Foundations of Flow: Intro to flow theory & productivity practices (Middle School)

Looking for a more engaging way to help students focus their attention and complete assignments? Introduce them to Mihaly Csikszentmihályi’s research on Flow Theory, and show them how to “get in the flow” when they’re working so tasks feel more enjoyable and meaningful!

Through this 5 lesson unit, students will explore the following “I can” statements:

1. I can find my “flow state."
2. I can direct my focused attention.
3. I can problem solve when it’s hard to concentrate.
4. I can create habits that support energy and focus.
5. I can collect strategies to help me find flow.

These lessons are designed to be no-prep or minimal prep. You don’t have to master any of these skills yourself before introducing them to students, as you’ll be learning alongside each other. Included are:

• A teacher’s guide (1 page per lesson): This tells you how to prepare and gives you the key ideas taught in the lesson.
• An editable slideshow presentation to guide you and your students through each lesson: Teaching the concepts and introducing activities to students is super simple: just follow the prompts on each slide in PowerPoint or Google Slides! 60 slides are included, all with professionally designed graphics. All video clips are embedded in the slides so you can play them offline and won’t have problems with website blockers.
• A 10-page student self-reflection journal in both printable and typable formats: The length of the journal depends on the unit, but the format is designed to minimize printing and paper use with no filler, fluff, or half blank pages. You can also assign the journal to students in your LMS (such as Google Classroom) and keep everything digital.

MORE IN THIS CURRICULUM LINE:

• Unit 2: Neuroplasticity and Growth Mindset
• Unit 3: Metacognition and Perspective
• Unit 4: Self-Advocacy and Self-Regulation
• Unit 5: Work Ethic and Responsibility
• Unit 6: Collaboration and Communication
• Discounted bundle of all 6 middle school units

FAQ

What grade levels is this for?
This is geared for preteens (middle school).

What subject areas is this for?
These units are designed to facilitate productivity and deepen student understanding in EVERYTHING they learn, both in school and outside of it. These habits of mind will support students in reading comprehension and writing, along with scientific and mathematical thinking. There are several opportunities in each unit to have students practice applying what they are learning about productivity to your usual curriculum and lessons.

Can this be used outside the regular classroom setting?
Yes! Any group setting will work: homeroom, advisory periods, study hall periods, before/after school programs, group tutoring, etc.

Can students do these lessons entirely on their own?
No, there is guided instruction in every lesson that the teacher facilitates, and multiple opportunities for students to learn with a partner and group. A self-guided version for individual students (in the form of a journal) will be available in 2024.

How many lessons are in each unit?
The first (free) unit, Foundations of Flow, has 5 lessons. All other units have 10 lessons.

How much class time do the lessons take up?
Most lessons take 15-30 minutes. The only exception are lessons that guide students to apply productivity practices to your curriculum, meaning students will be working on your usual activities, concepts, and skills during the implementation of the Finding Flow lessons. (You can see an example of how this works in Lesson 2 of the free unit, Foundations of Flow.)

How do I pace the lessons with my students?
Any way that fits best into your curriculum! You can implement one lesson each day, one lesson each week, or 2-3 each week.