Lesson Plan
Boss Your Clock, Own Your Calm!
Empower 10th-grade girls to develop effective time management strategies and robust coping mechanisms to reduce stress and enhance well-being.
Learning time management and coping skills is crucial for navigating the pressures of high school, preparing for future challenges, and fostering mental health. This group provides a safe space for skill development and peer support.
Audience
10th Grade Girls
Time
8 weeks, 30 minutes per session (240 minutes total)
Approach
Interactive sessions combining discussion, practical exercises, and creative expression.
Materials
Group Session Guide, Art Therapy Supplies (Paper, colored pencils/markers, old magazines, glue sticks), and Activity Supplies (Index cards, pens, sticky notes, ball of yarn, whiteboard)
Prep
Review All Session Materials
60 minutes
Review the Group Session Guide for all 8 weeks, paying close attention to the warm-up activities, discussion topics, and both art therapy and group activity prompts for each session. Gather all necessary art supplies (paper, colored pencils/markers, old magazines, glue sticks) and general activity supplies (index cards, pens, sticky notes, ball of yarn, whiteboard) before each session. Ensure the space is set up to facilitate group discussion and interactive work. Materials can include links to other generated materials using Material Name; be mindful that the ids must match exactly for links to work; if a given material is already linked, ensure that you use the same link for that same material (when generating or further referencing); avoid using generic link ids and instead be descriptive, specific, and unique
Step 1
Introduction and Group Norms (Week 1)
30 minutes
- Welcome students and introduce the purpose of the group.
- Facilitate a discussion to establish group norms and expectations.
- Conduct a brief warm-up activity to encourage participation.
- Introduce the concept of time management and its relevance.
- Conclude with an Art Therapy Activity focused on self-expression. Refer to the Group Session Guide for details.
Step 2
Time Management Foundations (Weeks 2-4)
90 minutes (30 minutes each)
- Week 2: Prioritization & Planning. Introduce tools like to-do lists and calendars. Discuss how to prioritize tasks. Engage in a Group Activity.
- Week 3: Tackling Procrastination. Explore causes of procrastination and strategies to overcome it. Engage in a Group Activity.
- Week 4: Digital Distractions. Discuss managing screen time and digital distractions. Engage in a Group Activity.
- Each session will include a warm-up, discussion, and either a group or art therapy activity.
Step 3
Coping Skills Exploration (Weeks 5-7)
90 minutes (30 minutes each)
- Week 5: Identifying Stressors & Emotions. Help students recognize their personal stressors and emotional responses. Engage in an Group Activity.
- Week 6: Healthy Coping Strategies. Introduce and practice various coping mechanisms (e.g., mindfulness, deep breathing, positive self-talk). Engage in an Art Therapy Activity.
- Week 7: Building Resilience. Discuss how to bounce back from challenges and maintain a positive outlook. Engage in an Art Therapy Activity.
- Each session will include a warm-up, discussion, and either a group or art therapy activity.
Step 4
Integration & Future Focus (Week 8)
30 minutes
- Review key learnings from time management and coping skills.
- Facilitate a reflection on personal growth and future application.
- Engage in a final Group Activity to visualize future goals and strengths.
- Celebrate achievements and provide resources for continued support. Refer to the Group Session Guide for details.
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Slide Deck
Welcome to 'Boss Your Clock, Own Your Calm!'
Your Space for Growth & Connection
- Welcome, 10th Grade Girls!
- What to expect: Practical skills, open discussions, interactive activities & creative expression.
- Our goal: Learn to manage time effectively and handle stress like a pro!
Welcome the girls, set a positive tone. Introduce the purpose of the group. Emphasize confidentiality and creating a safe space for sharing. Explain the structure: warm-up, discussion, and a mix of group and art therapy activities. Highlight the benefits of learning time management and coping skills.
Session Overview: Time & Calm
Each session will include:
- Warm-Up Activity: Get our brains ready!
- Conversation & Skills: Discuss a key topic and learn new strategies.
