Unstuck and On Target!

An Executive Function Curriculum to Improve Flexibility, Planning, and Organization

Lynn Cannon, Lauren Kenworthy, Katie Alexander, Monica Werner, Laura Gutermuth Anthony

• Publisher: Brookes Publishing
• Year: 2021
• Print ISBN: 9781681254906
• eBook ISBN: 9781681254913
• Edition: 2
• Topic: Education
• Subtopic: Inclusive Education

For students with executive function challenges, problems with flexibility and goal-directed behavior can be a major obstacle to success in school and in life. With the enhanced second edition of this popular curriculum— now optimized for both in-person and virtual instruction —you'll have everything you need to explicitly teach executive function skills in today's educational environment.

A highly effective intervention for students ages 8–11, Unstuck & On Target! gives you 21 ready-to-use, field-tested lessons that boost critical skills like cognitive flexibility, problem solving, coping, and goal setting. Ideal for use with learners with autism, ADHD, and other challenges that affect executive function, this curriculum includes a comprehensive manual and a package of digital, downloadable components that are easy to print and use in face-to-face or virtual settings.

Unstuck and On Target! Benefits:

• Optimized for the way you teach today. The new reconfigured format makes the kit more flexible—you can use it in schools or during remote instruction.
• Meets the needs of MTSS Tier 2 learners. This proven curriculum is one of the few tailored to the needs of Tier 2 students who need more focused instruction.
• Gives you explicit, step-by-step routines, activities, and scripts to help students improve executive function skills.
• Targets the flexibility and planning skills every student needs to learn effectively, reduce stress, get along with others, problem-solve, and more.
• Can be done with any class, by any teacher. Each ready-to-use lesson comes complete with clear instructions, materials lists, and tips for teachers.
• Makes learning fun with engaging games, role plays, stories, and lively class discussions.
• Reinforces new skills through 19 Home Practice handouts in English and Spanish.

WHAT'S IN THE REFORMATTED KIT: One print manual * Two digital, print-ready gameboards, available as one-page 11x17 PDFs, two-page 8.5x11 PDFs, and PowerPoint files * Four digital, print-ready posters * 50+ handouts—digital downloads now available as fillable PDFs

Want preprinted gameboards and posters? You can still order them here.

Already have the 2nd edition? Then you already have access to the new digital files! Just visit the existing downloads page on the Brookes Download Hub to access the files.

	Foundational Skills
	SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS: Although it is important to provide the vocabulary and frameworks set forth in this topic, the group leader is expected to modify the activities as necessary to better meet the students’ needs.

Summary: Topic 1 introduces foundational skills that promote successful participation in group sessions and implementation of the Unstuck and On Target! curriculum. It introduces a Code of Conduct (ground rules) for the group sessions and a universal script (or routine) for completing work and organizing the group sessions called Goal, Why, Plan, Do, Check (GWPDC). Topic 1 also teaches students how to use a visual rating tool to identify their feelings (Feelings Target), how to link feelings to behaviors and outcomes (Feelings Chain), and common coping techniques for managing overwhelming feelings (e.g., deep breathing).

Prerequisite skills: None

Related skills: Awareness of body, use of visual rating tool

OUTCOME—CRITERIA FOR MASTERY

1. The student understands and attempts to follow the code of conduct for group sessions.
2. The student can state the meaning of the goal and plan and check phases of the Goal, Why, Plan, Do, Check (GWPDC) routine.
3. Using a visual chart, the student can rate his or her current feeling state.
4. The student can identify and access several coping strategies and use them when needed.

TOPIC BACKGROUND AND RATIONALE

This topic introduces several foundational skills as well as a set of ground rules for behavior in the group sessions. Students are taught a standard operating procedure for reaching goals known as the Goal, Why, Plan, Do, Check (GWPDC). GWPDC is a fundamental script that underlies every session of Unstuck and On Target! It is a generic and widely applicable self-regulatory/problem-solving script that provides a template for approaching a problem, situation, or project. The first part of this script is an introduction to the concept of a goal. Making the definition of goal explicit is a very important step for students with executive dysfunction because they can easily over-focus on details and lose sight of the main reason for, or goal of, their activity. GWPDC breaks down any activity into small, achievable chunks, helping the student to focus on the right goal from the beginning. It promotes flexibility by encouraging the development of a plan, revision of the plan, and development of an alternative plan (Plan B). Students are encouraged to try things out (their plan) and then go back and check on the success of the plan. This provides a prompt for the self-monitoring that is often difficult for them. An additional virtue of this approach is that the focus is on the plan, not on the student’s difficulties; therefore, a breakdown in the situation can be blamed on an unhelpful plan rather than on the student.

