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Executive Functioning Superpowers

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Lesson Plan

Executive Functioning Superpowers Lesson Plan

Students will learn and begin to apply executive functioning skills such as planning, organizing, and self-monitoring to academic tasks.

Developing executive functioning skills helps students manage their schoolwork, organize their thoughts, and become more independent learners. This lesson provides foundational strategies for lifelong success.

Audience

4th Grade Student

Time

20 minutes

Approach

Direct instruction, guided practice, and personalized application.

Materials

Prep

Review Materials

5 minutes

Step 1

Introduction: What are Superpowers?

3 minutes

  • Begin by asking the student: "Have you ever heard of superpowers? What are some superpowers you know?"
    - Introduce the concept of "Executive Functioning Superpowers" using the first slide of the Executive Functioning Superpowers Slide Deck.
    - Explain that these are the brain's superpowers that help us plan, organize, and get things done.

Step 2

Explore Executive Functioning Skills

7 minutes

Step 3

Strategy Spotlight & Practice

7 minutes

  • Focus on one specific strategy from the reading or slide deck that is most relevant to the student's current needs (e.g., using a checklist for planning, organizing backpack, checking work before turning in).
    - Guide the student through a small practice exercise. For example:
    - Planning: "Let's plan out the steps for your homework tonight."
    - Organizing: "Let's organize your desk or a specific folder."
    - Self-Monitoring: "Let's look at this math problem. What steps should you take to check your work?"
    - Provide positive reinforcement and constructive feedback during practice.

Step 4

Wrap-Up & Next Steps

3 minutes

  • Ask the student: "What is one executive functioning superpower you want to work on this week?"
    - Encourage them to try applying the practiced strategy to a real task.
    - Briefly review the main ideas: "Our brain has amazing superpowers to help us plan, organize, and check our work!"
    - Acknowledge their effort and progress: "Great job today! Keep practicing your superpowers!"
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Slide Deck

Your Brain's Superpowers!

Did you know your brain has amazing superpowers that help you at school and at home?

These superpowers help you get things done, learn new things, and solve problems!

Start by engaging the student with a question about superheroes and powers. Transition into explaining that our brains have their own 'superpowers' for school and life.

Superpower #1: Planning!

What is it? Thinking ahead and deciding what steps to take to reach a goal.

Why is it important? It helps you start tasks, stay on track, and finish what you begin!

  • Example: Making a list of homework to do.

Explain planning with simple examples like making a list for a party or planning steps for a building project. Emphasize that planning helps us know what to do next.

Superpower #2: Organizing!

What is it? Arranging your things, your time, and your thoughts in a way that makes sense.

Why is it important? It helps you find things quickly, understand information better, and makes tasks feel less overwhelming!

  • Example: Keeping your desk neat or organizing your school folders.

Discuss organizing with examples like keeping a backpack tidy or having school supplies in their correct place. Connect it to finding things easily.

Superpower #3: Self-Monitoring!

What is it? Checking in with yourself to see how you're doing and if you're on the right track.

Why is it important? It helps you catch mistakes, make sure you understand, and improve your work!

  • Example: Rereading your answer to a question to see if it makes sense.

Explain self-monitoring as 'checking your work' or 'thinking about your thinking.' Give examples like rereading an answer or checking if they followed all instructions.

You Have These Superpowers!

Everyone has these executive functioning superpowers inside them! They just need practice to get stronger.

Today, we're going to learn more about them and how to use them to make school easier and more fun!

Which superpower are you excited to try?

Conclude by empowering the student to practice these skills. Reinforce that these are skills they can learn and get better at over time.

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Reading

Unlock Your Brain's Superpowers!

Hey Super Student! Did you know your brain is like a super-smart command center? It has amazing powers that help you do all sorts of things, especially at school! These special brain powers are called Executive Functioning Skills, and they help you think, plan, and get things done.

Let's meet three of your brain's coolest superpowers:

Superpower #1: Planning Power!

Imagine you want to build a magnificent LEGO castle. Would you just start throwing bricks together? Probably not! You'd probably think about:

  • What kind of castle? (A tall one? A wide one?)
  • What pieces do I need? (Walls, towers, flags?)
  • What steps should I take first? (Build the base, then the walls?)

That's planning! Planning Power is when you think ahead and decide the steps you need to take to reach a goal. It helps you get ready and know what to do next.

How to use your Planning Power:

  • Make a list: For homework, write down all the subjects you have.
  • Break it down: If a project is big, break it into smaller steps.
  • **Think
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Executive Functioning Superpowers • Lenny Learning