- Group Activity or Art Therapy: Engage and explore together!
Why are we here?
- Time Management: Less stress, more control!
- Coping Skills: Build resilience, feel better!
Explain that each session will start with a warm-up. Give an example like 'One Word Check-in'. Transition to explaining the importance of time management.
What is Time Management?
It's More Than Just a Clock!
- Taking control of your schedule.
- Making choices about how you spend your time.
- Feeling less overwhelmed by school, activities, and life!
Think-Pair-Share:
- What's one good thing about how you manage your time now?
- What's one challenge?
Introduce the concept of time management. Ask open-ended questions to get students thinking about their current habits. Emphasize that it's about making time work for them.
What are Coping Skills?
Your Personal Stress-Busters!
- Ways to handle tough emotions and stress.
- Healthy habits that help you feel calm and strong.
- Tools for your emotional toolkit.
Quick Poll:
- What do you usually do when you feel stressed or overwhelmed?
Introduce the concept of coping skills. Ask students what they already do to feel better when stressed. Validate their responses. Explain that we'll learn a variety of strategies.
Activities: Explore, Engage & Express!
Let's Learn & Grow Together!
- Group Activities: Interactive ways to practice skills and share ideas.
- Art Therapy: Express thoughts and feelings creatively (no art skills needed!)
- It's all about participation and shared learning!
Explain the role of both group and art therapy activities in the group. Emphasize that it's about interactive exploration, discussion, and creative expression. Reassure them that for art therapy, it's about the process, not artistic skill.
See You Next Time!
Keep thinking about:
- One small change you can make this week to manage your time.
- One simple way you can calm yourself when feeling overwhelmed.
We'll continue our journey to being in charge of our time and our calm!
Provide a closing thought and encourage attendance for the next session. Reiterate the positive impact of these skills.
Script
Group Session Guide: Boss Your Clock, Own Your Calm!
This guide provides a detailed breakdown for each of the 8 weekly 30-minute sessions for 10th-grade girls, focusing on time management and coping skills. Each session includes a Warm-Up, Conversation Topic, and either an Art Therapy Activity or a Group Activity.
Week 1: Welcome & Setting the Stage
Warm-Up (5 minutes)
- Activity: "One Word Check-in"
- Instructions: Ask each student to share one word that describes how they are feeling right now, or one word they hope to gain from this group. No explanations needed, just the word.
Conversation Topic (15 minutes)
- Topic: Introduction to the Group & Why We're Here
- Discussion Points:
- Welcome and introductions (facilitator and students).
- Briefly explain the purpose of the group: learning time management and coping skills.
- Establish group norms: confidentiality, respect, active listening, "I" statements.
- Ask: "What do you hope to get out of these sessions?"
Art Therapy Activity (10 minutes)
- Activity: "My Inner Landscape"
- Materials: Paper, colored pencils/markers.
- Instructions: Ask students to draw a simple representation of their "inner landscape" – what their feelings or current mental state might look like as a landscape (e.g., calm ocean, busy city, peaceful forest). Emphasize that there's no right or wrong way to draw this. Share if comfortable.
Week 2: Prioritization & Planning
Warm-Up (5 minutes)
- Activity: "High-Low Share"
- Instructions: Each student shares one "high" (something good) and one "low" (something challenging) from their past week, related to school or personal life.
Conversation Topic (15 minutes)
- Topic: Understanding Priorities & Effective Planning
- Discussion Points:
- What does "prioritize" mean to you? Why is it important?
- Introduce tools: to-do lists, planners (digital/physical), calendars.
- Discuss the difference between urgent and important tasks. (Eisenhower Matrix concept, simplified).
- Ask: "What makes it hard to plan your time effectively?"
Group Activity (10 minutes)
- Activity: "Task Sorting Challenge"
- Materials: Index cards with various tasks (e.g., "Study for history test," "Text a friend back," "Finish English essay," "Clean room," "Go to practice," "Help with dinner"), a whiteboard or large paper with categories "Urgent & Important," "Important but Not Urgent," "Urgent but Not Important," "Not Urgent & Not Important."
