Executive Functioning for Teens: Getting Stuff Done
This session includes executive functioning activities for teens, helping older students build the motivation and skills to get tasks across the finish line. They explore a guiding question, discuss what helps them start when motivation is low, and work through a quick game that weighs two ways to handle a real scenario. The takeaway: practical strategies for task initiation and time management they can use right away.
Extension activity
- Skill
- Self-Regulation
- Goal
- Executive Functioning
- Grade level
- Middle & High School
Get everything you need to teach the skill
These materials are part of a no-prep session designed by our clinical team, with all the structure, scaffolding, and support you need to teach included.
Engaging materials
Video lessonGetting Stuff Done
In this video lesson, students learn how to build time management and task initiation skills by using a planner, prioritizing a to-do list, breaking big tasks into smaller parts, setting a timer, and reducing distractions.
- Extension activity
Getting Stuff Done
In this interactive flashcard activity, students review the difference between time management and task initiation, along with strategies like using a planner, prioritizing a to-do list, and setting a timer.
Plus everything you need to teach them
Warm-up
- Video: 4-7-8 Breathing2:13
- Video: Obstacles into Opportunities Visualization1:19
- Video: Yoga Pose Library
Session Opener
Guiding Question: What helps a person stay motivated to finish tasks?
Practice
- Discussion Question
- Role-Play Activity
- Mini Game
How to use it with your students
- 1Watch Play the video lesson so students see the skill in action.
- 2Practice Try the skill together with a discussion prompt, role-play, or mini game.
- 3Extend Use the extension activity to help students carry the skill further.
What's Covered
In this lesson, students learned how to break a big task into smaller, manageable steps so it feels less overwhelming to start. They practiced choosing a first step and noticing what helped them stay motivated until the work was done. Doing this can make getting started easier when a task feels too big to tackle all at once.
Key Terms
- Time Management
- Planning how you'll use your available time so important tasks actually get done. You decide what to work on and for how long, instead of letting time slip away.
- Task Initiation
- Starting a task within a reasonable amount of time using a step-by-step approach. You break a big task into smaller parts and begin one piece instead of waiting until it feels overwhelming.
Sample IEP Goal This Session Supports
-
Executive Functioning
Given a multi-step task, learner will use at least one self-selected organizational strategy (e.g., visual planner, breaking the task into steps, visual timer) to initiate and work through the task with decreasing adult support in 4 out of 5 opportunities independently/given X prompt(s).
Send this tip home to support generalization
At home or in the classroom, when a student seems stuck on a big assignment, try asking what the very first small step could be. Naming one starting point can make the whole task feel more doable.
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More Self-Regulation Activities
Frequently asked questions
Is this intervention free?
Yes, this ready-to-teach session on Getting Stuff Done is free. You can access this intervention free for 14 days through the Everyday Speech Session Library. Every user gets three free sessions, but you can get more or extend your access by sharing the Session Library with friends and colleagues.
What ages is this for?
These materials are designed for middle and high school students.
What's included?
You'll get access to your choice of warm-up videos, a session opener, a core material on Getting Stuff Done, three practice prompts, and an extension activity, Getting Stuff Done.
What skill does this intervention teach?
This ready-to-teach session is on self-regulation - more specifically, executive functioning.
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