Lesson Plan
Ready, Set, Focus!
Enable Benjamin to initiate tasks within 1 minute with no more than one prompt and sustain engagement for 7 consecutive minutes, tracking performance data for accuracy.
Building Benjamin’s independence in starting and staying on tasks reduces instructional prompts over time, boosts confidence, and improves academic engagement and outcomes.
Audience
2nd Grade
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Interactive practice with prompt fading and real-time data tracking.
Materials
Prep
Prepare Materials
10 minutes
- Print and assemble the Visual Schedule, Prompt Cue Cards, Task Initiation Cards, and Data Tracking Sheet.
- Set up the Sustained Attention Timer and confirm it’s ready to use.
- Review Benjamin’s task initiation and sustained attention goals for reference.
Step 1
Warm-Up & Goal Review
5 minutes
- Greet Benjamin and introduce today’s focus: quick starts and sustained effort.
- Display the Visual Schedule outlining each activity.
- Confirm Benjamin understands the sequence and criteria for success.
Step 2
Task Initiation Practice
10 minutes
- Present one Task Initiation Card and prompt Benjamin to begin within 1 minute.
- If needed, provide a single prompt using a Prompt Cue Card.
- Immediately record initiation time and prompt usage on the Data Tracking Sheet.
- Repeat with five different cards, encouraging independent starts.
Step 3
Sustained Attention Game
10 minutes
- Explain the 7-minute focus challenge and start the Sustained Attention Timer.
- Have Benjamin work on a preferred academic or play task without interruption.
- Offer up to one redirection if attention drifts.
- Log any redirections and total engagement time on the Data Tracking Sheet.
Step 4
Reflection & Data Collection
5 minutes
- Review the Data Tracking Sheet with Benjamin.
- Provide positive feedback on successful starts and sustained focus.
- Discuss strategies to improve any missed goals next time.
- Store the data for ongoing progress monitoring.
Slide Deck
Ready, Set, Focus!
Practice Task Initiation & Sustained Attention
Welcome the student and set a positive tone. Explain that today’s session will focus on starting tasks quickly and staying focused.
Session Objectives
• Begin a task within 1 minute of instruction with no more than one prompt (80% accuracy)
• Stay engaged in a task for at least 7 consecutive minutes with no more than one redirection (80% accuracy)
• Track performance data to celebrate success and guide improvement
Read through the objectives aloud. Emphasize the importance of quick starts and sustained effort.
Materials You’ll Need
Show each item as you point to it. Confirm that Benjamin recognizes each visual tool.
Warm-Up & Goal Review (5 min)
- Greet Benjamin and introduce today’s focus.
- Display the Visual Schedule.
- Confirm sequence and success criteria.
Guide Benjamin through the visual schedule step by step. Ask him to predict what comes next.
Task Initiation Practice (10 min)
- Present a Task Initiation Card.
- Wait up to 1 minute for him to start.
- If needed, use one Prompt Cue Card.
- Record initiation time and prompt usage on the Data Tracking Sheet.
- Repeat with five cards, encouraging independence.
Model one round first if needed. Then prompt Benjamin to start independently and record data.
Sustained Attention Game (10 min)
- Explain the 7-minute focus challenge.
- Start the Sustained Attention Timer.
- Have Benjamin work on a preferred task without interruption.
- Offer up to one redirection if needed.
- Log redirections and total engagement time on the Data Tracking Sheet.
Start the timer together and cheer him on quietly. Provide one gentle redirection if attention drifts.
Reflection & Data Collection (5 min)
• Review the Data Tracking Sheet together.
• Provide positive feedback for quick starts and sustained focus.
• Discuss one strategy to improve if goals weren’t met.
• Store data for ongoing monitoring.
Celebrate successes and discuss small tweaks. Save the data sheet for next session planning.
Worksheet
Visual Schedule
Instructions: Draw the matching icon for each activity in the box. Check the box (☐) when we complete it during our session.