- Instructions: Students work in small groups to sort the task cards into the categories. Discuss their choices as a whole group and the rationale behind them.
Week 3: Tackling Procrastination
Warm-Up (5 minutes)
- Activity: "If I Had 5 More Minutes..."
- Instructions: Ask students: "If you suddenly had 5 extra minutes in your day, what's one thing you would do, or one task you would finally start?"
Conversation Topic (15 minutes)
- Topic: Why We Procrastinate & How to Beat It
- Discussion Points:
- Brainstorm reasons for procrastination (fear of failure, overwhelming task, distraction, lack of interest).
- Introduce strategies: breaking tasks into smaller steps, setting deadlines, the "2-minute rule," rewarding progress.
- Discuss the role of perfectionism in procrastination.
- Ask: "What's one small step you can take today to start a task you've been putting off?"
Group Activity (10 minutes)
- Activity: "Procrastination Scenarios & Solutions"
- Materials: Slips of paper with common procrastination scenarios (e.g., "You have a big project due next week, but you keep watching TV.", "You need to call a teacher, but you're nervous.", "Your room is a mess, and you don't know where to start.").
- Instructions: Students pick a scenario, read it aloud, and the group brainstorms practical strategies to overcome the procrastination in that specific situation. Encourage varied solutions.
Week 4: Digital Distractions
Warm-Up (5 minutes)
- Activity: "Screen Time Snapshot"
- Instructions: Ask students to silently reflect on how much time they think they spend on screens daily. Then, ask for a show of hands (e.g., under 2 hours, 2-4 hours, 4+ hours) without judgment.
Conversation Topic (15 minutes)
- Topic: Managing Screen Time & Digital Focus
- Discussion Points:
- Discuss the benefits and drawbacks of technology in our lives.
- How do digital devices impact focus and productivity?
- Strategies for managing distractions: turning off notifications, using focus apps, designated "no-phone" times/spaces.
- Ask: "What's one digital habit you'd like to change to improve your focus?"
Group Activity (10 minutes)
- Activity: "Digital Habits Brainstorm"
- Materials: Large paper or whiteboard, sticky notes, markers.
- Instructions: Divide the board/paper into two columns: "Helpful Digital Habits" and "Distracting Digital Habits." Students write one habit per sticky note and place it in the correct column. As a group, discuss patterns and brainstorm strategies for turning distracting habits into helpful ones or reducing their impact.
Week 5: Identifying Stressors & Emotions
Warm-Up (5 minutes)
- Activity: "Stress Thermometer"
- Instructions: Ask students to rate their current stress level on a scale of 1-10 (1=totally calm, 10=extremely stressed). They can show with fingers or just reflect internally.
Conversation Topic (15 minutes)
- Topic: Recognizing Our Stress Signals
- Discussion Points:
- What are common stressors for 10th graders?
- How does stress show up in our bodies, thoughts, and behaviors?
- The importance of identifying emotions (e.g., not just "stressed," but sad, anxious, frustrated, overwhelmed).
- Ask: "What does stress feel like for you physically or emotionally?"
Group Activity (10 minutes)
- Activity: "Stress Trigger Mapping"
- Materials: Index cards, a large piece of paper or whiteboard, markers.
- Instructions: Each student anonymously writes down 1-2 things that cause them stress on index cards. Collect the cards. As a group, read them aloud and collaboratively group similar stressors together on the large paper/whiteboard (e.g., "School Pressure," "Social Drama," "Family Issues"). Discuss the commonalities and validate feelings.
Week 6: Healthy Coping Strategies
Warm-Up (5 minutes)
- Activity: "Coping Charades"
- Instructions: Write down various coping strategies on slips of paper (e.g., deep breathing, listening to music, talking to a friend, taking a walk). Students pick one and act it out for others to guess.