Topic 1 also introduces foundational skills for identifying feelings, linking feelings to actions and events, and using coping strategies effectively to manage overwhelming feelings. Unstuck teaches routines for regulating behavior in the face of flexibility demands and expectations for independent, goal-directed work (e.g., completing homework). These are hard skills for students with executive dysfunction and can be hindered by overwhelming feelings. Furthermore, students often struggle with identifying their feelings. As a result, they can fail to recognize their own stress until it is very high and they feel overwhelmed. It is important that instruction in executive function skills be accompanied by active support for increasing coping skills that will help students know what they feel and will give them strategies for managing overwhelming feelings.

Lesson 1    Get to Know You

PURPOSE

The purpose of this lesson is to welcome the students into the group, help them get to know one another, and generate a Code of Conduct. The Code of Conduct should serve as the guidelines for how students can be successful group members. The Code of Conduct creates a common language around behaviors and expectations. There are two activities in this lesson.

Materials Required for All Activities

Not Included

• Whiteboard or chart paper
• Regular markers (if using chart paper) or dry erase markers (if using a whiteboard and when using the poster; see Included list at right)
• Pencils
• Group Reinforcement Visual (i.e., groupgoal/tally box and thermometer)
• One full-size three-ring binder for each student to use as his or her Unstuck and On Target! (UOT) Notebook

Included

• GWPDC for Lesson 1
• Handout: All About Me!
• Code of Conduct poster
• Classroom Practice 1
• Home Practice 1

LESSON 1

INTRODUCTION Preview: GWPDC

Review ~3 minutes

Materials

Not Included

• Whiteboard or chart paper
• Regular markers (if using chart paper)or dry erase markers (if using awhiteboard and when using the poster;see Included list at right)

Included

• GWPDC for Lesson 1

Instructions

At the beginning of every session, post the Goal, Why, Plan, Do, Check (GWPDC) on the board before the lesson begins. Since this is your students’ first time seeing a GWPDC, you will want to briefly explain that… each time the group comes together you will have something you want to accomplish or a goal. The “W” stands for why. It is always useful to know why we want to achieve this goal. In order to accomplish the goal you will need to follow a plan and think about why the goal is important. Once you follow the plan, you always want to come back and check to se...

