Teach Your Students to Stay on Task 

Teaching students to stay focused on their tasks is an incredible opportunity to equip them with essential life skills that will benefit them in every area of their lives. By prioritizing academic success, we’re also investing in their future success. It’s exciting to think about the potential for growth and accomplishment that lies ahead for our students, and we have the privilege of being a part of that journey. Let’s explore why teaching them to complete their schoolwork is such a valuable gift!

Efficient Learning – Students can absorb information better when they stay focused on the task. Distractions hinder their ability to understand and retain new concepts.

Time Management – Effective time management is key to completing assignments and projects on time, which prepares students for future responsibilities.

Developing Discipline – Learning to remain focused helps develop discipline and self-control, which are valuable skills in academics and personal and professional growth.

Let’s Be Social – Stories for the Classroom

Teach Starter has created a printable mini-book to help your students learn how to stay on task and complete their school work. Each page is designed in a simple manner with real-life photographs to help students make connections and understand the examples. In this mini-book, students will learn important points such as:

• I can look at the directions if I don’t know what is next.
• I can ask for help if I am having trouble with my work.
• I stay at my desk when it is time to do my work. 

The last page of the mini-book also poses a question with three picture choices for students to choose from as their answer.

How to Get Your Printable SEL Reader

If you are ready to add this social emotional mini-book to your teaching toolkit, head on over to the green download button! Here, you will find the quick-print PDF file and the editable Google Slides file. If selecting the Google Slides option, please note that you will first be prompted to make a copy of the resource to your personal drive before accessing it.

To assemble this book, print the pages and cut along the dotted line. Stack the pages and secure them by stapling them along the left-hand side of the booklet.

Lindsey Phillips, a teacher in Michigan and a Teach Starter collaborator, contributed to this resource.

Looking for More Social Story Books?

Don’t stop there! We’ve got more activities to shorten your lesson planning time:  

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Social Stories - Personal Space

Learn about the importance of leaving personal space when interacting with others with this personal space social story.

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Making Good Choices Mini-Book

Help your students develop strategies for making good choices with this printable social story mini-book.

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Calming Down Mini-Book

Help your students to keep calm when they are experiencing heightened emotions with this social story mini-book.