Conversation Topic (15 minutes)
- Topic: Building Your Coping Skills Toolkit
- Discussion Points:
- Introduce a variety of healthy coping strategies: mindfulness, deep breathing exercises, physical activity, creative outlets, seeking support, positive self-talk, setting boundaries.
- Discuss the difference between healthy and unhealthy coping mechanisms.
- Practice a simple deep breathing exercise together (e.g., box breathing).
- Ask: "What's one new coping skill you're curious to try?"
Art Therapy Activity (10 minutes)
- Activity: "My Coping Collage"
- Materials: Small pieces of paper, old magazines (optional), glue sticks, markers.
- Instructions: Create a mini-collage or drawing that represents different healthy coping strategies they can use. They can draw symbols, words, or cut out images. Focus on strategies that resonate with them.
Week 7: Building Resilience
Warm-Up (5 minutes)
- Activity: "Strength Spotting"
- Instructions: Go around the circle and each student shares one personal strength they possess (e.g., I'm a good listener, I'm determined, I'm creative).
Conversation Topic (15 minutes)
- Topic: Bouncing Back & Growing Stronger
- Discussion Points:
- What does "resilience" mean? Why is it important?
- Discuss how challenges and setbacks can be opportunities for growth.
- The importance of a growth mindset vs. a fixed mindset.
- How can we support each other in building resilience?
- Ask: "Think of a time you faced a challenge and got through it. What did you learn about yourself?"
Art Therapy Activity (10 minutes)
- Activity: "My Resilience Tree"
- Materials: Paper, colored pencils/markers.
- Instructions: Draw a tree. The roots represent their support system and strengths. The trunk represents their resilience and ability to stand firm. The branches and leaves represent their goals, hopes, and future growth. Decorate the tree with colors and symbols.
Week 8: Integration & Future Focus
Warm-Up (5 minutes)
- Activity: "Rose, Bud, Thorn"
- Instructions: Each student shares a "rose" (something positive from the group experience), a "bud" (something they are still working on or hope to grow), and a "thorn" (a challenge they faced during the program or still face).
Conversation Topic (15 minutes)
- Topic: Reflecting on Progress & Sustaining Skills
- Discussion Points:
- Review key time management strategies learned.
- Review key coping skills learned.
- How will students continue to practice these skills in their daily lives?
- Discuss the importance of self-care and asking for help.
- Ask: "What's one concrete step you'll take after this group to continue using your new skills?"
Group Activity (10 minutes)
- Activity: "Future Me Action Plan"
- Materials: Worksheet with prompts like: "One time management skill I will continue to use is...", "One coping strategy I will practice is...", "My goal for managing stress in the future is...", "I will seek support by...".
- Instructions: Students complete the "Future Me Action Plan" worksheet individually. Then, they can share one item from their plan with the group if they feel comfortable. Conclude by celebrating their commitment to their well-being.
Script
Group Session Guide: Boss Your Clock, Own Your Calm!
This guide provides a detailed breakdown for each of the 8 weekly 30-minute sessions for 10th-grade girls, focusing on time management and coping skills. Each session includes a Warm-Up, Conversation Topic, and either an Art Therapy Activity or a Group Activity.
Week 1: Welcome & Setting the Stage
Warm-Up (5 minutes)
- Activity: "One Word Check-in"
- Instructions: Ask each student to share one word that describes how they are feeling right now, or one word they hope to gain from this group. No explanations needed, just the word.
Conversation Topic (15 minutes)
- Topic: Introduction to the Group & Why We're Here
- Discussion Points:
- Welcome and introductions (facilitator and students).
- Briefly explain the purpose of the group: learning time management and coping skills.
- Establish group norms: confidentiality, respect, active listening, "I" statements.
- Ask: "What do you hope to get out of these sessions?"
Art Therapy Activity (10 minutes)
- Activity: "My Inner Landscape"
- Materials: Paper, colored pencils/markers.
