, pencil and paper.

Reading

Activity Instructions

Instructions for the 'Simon Says' activity to help students practice executive functioning skills.

Simon Says Activity Instructions

Explain the rules of 'Simon Says' to the students.
Use a variety of commands that require different actions.
Encourage students to listen carefully and follow the instructions only if they start with 'Simon says.'
Discuss how this activity helps with listening and following directions.