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Listen Up, Focus In!

Lesson Plan

Listen Up, Focus In!

Students will learn and practice strategies for following multi-step directions, sustaining attention during tasks, and managing impulsive behaviors to improve classroom engagement and self-regulation.

These skills are fundamental for academic success and positive social interactions. Mastering them helps students learn effectively, participate constructively, and navigate daily challenges with greater independence.

Audience

2nd Grade Students (Tier 2 Small Group)

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Interactive practice and guided reflection.

Materials

Whiteboard or projector, Slide Deck: Listen Up! Focus In!, Markers or pens, Activity: Stop, Think, Act! Challenge, Worksheet: My Focus Tracker, and Cool Down: The Great Self-Control Check-In

Prep

Prepare Materials

10 minutes

Step 1

Warm-Up: Ready, Set, Listen!

5 minutes

  1. Welcome and Set the Stage: Greet students warmly. "Today, we're going to become superheroes of listening and focusing! We'll learn some awesome tricks to help us follow directions and stay on track."
    2. Quick Activity - 'Simon Says' Twist: "Let's play a quick game. It's like 'Simon Says,' but I'll add a twist. You only do what I say IF I say 'Lenny says.' If I don't say 'Lenny says,' don't do it! But here's the twist: If I clap twice, you must do the action, even if I don't say 'Lenny says.'" (e.g., "Lenny says touch your nose." clap clap "Stand up.") Focus on a few rounds to observe initial attention and impulsivity.
    3. Introduce Objectives: "That was fun! Sometimes our brains want to move fast, but it's important to stop, think, and then act. Today, we're going to practice exactly that: really listening to directions, staying focused, and choosing our actions carefully. This will help us learn even more amazing things!"

Step 2

Strategies for Success: Stop, Think, Act!

10 minutes

  1. Introduce 'Stop, Think, Act' Strategy: "Our first superhero strategy is called 'Stop, Think, Act!' This is a superpower for your brain!"
    * STOP: "When you hear directions or feel like doing something quickly, first, just stop. Freeze for a second." (Model freezing)
    * THINK: "Next, think. Ask yourself: 'What did the teacher really say? What am I supposed to do? What's the best choice right now?'" (Model tapping temple)
    * ACT: "Only after you've stopped and thought, then you act. Do what you planned." (Model a thoughtful action)
    2. Visual Aid & Discussion: Display Slide Deck: Listen Up! Focus In! (Slides 1-3). Discuss each step with examples relevant to the classroom (e.g.,
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Slide Deck

Super Listening, Super Focus!

Ready to be a listening and focusing superhero?

Let's learn some amazing brain powers!

Welcome students and introduce the concept of becoming 'superheroes' of listening and focusing. Emphasize that these skills help them learn and grow.

Strategy 1: STOP!

When you hear directions or feel excited to act:

  • STOP!
  • Freeze for a second.
  • Don't rush in!

Introduce the first step of the strategy: STOP. Model it physically (freeze). Explain why it's important not to rush.

Strategy 2: THINK!

After you stop, ask your brain:

  • What did the teacher really say?
  • What am I supposed to do?
  • What's the best choice right now?

Introduce the second step: THINK. Model tapping the temple. Provide examples of what to think about (what was said, what to do).

Strategy 3: ACT!

Only after you've stopped and thought, then:

  • ACT!
  • Do what you planned.
  • Make a good choice!

Introduce the third step: ACT. Emphasize that action comes after stopping and thinking. Model a thoughtful action.

Superhero Power: Brain Filters!

Our brains have amazing 'filters'!

  • They help us keep important things IN.
  • They help us keep distractions OUT.
  • Let's practice turning on our brain filters!

Explain the concept of 'brain filters' for staying focused. Use an analogy students can understand, like a filter for water, but for thoughts.

Superhero Power: Body Calm, Brain Ready!

To focus, our bodies need to be calm.

  • Still hands and feet.
  • Eyes on the speaker.
  • Ears listening carefully.
  • Ready to learn!

Introduce the 'Body Calm, Brain Ready' idea. Discuss how physical calmness helps mental focus. Ask students to show 'body calm' poses.

You're a Focus Master!

Remember our superpowers:

  • STOP, THINK, ACT!
  • Use your Brain Filters!
  • Keep your Body Calm, Brain Ready!

You're doing great!

Conclude with a summary of the strategies and positive encouragement. Reiterate that practice makes perfect.

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Activity

Stop, Think, Act! Challenge

Can you master your superhero brain powers?

Listen carefully to the challenges. Remember to STOP, THINK, and then ACT!

Challenge 1: The Wacky Wake-Up

Instructions:

  1. First, touch your toes.
  2. Then, pat your head three times.
  3. After that, jump up and down twice.
  4. Finally, point to the door.







What did you do first?







What was the last thing you did?







Challenge 2: The Silent Signal

Instructions:

  • When I raise my hand, you STOP what you are doing and LOOK at me.
  • If I then point to the ceiling, you CLOSE your eyes for 5 seconds.
  • If I then wiggle my fingers, you OPEN your eyes and SMILE.

(Teacher: Give these instructions verbally, then act them out, pausing between each step. Observe students' ability to stop, process, and act.)







What was the signal to stop?







What did you do when I wiggled my fingers?







Challenge 3: Classroom Conundrums

Read each situation and decide what a 'Stop, Think, Act!' superhero would do.

  1. You are working on a puzzle, and your friend grabs a piece you need. Your first thought is to grab it back!

    • STOP! What should you do instead?
    • THINK! What are your choices?
    • ACT! What is the best choice?












  2. The teacher says, "Put your pencils down, turn to page 10, and wait for my next direction." You immediately want to start reading page 10.

    • STOP! What part of the direction might you forget if you rush?
    • THINK! What is the very last thing the teacher said?
    • ACT! What is the best choice?












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Worksheet

My Focus Tracker

How well did you use your superhero powers today?

Color in the stars to show how well you did!

1. Following Directions

I listened carefully to all the steps and did what I was asked.

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

What was one direction you followed really well today?




2. Staying Focused

I kept my brain on the task and didn't let distractions pull me away.

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

What helped you stay focused?




3. Managing Impulsivity (Stop, Think, Act!)

I remembered to STOP, THINK, and ACT instead of rushing or reacting quickly.

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

When did you remember to STOP, THINK, ACT today?




My Superpower Goal:

One thing I want to keep practicing to be an even better listener and focuser is:







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Cool Down

The Great Self-Control Check-In

Before you go, let's quickly check in with our superhero brains!

Circle the face that shows how you feel about your self-control today.

How well did I use my STOP, THINK, ACT superpower today?

🙂 I used it all the time!

😐 I used it sometimes.

🙁 I forgot to use it today.

One thing I learned today about being a better listener or focuser is:




What is one way you will try to use your new superpower tomorrow?




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Listen Up, Focus In! • Lenny Learning