- Instructions: Ask students to draw a simple representation of their "inner landscape" – what their feelings or current mental state might look like as a landscape (e.g., calm ocean, busy city, peaceful forest). Emphasize that there's no right or wrong way to draw this. Share if comfortable.
Week 2: Prioritization & Planning
Warm-Up (5 minutes)
- Activity: "High-Low Share"
- Instructions: Each student shares one "high" (something good) and one "low" (something challenging) from their past week, related to school or personal life.
Conversation Topic (15 minutes)
- Topic: Understanding Priorities & Effective Planning
- Discussion Points:
- What does "prioritize" mean to you? Why is it important?
- Introduce tools: to-do lists, planners (digital/physical), calendars.
- Discuss the difference between urgent and important tasks. (Eisenhower Matrix concept, simplified).
- Ask: "What makes it hard to plan your time effectively?"
Group Activity (10 minutes)
- Activity: "Task Sorting Challenge"
- Materials: Index cards with various tasks (e.g., "Study for history test," "Text a friend back," "Finish English essay," "Clean room," "Go to practice," "Help with dinner"), a whiteboard or large paper with categories "Urgent & Important," "Important but Not Urgent," "Urgent but Not Important," "Not Urgent & Not Important."
- Instructions: Students work in small groups to sort the task cards into the categories. Discuss their choices as a whole group and the rationale behind them.
Week 3: Tackling Procrastination
Warm-Up (5 minutes)
- Activity: "If I Had 5 More Minutes..."
- Instructions: Ask students: "If you suddenly had 5 extra minutes in your day, what's one thing you would do, or one task you would finally start?"
Conversation Topic (15 minutes)
- Topic: Why We Procrastinate & How to Beat It
- Discussion Points:
- Brainstorm reasons for procrastination (fear of failure, overwhelming task, distraction, lack of interest).
- Introduce strategies: breaking tasks into smaller steps, setting deadlines, the "2-minute rule," rewarding progress.
- Discuss the role of perfectionism in procrastination.
- Ask: "What's one small step you can take today to start a task you've been putting off?"
Group Activity (10 minutes)
- Activity: "Procrastination Scenarios & Solutions"
- Materials: Slips of paper with common procrastination scenarios (e.g., "You have a big project due next week, but you keep watching TV.", "You need to call a teacher, but you're nervous.", "Your room is a mess, and you don't know where to start.").
- Instructions: Students pick a scenario, read it aloud, and the group brainstorms practical strategies to overcome the procrastination in that specific situation. Encourage varied solutions.
Week 4: Digital Distractions
Warm-Up (5 minutes)
- Activity: "Screen Time Snapshot"
- Instructions: Ask students to silently reflect on how much time they think they spend on screens daily. Then, ask for a show of hands (e.g., under 2 hours, 2-4 hours, 4+ hours) without judgment.
Conversation Topic (15 minutes)
- Topic: Managing Screen Time & Digital Focus
- Discussion Points:
- Discuss the benefits and drawbacks of technology in our lives.
- How do digital devices impact focus and productivity?
- Strategies for managing distractions: turning off notifications, using focus apps, designated "no-phone" times/spaces.
- Ask: "What's one digital habit you'd like to change to improve your focus?"
Group Activity (10 minutes)
- Activity: "Digital Habits Brainstorm"
- Materials: Large paper or whiteboard, sticky notes, markers.
- Instructions: Divide the board/paper into two columns: "Helpful Digital Habits" and "Distracting Digital Habits." Students write one habit per sticky note and place it in the correct column. As a group, discuss patterns and brainstorm strategies for turning distracting habits into helpful ones or reducing their impact.
Week 5: Identifying Stressors & Emotions
Warm-Up (5 minutes)
- Activity: "Stress Thermometer"
- Instructions: Ask students to rate their current stress level on a scale of 1-10 (1=totally calm, 10=extremely stressed). They can show with fingers or just reflect internally.
