The Executive Function Game Show

L Negron

Tier 1

Lesson Plan

Game Show Prep & Play

Students will review and reinforce strategies for planning and prioritizing tasks effectively, applying these skills in an interactive game show format.

Effective planning and prioritizing are crucial life skills that help students manage their academics, personal responsibilities, and reduce stress, fostering greater independence and success.

Audience

6th Grade Class

Time

40 minutes

Approach

Interactive game show

Materials

Executive Function Challenge, - Prioritization Power-Up, - EF Quick Check, - Whiteboard or projector, - Markers or pens, and - Small prizes (optional)

Prep

Game Show Setup

15 minutes

Review all generated materials: Executive Function Challenge slide deck, Prioritization Power-Up game, and EF Quick Check quiz.
- Prepare the classroom for a game show, ensuring the whiteboard or projector is ready.
- If using, gather small prizes for game winners or participants.
- Divide the class into 3-4 teams beforehand or at the start of the lesson.

Step 1

Warm-Up & Introduction (5 min)

5 minutes

Greet students and introduce 'The Executive Function Game Show!'
- Briefly explain that today's lesson will be a fun way to review planning and prioritizing.
- Ask: "Why do you think planning and prioritizing are important in your daily life?" Allow a few student responses.

Step 2

Executive Function Challenge (10 min)

10 minutes

Present the Executive Function Challenge slide deck.
- Go through the slides, quickly reviewing key concepts of planning (breaking down tasks, setting goals) and prioritizing (identifying importance/urgency).
- Encourage brief team discussions for each concept presented.

Step 3

Prioritization Power-Up Game (20 min)

20 minutes

Explain the rules for the Prioritization Power-Up game.
- Divide students into their pre-assigned teams.
- Facilitate the game, acting as the host, reading scenarios, and awarding points.
- Ensure all teams have opportunities to participate and discuss their answers.

Step 4

EF Quick Check & Wrap-Up (5 min)

5 minutes

Distribute the EF Quick Check quiz to each student.
- Give students a few minutes to complete the quiz individually.
- Briefly review answers as a class or collect for assessment.
- Congratulate the winning team(s) and provide optional prizes.
- Conclude by reiterating the importance of using planning and prioritizing skills in their schoolwork and personal lives.

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Slide Deck

Welcome to the Executive Function Challenge!

Get ready to power up your brain and master important skills!

Welcome students to the 'Executive Function Challenge' game show! Build excitement for the upcoming activities. Explain that executive functions like planning and prioritizing are super skills for school and life.

What is Planning?

Planning: Creating a roadmap to reach a goal.
- Breaking down big tasks into smaller steps.
- Thinking about what you need, who can help, and when it needs to be done.

Introduce the concept of 'Planning.' Ask students for examples of things they plan (e.g., a birthday party, a project, a trip). Emphasize that planning helps us achieve goals by thinking ahead.

What is Prioritizing?

Prioritizing: Deciding what's most important and needs to be done first.
- What has a deadline?
- What impacts other tasks?
- What is most urgent vs. most important?

Introduce 'Prioritizing.' Ask students why it's important to decide what to do first. Give a simple example: If you have homework, chores, and video games, which is most important right now? Connect it to time management.

Planning & Prioritizing: Super Skills!

When you plan and prioritize, you:

Stay organized
Finish tasks on time
Reduce stress
Achieve your goals!

Let's put these skills to the test in the Prioritization Power-Up!

Briefly recap both concepts. Explain that practicing these skills helps them be more organized, less stressed, and more successful. Transition to the game portion of the lesson.

Game

Prioritization Power-Up: The Executive Function Game Show!

Game Rules:

Teams: You will be divided into teams.
Scenarios: I will read out a scenario. Your team will have 1-2 minutes to discuss and decide on the best way to plan and prioritize the tasks in the scenario.
Whiteboards/Paper: Write down your team's plan or prioritization order on a whiteboard or a piece of paper.
Show Your Work! When I say "Time's Up! Show Your Power-Up!" hold up your answers.
Points: Teams will earn points for logical and well-reasoned answers. I'm the judge, so make your case clear!
Discussion: We will briefly discuss each scenario after teams present their answers.

Round 1: The Homework Hustle

Scenario: It's Tuesday evening, and you have the following tasks before tomorrow:

Math worksheet (due tomorrow, takes 20 minutes)
Read chapter 5 for English (due tomorrow, takes 30 minutes)
Practice piano (recital on Friday, takes 15 minutes)
Clean your room (parents want it done by dinner, takes 10 minutes, dinner is in 30 mins)

Challenge: How would you prioritize these tasks? What order would you do them in, and why?

Round 2: The Project Panic

Scenario: You have a big science project due in one week. Here are the steps:

Choose a topic (due today)
Research information (takes 2 hours)
Create a display board (takes 1 hour)
Write a report (takes 1.5 hours)
Practice your presentation (takes 30 minutes)

Challenge: Create a simple plan for tackling this project over the next week. What steps would you do first, and how would you break down the larger tasks?

Round 3: The Weekend Whirlwind

Scenario: It's Saturday morning, and you have these things to do:

Meet a friend at the park (noon)
Help your guardian with groceries (takes 45 minutes, they want to go around 10 AM)
Finish reading a fun book (you're almost done, want to know the ending!)
Do your weekly allowance chores (takes 1 hour)

Challenge: How would you plan your Saturday morning to get everything done and still have fun? What comes first, second, etc.?