Lesson Plan
Mastering My Mind
Students will be able to identify and apply practical strategies for organization, planning, and task initiation, building a personalized toolkit to manage their responsibilities effectively.
Mastering executive functions like organization, planning, and task initiation is crucial for academic success, reducing stress, and building confidence in managing daily responsibilities.
Audience
7th Grade Class
Time
75 minutes
Approach
Through direct instruction, interactive activities, and a personal project, students will learn and apply executive function strategies.
Materials
Executive Function Superpowers (slide-deck), Task Breakdown Challenge (activity), My Personal Planner Creation Guide (project), and Planner Project Assessment Rubric (rubric)
Prep
Teacher Preparation
30 minutes
- Review the Mastering My Mind Lesson Plan and all linked materials: Executive Function Superpowers Slide Deck, Task Breakdown Challenge Activity, My Personal Planner Creation Guide Project, and Planner Project Assessment Rubric Rubric.
- Prepare any necessary printouts for the Task Breakdown Challenge Activity and My Personal Planner Creation Guide Project.
- Ensure technology for the Executive Function Superpowers Slide Deck is ready.
Step 1
Warm-Up: What's Your Brain's Superpower?
10 minutes
- Begin by asking students: "What's something you're really good at doing without much thought? Maybe it's playing a video game, making a snack, or remembering song lyrics." Allow a few students to share.
- Introduce the idea that our brains also have superpowers, and today we'll be exploring some called 'Executive Functions.'
- Transition to the Executive Function Superpowers Slide Deck for the introduction.
Step 2
Introduction to Executive Functions
15 minutes
- Present the Executive Function Superpowers Slide Deck slides 1-5, focusing on defining organization, planning, and task initiation.
- Use the script to guide the discussion, asking probing questions and encouraging student examples.
- Emphasize the relevance of these skills to their daily lives (school, chores, hobbies).
Step 3
Activity: Task Breakdown Challenge
20 minutes
- Introduce the Task Breakdown Challenge Activity.
- Divide students into small groups or pairs.
- Provide each group with a common, slightly complex task (e.g., planning a simple class event, preparing for a test).
- Instruct them to break down the task into smaller, manageable steps, using the strategies discussed.
- Circulate and provide support and feedback.
- Have groups share one challenging task and how they broke it down.
Step 4
Project Introduction: My Personal Planner
20 minutes
- Introduce the My Personal Planner Creation Guide Project.
- Explain that students will create a personalized planner or system to help them organize, plan, and initiate tasks.
- Review the expectations and requirements using the Planner Project Assessment Rubric Rubric.
- Allow time for students to brainstorm initial ideas and ask questions.
Step 5
Cool-Down: One New Tool
10 minutes
- Ask students to reflect on the lesson and identify one new strategy or idea they learned that they think will be most helpful to them.
- Have them write it down on an exit ticket or share with a partner.
- Collect exit tickets for a quick check of understanding.
use Lenny to create lessons.
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Slide Deck
Executive Function Superpowers: Mastering My Mind!
Unlock your brain's hidden abilities for success!
Welcome students and introduce the day's topic: discovering their inner 'superpowers' for school and life. Ask a quick warm-up question: 'What helps you get ready for school each morning?'
What are Executive Functions?
The 'CEO' of your brain!
- Skills that help you get things done
- Like a mental control center
- Helps you plan, focus, remember, and manage time
Explain that Executive Functions are like the 'CEO' of our brain, helping us manage tasks, plan ahead, and stay organized. They're essential for school, sports, and even just remembering to pack your lunch!
Superpower #1: Organization
Keeping things in their place!
- What it is: Arranging materials, tasks, and information in a logical way.
- Why it matters: Find things easily, reduce stress, stay on track.
- Strategies: Use folders, binders, labels, clear up your workspace.
Focus on organization. Ask students for examples of being organized at school or at home. Discuss how a tidy backpack or a clear desk can make a difference. Mention using folders, binders, or digital tools.
Superpower #2: Planning
Thinking ahead!
- What it is: Deciding what to do, how to do it, and in what order.
- Why it matters: Reach your goals, avoid last-minute panic, manage your time.
- Strategies: Make a list, use a calendar, break tasks into smaller steps.
Discuss planning. Ask students how they plan for a party, a trip, or a big project. Emphasize breaking down big tasks into smaller steps. Introduce the idea of a 'to-do' list or a calendar.
Superpower #3: Task Initiation
Just start it!
- What it is: Starting a task without too much procrastination.
- Why it matters: Get work done, feel productive, build momentum.
- Strategies: Break tasks into tiny steps, set a timer for 5 minutes, reward yourself for starting.
Talk about task initiation. This is often the hardest part! Ask students what makes it hard to start homework. Brainstorm ways to just 'get started,' even for 5 minutes. Mention setting a timer or rewarding themselves.
Why do these Superpowers matter?
Empower yourself for:
- School success
- Less stress
- More free time
- Feeling in control!
Summarize why these skills are important for their overall success and well-being. Connect back to the idea of building their 'toolkit.' Transition to the activity.
