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Assignment Adventure

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Elise Gleeson

Tier 3
For Schools

Lesson Plan

Assignment Adventure Lesson Plan

Empower an 8th grade student with dyslexia to reduce assignment refusal by identifying personal barriers, selecting and practicing targeted strategies, and setting a concrete, confidence-building mini-goal.

Students with dyslexia often feel overwhelmed and avoid tasks. This session builds self-awareness, equips them with tailored tools, and provides immediate success to boost motivation and persistence.

Audience

8th Grade student with dyslexia (Tier 3 individual support)

Time

15 minutes

Approach

Personalized strategy exploration, practice, and positive reinforcement.

Materials

  • Strategy Brainstorm Worksheet, - Assignment Adventure Goal Sheet, - Confidence Reflection Chart, - Timer (digital or phone), and - Pen or pencil and paper

Prep

Material Preparation

5 minutes

  • Print or load digitally the following materials:
    • Strategy Brainstorm Worksheet
    • Assignment Adventure Goal Sheet
    • Confidence Reflection Chart
  • Prepare a timer (app or classroom timer).
  • Review the student’s current assignment to select an appropriate mini-task.

Step 1

Build Rapport

1 minute

  • Greet the student warmly and ask how they’re feeling today.
  • Acknowledge that assignments can feel challenging and affirm your support.

Step 2

Identify Barriers

3 minutes

  • Ask the student to describe what specifically makes assignments hard (e.g., reading, spelling, overwhelm).
  • Listen actively and validate their experiences, noting key triggers.

Step 3

Explore Strategies

4 minutes

  • Introduce evidence-based supports (text-to-speech, color overlays, breaking tasks into steps).
  • Use the Strategy Brainstorm Worksheet to list 2–3 strategies the student wants to try.

Step 4

Practice Mini-Assignment

4 minutes

  • Together, choose a small chunk of the current assignment and record it on the Assignment Adventure Goal Sheet.
  • Set the timer for 4 minutes. Encourage the student to apply one selected strategy during that focused work period.
  • Offer positive feedback throughout and, when time’s up, mark progress on the Confidence Reflection Chart.

Step 5

Set Goals & Reinforcement

3 minutes

  • Review the student’s mini-success and reflect on how the strategy helped.
  • Identify the next small step for the upcoming session and record it on the goal sheet.
  • Praise effort and encourage the student to note any increase in confidence on the Confidence Reflection Chart.
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Worksheet

Strategy Brainstorm Worksheet

Use this worksheet to identify what makes assignments hard and to brainstorm supports you can try.

1. Identify Your Barriers

What parts of assignments feel most challenging for you? (e.g., reading long passages, spelling words, staying organized)






2. Brainstorm Possible Strategies

Think of ways to make assignments easier. List at least three strategies below, and briefly explain how each might help you.

Strategy 1:
Name of Strategy: ________________________________




How this might help me:






Strategy 2:
Name of Strategy: ________________________________




How this might help me:






Strategy 3:
Name of Strategy: ________________________________




How this might help me:






3. Choose Your First Strategy

Which strategy do you want to try first?






Why do you think this strategy will work best for you?










Once you’ve picked your strategy, let’s move on to the Assignment Adventure Goal Sheet to set a mini-goal and practice!

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Worksheet

Assignment Adventure Goal Sheet

Use this sheet to record your mini-assignment, apply your chosen strategy, and plan your next step.

1. Mini-Assignment

Write down the small part of your current assignment you will work on (e.g., read one paragraph, solve two math problems):






2. Strategy to Try

Which strategy from your brainstorm will you use during this work session?






3. Work Session (4 minutes)

• Set a timer for 4 minutes and begin.
• Focus on your mini-assignment and use your chosen strategy.

When time’s up, stop and reflect below.

4. Reflection

  1. What did I complete?






  2. How did my strategy help me?






  3. How did I feel while working?






Record your confidence change on the Confidence Reflection Chart.

5. Next Small Step

Based on today’s success, what is one small goal for our next session?






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Worksheet

Confidence Reflection Chart

Use this chart to record your confidence before and after your mini-assignment and reflect on your progress.

1. Confidence Rating

Scale: 1 = Not confident at all, 5 = Very confident

Before starting today’s mini-assignment, my confidence level is: ______




After completing the mini-assignment, my confidence level is: ______




2. Reflection

  1. What factors influenced my confidence today? (e.g., strategy I used, progress made, support I received)











  2. How can I use this confidence change to help me in my next session?











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