LEARNING OBJECTIVES

Define ADHD; identify some common obstacles that may prevent teens from focusing and describe solutions; separate facts from myths about focusing.

HEALTH ED STANDARDS

NHES 7: Demonstrate the ability to practice health-enhancing behaviors and avoid or reduce health risks.

CASEL COMPETENCY: Self-management; self-awareness

KEY VOCAB

diagnosed

distractibility

momentum

multitask

tedious

Lesson Plan: Ready, Set, Focus!

When it comes to staying on task, the struggle can be real. Here’s how to zero in, tune out distractions, and get stuff done.

PREPARING TO READ

Before you read the article “Ready, Set, Focus!” ask your students the following pre-reading questions:

What are common challenges teens may face when trying to focus, and how can you deal with these challenges?

READING AND DISCUSSION

  • Have your students read the article “Ready, Set, Focus!” independently; read the article out loud to them; or have students partner-read the article out loud.
  • After they’ve read the article, revisit the pre-reading questions. Have their answers changed?

BUILDING COMPREHENSION AND VOCAB

Check students’ comprehension of and engagement with the story with the following assessment tools:

  • Comprehension Quiz
  • Vocab Builder

EXPANDING SEL OPPORTUNITIES

Continue the learning journey with the following writing prompt:

In HELP ME FOCUS!, students will write a one-to two-page dialogue between themselves and a school counselor. They should imagine they have approached their counselor hoping to get help with one or two focus issues that they feel have started to affect their academic performance. Have them start by describing the issue(s), and then write the words they imagine the counselor would say to help them. Students can use the article for inspiration, but encourage them to be original and apply what they have learned, perhaps by writing about a scenario that is specific to them.

Print the Lesson Plan

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