self-regulation

EXECUTIVE FUNCTIONING
task cards
 TABLE OF CONTENTS
CONTENT PAGE #
Terms of Use 3

Resource Guide 4

How to Use 5

Color Version

Poster 7

Task Cards 8-13

Black and White Version

Poster 15

Task Cards 16-21

Reflection Sheets

Half Pages 23-24

Full Page – 6 response blocks 25-26

Full Pages 27-28

© COPYRIGHT AGU RESOURCE CENTER

 thank you!
Thank you for downloading this resource! I hope
you and your students enjoy using it!

TERMS OF USE CREDITS

This resource is for personal classroom/caseload use Thank you to all the talented artists and
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resource for more than one teacher, please purchase this resource.
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 RESOURCE GUIDE
About executive functioning skills:
Executive functioning skills are an umbrella of skills that we all use daily. They
include adaptable thinking, planning, self-monitoring, self-regulation, working
memory, time management, organization, metacognition, and task initiation.
Executive functioning skills are useful for academics as well as life skills. Kids
through adults can all benefit from instruction and practice to navigate their
daily lives and be successful in reaching their goals.

Who will benefit?

The task cards are designed for students at higher elementary, middle, and high
school who need support with their executive functioning skills. Some students
need more specialized support with their executive functioning skills, and these
task cards can help them with continued instruction and practice. All learners
can benefit from working on their executive functioning skills.

Focus on self-advocacy and building upon strengths:

These task cards build upon a self-advocacy and strengths-based framework.
Although someone may be struggling with an executive functioning skill, these
task cards walk a learner through the tools they have as a self-advocate. The
task cards cover applied executive functioning skills that students may encounter
in their own lives, and as they navigate a scenario, they also practice problem-
solving, decision-making, and conflict resolution – all concepts that will support
their self-advocacy and self-determination.

© COPYRIGHT AGU RESOURCE CENTER

 HOW TO USE
The task cards in this set can be used as part of a whole class curriculum, small group,
and/or individualized instruction based on your students’ needs. Several ideas across these
instructional settings are listed below:

Whole Class
• Use cards during morning meeting, advisory periods, or as a warm-up / bellringer.
• Group students to discuss the task cards. Each group can focus on one card. Then each
group shares back their responses and what they learned about the skill.
• Students pick a card at random and discuss in a small group. Then they return to the
whole class and facilitate the group discussion.
• Use any of the above for part of substitute plans.
• Place cards on a binder ring to discuss whenever time allows (e.g., last 5 minutes of
class, waiting for transitions, transition activity).

Small Groups
• Set up centers that include the task cards. Small groups work at each center until time is
up. Then, they can move on to the next executive functioning skill center.
• Students independently read a card, respond, and then share with a partner or small
group.

Individual
• Support a student’s IEP goal.
• An instructional tool to support a students’ reflection and practice of a select executive
functioning skill.
• Students independently read a card and respond in their journal across the school year.
• Use in counseling sessions to draw and map out problem-solving and the EF skill.

© COPYRIGHT AGU RESOURCE CENTER

COLOR
VERSION
 Self-Regulation
Have butterfly
Taking
• wings a break
or a cozy
when you need to
• Making
cocoon? mistakes and learning from
them
• Identifying your emotions
• Navigating your emotions as they
arise
• Using coping skills to help
reach long-term goals
© COPYRIGHT AGU RESOURCE CENTER
 Have butterfly
What are three things that help you
Have butterfly
Think of a routine that you do every

wings
feel or you
better when a are
cozyupset? wings or a cozy
day - how does keeping this
routine benefit you?
cocoon? cocoon?
© COPYRIGHT AGU RESOURCE CENTER 1 © COPYRIGHT AGU RESOURCE CENTER 2

Think of a goal you have that will

Have butterfly
What are two things you don’t love Have butterfly
take a long time to achieve. How
wings or a cozy
doing but know will help you in the
wings
can or a help
self-regulation cozy you
long run?
cocoon? cocoon?
achieve this goal?

© COPYRIGHT AGU RESOURCE CENTER 3 © COPYRIGHT AGU RESOURCE CENTER 4

 Think of a time you wanted to stick
Have butterfly
How can strong self-regulation skills Have butterfly
with a plan but couldn’t. If you
wings or a cozy
help to improve your planning
wings
could go back,or awould
what cozy
you do
skills?
cocoon? cocoon?
differently?

© COPYRIGHT AGU RESOURCE CENTER 5 © COPYRIGHT AGU RESOURCE CENTER 6

Sometimes people push

Have butterfly
What are some signs that you need Have butterfly
themselves too hard when working

wings or a cozy
to take a break from what you are
wings or a cozy
and feel burned out as a result.
currently doing? What are some ways you can
cocoon? cocoon?
prevent this?
© COPYRIGHT AGU RESOURCE CENTER 7 © COPYRIGHT AGU RESOURCE CENTER 8
 Have you ever made a decision Everyone makes mistakes but it’s
Have butterfly
that you later regretted? If you
Have butterfly
not always easy to learn from
wings
could orwhat
go back, a cozy
would you wings
them. orsome
What are a lessons
cozyyou
cocoon?
have done differently? cocoon?
have learned from your mistakes?

