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Are You Ready to Launch?

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For Schools

Lesson Plan

Launch Pad Warm-Up Plan

Students will be able to activate planning and sequencing skills to prepare for new tasks, thereby improving task initiation.

This lesson is crucial for helping students overcome the initial hurdle of starting new assignments. By engaging their planning and sequencing skills early, we can reduce anxiety and resistance, making them more receptive and productive for the rest of the class.

Audience

4th Grade Special Education Class

Time

15 minutes

Approach

Interactive warm-up activities to prime executive functions.

Materials

Ready, Set, Go! Slide Deck, and Quick Start Challenge Cards

Prep

Prepare Materials

5 minutes

Review the Ready, Set, Go! Slide Deck and the Quick Start Challenge Cards. Ensure projector and necessary materials are ready.

Step 1

Introduction & Hook

2 minutes

Begin by asking students how they feel when starting a new task. Use Ready, Set, Go! Slide Deck Slide 1 to introduce the concept of 'launching' into work.

Step 2

Quick Start Challenge Cards Activity

10 minutes

Distribute Quick Start Challenge Cards to pairs or small groups. Instruct students to discuss and sequence the steps for the task on their card. Encourage them to explain their reasoning. Circulate to provide support and ask guiding questions.

Step 3

Share & Reflect

3 minutes

Bring the class back together. Have a few groups share their sequenced steps. Use Ready, Set, Go! Slide Deck Slide 2 for a quick reflection on how planning helps them 'launch' into tasks more easily.

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Slide Deck

Ready for Takeoff? Launching into Tasks!

Ever feel stuck before you even begin?

Starting a new task can sometimes feel like trying to launch a rocket without a plan! Today, we're going to practice becoming 'task-launching' experts by thinking about how we prepare.

What does it mean to 'launch' into something?

Welcome students and gauge their initial feelings about starting tasks. Introduce the idea of 'launching' into work, like a rocket preparing for takeoff.

Ready for Takeoff? Launching into Tasks!

How did breaking down the tasks into steps help you get started?

Just like a rocket needs a launch sequence, our brains need a plan to kick off tasks! Planning helps us:

  • See the whole path
  • Know the first step
  • Feel more ready to go!

Facilitate a brief discussion. Connect the activity to the idea of planning. Emphasize that breaking down tasks makes them less daunting and easier to start.

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Warm Up

Quick Start Challenge Cards

Instructions: In your groups, read the task on each card. Discuss and write down the steps you would take to complete the task, in order. Be ready to share why you chose that order!

Card 1: Making a Peanut Butter & Jelly Sandwich













Card 2: Packing Your Backpack for School













Card 3: Watering a Plant













Card 4: Getting Ready for Bed













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