Zoned-In Zeb helps children discover how focusing their attention can make learning and everyday activities easier. Kids explore ways to manage distractions, stay engaged with tasks, and strengthen concentration through practice and mindful awareness.
POSITIVE SELF-TALK
“I get in the ZONE.”
How to Use This Lesson
1. Meet Zoned In Zeb
Introduce Zoned In Zeb and the life skill of focus.
Talk about how paying attention helps us learn, listen, remember information, and complete tasks.
Explain that distractions happen to everyone. Learning to notice when our attention wanders and gently bring it back is a skill we can practice.
Zeb reminds children that small habits can make a big difference in helping us stay focused.
2. Practice Positive Self-Talk
Say Zeb's positive self-talk phrase together:
“I get in the ZONE.”
First, say it out loud. Then practice saying it silently in your mind.
Encourage children to use these words when beginning schoolwork, listening to instructions, or returning their attention to a task.
3. Share the Skill Sign
Print and display Zoned In Zeb's Tips to Improve Focus where children can see it regularly.
Explore the nine focus strategies from his sign:
Look Out: Keep your eyes on the speaker.
Listen: Pay attention to important information, especially when a teacher explains what will be on a test.
Sit in Front: Choose a seat near the front of the classroom and away from distractions.
Do It Again: Rewrite your class notes to help review what you've learned.
Be in the Moment: Give your attention to one activity at a time.
Flashcards: Make flashcards and use spare moments to review information.
Get Curious: Ask questions in class.
Play Teacher: Pretend you're teaching someone else what you've learned.
Know Your Style: Discover the study strategies and environments that help you focus best.
Invite children to choose one strategy they would like to practice.
Remind them that different strategies work for different people.
4. Breathe and Stretch
Take a few minutes to breathe and move together.
Use the stretches from the Breathe and Stretch book or follow Zeb's movement video.
Encourage children to notice how their bodies and minds feel before and after moving.
Talk about how taking a short movement break or a few calming breaths can help us return our attention to what we're doing.
5. Read the Story
Bring Zoned In Zeb to life! Read his story from the Powerful You book with expression and enthusiasm.
Invite children to notice how Zeb practices paying attention and staying engaged.
Talk about how his experiences connect to their own challenges with distractions, listening, and completing tasks.
6. Reflect and Connect
Use Zeb's Reflect & Shine questions from the Powerful You book to encourage meaningful conversations.
Invite children to think about what helps them focus and what makes concentrating more difficult.
Discuss how they can make small adjustments to their environment or habits to support their learning.
7. Explore Optional Activities
Choose an activity from the Powerful You book to reinforce Zeb's lesson.
You can also try a Focus Detective activity.
Invite children to choose a short activity, such as reading, drawing, or completing a puzzle.
Before beginning, ask them to notice what might distract them.
Then have them practice one focus strategy from Zeb's sign.
Afterward, discuss:
What helped you stay focused?
What distracted you?
What could you try next time?
Celebrate their effort to notice distractions and bring their attention back.
8. Lights, Camera, Action! — Role-Play
Bring the lesson to life with role-playing!
Use the Powerful You laminated scenario cards or create everyday situations.
Invite children to practice what they might say or do when:
They are distracted while listening to a teacher.
They have trouble concentrating on an assignment.
They need to study for an upcoming test.
They don't understand something and need to ask a question.
They notice their attention wandering during an activity.
Practice choosing helpful strategies, asking for support, and using positive self-talk to return to the task.
Keep it playful, encouraging, and fun!
Remember: “I get in the ZONE.”
“Focus on your goals, not your fear.” Roy T. Bennett
“Focus on your strengths, not your weaknesses.
Focus on your character, not your reputation.
Focus on your blessings, not your misfortunes.” Roy T. Bennett
“Ignore the noise – Focus on your work.”
“Focus on the outcome not the obstacle.”