Conversation Topic (15 minutes)
- Topic: Recognizing Our Stress Signals
- Discussion Points:
- What are common stressors for 10th graders?
- How does stress show up in our bodies, thoughts, and behaviors?
- The importance of identifying emotions (e.g., not just "stressed," but sad, anxious, frustrated, overwhelmed).
- Ask: "What does stress feel like for you physically or emotionally?"
Group Activity (10 minutes)
- Activity: "Stress Trigger Mapping"
- Materials: Index cards, a large piece of paper or whiteboard, markers.
- Instructions: Each student anonymously writes down 1-2 things that cause them stress on index cards. Collect the cards. As a group, read them aloud and collaboratively group similar stressors together on the large paper/whiteboard (e.g., "School Pressure," "Social Drama," "Family Issues"). Discuss the commonalities and validate feelings.
Week 6: Healthy Coping Strategies
Warm-Up (5 minutes)
- Activity: "Coping Charades"
- Instructions: Write down various coping strategies on slips of paper (e.g., deep breathing, listening to music, talking to a friend, taking a walk). Students pick one and act it out for others to guess.
Conversation Topic (15 minutes)
- Topic: Building Your Coping Skills Toolkit
- Discussion Points:
- Introduce a variety of healthy coping strategies: mindfulness, deep breathing exercises, physical activity, creative outlets, seeking support, positive self-talk, setting boundaries.
- Discuss the difference between healthy and unhealthy coping mechanisms.
- Practice a simple deep breathing exercise together (e.g., box breathing).
- Ask: "What's one new coping skill you're curious to try?"
Art Therapy Activity (10 minutes)
- Activity: "My Coping Collage"
- Materials: Small pieces of paper, old magazines (optional), glue sticks, markers.
- Instructions: Create a mini-collage or drawing that represents different healthy coping strategies they can use. They can draw symbols, words, or cut out images. Focus on strategies that resonate with them.
Week 7: Building Resilience
Warm-Up (5 minutes)
- Activity: "Strength Spotting"
- Instructions: Go around the circle and each student shares one personal strength they possess (e.g., I'm a good listener, I'm determined, I'm creative).
Conversation Topic (15 minutes)
- Topic: Bouncing Back & Growing Stronger
- Discussion Points:
- What does "resilience" mean? Why is it important?
- Discuss how challenges and setbacks can be opportunities for growth.
- The importance of a growth mindset vs. a fixed mindset.
- How can we support each other in building resilience?
- Ask: "Think of a time you faced a challenge and got through it. What did you learn about yourself?"
Art Therapy Activity (10 minutes)
- Activity: "My Resilience Tree"
- Materials: Paper, colored pencils/markers.
- Instructions: Draw a tree. The roots represent their support system and strengths. The trunk represents their resilience and ability to stand firm. The branches and leaves represent their goals, hopes, and future growth. Decorate the tree with colors and symbols.
Week 8: Integration & Future Focus
Warm-Up (5 minutes)
- Activity: "Rose, Bud, Thorn"
- Instructions: Each student shares a "rose" (something positive from the group experience), a "bud" (something they are still working on or hope to grow), and a "thorn" (a challenge they faced during the program or still face).
Conversation Topic (15 minutes)
- Topic: Reflecting on Progress & Sustaining Skills
- Discussion Points:
- Review key time management strategies learned.
- Review key coping skills learned.
- How will students continue to practice these skills in their daily lives?
- Discuss the importance of self-care and asking for help.
- Ask: "What's one concrete step you'll take after this group to continue using your new skills?"
Group Activity (10 minutes)
- Activity: "Future Me Action Plan"
- Materials: Worksheet with prompts like: "One time management skill I will continue to use is...", "One coping strategy I will practice is...", "My goal for managing stress in the future is...", "I will seek support by...".
- Instructions: Students complete the "Future Me Action Plan" worksheet individually. Then, they can share one item from their plan with the group if they feel comfortable. Conclude by celebrating their commitment to their well-being.