Response Inhibition
What does response inhibition mean?
Thinking before you act
What is sustained attention?
The ability to stay focused on a task for a long period of time
A student is working in a noisy classroom but continues focusing on their assignment and ignores distractions.
Sustained Attention
Why: They stay focused despite distractions
A student realizes halfway through a test that they don’t understand a question. They stop, reread it, and change their approach.
Metacognition
Why: They recognized they didn’t understand and adjusted their thinking
How old is Mr. U
23
You want to shout out the answer in class. What should you do instead?
Raise your hand and wait
Which of the following shows sustained attention?
A. Checking your phone every 2 minutes
B. Working on homework for 30 minutes without stopping
C. Talking to friends during class
B. Working on homework for 30 minutes without stopping
A student wants to interrupt someone while they are talking but stops themselves and waits their turn.
Response Inhibition
Why: They control their impulse
A student has multiple assignments due. They decide to complete the hardest one first and leave the easier ones for later.
Planning & Prioritization
Why: They are deciding the order of tasks based on importance/difficulty
How many years has Mr. U been teaching
2
Give one example of using self-control in school.
Not interrupting, waiting your turn, etc.
Give one example of sustained attention in school.
A student’s original plan for a project isn’t working, so they switch strategies and try a different approach.
Flexibility
Why: They adapt and change their approach
A student feels frustrated during a difficult assignment but continues working without giving up.
Goal-Directed Persistence (could also accept Emotional Control with explanation)
Why: They push through difficulty to reach a goal
What sports does Mr. U coach
Soccer and track
Why is it important to stop and think before reacting?
To avoid getting in trouble / make better choices
What is one common distraction that makes sustained attention difficult?
A student creates a schedule to finish a project over several days and sticks to it each day.
Time Management (accept Planning too if justified)
Why: They are using time effectively to complete a goal
A student starts their homework right when they get home instead of waiting or procrastinating.
Task Initiation
Why: They begin a task without delay
What's Mr. U's favorite fast food
Raising Canes
A student gets teased and wants to yell back. What is the BEST choice and why?
Ignore or tell an adult because it avoids making things worse
Why is sustained attention important for learning?
It helps you complete tasks, understand information, and avoid mistakes
A student gets angry after receiving a bad grade but takes a deep breath and focuses on improving next time.
Emotional Control + Goal-Directed Persistence
Why: They manage emotions and stay focused on improvement
A student remembers a strategy they used on a previous test and applies it to solve a new problem.
Working Memory
Why: They are using past information to help with a current task
What is Mr. U's favorite color
orange