Task Initiation
You don’t feel like starting your worksheet, so you just write your name first to get moving. What strategy are you using?
Just Start!
You repeat directions quietly before starting.
What strategy are you using?
Repetition
Before you start your project, you gather your pencil, paper, and glue. What part of the plan are you in?
Get Ready
Instead of cleaning your whole room at once, you decide to pick up just your clothes first. What strategy are you using?
Chunking
You feel your body getting mad or frustrated.
You take a slow 5-second inhale and exhale.
What Power-Up are you using?
The Reset Breath
Your homework looks long, so you begin with the easiest question first. What strategy are you using?
Starting with the easiest part
You draw a quick picture to remember what to build.
What strategy are you using?
Visualization
You have all your materials. Now you are writing, cutting, solving, or building. What part of the plan are you in?
Do
You have to write a paragraph.
You say, “First I’ll write the topic sentence. Next I’ll add details.” What strategy are you using?
First → Next → Then → Last
You look at a big assignment and circle just one small part to start.
What Power-Up are you using?
Shrink the Monster
Your desk has toys and papers everywhere, so you clean it off before beginning. What strategy are you using?
Eliminating distractions
You check the board to remember the steps. What strategy are you using?
Using a Visual / Checking Directions
You finished the work. You check your answers, put your name on it, and clean up your space. What part of the plan are you in?
Done
You have to write a paragraph. You decide to brainstorm ideas first before writing full sentences. What strategy are you using?
Planning first
Your brain says, “I can’t do this.”
You change it to, “I can try one part.”
What Power-Up are you using?
Coach Talk
You are staring at a blank writing page and don’t know how to begin. What is the BEST strategy to help you start? Explain why.
Just Start, Break It Down, Start with the Easy Part, Positive Self-Talk
The teacher gives 4 directions. You forget the last two. What is the BEST strategy to use next?
Possible:
Repeat the steps
Ask for repetition
Check the board
Visualize the steps
A student starts working right away but keeps getting up because they forgot supplies. Which part of the plan did they forget?
Get Ready
You tell yourself, “I’ll work for 5 minutes, then take a short break.”
Set a timer
You feel frustration building in your body.
You do a 10-second wall push to get it out.
What Power-Up are you using?
Muscle Reset
During independent reading time, a student keeps saying, “I don’t know what to do,” and isn’t opening their book. You are the teacher. What TWO strategies would you recommend to help this student get started?
You could:
Tell them to choose a book first.
Set a timer for 2 minutes.
Start with the first page only.
Eliminate distractions.
Your class is doing a science experiment.
A student keeps asking, “What do we do next?”
They forget steps halfway through. What strategies would you teach this student to help them follow directions independently?
Possible:
Repetition
Visualization
Checking the written steps
Breaking into smaller steps
Your class is starting a big project.
Some students begin drawing before reading the directions. Later they realize they missed important parts. What strategy should they use next time before starting? Explain why.
Strong answers:
Get Ready–Do–Done
Start with DONE so we know what it should look like
Plan the steps before starting
A student has a 4-part project due Friday: Research, Write, Draw, Present.
They feel overwhelmed on Monday.
What is the BEST plan to help them succeed this week?
Do one part each day
Make a checklist
Plan backwards from Friday
Set small daily goals
During math, a student:
Feels angry
Says “This is too hard”
Wants to crumple their paper
You are their coach.
What TWO Power-Ups should they use first, and why?
Reset Breath (slow the brain down)
Coach Talk (“I can try one part”)
Shrink the Monster (circle one problem)