Lesson Plan
Beat the Clock Overview
Students will practice planning and managing their time by completing fun, timed tasks and reflecting on prioritization, focus, and outcome assessment.
Strong self-management skills help students meet deadlines, reduce stress, and build confidence in academic and everyday tasks, setting a foundation for lifelong organization and responsibility.
Audience
3rd Grade Students
Time
40 minutes
Approach
Hands-on timed challenges with reflection to build planning and focus.
Materials
- Tick-Tock Timer Slides, - Speed Sort Activity Cards, - Task Relay Race Instructions, - Time Master Debrief Worksheet, and - Timer or Stopwatch
Prep
Teacher Preparation
15 minutes
- Review all materials and instructions thoroughly
- Print and cut out Speed Sort Activity Cards
- Read through Task Relay Race Instructions and set up stations
- Print enough copies of Time Master Debrief Worksheet for each student
- Load and test Tick-Tock Timer Slides on the classroom display
Step 1
Warm-Up: Speed Sort
5 minutes
- Introduce the concept of self-management and time prioritization
- Distribute Speed Sort Activity Cards at student desks
- Explain task: sort cards into categories (e.g., ‘Most Important’ vs. ‘Less Important’) before time runs out
- Start timer on Tick-Tock Timer Slides for 2 minutes
- When time is up, discuss choices and strategies briefly
Step 2
Main Activity: Task Relay Race
25 minutes
- Divide students into small teams and assign each to a start station
- Explain goal: complete simple tasks (e.g., stacking cups, solving a quick puzzle) at each station under time pressure—see Task Relay Race Instructions
- Display countdown on Tick-Tock Timer Slides
- Teams rotate through stations, tagging the next teammate when finished
- Circulate to observe teamwork, time use, and prioritization strategies
Step 3
Cool-Down: Time Master Debrief
10 minutes
- Distribute Time Master Debrief Worksheet
- Prompt students to reflect: Which tasks felt rushed? How did you decide what to do first? What would you change next time?
- Allow silent reflection (3 minutes), then invite volunteers to share insights
- Highlight effective strategies (planning, focus, quick decision-making) for future tasks
Slide Deck
Tick-Tock Timer
Ready… Set… Go! We’ll use this deck to track our time for each activity.
Introduce this slide deck to students as the official timer tool for today's challenges. Explain that you'll be using it to keep to time.
Start this slide when it's time for the Warm-Up: Speed Sort. It will count down 2 minutes.
Time’s Up!
Great work on the Speed Sort! Let’s talk about your choices.
When the countdown ends, switch to this slide to signal time is up. Encourage a brief discussion before moving on.
Use this slide at the start of the Main Activity: Task Relay Race. It will count down the full 25 minutes of the challenge.
Halfway There!
12 minutes left. Keep up the pace!
When you’re halfway through the relay race (about 12 minutes in), show this slide to motivate students and remind them of the remaining time.
Use this slide at the start of the Cool-Down: Reflection. It will count down 3 minutes for silent reflection on the worksheet.
Reflection Complete
Thanks for reflecting. Who would like to share their strategy?
Signal the end of reflection time and invite students to share. Transition to debrief discussion.
Warm Up
Speed Sort Activity Cards
Purpose: Help students practice quick prioritization by sorting daily tasks into Most Important vs. Less Important under a 2-minute time limit.
How to Use:
- Print and cut out the following cards.
- Distribute one set to each student.
- On “Go,” start the 2-minute timer from Tick-Tock Timer Slides.
- Students sort cards into two piles: Most Important and Less Important.
- When time is up, briefly discuss why certain tasks were chosen as most important.
Cards to Print & Cut (12 total):
| Task Card | Task Card |
|---|---|
| Finish homework | Practice piano |
| Eat breakfast | Water the plants |
| Get dressed | Watch TV |
| Brush your teeth | Play video games |
| Feed your pet | Clean your room |
| Read a book | Help a family member |
- Arrange 2 cards per row on a standard letter-size page.
- Cut along rows and columns so each card is ~4"×5".
Cutting Template:
Speed Sort Cutting Guide
Game
Task Relay Race Instructions
Purpose:
Help students practice self-management by working under time pressure, focusing on quick decision-making and teamwork.
Materials (per station):
- Station 1: 10 plastic cups
- Station 2: 4-piece jigsaw puzzle (large pieces)
- Station 3: Mixed shape sorting tray (10 shapes in 2 colors)
- Station 4: Set of simple arithmetic flashcards (10 cards)
- Station 5: Blank paper and colored pencils (for a 1-minute drawing prompt)
- Stopwatch or timer (using Tick-Tock Timer Slides)
Setup:
- Arrange 5 stations around the room, clearly labeled 1–5.
- Place the required materials at each station.
- Divide the class into teams of 4–5 students, assigning each team to a start station.
- Explain that they will rotate through all stations, completing each task before time runs out.
How to Play:
- Display the 25-Minute Countdown from Tick-Tock Timer Slides and press “Go.”
- At each station, only one team member works at a time:
- When a student finishes, they tag the next teammate to begin.
- If no one finishes before the station time ends, the current student tags the next to keep the relay moving.
- After 5 minutes (use the slide or teacher call-out), teams rotate clockwise to the next station.
- Repeat until all teams have visited each station (5 rotations × 5 minutes = 25 minutes).
Station Tasks:
- Station 1 – Cup Pyramid: Stack 10 cups into a stable pyramid.
- Station 2 – Puzzle Race: Complete the 4-piece puzzle and show the teacher.
- Station 3 – Shape Sort: Sort 10 shapes into two groups by color and two by shape.
- Station 4 – Flashcard Quiz: Answer all 10 flashcards correctly (teacher verifies).
- Station 5 – Quick Draw: Draw and label three things you do every morning in under 1 minute.
Teacher Tips:
- Circulate and gently remind teams of remaining time using “Halfway There!” slide.
- Encourage students to plan who goes first and in what order for each station.
- Praise quick decision-making, clear communication, and focused effort.
Goal:
Complete as many tasks correctly as possible while managing the 5-minute station time limits. Later, reflect on which tasks felt rushed and how you might improve your strategy next time.
Cool Down
Time Master Debrief Worksheet
Name: ________________________ Date: ________________________
- Which task in the Task Relay Race felt most rushed? Why did it feel rushed to you?
- What strategy did you use to decide which station to visit first and who in your team went first? Describe your plan.
- If you could spend more time at one station, which would it be and how would you use the extra minutes?
- How can you apply the time-management strategies you used today (like planning or quick decision-making) to your homework, chores, or other activities?
- On a scale of 1 (Struggled) to 5 (Mastered), how well did you manage your time today? Circle one: 1 2 3 4 5
- One goal I have for improving my time management in the future is: