Planning and Organization
What tool helps you remember important dates and assignments?
Planner or Calednar
What part of your brain “keeps information in mind while you use it”?
Working Memory
What’s a strategy to help stop blurting out in class?
Count to 3; Write it down first
What’s one coping strategy you can use when feeling frustrated?
Deep breathing; counting; drawing
What does it mean to be flexible in your thinking?
Being able to change plans or ideas when needed
Name two strategies you can use to break a big project into smaller steps.
Chunking; Checklist Making
If your teacher gives you 3-step directions, how can you remember them?
Repeat them back; Write them down
True or False: Self-control means never having fun.
False
How can recognizing your body signals (like a fast heartbeat) help with emotions?
Noticing body signals, like a fast heartbeat, helps you catch your emotions early so you can calm down or cope before they get too strong.
Your teacher changes the seating chart. How can you adapt?
Keeping an open mind and accepting the change.
Finding something positive about the new seat (better view, new friends nearby).
Staying flexible and focusing on your work, not the seat.
Introducing yourself to new neighbors to feel comfortable.
Using coping strategies if it feels frustrating, like taking a deep breath or positive self-talk.
You forgot your homework at home three times this week. What system could you create to help?
A “pack-up” routine at the end of the day
What kid-like game or activity helps improve working memory?
Memory Cards; Simon Says
Give one example of a situation where self-control is important at school.
Various answers
What’s a “calm down corner” and how does it help?
A quiet space where you can step away when you’re stressed or upset—maybe with headphones, a journal, or something to fidget with. It helps you reset, manage your emotions, and come back ready to focus without losing control.
If your first solution to a math problem doesn’t work, what can you do next?
Try a different method or strategy.
Reread the problem to make sure you understood it.
Break it into smaller steps to make it easier.
Ask for help or hints from a teacher or classmate.
Double-check your work for mistakes and fix them.
What’s the difference between a short-term goal and a long-term goal?
A short-term goal is a smaller, immediate objective you can achieve in the near future.
A long-term goal is a broader, bigger-picture aim that may take months or years to accomplish, and usually requires sustained effort and multiple short-term goals along the way.
You are asked to remember a phone number long enough to type it. What EF skill are you using?
Working Memory
You feel like yelling when a game doesn’t go your way. What’s a replacement behavior you can use?
Take a few deep breaths to reset.
Step away for a minute (grab water, walk around).
Say something calm but honest like, “That’s frustrating” instead of yelling.
Use self-talk (“I’ll get another chance” / “It’s not worth getting worked up”).
Channel the energy by squeezing your hands into fists and letting go, or stretching.
Focus on the next move instead of the one that went wrong.
Laugh it off or joke about it to lighten the mood.
If a friend says something mean, what’s one way to respond that shows regulation?
Stay calm and walk away instead of reacting.
Take a deep breath before saying anything.
Respond politely: “I don’t like that comment” without yelling.
Use humor to diffuse the tension.
Ignore it and focus on something positive.
Talk it out later when both of you are calm.
What’s one way flexibility helps with friendships?
Flexibility helps with friendships by letting you adjust to changes or disagreements—like compromising, listening to others’ ideas, or trying new activities—so relationships stay positive and strong.
You have soccer practice, homework, and chores all in one evening. How could you prioritize your tasks?
Various answers
Explain how working memory helps you with reading comprehension.
Working memory helps you understand what you read by letting you keep track of the words and ideas long enough to connect them. It’s what allows you to remember the beginning of a sentence while you read the end, and to put all the pieces together so the story or text makes sense.
What’s one way to “pause” before acting on impulse?
Take a deep breath; use self-talk; visualize a stop sign
Explain the difference between a “big problem” and a “small problem.”
A big problem is something that has serious consequences or lasts a long time, like failing an important class or getting hurt. A small problem is something temporary or less serious, like losing a pencil or spilling a drink. Big problems usually need more planning and support, while small problems can often be solved quickly or shrugged off.
Describe a time when you had to adjust to an unexpected change.
Various answers