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Beat the Bell

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Kimest Sanders

Tier 1
For Schools

Lesson Plan

Time Management Plan

Students will analyze their current time‐use patterns and create a balanced weekly plan prioritizing two academic tasks and one wellness block to develop practical time‐management and prioritization skills.

Effective time management helps students reduce stress, boost productivity, and maintain well‐being. This lesson empowers 7th graders to plan proactively and build healthy habits.

Audience

7th Grade

Time

45 minutes

Approach

Interactive challenge, direct instruction, collaborative planning, reflection.

Materials

Planning That Works Slides, Weekly Planner and Priority Matrix, Calendar Tetris Activity, and Plan-Do-Review Log Journal

Prep

Teacher Preparation

10 minutes

  • Review Planning That Works Slides and familiarize yourself with the priority matrix.
  • Print enough copies of the Weekly Planner and Priority Matrix for each student.
  • Prepare a timer (phone or classroom timer) for the Hook challenge.
  • Arrange desks for small‐group work and ensure access to journals for reflection.

Step 1

Hook with Timed Challenge and Debrief

5 minutes

  • Explain the “Beat the Bell” challenge: students list yesterday’s activities non‐stop for 2 minutes.
  • Start the timer and prompt students to write continuously in their journals.
  • After time’s up, debrief: ask volunteers what surprised them and how they felt tracking every activity.

Step 2

Teach Priority Matrix and Backward Planning

10 minutes

  • Display the 2×2 Priority Matrix on Planning That Works Slides.
  • Define Urgent vs. Important and give academic vs. wellness examples.
  • Model backward planning: choose a project deadline and map backward to set study blocks.
  • Field quick questions to ensure understanding.

Step 3

Group Draft of Weekly Plan

15 minutes

  • Distribute the Weekly Planner and Priority Matrix worksheet to each group.
  • In small teams, select two academic tasks and one wellness block for the coming week.
  • Use the Calendar Tetris Activity to fit these blocks into a mock weekly calendar.
  • Circulate to guide students on balancing and prioritizing blocks.

Step 4

Commit to Checkpoints and Wellness

5 minutes

  • Have each student write two specific checkpoint dates/times to review their academic tasks in the Plan-Do-Review Log Journal.
  • Ask them to schedule one dedicated wellness block (e.g., exercise, reading) in their journal.
  • Encourage students to note why these commitments matter to them.

Step 5

Reflect on Obstacles and Supports

10 minutes

  • Prompt students to list potential obstacles to following their plan (e.g., distractions, workload).
  • In pairs, brainstorm strategies and supports (e.g., study buddies, reminders).
  • Students record action steps and supports in their Plan-Do-Review Log Journal.
  • Invite a few students to share takeaways with the class.
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Slide Deck

Planning That Works

An interactive guide to managing your time with priority and backward planning techniques.

Welcome everyone! Today we’ll learn practical strategies to plan our week effectively. Use this slide deck to guide the lesson.

Hook: Beat the Bell Challenge

• For 2 minutes, list every activity you did yesterday, nonstop.
• Write quickly—don’t overthink it.
• We’ll debrief what surprised you and how it felt.

Introduce the “Beat the Bell” challenge. Explain the purpose: to increase awareness of how we spend time.

Priority Matrix

URGENT vs IMPORTANT

IMPORTANT NOT IMPORTANT
URGENT Q1: Do Now Q3: Minimize
NOT URGENT Q2: Schedule Q4: Eliminate

• Q1: Deadlines & crises
• Q2: Planning & prevention
• Q3: Distractions
• Q4: Time-wasters

Draw or display a 2×2 matrix on the board if desired. Emphasize real-life academic and wellness examples.

Backward Planning Steps

  1. Identify the end goal or deadline.
  2. List all tasks needed to meet that goal.
  3. Estimate time for each task.
  4. Work backward from the deadline to set study blocks.
  5. Assign dates/times to each block.

Explain each step slowly and model with a sample project. Encourage questions after each bullet.

Example: Science Project Planning

Deadline: Wed at 4pm

• Research (2 hrs) → Mon, 3–5pm
• Outline (1 hr) → Tue, 4–5pm
• Draft (2 hrs) → Tue, 6–8pm
• Edit & Finalize (1 hr) → Wed, 2–3pm

Walk through the example below. Show how each task maps to a calendar slot.

