Lesson Plan
Focus Detective Lesson Plan
Students will learn and practice three key strategies—self-monitoring, visual cues, and positive reinforcement—to improve attention and replace attention-seeking behaviors within a 30-minute individual session.
This lesson supports a new 4th grader struggling to focus by giving concrete tools and practice to build self-awareness and positive attention habits, reducing disruptive behaviors and boosting engagement.
Audience
4th Grade
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Teach, model, practice, and reflect on focus strategies.
Materials
Prep
Review Materials
5 minutes
- Read through the Focus Detective Script to familiarize with wording and prompts
- Preview the Focus Detective Slides to ensure smooth transitions
- Print or prepare digital copy of the Attention Tracker Activity and Reflection Detective Journal
- Set up a quiet, distraction-free space for the session
Step 1
Warm-Up & Introduction
5 minutes
- Greet the student warmly and explain today’s role: they’re a Focus Detective
- Ask the student to share one thing they notice about their attention in class
- Present the detective mission: learn strategies to catch wandering thoughts and stay on task using the Focus Detective Slides
Step 2
Teach Focus Strategies
10 minutes
- Using Focus Detective Slides, introduce three detective tools:
- Self-Monitoring: check-in with a quick signal when attention drifts
- Visual Cues: use a colored card or sticker as a reminder
- Positive Reinforcement: reward yourself after staying focused
- Model each strategy with a brief role-play
Step 3
Interactive Attention Tracker
7 minutes
- Give the student the Attention Tracker Activity
- Practice monitoring attention during a 2-minute mini-task (e.g., simple reading or drawing)
- Student marks each time they catch their mind drifting and uses a visual cue when refocusing
- Provide immediate positive feedback for each refocus as part of reinforcement
Step 4
Reflection & Positive Reinforcement
8 minutes
- Hand the student the Reflection Detective Journal
- Prompt reflection: What worked? What was tricky? How did you feel when you refocused?
- Guide the student to set one specific attention goal for the next class
- Celebrate their detective work with a positive note and outline a plan to practice daily
Slide Deck
Ready to Be a Focus Detective?
Today, you’ll become a super sleuth at spotting when your attention drifts and learning how to bring it back on track. Let’s solve the mystery of staying focused!
Welcome the student as a Focus Detective. Explain that today’s mission is to learn tools to catch wandering thoughts and stay on task.
Warm-Up: Attention Check
• What do you notice about your attention in class?
• When does your mind start to wander?
• What would being a good detective of your own focus look like?
Prompt the student to share their own experiences. Use this warm-up to build rapport and set the detective theme.
Your Detective Tools
- Self-Monitoring: Notice when your attention drifts.
- Visual Cues: Use colors or stickers to remind you to refocus.
- Positive Reinforcement: Give yourself a reward for staying on task.
Introduce the three detective tools at a high level before diving into each one in detail.
Tool 1: Self-Monitoring
• Set a silent signal (like a tap or finger to chin) when you catch your mind wandering.
• Say to yourself: “Focus Detective on duty!”
• Track each tap on your Attention Tracker.
Model how to check in with a simple signal (e.g., tapping desk) when focus drifts and explain how to record it.
Tool 2: Visual Cues
• Pick a color card or sticker as your Detective Reminder.
• Place it on your desk or workbook.
• When you see it, pause and refocus on your task.
Show examples of visual cues (colored cards, stickers). Encourage the student to choose their favorite.
Tool 3: Positive Reinforcement
• After staying focused for a short period (e.g., 2 minutes), give yourself a mini-reward:
– A sticker on your tracker
– A quick stretch break
– A detective badge checkmark
Explain how giving yourself a small reward helps build focus habits. Offer age-appropriate examples.
Try It & Reflect
- Complete a 2-minute mini-task (reading or drawing).
- Use your Detective Tools: signal when you drift, use your cue, and reward yourself.
- Reflect in your Detective Journal:
• What worked well?
• What was tricky?
• What’s your focus goal for next time?
Guide the student through the mini-task, using the Attention Tracker Activity. Then prompt reflection.
Script
Focus Detective Script
Materials Needed:
1. Warm-Up & Introduction (5 minutes)
Teacher: “Hello, Detective! I’m so glad you’re here today. My name is [Teacher Name], and you have an important mission. You’re going to be a Focus Detective—your job is to spot when your attention wanders and bring it right back on track. Does that sound exciting?”
Allow student to respond.
Teacher: “Fantastic! First, I want to learn from you. What do you notice about your attention in class? For example, when do you feel great and focused, and when do you feel like your mind starts to drift?”
Allow student to share their thoughts.
Teacher: “Thank you for sharing! Being a good detective means noticing clues. Today, using our Focus Detective Slides, we’ll learn three special detective tools to help you catch those clues and stay on task. Ready to begin our mission?”