© COPYRIGHT AGU RESOURCE CENTER 9 © COPYRIGHT AGU RESOURCE CENTER 10

Joey does not want to share his

favorite book that he bought with
Have butterfly
What are two things you could do if Have butterfly
his own money. Megan doesn’t
wings or a cozy
a classmate says something hurtful
wings
think orand
this is fair a borrows
cozyit
to you?
cocoon? without cocoon?
Joey’s permission. What

11 can Joey do in this situation? 12

© COPYRIGHT AGU RESOURCE CENTER © COPYRIGHT AGU RESOURCE CENTER
 Think of a chore you are asked

Have butterfly
How can self-regulation help with Have butterfly
to do around the house that

wings or a cozy
completing large projects or
wings or a cozy
doesn’t directly benefit you. How
essays? does completing that chore help
cocoon? cocoon?
your family?
© COPYRIGHT AGU RESOURCE CENTER 13 © COPYRIGHT AGU RESOURCE CENTER 14

Sometimes our initial reaction

Routines can be harder to keep to a situation changes when we’ve
Have butterfly
when we are tired or frustrated.
Have butterfly
had time to think. What are some
wings
What orstay
helps you a motivated
cozy wings
ways you canor
finda cozy
time to think if
cocoon?
during difficult times? cocoon?
you are not happy with your initial

15 reaction? 16
© COPYRIGHT AGU RESOURCE CENTER © COPYRIGHT AGU RESOURCE CENTER
 Think of a time you acted in a
way that went against your
Have butterfly
What are some ways that self- Have butterfly
personal goals. Why do you think it
wings or a cozy
regulation can help you enjoy
wings
happened?or Howacould
cozyyou
activities that you do for fun?
cocoon? prevent cocoon?
it from happening in the

17 future? 18
© COPYRIGHT AGU RESOURCE CENTER © COPYRIGHT AGU RESOURCE CENTER

Sometimes two people won’t

Have you ever experienced “too
Have butterfly
much of a good thing?” If so, what
Have butterfly
agree on a topic no matter how

wings
does or a cozy
that experience feel like? If wings or a cozy
much they argue. What are some
signs you might be in a situation
cocoon?
not, how do you avoid it? cocoon?
like that?
© COPYRIGHT AGU RESOURCE CENTER 19 © COPYRIGHT AGU RESOURCE CENTER 20
 Have butterfly
What are two ways self-regulation Have butterfly
What are some ways that strong

wings or a cozy
could help you get the job you
wings or a cozy
self-regulation skills can help you
want in the future? keep organized?
cocoon? cocoon?
© COPYRIGHT AGU RESOURCE CENTER 21 © COPYRIGHT AGU RESOURCE CENTER 22

What are two ways strong self-

Have butterfly
What are some benefits to having a Have butterfly
regulation skills can help you do
wings or a cozy
reputation for being self-
wings
well or a on
when working cozy
group
disciplined?
cocoon? cocoon?
projects?

© COPYRIGHT AGU RESOURCE CENTER 23 © COPYRIGHT AGU RESOURCE CENTER 24

BLACK/WHITE
VERSION
 Self-Regulation
Have butterfly
Taking
• wings a break
or a cozy
when you need to
• Making
cocoon? mistakes and learning from
them
• Identifying your emotions
• Navigating your emotions as they
arise
• Using coping skills to help
reach long-term goals
© COPYRIGHT AGU RESOURCE CENTER
 Have butterfly
What are three things that help you
Have butterfly
Think of a routine that you do every

wings
feel or you
better when a are
cozyupset? wings or a cozy
day - how does keeping this
routine benefit you?
cocoon? cocoon?
© COPYRIGHT AGU RESOURCE CENTER 1 © COPYRIGHT AGU RESOURCE CENTER 2

Think of a goal you have that will

Have butterfly
What are two things you don’t love Have butterfly
take a long time to achieve. How
wings or a cozy
doing but know will help you in the
wings
can or a help
self-regulation cozy you
long run?
cocoon? cocoon?
achieve this goal?

© COPYRIGHT AGU RESOURCE CENTER 3 © COPYRIGHT AGU RESOURCE CENTER 4

 Think of a time you wanted to stick
Have butterfly
How can strong self-regulation skills Have butterfly
with a plan but couldn’t. If you
wings or a cozy
help to improve your planning
wings
could go back,or awould
what cozy
you do
skills?
cocoon? cocoon?
differently?

