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Focus Power-Up

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Ryan Gusman

Tier 1
For Schools

Lesson Plan

Focus Power-Up

Students will learn what focus means, reflect on their personal distractions, and practice three simple strategies to sharpen attention. By the end, each student creates a personalized “Focus Toolkit” to use whenever they feel distracted.

Strong focus skills boost classroom engagement, improve learning outcomes, and help students feel confident managing distractions. Equipping 4th graders with quick, easy strategies builds lifelong habits for productivity and self-regulation.

Audience

4th Grade Students

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Discussion, self-reflection, strategy modeling, and toolkit creation.

Materials

Focus Power-Up Reflection Worksheet, and Focus Strategy Cards

Prep

Prepare Materials

10 minutes

  • Print enough copies of the Focus Power-Up Reflection Worksheet.
  • Cut and organize the Focus Strategy Cards for easy distribution.
  • Review each strategy card and plan a quick demo or description for students.

Step 1

Introduction to Focus

5 minutes

  • Ask: “What does it mean to focus? How do you know when you’re focused?” Write student ideas on the board.
  • Share a clear definition: “Focus means paying attention to one task at a time, ignoring distractions.”
  • Explain today’s goal: build personal tools to help with focus.

Step 2

Reflection Activity

7 minutes

  • Distribute the Focus Power-Up Reflection Worksheet.
  • Students spend 5 minutes writing about a recent moment they felt distracted and why.
  • Invite 2–3 volunteers to share one insight with the class.

Step 3

Strategy Showcase

5 minutes

  • Introduce the Focus Strategy Cards one at a time.
  • For each card, demo the strategy (e.g., three deep breaths, a quick stretch, using a small fidget).
  • Ask students to think silently: “Which strategy could help you right now?”

Step 4

Toolkit Creation & Practice

10 minutes

  • Students select two strategies from the cards and write them on their worksheet under “My Focus Toolkit.”
  • Pair up: each student practices one chosen strategy while partner observes for 1–2 minutes.
  • Partners switch roles, then briefly discuss how using the strategy felt.

Step 5

Wrap-Up & Sharing

3 minutes

  • Invite 2–3 students to share their toolkit choices and what they’ll call their kit (e.g., “My Focus Superpowers”).
  • Reinforce: “Focus is a skill you can practice. Your toolkit is always available!”
  • Encourage students to use their toolkit whenever they notice distractions.
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Slide Deck

Focus Power-Up

Welcome, 4th graders! Today we’ll learn what focus is and build our own personal toolkit to help us stay on track.

Welcome students and introduce today’s lesson. Explain that by the end they’ll have their own “Focus Toolkit.” Get them excited!

What Is Focus?

Focus means paying attention to one task at a time and ignoring distractions.

• How do you know when you’re focused?

Ask: “What does focus mean? How do you know when you’re focused?” Record answers on the board. Then share the definition.

Why Focus Matters

• Helps you learn faster and remember more
• Boosts your confidence
• Makes classroom time more fun
• Gives you control over distractions

Explain each bullet with real-life examples (e.g., finishing homework faster, feeling proud).

Reflection Time

  1. Grab your Focus Power-Up Reflection Worksheet.
  2. Think of a recent time you felt distracted.
  3. Write or draw why you were distracted on your worksheet.

Spend 5 minutes on this, then we’ll share.

Distribute the worksheet. Give students 5 minutes to write or draw. Walk around and prompt quieter students. Choose 2–3 volunteers to share.

Focus Strategies

We have three easy strategies to try:

  1. Three Deep Breaths
  2. Quick Stretch
  3. Use a Small Fidget

Think: Which could help you right now?

Hold up each card from the deck. Demonstrate breathing, stretching, and fidgeting. Invite students to watch closely.

Focus Strategy Cards

Open your Focus Strategy Cards and try:

• Three Deep Breaths: Inhale slowly through your nose, exhale through your mouth 3 times
• Quick Stretch: Reach up high, then bend gently side to side
• Small Fidget: Squeeze a stress ball or tactile toy

Point to each card as you describe it. Pause for silent thinking after each one.

Create Your Focus Toolkit

  1. Pick two strategies you want to use.
  2. Write them under “My Focus Toolkit” on your worksheet.
  3. Pair up and practice one strategy for 1–2 minutes while your partner watches.
  4. Switch roles and discuss how it felt.

Guide pairs as they practice. Encourage honest feedback: “How did that feel?”

Wrap-Up & Sharing

Share your toolkit choices:

• Which strategies you picked
• What you’ll call your kit (e.g., “My Focus Superpowers”)

Remember: You can use your toolkit anytime you feel distracted!

Invite 2–3 students to share their toolkit and kit name. Emphasize that focus is a skill they can practice anytime.

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Worksheet

Focus Power-Up Reflection Worksheet

Name: ________________________________ Date: ________________

1. Remember a Time You Felt Distracted

Think back to a recent moment when you found it hard to focus. Answer the questions below:

What was I doing when I got distracted?



What distracted me?



How did I feel when I lost focus?



What could I have done to help myself focus better?



2. Build Your Focus Toolkit

Choose two strategies from your Focus Strategy Cards that you think will help you the most. Write each one below and draw a small picture or symbol next to it to remind you of the strategy.

  1. Strategy: ________________________________
    Symbol/Picture: ________________________



  2. Strategy: ________________________________
    Symbol/Picture: ________________________



Give your toolkit a cool name (for example, “My Focus Superpowers”):



3. Practice & Reflect

After you try your strategies, jot down what happened:

How did it feel to use my first strategy?






How did it feel to use my second strategy?






What worked well, and what will I remember to do next time I feel distracted?






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Activity

Focus Strategy Cards

Use these cards whenever you feel distracted. Pick one, follow the steps, and notice how your focus improves!

Card 1: Three Deep Breaths 💨

  1. Sit or stand tall with both feet on the floor.
  2. Inhale slowly through your nose for 4 counts (1-2-3-4).
  3. Exhale through your mouth for 4 counts (1-2-3-4).
  4. Repeat three times, feeling your body relax with each breath.

Card 2: Quick Stretch 🤸‍♂️

  1. Stand up straight and reach both arms overhead.
  2. Gently lean to the right, hold for 3 seconds, then return to center.
  3. Gently lean to the left, hold for 3 seconds, then return to center.
  4. Roll your shoulders forward and backward once each to release tension.

Card 3: Small Fidget 🖐️

  1. Choose a small fidget toy (stress ball, stretchy band, spinner).
  2. Hold it in one hand away from your work.
  3. Squeeze or spin quietly for three deep breaths.
  4. Notice how focusing on the toy calmed your mind and body.

Keep this deck handy! When you feel distracted, pick a card, try its strategy, and keep going with confidence.

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