Project Guide
My Personal Planner Creation Guide
Project Goal
Create a personalized planner or organizational system that helps you keep track of your assignments, appointments, and personal goals. This planner will be your Executive Function Toolkit for managing your responsibilities and reducing stress.
Why is this important?
Learning to organize, plan, and start tasks effectively will help you succeed in school, manage your time for activities you enjoy, and feel more in control of your daily life.
Project Steps
Step 1: Brainstorm Your Needs (10 minutes)
Think about what kind of organization system works best for you. Ask yourself:
- What do I need to keep track of? (e.g., homework, tests, chores, appointments, sports practice, video game release dates)
- What kind of planner or tool have I used before? What did I like or dislike about it?
- Do I prefer digital or paper?
- What helps me remember things?
Step 2: Choose Your Format (15 minutes)
Based on your brainstorming, decide what type of planner or system you want to create. Here are some ideas:
- Traditional Paper Planner: A notebook, diary, or binder with sections.
- Digital Planner: Using an app (e.g., Google Calendar, Trello, Reminders) or a document (e.g., Google Doc, Word).
- Bullet Journal: A customizable notebook where you create your own layouts for tasks, goals, and notes.
- Wall Calendar/Whiteboard: A visual system for tracking tasks at home.
Be creative! You can combine ideas or invent something totally new.
Step 3: Design and Structure Your Planner (20 minutes)
Now it's time to build your planner. Consider including:
- Calendar/Schedule: Daily, weekly, or monthly views for appointments and deadlines.
- To-Do List: A place to write down tasks that need to be completed.
- Goal Tracker: A section for personal goals (e.g., reading a book, learning a new skill).
- Notes Section: For important information or ideas.
- Personal Touches: Decorate it, add stickers, use different colors! Make it yours.
Step 4: Share Your Planner (5 minutes)
Be ready to briefly share your planner with a partner or the class. Explain why you chose your format and what features you included.
Rubric
Planner Project Assessment Rubric
Student Name: _________________________
Project: My Personal Planner
This rubric will be used to assess your personalized planner or organizational system. Pay close attention to each category to ensure your planner meets the expectations.
| Category | 4 - Exceeds Expectations | 3 - Meets Expectations | 2 - Partially Meets Expectations | 1 - Needs Significant Improvement |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Completeness | Planner includes all required components and additional creative elements. | Planner includes all required components. | Planner is missing some required components. | Planner is largely incomplete or missing most components. |
| Organization | Planner is exceptionally well-organized, logical, and easy to navigate. | Planner is well-organized and generally easy to navigate. | Planner shows some organization but can be difficult to navigate in places. | Planner lacks clear organization and is difficult to use. |
| Practicality/Functionality | Planner is highly practical and clearly demonstrates how it will effectively support executive functions. | Planner is practical and demonstrates how it will support executive functions. | Planner has some practical elements but its functionality for executive functions is limited. | Planner is not practical or functional for supporting executive functions. |
| Personalization | Planner is highly personalized, reflecting individual needs and preferences with unique touches. | Planner shows clear evidence of personalization, reflecting individual needs and preferences. | Planner has minimal personalization or does not clearly reflect individual needs. | Planner shows no personalization and appears generic. |
| Task Initiation Strategies | Planner clearly incorporates and demonstrates at least two effective task initiation strategies. | Planner incorporates and demonstrates at least one effective task initiation strategy. | Planner attempts to incorporate a task initiation strategy, but it is not clearly demonstrated. | Planner does not incorporate any recognizable task initiation strategies. |
| Presentation | Planner is neatly presented, visually appealing, and reflects careful effort. | Planner is presented neatly and shows good effort. | Planner is somewhat messy or lacks careful presentation. | Planner is poorly presented and appears rushed. |
Total Score: ________ / 24
Activity
Task Breakdown Challenge
Goal
Work with your group to break down a big, complex task into smaller, easier-to-manage steps. This will help you practice planning and task initiation!
Instructions
- Read Your Challenge: Your group will be given a scenario with a task that needs to be completed. Read it carefully to understand what needs to be done.
- Brainstorm: As a group, discuss all the different things that need to happen to complete this task. Don't worry about order yet, just list everything you can think of.
- Order Your Steps: Now, put your brainstormed steps into a logical order. What needs to happen first? What comes next? What's the last step?
- Break it Down: Look at your steps. Are any of them still too big? Can you break any of them down even further into smaller, actionable steps? Think about how you would actually start each step.
- Assign Roles (Optional): If you have a very large task, you might consider who would be responsible for different parts of the breakdown.
- Be Ready to Share: Your group will share one of your task breakdowns with the class.
Challenge Scenario: Organizing the Class Field Trip
Your class wants to organize a field trip to a local science museum. It needs to happen before the end of the semester (in about 6 weeks). The teacher has asked your group to help plan and organize it. What are all the steps involved in making this field trip happen?
Group Work Space
Use the space below to write down your steps.
Task: Organizing the Class Field Trip