Table of contents

• Unstuck Fast Facts
• About the Online Materials
• About the Authors
• ForewordJohn Elder Robison
• Acknowledgments
• Introduction
• Reinforcement System
• Icon Glossary
• Script Practice Throughout the Manual
• Topic 1 Foundational Skills
• Lesson 1 Get to Know You
• Introduction
• Activity 1: Code of Conduct
• Activity 2: Who Knows Whom?
• Handout: All About Me!
• Closing
• Classroom Practice 1
• Home Practice 1
• Lesson 2 Introduction to Goal, Why, Plan, Do, Check
• Introduction
• Activity 1: Introduction to GWPDC
• Activity 2: Wacky GWPDC
• Handout: Wacky GWPDC
• Closing
• Classroom Practice 2
• Home Practice 2
• Lesson 3 Emotional Identification
• Introduction
• Activity 1: Feelings Target
• Visual: Feelings Target
• Materials: Feelings Target Cards
• Activity 2: How Does It Make Me Feel?
• Activity 3: Feelings Chain
• Visual: Feelings Chain Scenarios
• Handout: Feelings Chain Blank
• Closing
• Classroom Practice 3
• Home Practice 3
• Lesson 4 What Can You Do to Feel Better?
• Introduction
• Activity 1: Disappointment and Coping
• Handout: Disappointment and Coping
• Activity 2: Coping Skills Investigation
• Handout: How to Feel Just-Right
• Handout: Just-Right Strategies Investigation
• Handout: My Mission to Get Back to Just-Right
• Handout: Deep Breathing
• Activity 3: Strategy Cards
• Handout: Strategy Card Examples
• Additional Activity: Coping Choices
• Closing
• Classroom Practice 4
• Home Practice 4
• Topic 1 Progress Report
• Topic 2 What Is Flexibility?
• Lesson 5 Flexibility Investigation
• Introduction
• Activity 1: Flexible vs. Rigid Scavenger Hunt
• Activity 2: Flexible Is Faster (and More Efficient)
• Closing
• Classroom Practice 5
• Home Practice 5
• Lesson 6 Flexibility
• Introduction
• Activity 1: Mystery Word—Flexibility
• Handout: Mystery Word 1
• Educator Guide: Mystery Word 1 Key
• Handout:Unstuck and On Target! Dictionary—Flexible
• Activity 2: As Flexible as Putty
• Handout: Flexible Fun
• Handout: Fun Putty Recipe
• Closing
• Classroom Practice 6
• Home Practice 6
• Lesson 7 Getting Stuck
• Introduction
• Activity 1: Mystery Word—Stuck
• Handout: Mystery Word 2
• Educator Guide: Mystery Word 2 Key
• Handout:Unstuck and On Target! Dictionary—Stuck
• Activity 2: Flexible/Stuck Role Play
• Closing
• Classroom Practice 7
• Home Practice 7
• Topic 2 Progress Report
• Topic 3 How to Be Flexible
• Lesson 8 Plan A → Plan B
• Introduction
• Activity 1: Mystery Words—Plan A→ Plan B
• Handout: Mystery Word 3
• Educator Guide: Mystery Word 3 Key
• Handout:Unstuck and On Target! Dictionary—Plan A→ Plan B
• Activity 2: Speed B
• Activity 3: Build a Plan A, B, C
• Handout: Build a Plan A, B, C
• Closing
• Classroom Practice 8
• Home Practice 8
• Lesson 9 Compromise
• Introduction
• Activity 1: Mystery Word—Compromise
• Handout: Mystery Word 4
• Educator Guide: Mystery Word 4 Key
• Handout:Unstuck and On Target! Dictionary—Compromise
• Activity 2: Compromise Game
• Materials: Compromise Game Cards
• Closing
• Classroom Practice 9
• Home Practice 9
• Lesson 10 Big Deal/Little Deal
• Introduction
• Activity 1: Mystery Words—Big Deal/Little Deal
• Handout: Mystery Word 5
• Educator Guide: Mystery Word 5 Key
• Handout:Unstuck and On Target! Dictionary—Big Deal/Little Deal
• Activity 2: Big Deal/Little Deal Practice
• Materials: Big Deal/Little Deal Cards
• Activity 3: Converting Big Deals to Little Deals
• Handout: Big Deal/Little Deal Scale
• Closing
• Classroom Practice 10
• Home Practice 10
• Lesson 11 Choice/No Choice
• Introduction
• Activity 1: Mystery Words—Choice/No Choice
• Handout: Mystery Word 6
• Educator Guide: Mystery Word 6 Key
• Handout:Unstuck and On Target! Dictionary—Choice/No Choice
• Activity 2: Choice/No Choice Practice
• Materials: Choice/No Choice Cards
• Closing
• Classroom Practice 11
• Home Practice 11
• Lesson 12 Expect the Unexpected
• Introduction
• Activity 1: Expect the Unexpected Introduction
• Activity 2: Handling the Unexpected Exploration
• Educator Guide: Handling the Unexpected Game Rules
• Materials: Handling the Unexpected Game Board
• Materials: Handling the Unexpected Game Cards
• Closing
• Classroom Practice 12
• Home Practice 12
• Topic 3 Progress Report
• Topic 4 Why Be Flexible?
• Lesson 13 The Advantages of Being Flexible
• Introduction
• Activity 1: What to Do When What I Want Is Impossible
• Educator Script: My Two Choices
• Visual: Group Flexibility Chant
• Activity 2: Flexibility Freeway Game
• Educator Guide: Flexibility Freeway Game Rules
• Materials: Flexibility Freeway Game Board
• Materials: Flexibility Freeway Game Cards
• Closing
• Classroom Practice 13
• Home Practice 13
• Lesson 14 Being Flexible Can Make Good Things Happen
• Introduction
• Activity 1: Flexibility Powers
• Educator Script: Flexibility Gives You Power Scenarios
• Activity 2: Flexible Reputation
• Educator Script: Marble Jar: Flexible Reputation Scenarios
• Closing
• Classroom Practice 14
• Home Practice 14
• Topic 4 Progress Report
• Topic 5 Your Goals: Getting What You Want
• Lesson 15 Setting and Achieving Goals Using GWPDC
• Introduction
• Activity 1: Think Pink—GWPDC
• Handout: Think Pink—GWPDC
• Closing
• Classroom Practice 15
• Home Practice 15
• Lesson 16 GWPDC Application and Practice
• Introduction
• Activity 1: Cereal
• Additional Activity: What Is a Target Goal?
• Additional Activity: Target Goal Example
• Closing
• Classroom Practice 16
• Home Practice 16
• Lessons 17 & 18 GWPDC Stations
• Introduction
• Activity 1: Plan B Strategies
• Activity 2: GWPDC Stations
• Handout: GWPDC Station 1
• Handout: Compromise Station 2
• Handout: GWPDC Station 3
• Materials: Distractor Game Cards Station 4
• Materials: Distractor Game Cards Answer Key Station 4
• Materials: Distractor Game Tracking Sheet Station 4
• Handout: GWPDC Station 5
• Handout: GWPDC Station 5 Scenarios
• Closing
• Classroom Practice 17 & 18
• Home Practice 17 & 18
• Lesson 19 Event Planning
• Introduction
• Activity 1: Planning a Class Event
• Closing
• Classroom Practice 19 & 20
• Home Practice 19 & 20
• Lesson 20 Event
• Topic 5 Progress Report
• Topic 6 Flexible/Goal-Directed Futures
• Lesson 21 Interview (& Optional Game)
• Introduction
• Activity 1: Talk Show
• Handout: Flexible Futures
• Additional Activity: Four Corners
• Educator Script: Four Corners Questions & Answer Key
• Closing
• Handout: Graduation Certificate
• Classroom Practice 21
• Home Practice 21
• Topic 6 Progress Report
• Appendix
• Index