Student: “Yes!”
Teacher: “Let’s go!”
2. Teach Focus Strategies (10 minutes)
Slide 1: Your Detective Tools
Teacher: (Advance to slide) “Here are your three detective tools:
- Self-Monitoring: You catch your mind wandering with a secret signal.
- Visual Cues: You use a color card or sticker as a reminder to refocus.
- Positive Reinforcement: You reward yourself for staying on task.
We’ll learn each tool and try a quick example together.”
Slide 2: Tool 1 – Self-Monitoring
Teacher: (Advance to slide) “Tool 1 is Self-Monitoring. That means you set a silent signal—like tapping your desk or touching your chin—whenever you notice your thoughts drifting. Let’s practice.
Teacher models: (Tap desk) “Focus Detective on duty!”
Teacher: “Now your turn. Tap when your mind drifts—and say quietly, ‘Focus Detective on duty!’ Ready?”
Allow student to try once or twice.
Teacher: “Great job! Each time you tap, you’ll also mark it on your Attention Tracker so you can see how you did.”
Slide 3: Tool 2 – Visual Cues
Teacher: (Advance to slide) “Tool 2 is Visual Cues. Pick one colored card or sticker as your Detective Reminder. When you see it on your desk or workbook, you pause and refocus.
Teacher shows a few colors: red, blue, green.
Teacher: “Which color do you like best?”
Allow student to choose.
Teacher: “Perfect choice! Keep that on your desk during tasks to help you remember to stay focused.”
Slide 4: Tool 3 – Positive Reinforcement
Teacher: (Advance to slide) “Tool 3 is Positive Reinforcement. After you stay focused for a short time—let’s say two minutes—you give yourself a mini-reward. It could be:
- A sticker on your tracker
- A quick stretch break
- A detective badge checkmark
Teacher: “Which reward sounds best to you?”
Allow student to pick one.
Teacher: “Awesome. You’ll use that reward each time you reach our focus goal.”
3. Interactive Attention Tracker (7 minutes)
Teacher: “Now let’s try a mini-task to use all three tools together. I’m giving you the Attention Tracker Activity. We’ll do a two-minute reading or drawing activity. Ready?”
Student: “Ready!”
Teacher: “Start now. Remember:
- Tap when you drift and say, ‘Focus Detective on duty!’
- Look at your colored card to refocus.
- After two minutes, give yourself your chosen reward.
(Teacher watches silently, offers praise when student taps or refocuses.)
[Wait 2 minutes – use a timer]
Teacher: “Time’s up! How did it go?”
Allow student to respond.
Teacher: “I noticed you tapped [X] times and used your cue to refocus. That’s fantastic detective work!”
4. Reflection & Positive Reinforcement (8 minutes)
Teacher: “Let’s reflect on our mission using the Reflection Detective Journal. I’ll ask some questions and you can write or draw your thoughts.”
- What worked well for you?
- What was tricky or hard?
- How did you feel when you refocused?
- What’s your detective focus goal for next time?
Teacher: (After student writes) “Can you share one thing you wrote?”
Allow student to share a response.
Teacher: “I’m so proud of your thinking and focus work today. You have a great goal: ‘[Repeat student goal].’ Next time you’re in class, practice using your detective tools every day. You’re officially a Focus Detective Superstar!”
Teacher: “Mission complete! Great job, Detective. See you next time for another focus adventure!”
End of Script.
Activity
Attention Tracker Activity
Detective Instructions:
- Get ready for a 2-minute mini-task (reading or drawing).
- When you notice your mind wandering, tap your signal and mark a tally below.
- Look at your Detective Reminder (visual cue) to bring your focus back.
- At the end, count your tallies and see if you earn your mini-reward!
| Time Interval | Tally of Drifts | Refocused? (Yes/No) |
|---|---|---|
| 0:00 – 0:30 | ||
| 0:30 – 1:00 | ||
| 1:00 – 1:30 | ||
| 1:30 – 2:00 |
Total Taps (drifts): _______
Reward Earned? Circle one:
○ Sticker ○ Stretch Break ○ Detective Badge Checkmark
Place or draw your reward here:
When you’re done, grab your Reflection Detective Journal to write or draw about:
- What helped you catch drifting thoughts?
- How did your visual cue remind you to refocus?
- How will you use these tools next time?
Journal
Reflection Detective Journal
Detective Reflection: Answer the questions below with words or drawings.
- What worked well for you when using your detective tools?
- What was tricky or hard about catching your attention?
- How did you feel when you caught yourself drifting and refocused?
- What is your detective focus goal for next time? (Be as specific as you can!)
Detective Drawing Space: Draw or sketch yourself using your detective tools to stay focused!