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Focus & Feelings

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Sophie Clark

Tier 3

Lesson Plan

Mission Focus Lesson Plan

In this 60-minute session, the student will identify personal focus triggers, learn self-regulation techniques, and practice coping strategies to manage attention and behavior. Actionable goals: list three triggers, demonstrate two self-regulation techniques, and set a personal focus goal.

Helps students with ADHD understand their behavior patterns and equips them with practical tools to self-manage impulses and attention, fostering confidence and long-term academic success.

Audience

4th Grade Students

Time

60 minutes

Approach

Guided reflection, skill modeling, and experiential practice.

Materials

Trigger Identification Worksheet, - Coping Strategy Cards, - Self-Regulation Journal, - Timer Or Stopwatch, and - Calm-Down Toolkit (Breathing Ball, Stress Ball)

Prep

Prepare Counseling Space

5 minutes

  • Arrange a quiet, distraction-free area for one-on-one session.
  • Review Trigger Identification Worksheet, Coping Strategy Cards, and Self-Regulation Journal.
  • Gather Timer Or Stopwatch and Calm-Down Toolkit (Breathing Ball, Stress Ball).

Step 1

Introduction and Rapport Building

5 minutes

  • Greet the student warmly and engage in brief positive conversation.
  • Explain the session’s purpose: improving focus and managing behavior.
  • Use supportive language to build trust and set a positive tone.

Step 2

Identify Triggers

15 minutes

  • Present the Trigger Identification Worksheet.
  • Guide the student to recall recent moments of distraction or frustration.
  • Help the student list at least three personal triggers on the worksheet.
  • Discuss how each trigger influences feelings and behaviors.

Step 3

Teach Self-Regulation Techniques

15 minutes

  • Introduce strategies: deep breathing, counting, and positive self-talk.
  • Model deep breathing: inhale for 4 seconds, hold for 2, exhale for 6.
  • Demonstrate counting technique and simple affirmations.
  • Have the student practice each technique with teacher support.

Step 4

Practice Coping Strategies

15 minutes

  • Display the Coping Strategy Cards.
  • Let the student select a card and role-play using that strategy.
  • Provide constructive feedback and positive reinforcement.
  • Repeat with 2–3 different cards to build confidence.

Step 5

Reflection and Goal Setting

10 minutes

  • Provide the Self-Regulation Journal.
  • Ask the student to reflect on which techniques felt most helpful.
  • Guide the student to set one specific, achievable goal for next session.
  • Record the goal in the journal and discuss a plan to practice strategies independently.
lenny

Lesson Plan

Focus & Feelings Plan

In this 60-minute individual session, the student will identify three personal focus triggers, learn and demonstrate two self-regulation techniques, and set a specific focus goal to manage attention and emotions.

This lesson builds the student’s self-awareness of emotional and attention patterns, provides hands-on practice with coping strategies, and fosters a personalized plan to improve focus and behavior in and out of the classroom.

Audience

4th Grade Students

Time

60 minutes

Approach

Guided reflection, modeling, and experiential practice.

Materials

  • Trigger Identification Worksheet, - Coping Strategy Cards, - Self-Regulation Journal, - Timer Or Stopwatch, and - Calm-Down Toolkit (Breathing Ball, Stress Ball)

Prep

Prepare Counseling Session

5 minutes

  • Arrange a quiet, comfortable, distraction-free space for one-on-one conversation.
  • Review the Trigger Identification Worksheet, Coping Strategy Cards, and Self-Regulation Journal.
  • Gather a Timer Or Stopwatch and Calm-Down Toolkit (Breathing Ball, Stress Ball).
  • Familiarize yourself with each material and the session flow.

Step 1

Introduction and Rapport Building

5 minutes

  • Greet the student warmly and use positive, supportive language.
  • Explain the session’s purpose: understanding feelings and improving focus.
  • Ask about the student’s interests or recent successes to build trust.

Step 2

Identify Personal Triggers

15 minutes

  • Present the Trigger Identification Worksheet.
  • Guide the student to recall moments of distraction or frustration.
  • Help the student list at least three personal triggers on the worksheet.
  • Discuss how each trigger influences their feelings and behaviors.

Step 3

Teach Self-Regulation Techniques

15 minutes

  • Introduce two techniques: deep breathing and positive self-talk.
  • Model deep breathing: inhale for 4 seconds, hold for 2, exhale for 6.
  • Demonstrate a simple affirmation (e.g., “I can refocus”).
  • Have the student practice each technique with supportive coaching.

Step 4

Practice Coping Strategies

15 minutes

  • Display the Coping Strategy Cards.
  • Let the student choose a card and role-play using that strategy.
  • Provide constructive feedback and positive reinforcement.
  • Repeat with 2–3 different cards to build confidence.

Step 5

Reflection and Goal Setting

10 minutes

  • Provide the Self-Regulation Journal.
  • Ask the student to reflect on which techniques felt most helpful.
  • Guide the student to set one specific, achievable focus goal for the week.
  • Record the goal in the journal and discuss how to practice strategies independently.
lenny

Slide Deck

Focus & Feelings

A one-on-one counseling session to help you:

  • Identify what makes you lose focus or feel upset
  • Learn simple coping strategies
  • Set a personal focus goal

Welcome the student warmly. Introduce yourself and share the session’s purpose: understanding feelings and improving focus.