Group Activity Instructions

  1. In groups, pick two academic tasks + one wellness block.
  2. Use your Weekly Planner & Priority Matrix worksheet.
  3. Try “Calendar Tetris” to fit blocks into your mock week.
  4. Balance urgent, important, and self-care time.

Introduce the upcoming group activity. Remind students to use the worksheets and apply what they’ve seen.

Next Steps & Reflection

• Commit to two checkpoint dates for your academic tasks.
• Schedule one wellness block this week.
• Think about obstacles and supports you’ll need.

Prepare students for reflection and next steps. Encourage them to set checkpoints.

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Worksheet

Weekly Planner and Priority Matrix

Part 1: Priority Matrix

Use this 2×2 grid to categorize your tasks. Think about what’s most urgent and important this week.

ImportantNot Important
UrgentQ1: Do Now


Q3: Minimize


Not UrgentQ2: Schedule


Q4: Eliminate


List below two academic tasks and one wellness block you plan to prioritize this week:

  1. Academic Task 1: _______________________________


  2. Academic Task 2: _______________________________


  3. Wellness Block: ________________________________


Part 2: Weekly Planner

Schedule your two academic tasks and your wellness block into this weekly calendar. Fill in additional tasks as needed.

TimeMondayTuesdayWednesdayThursdayFridaySaturdaySunday
Morning




















Afternoon




















Evening




















Notes & Reflections

Use this space to record reminders, obstacles you anticipate, and strategies to stay on track.













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lenny

Activity

Calendar Tetris

Objective:
Students will practice fitting their two academic tasks and one wellness block into a weekly calendar grid, visualizing how to balance urgent and important commitments with self-care.

Materials:

  • Blank weekly calendar grid (projected or printed)
  • Task cards for each group: two academic tasks + one wellness block
  • Scissors, tape or sticky tack (to place “blocks” on the grid)
  • Timer or clock

Prep (Teacher):

  • Prepare a large weekly calendar on chart paper or projector and duplicate a small printable version for each group.
  • Create task cards: one card per academic task and one per wellness block. Leave space for students to write durations.
  • Cut colored paper into “Tetris” pieces (e.g., 30- or 60-minute blocks) that can be taped onto the grid.

Instructions (15 minutes):

  1. Form groups of 3–4 students. Give each group their two academic task cards and one wellness card plus a set of Tetris-style time-block pieces.
  2. On each task card, write the estimated time needed (e.g., 1 hour = two 30-minute blocks).
  3. Using your colored paper blocks, shape each task into its required duration (e.g., two connected squares for a 1-hour block).
  4. Arrange your blocks on the weekly calendar so tasks don’t overlap and you’ve left space for other activities.
    • Aim to spread tasks across days rather than stacking all on one day.
    • Ensure your wellness block is placed at a realistic time.
  5. Once placed, discuss in your group:
    • Why you chose those particular slots.
    • Any conflicts or trade-offs you encountered.
  6. Be ready to share one challenge and one tip your group discovered about balancing tasks.

Debrief (5 minutes):

  • Invite 2–3 groups to share their calendars and insights.
  • Highlight strategies for spotting overloads and freeing up time.
  • Reinforce how this activity mirrors real-life scheduling and the value of visual planning.
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lenny

Journal

Plan-Do-Review Log Journal

Use this journal to plan your week, track your progress, and reflect on what you learn about managing time and self-care. Complete each section at the indicated stage.

1. Plan

a. Priority Tasks & Wellness Block
What are your two academic tasks this week and your chosen wellness block? Why are these your top priorities, and how will they help you reach your goals?











b. Checkpoint Commitments
Write the specific dates and times for your two academic checkpoints and your wellness block. Explain why you scheduled them when you did.











2. Do

a. Academic Checkpoint Reflection
After completing your first academic checkpoint:

  • What progress did you make?
  • Which strategies helped you stay focused?
  • What distractions arose, and how did you handle them?










b. Wellness Block Reflection
After your wellness activity:

  • How did this break affect your energy, mood, or focus?
  • What did you learn about balancing work and self-care?










3. Review

a. Weekly Progress Summary
At the end of the week, to what extent did you follow your plan? Describe one success you’re proud of and one area where you can improve.











b. Obstacles & Next-Step Strategies
Identify a major obstacle you encountered this week. What strategy or support will you use next time to overcome it?











4. Reflection & Peer Advice

Based on everything you’ve learned, what is one time-management or planning tip you would share with a friend? How will you apply this tip in your next week’s plan?











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