- ☐ Warm-Up & Goal Review (5 min)
[ Draw the icon here ]
- ☐ Task Initiation Practice (10 min)
[ Draw the icon here ]
- ☐ Sustained Attention Game (10 min)
[ Draw the icon here ]
- ☐ Reflection & Data Collection (5 min)
[ Draw the icon here ]
My Notes
Use this space to jot any thoughts or reminders as we go through each step.
Worksheet
Prompt Cue Cards
Instructions: Print this page and cut along the dotted lines to create individual cue cards. Laminate for durability. Use these cards to provide a single, clear prompt when Benjamin needs help starting a task.
Card 1
"Ready, set... go! Start your task now."
[ Draw or paste a matching icon here ]
Card 2
"Let’s begin with this first step."
[ Draw or paste a matching icon here ]
Card 3
"Look at your card and get started."
[ Draw or paste a matching icon here ]
Card 4
"Take out your materials and begin."
[ Draw or paste a matching icon here ]
Card 5
"It’s time to start—let’s go!"
[ Draw or paste a matching icon here ]
Card 6
"First thing first: show me your work."
[ Draw or paste a matching icon here ]
Tips for Use:
- Present only one card at a time.
- Provide the card visually (hold it up) and verbally read the phrase.
- Fade your use of cards as Benjamin becomes more independent.
Prepared for use with Ready, Set, Focus!
Worksheet
Task Initiation Cards
Instructions: Print and cut along the dotted lines to create individual task cards. Laminate for durability. Present one card at a time and prompt Benjamin to begin within 1 minute, using a single visual or verbal prompt if needed.
Card 1
Write your first and last name on the line below:
Card 2
Solve these addition problems:
- 7 + 5 = ______
- 4 + 9 = ______
Card 3
Read the short sentence and draw a picture:
"The cat sat on the mat."
Card 4
Draw a picture of your favorite animal and name it:
Animal: ______________________
Card 5
Complete the 6-piece puzzle and show it to me when you’re done.
Card 6
Practice writing these spelling words:
- boat
- tree
- house
Tips for Use:
- Present only one card at a time.
- Hold up the card and read it aloud.
- Wait up to 1 minute for Benjamin to begin.
- Use one Prompt Cue Card if he needs help.
- Fade prompts as he becomes more independent.
Prepared for use with Ready, Set, Focus!
Worksheet
Sustained Attention Timer
Instructions:
- Set a timer for 7 minutes.
- For each full minute Benjamin remains engaged without needing a redirection, color in one box below.
- If you provide a redirection, mark “R” in that minute’s box.
| Minute No. | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engagement | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ |
Redirection Log
Did a redirection occur? [ ] Yes [ ] No
If yes, at minute: ______________________
Notes:
Prepared for use with Ready, Set, Focus!
Worksheet
Data Tracking Sheet
Student: Benjamin
Date: _______________
Session #: _______________
Task Initiation Practice
Instructions: For each Task Initiation Card, record how long Benjamin takes to start (in seconds) and note if a prompt was provided (Y/N) and its type.
Notes on Initiation:
Sustained Attention Data
Instructions: Set the timer for 7 minutes. For each minute, mark whether Benjamin remained engaged (E) or needed a redirection (R). If redirected, note the minute and type of redirection.
| Minute | Engaged? (E) | Redirection? (R) | Redirection Type / Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | [ ] | [ ] | ______________________________ | |
| 2 | [ ] | [ ] | ______________________________ | |
| 3 | [ ] | [ ] | ______________________________ | |
| 4 | [ ] | [ ] | ______________________________ | |
| 5 | [ ] | [ ] | ______________________________ | |
| 6 | [ ] | [ ] | ______________________________ | |
| 7 | [ ] | [ ] | ______________________________ | |
- Total Redirections: ________
- Longest Uninterrupted Engagement (min): ________
Notes on Attention:
Reflection & Next Steps
- What strategies worked well?
- Where did Benjamin need extra support?
- Goals for next session:
Prepared for use with Ready, Set, Focus!