Introduction & Rapport

  1. Greet and chat about hobbies or weekend highlights
  2. Explain: “Today we’ll talk about what you’re feeling and how to stay focused”

Use positive, supportive language. Ask about the student’s interests or recent successes to build trust.

What Are Focus Triggers?

  • Triggers are moments or events that make it hard to concentrate or feel calm
  • Examples: noise in class, feeling rushed, rough playtime
  • We’ll list your top 3 triggers next

Explain what triggers are: things that distract or frustrate us. Hand the student the Trigger Identification Worksheet.

Identify Your Top 3 Triggers

Using the Trigger Identification Worksheet:

  1. Think of 3 times you got distracted or upset
  2. Write each trigger down
  3. Note how it made you feel (angry, worried, etc.)

Guide the student step-by-step through the worksheet. Encourage honest answers and discussion.

Self-Regulation: Deep Breathing

  1. Inhale quietly for 4 seconds
  2. Hold for 2 seconds
  3. Exhale slowly for 6 seconds
  4. Repeat 3 times to calm your body

Model deep breathing: breathe in, hold, breathe out. Then practice together.

Self-Regulation: Positive Self-Talk

  • Choose a short phrase: “I can refocus,” “I am in control”
  • Say it slowly and confidently when you feel upset
  • Practice saying it 3 times now

Introduce simple affirmations. Show confidence and encourage the student to practice aloud.

Practice Coping Strategies

  1. Pick a card from the Coping Strategy Deck
  2. Read the strategy aloud
  3. We’ll role-play how to use it when a trigger happens

Show the Coping Strategy Cards. Explain the purpose of role-playing to practice strategies.

Role-Play & Feedback

  • Act out a situation using your chosen strategy
  • Receive feedback: What felt good? What can improve?
  • Try 2–3 different strategies

Observe the student’s role-play. Offer encouragement and suggest improvements.

Reflect & Set a Goal

  1. Write which technique helped most
  2. Choose one clear goal (e.g., “When I feel rushed, I will breathe first”)
  3. Note when and how you’ll practice this each day

Provide the Self-Regulation Journal and guide reflection.

Next Steps & Encouragement

  • Review your 3 triggers and chosen strategy
  • Practice your goal daily using your journal
  • Remember: you can control your focus and feelings!

Summarize the session. Reinforce the action plan and encourage practice.

lenny

Worksheet

Trigger Identification Worksheet

Name: ________________________ Date: _______________

Instructions: Think of three times when you felt distracted, upset, or lost focus. For each situation, describe what happened and how you felt.

1. Situation (Trigger) 1

What happened?





How did it make you feel?


2. Situation (Trigger) 2

What happened?





How did it make you feel?


3. Situation (Trigger) 3

What happened?





How did it make you feel?


Reflection Questions

a. Which trigger was the strongest for you? Why?





b. When you notice this trigger next time, what is one thing you can do to help yourself stay calm and focused?





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lenny

Activity

Coping Strategy Cards

Use these cards to explore different strategies and practice when you notice a trigger. Choose a card, read the strategy, then role-play or try it out!

1. Deep Breathing

Take a slow, deep breath in for 4 seconds, hold for 2 seconds, then exhale for 6 seconds. Repeat three times to help calm your body.


2. Positive Self-Talk

Choose a phrase like “I can refocus” or “I am in control.” Say it out loud or in your head when you feel upset.


3. Counting Backwards

Slowly count backward from 10 to 1. Focus on each number to give your mind a break from distractions.


4. Squeeze a Stress Ball

Use the breathing ball or stress ball in your Calm-Down Toolkit. Squeeze and release it five times while you breathe slowly.


5. Grounding Game (5-4-3-2-1)

Name 5 things you can see, 4 you can touch, 3 you can hear, 2 you can smell, and 1 you can taste. This helps bring your attention back to the present.


6. Take a Break

Stand up and stretch, walk to get a drink of water, or briefly step outside for fresh air. Use your timer to take a 1–2 minute break before returning.

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lenny

Journal

Self-Regulation Journal

Name: ________________________ Date: _______________

Use this journal after each session or at the end of your day to reflect on your triggers, practice, and progress.

1. Reflect on Today’s Triggers

List the triggers you noticed today and describe how each made you feel. (You can review your answers on the Trigger Identification Worksheet for help.)










2. Technique You Tried

Which self-regulation technique from the Coping Strategy Cards did you use? Explain how you used it.





3. Before and After

Describe how you felt before using the technique and how you felt after.





4. Challenges and Solutions

What was the hardest part about trying these strategies? How might you overcome this challenge next time?










5. My Focus Goal

Set one clear, specific focus goal for tomorrow. Where and when will you practice your chosen technique?





6. Focus Rating

Rate your overall focus today on a scale of 1 (very distracted) to 5 (very focused). Why did you choose this rating?


Keep this journal somewhere you can see it daily. Remember, practice helps you build control over your focus and feelings!

lenny
lenny