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Mind Gym

mentalhealth2

Tier 3
For Schools

Lesson Plan

Mind Gym Workout Plan

Students will complete a structured 30-minute session of focus-building activities—including a daily challenge, concentration exercises, self-reflection, progress tracking, and a cool-down—to strengthen attention and emotional control.

Early practice in focused tasks and emotional awareness helps 3rd graders build self-regulation skills, boosting classroom engagement, confidence, and well-being.

Audience

3rd Grade Student

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Sequential, scaffolded exercises with reflection and rewards.

Materials

  • Daily Challenge Slides, - Concentration Exercises, - Daily Focus Log, - Progress Tracker, and - Reward Reflection

Prep

Review Materials

5 minutes

  • Review Mind Gym Workout Plan to understand session flow
  • Preview all digital sets: Daily Challenge Slides, Concentration Exercises, Daily Focus Log, Progress Tracker, Reward Reflection
  • Ensure access to a timer and quiet workspace

Step 1

Introduction & Warm-Up

5 minutes

  • Greet the student and outline today’s goals per Mind Gym Workout Plan
  • Set a 30-minute timer
  • Lead a two-minute deep-breathing or guided imagery exercise to center attention

Step 2

Daily Challenge

5 minutes

  • Display Daily Challenge Slides
  • Introduce the challenge (e.g., “I will stay focused on my drawing for three minutes”)
  • Have the student verbalize and commit to the challenge goal

Step 3

Concentration Exercises

10 minutes

  • Guide through Concentration Exercises
  • Choose from spot-the-difference, memory match, or pattern tracing
  • Offer positive feedback after each mini-task

Step 4

Reflection & Focus Log

5 minutes

  • Hand the student the Daily Focus Log
  • Have them rate their focus on a 1–5 scale and note any emotions
  • Briefly discuss what helped or distracted them

Step 5

Progress Tracker & Reward Reflection

5 minutes

  • Review past entries in the Progress Tracker
  • Celebrate improvements and note patterns
  • Conduct the Reward Reflection: discuss how they’ll reward themselves and set a mini-goal for next time
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Slide Deck

Challenge 1: Focus Drawing

Spend 3 minutes drawing continuously on one picture. Try to keep your mind on your drawing and notice when your thoughts wander. If they do, gently bring them back to your picture.

Use the Mind Gym color gradient background (#00A8C6 to #4CD0DB) for all slides. Show an illustration of a focused child drawing. Encourage the student to set a timer and commit to the goal.

Challenge 2: Silent Countdown

From 20 down to 1, count each number in your head without speaking. Focus on the numbers and watch your breath as you count.

Maintain the same gradient background. Display a calm image of numbers or a countdown graphic. Prompt the student to take slow breaths as they count.

Challenge 3: Spot the Difference

Look at two almost identical pictures and find the 7 differences between them. Take your time and focus on each detail.

Use the gradient background and include two small pictures side by side. Ask the student to find 7 differences. Offer hints if they get stuck.

Challenge 4: Sound Sequence Memory

Listen to a sequence of 5 sounds (claps, taps, snaps) and then repeat the pattern exactly. Focus on each sound and its order.

Keep the gradient theme. Show icons representing clap, tap, snap. Model the first pattern and then let the student try.

Challenge 5: Pattern Tracing

Trace the pattern below without lifting your pencil. Keep your hand steady and focus on following the line.

Use the gradient background and a dotted-line pattern graphic. Encourage the student to move slowly and steadily.

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Activity

Concentration Exercises

These three short tasks help you practice paying attention to small details, remembering information, and moving steadily and carefully. Complete each one in sequence and use the suggested time limits.

Materials:

  • Printed Spot-the-Difference pictures (two nearly identical images)
  • Memory Match cards (6 pairs of picture cards)
  • Pattern Tracing worksheet
  • Pencil or crayon
  • Timer or stopwatch

1. Spot-the-Difference

Time: 3 minutes

Instructions:

  1. Look at two similar pictures side by side.
  2. Find and circle all 7 differences between them.
  3. Work quietly and move your eyes slowly across each area.
  4. When time’s up, compare notes—did you find them all?

Reflection:

  • How focused did you feel? (1 = distracted, 5 = fully focused)
  • Which part was hardest to spot?






2. Memory Match Card Game

Time: 4 minutes

Instructions:

  1. Shuffle all cards face down in a grid (3×4).
  2. Flip over two cards at a time, trying to find pairs.
  3. If they match, remove them; if not, turn them back over.
  4. Continue until you match all pairs or time runs out.

Tips:

  • Try to remember where pictures were when they disappear.
  • Keep your eyes on each card before you turn it back.

Reflection:

  • How many matches did you find?
  • What helped you remember card locations?











3. Pattern Tracing

Time: 3 minutes

Instructions:

  1. On your worksheet, you’ll see different dotted-line patterns (curves, zigzags, loops).
  2. Trace each line slowly without lifting your pencil.
  3. Aim for smooth, steady strokes.

Challenge:

  • Try one pattern with your non-dominant hand.
  • See if you can trace without looking closely at the line.

Reflection:

  • Which pattern felt easiest or hardest?
  • Did you notice your hand getting steadier?












Overall Reflection:
After all three tasks, ask:

  • On a scale of 1–5, how well did you keep your attention?
  • What was one strategy you used to stay focused?
  • What might you try differently next time?
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lenny

Worksheet

Daily Focus Log

Date: ________________




1. Focus Rating

On a scale of 1 (very distracted) to 5 (fully focused), circle your focus level:

1 2 3 4 5




2. Feelings

Which emotions did you notice during today’s session? (e.g., calm, frustrated, excited)







3. Distractions

What was the biggest distraction you encountered?







4. Strategies Used

List the strategies you tried to stay focused (e.g., deep breathing, counting, taking small breaks).











5. Improvement Goal

What is one small goal you can set for your next session to improve your focus?







6. Additional Comments

Any other thoughts or observations about how you felt or what you learned today?












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lenny

Journal

Progress Tracker

Use this journal to track your focus and growth each session. Fill in a new entry each time you complete Mind Gym.

Session Entry

Date: ___________________




1. Focus Rating

On a scale of 1 (very distracted) to 5 (fully focused), circle your rating:

1 2 3 4 5




2. Feelings and Observations

What feelings or thoughts did you notice today? (e.g., calm, excited, frustrated)







3. Successes

Describe one thing that helped your focus during today’s exercises.







4. Challenges or Distractions

What was the biggest challenge or distraction you faced?







5. Strategy to Try Next Time

What new strategy will you use next session to improve your focus?







Weekly Reflection (After 5 sessions)

  1. Trends I noticed over the week:






  1. My biggest improvement:






  1. New goal for next week:






  1. Additional comments or ideas:












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Cool Down

Reward Reflection

1. Celebrate Today’s Success

What is one thing you did really well today?







2. Choose Your Reward

Circle or write a simple treat you will give yourself:

  • Extra story time
  • A fun sticker
  • 5 minutes of free play






3. Encouraging Words

Write one nice thing you can say to yourself for doing your best:







4. Goal for Next Time

What is one small goal you want to try in your next session?







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