Unstuck and On Target!: An Executive Function Curriculum to Improve Flexibility, Planning, and Organization

For students with executive function challenges, problems with flexibility and goal-directed behaviour can be a major obstacle to success in school and in life. With the enhanced second edition of this popular curriculum—now optimised 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:

• Optimised 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 is included in the reformatted kit?

• One print manual
• Two digital, print-ready gameboards, available as one-page 11x17 PDFs, two-page 8.5x11 PDFs, & PowerPoint files
• Four digital, print-ready posters
• 50+ handouts—digital downloads now available as fillable PDFs

Download File

Table of Contents

Unstuck Fast Facts About the Online Materials

About the Authors

Foreword John Elder Robison

Acknowledgements

Introduction

Reinforcement System Icon

Glossary

Script Practice Throughout the Manual

Topic 1 Foundational Skills

• Lesson 1 Get to Know You
• Lesson 2 Introduction to Goal, Why, Plan, Do, Check
• Lesson 3 Emotional Identification
• Lesson 4 What Can You Do to Feel Better?

Topic 1 Progress Report

Topic 2 What Is Flexibility?

• Lesson 5 Flexibility Investigation
• Lesson 6 Flexibility
• Lesson 7 Getting Stuck

Topic 2 Progress Report

Topic 3 How to Be Flexible

• Lesson 8 Plan A Plan B
• Lesson 9 Compromise
• Lesson 10 Big Deal/Little Deal
• Lesson 11 Choice/No Choice
• Lesson 12 Expect the Unexpected

Topic 3 Progress Report

Topic 4 Why Be Flexible?

• Lesson 13 The Advantages of Being Flexible
• Lesson 14 Being Flexible Can Make Good Things Happen

Topic 4 Progress Report

Topic 5 Your Goals: Getting What You Want

• Lesson 15 Setting and Achieving Goals Using GWPDC
• Lesson 16 GWPDC Application and Practice
• Lessons 17 & 18 GWPDC Stations
• Lesson 19 Event Planning
• Lesson 20 Event

Topic 5 Progress Report

Topic 6 Flexible/Goal-Directed Futures

• Lesson 21 Interview (& Optional Game)

Topic 6 Progress Report Appendix Index

"Unstuck and on Target! does a remarkable job of translating complex ideas and abstract terminology into concepts and language that make sense to children. It is evident that this curriculum reflects years of hands on experience working with executive skills in the classroom. The user can be assured that every lesson has been tested and refined, leaving a distillation that is accessible and appealing to children and easy for teachers to implement."
- Peg Dawson, co-author of several books on executive skills, including Smart but Scattered

"This second edition of Unstuck and On Target! provides educators with explicit ideas to help students with weaknesses in executive functioning improve their skills in organization, planning, self-monitoring, and goal setting. The carefully devised curriculum (which is laced with a bit of humor) stresses the importance of flexibility and provides a systematic action plan for teaching students the critical skills, key strategies, and specific routines they will need to confront and overcome many of school's social and academic challenges."
- Nancy Mather, University of Arizona

"Too often, when students have deficits in executive functioning, they are erroneously perceived as having behavior problems. This book is an excellent resource that helps educators fully understand the complexities of executive functioning. Readers are provided with step-by-step instructions for proactively teaching essential skills and coping strategies to support students in overcoming barriers associated with executive functioning challenges."
- Debra Leach, Professor of Special Education, Director of Winthrop Think College