Lesson Plan
Bored At Work? Maximize Downtime!
Students will learn strategies to productively use downtime at work, identify proactive tasks, and understand the importance of initiative.
Learning to effectively manage downtime at work is crucial for developing a strong work ethic, demonstrating initiative, and enhancing career readiness. It helps students become valuable and reliable employees.
Audience
9th Grade Students
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Through guided discussion, practical examples, and interactive activities, students will explore scenarios and brainstorm solutions for productive work downtime.
Materials
Maximize Downtime! Slide Deck (#maximize-downtime-slide-deck), Downtime Dilemma Worksheet (#downtime-dilemma-worksheet), Downtime Solutions Activity (#downtime-solutions-activity), and Downtime Dilemma Answer Key (#downtime-dilemma-answer-key)
Prep
Teacher Preparation
15 minutes
- Review the Bored At Work? Maximize Downtime! Lesson Plan and all linked materials.
- Print copies of the Downtime Dilemma Worksheet (one per student).
- Prepare to project the Maximize Downtime! Slide Deck.
- Review the Downtime Dilemma Answer Key.
Step 1
Warm-Up: What's On Your Mind?
5 minutes
- Begin by asking students: "Imagine you're at a job, and things slow down. You've finished your assigned tasks. What's the first thing you think of doing?"
- Facilitate a brief class discussion, noting responses on the board. (e.g., check phone, talk to a friend, stare at the ceiling, ask for more work, tidy up).
- Transition by explaining that today's lesson will focus on making the most of these moments.
Step 2
Introduction: Why Downtime Matters
5 minutes
- Use the Maximize Downtime! Slide Deck to introduce the concept of productive downtime.
- Discuss how utilizing downtime shows initiative, builds skills, and makes them valuable employees.
- Present the objective for the lesson.
Step 3
Downtime Dilemmas & Solutions
10 minutes
- Distribute the Downtime Dilemma Worksheet.
- Guide students to work individually or in pairs to brainstorm proactive solutions for the scenarios on the worksheet.
- Transition to the Downtime Solutions Activity where students will share their ideas in small groups and then as a class to create a collective list of solutions. Emphasize the idea of "always finding something productive to do."
Step 4
Wrap-Up: Being a Proactive Pro
5 minutes
- Briefly revisit the main points from the Maximize Downtime! Slide Deck and the class discussion.
- Ask students to reflect on one new strategy they learned today that they can apply in a future work or school setting.
- Collect the Downtime Dilemma Worksheet if desired for review.
Slide Deck
Bored At Work? Maximize Downtime!
What do you do when work slows down? Let's turn that downtime into an opportunity!
Greet students and start with the warm-up question: "Imagine you're at a job, and things slow down. You've finished your assigned tasks. What's the first thing you think of doing?" Allow for a few responses and a brief discussion.
Why Downtime Matters at Work
- Show Initiative: You look for ways to help, not just wait.
- Build Skills: Practice or learn something new.
- Become a Valuable Employee: Employers love proactive workers!
- Career Readiness: Essential for any job, any industry.
Explain that today's lesson is about turning downtime into a productive opportunity. Emphasize that being proactive during slow periods shows initiative and can make them stand out as valuable employees.
Our Goal Today
By the end of this lesson, you will be able to:
- Identify productive ways to use downtime at work.
- Brainstorm proactive tasks relevant to various job roles.
- Understand the importance of initiative and preparedness in the workplace.
Clearly state the learning objectives for the lesson. Students should understand what they will gain from this session.
Turning Boredom into Benefit
Instead of waiting, what can you do?
- Organize & Tidy: Your workspace, common areas.
- Learn & Observe: Watch colleagues, read company materials.
- Plan Ahead: Prep for future tasks, make to-do lists.
- Ask: "Is there anything I can help with?"
Introduce the idea of proactively seeking tasks. Ask students for initial ideas before revealing the examples. This slide sets up the Downtime Dilemma Worksheet and subsequent discussion.
Your Turn: Downtime Dilemmas
You'll now work through some common scenarios.
- Think: What's a proactive and helpful action?
- Discuss your ideas with a partner.
- Be ready to share with the class!