© COPYRIGHT AGU RESOURCE CENTER 5 © COPYRIGHT AGU RESOURCE CENTER 6

Sometimes people push

Have butterfly
What are some signs that you need Have butterfly
themselves too hard when working

wings or a cozy
to take a break from what you are
wings or a cozy
and feel burned out as a result.
currently doing? What are some ways you can
cocoon? cocoon?
prevent this?
© COPYRIGHT AGU RESOURCE CENTER 7 © COPYRIGHT AGU RESOURCE CENTER 8
 Have you ever made a decision Everyone makes mistakes but it’s
Have butterfly
that you later regretted? If you
Have butterfly
not always easy to learn from
wings
could orwhat
go back, a cozy
would you wings
them. orsome
What are a lessons
cozyyou
cocoon?
have done differently? cocoon?
have learned from your mistakes?

© COPYRIGHT AGU RESOURCE CENTER 9 © COPYRIGHT AGU RESOURCE CENTER 10

Joey does not want to share his

favorite book that he bought with
Have butterfly
What are two things you could do if Have butterfly
his own money. Megan doesn’t
wings or a cozy
a classmate says something hurtful
wings
think orand
this is fair a borrows
cozyit
to you?
cocoon? without cocoon?
Joey’s permission. What

11 can Joey do in this situation? 12

© COPYRIGHT AGU RESOURCE CENTER © COPYRIGHT AGU RESOURCE CENTER
 Think of a chore you are asked

Have butterfly
How can self-regulation help with Have butterfly
to do around the house that

wings or a cozy
completing large projects or
wings or a cozy
doesn’t directly benefit you. How
essays? does completing that chore help
cocoon? cocoon?
your family?
© COPYRIGHT AGU RESOURCE CENTER 13 © COPYRIGHT AGU RESOURCE CENTER 14

Sometimes our initial reaction

Routines can be harder to keep to a situation changes when we’ve
Have butterfly
when we are tired or frustrated.
Have butterfly
had time to think. What are some
wings
What orstay
helps you a motivated
cozy wings
ways you canor
finda cozy
time to think if
cocoon?
during difficult times? cocoon?
you are not happy with your initial

15 reaction? 16
© COPYRIGHT AGU RESOURCE CENTER © COPYRIGHT AGU RESOURCE CENTER
 Think of a time you acted in a
way that went against your
Have butterfly
What are some ways that self- Have butterfly
personal goals. Why do you think it
wings or a cozy
regulation can help you enjoy
wings
happened?or Howacould
cozyyou
activities that you do for fun?
cocoon? prevent cocoon?
it from happening in the

17 future? 18
© COPYRIGHT AGU RESOURCE CENTER © COPYRIGHT AGU RESOURCE CENTER

Sometimes two people won’t

Have you ever experienced “too
Have butterfly
much of a good thing?” If so, what
Have butterfly
agree on a topic no matter how

wings
does or a cozy
that experience feel like? If wings or a cozy
much they argue. What are some
signs you might be in a situation
cocoon?
not, how do you avoid it? cocoon?
like that?
© COPYRIGHT AGU RESOURCE CENTER 19 © COPYRIGHT AGU RESOURCE CENTER 20
 Have butterfly
What are two ways self-regulation Have butterfly
What are some ways that strong

wings or a cozy
could help you get the job you
wings or a cozy
self-regulation skills can help you
want in the future? keep organized?
cocoon? cocoon?
© COPYRIGHT AGU RESOURCE CENTER 21 © COPYRIGHT AGU RESOURCE CENTER 22

What are two ways strong self-

Have butterfly
What are some benefits to having a Have butterfly
regulation skills can help you do
wings or a cozy
reputation for being self-
wings
well or a on
when working cozy
group
disciplined?
cocoon? cocoon?
projects?

© COPYRIGHT AGU RESOURCE CENTER 23 © COPYRIGHT AGU RESOURCE CENTER 24

REFLECTION
SHEETS
Name: ________________ Date: ______________ Name: ________________ Date: ______________

SELF-REGULATION SELF-REGULATION
TA S K C A R D S TA S K C A R D S

© COPYRIGHT AGU RESOURCE CENTER © COPYRIGHT AGU RESOURCE CENTER

Name: ________________ Date: ______________ Name: ________________ Date: ______________

SELF-REGULATION SELF-REGULATION
TA S K C A R D S TA S K C A R D S

© COPYRIGHT AGU RESOURCE CENTER © COPYRIGHT AGU RESOURCE CENTER

Name: __________________________ Date: _________________

SELF-REGULATION
TA S K C A R D S

© COPYRIGHT AGU RESOURCE CENTER © COPYRIGHT AGU RESOURCE CENTER

Name: __________________________ Date: _________________

SELF-REGULATION
TA S K C A R D S

© COPYRIGHT AGU RESOURCE CENTER © COPYRIGHT AGU RESOURCE CENTER

Name: __________________________ Date: _________________

SELF-REGULATION
TA S K C A R D S

© COPYRIGHT AGU RESOURCE CENTER

Name: __________________________ Date: _________________

SELF-REGULATION
TA S K C A R D S

© COPYRIGHT AGU RESOURCE CENTER