Transition to the next activity where students will work on the Downtime Dilemma Worksheet and then discuss their solutions. Encourage thoughtful responses and varied approaches.
Key Takeaways: Be a Downtime Master!
- Initiative is Valued: Don't wait to be told.
- Look for Opportunities: There's always something to do.
- Learn & Grow: Every moment can be a chance to improve.
- Be Prepared: Always have a mental (or actual) list of tasks.
Conclude the lesson by summarizing the key takeaways. Reiterate the value of being proactive and prepared. Encourage students to apply these ideas in any work or school setting.
Worksheet
Downtime Dilemma Worksheet
Name: _________________________ Date: _________________________
Sometimes, even at work, there are moments when things slow down, and you find yourself with extra time. What you choose to do during this downtime can make a big difference! Read each scenario below and brainstorm proactive, helpful ways you could spend that time. Think about how your actions could benefit your workplace and show your initiative.
Scenario 1: The Quiet Office
You work at a small office helping to file documents. You've finished all the filing for the day, and your supervisor is in a meeting for the next hour. You've checked your email, and there are no new urgent tasks.
What could you do?
Scenario 2: The Slow Restaurant Shift
You have a part-time job as a busser at a local restaurant. It's a Tuesday evening, and business is very slow. All the tables are clean, silverware is rolled, and the kitchen is caught up. Your manager is busy with inventory.
What could you do?
Scenario 3: The Finished Project
You are working on a school project with a team. Your specific part of the project is completed, and you've submitted it to the team leader. They are still working on their sections and won't be ready to combine everything for another 20 minutes.
What could you do?
Scenario 4: Your Own Idea!
Think of another job or school situation where you might have unexpected downtime. Describe the situation and then brainstorm productive ways to use that time.
My Downtime Scenario:
What could I do?
Activity
Downtime Solutions Activity: Be a Proactive Pro!
Now that you've thought about some downtime dilemmas, let's share our brilliant solutions and create a class-wide bank of ideas for being proactive at work!
Part 1: Share Your Strategies (10 minutes)
- Form Small Groups: Get into groups of 3-4 students.
- Discuss Your Scenarios: Each person in your group should share one scenario from your Downtime Dilemma Worksheet and their proactive solutions.
- Listen and Learn: As others share, think about new ideas or similar situations you might face.
- Choose the Best: As a group, pick one scenario and one outstanding solution that you think is particularly clever or impactful to share with the whole class.
Part 2: Class Brainstorm - The Proactive Task Board (10 minutes)
*As a class, we will create a
Answer Key
Downtime Dilemma Answer Key
Here are some suggested proactive and helpful actions for the scenarios presented in the Downtime Dilemma Worksheet. Encourage students to think critically and come up with creative solutions beyond these examples.
Scenario 1: The Quiet Office
What could you do?
- Organize and tidy up shared office supplies or areas.
- Review previous filing to ensure accuracy and look for any missed tasks.
- Read through company policy or training documents to enhance understanding of procedures.
- Prepare documents or materials needed for upcoming tasks or meetings.
- Ask a colleague if they need assistance with anything non-urgent (if appropriate and not interrupting their work).
Scenario 2: The Slow Restaurant Shift
What could you do?
- Wipe down menus, clean condiment bottles, or polish silverware.
- Restock napkins, straws, and other table essentials.
- Clean windows, sweep floors, or tidy up the waiting area.
- Ask the chef or another team member if they need help with any prep work or organization.
- Observe experienced servers or managers to learn more about customer service or operational tasks.
Scenario 3: The Finished Project
What could you do?
- Review your own work for any errors or areas for improvement.
- Offer to proofread or review another team member's section if they are open to it.
- Start outlining ideas or gathering resources for the next phase of the project, if applicable.
- Research additional information related to the project topic that could enhance the overall presentation.
- Create a checklist of final steps for combining the project sections to help the team leader.
Scenario 4: Your Own Idea!
Example Scenario: Working at a retail store, and there are no customers for a period.
What could I do?
- Straighten up displays and merchandise to make the store look more appealing.
- Familiarize myself with new products or current promotions.
- Organize the stockroom or back-of-house areas.
- Practice greeting customers and answering common questions.
- Clean fitting rooms or checkout counters.