Quick-Start Quiz

Instructions: When you hear “Go,” start the timer for 2 minutes. List as many strategies as you can think of that help you begin a task immediately. Write each one on a new line.

Get ready… Go!

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Speed Launch Relay

Objective: Reinforce quick-start strategies, build teamwork, and add a fun competitive element to task initiation practice.

Materials:

• Pre-made task cards listing simple quick-start actions (e.g., organize your desk, draft a to-do list)
• Timer or stopwatch
• Cones or markers for relay lanes (optional)

Setup (5 minutes):

1. Divide students into 3–5 teams of equal size.
2. Arrange desks or stations in relay lanes across the room.
3. Place a stack of task cards at the start of each lane.
4. Assign one student per team to be first runner; others line up behind.

How to Play (15 minutes):

1. On the teacher’s “Go,” the first student in each team picks up a task card and starts the task immediately.
2. Each student has 2 minutes to begin their task and show clear progress (e.g., write at least one bullet point for a to-do list).
3. When the timer buzzes, the student places the card back, tags the next teammate, and moves to the end of the line.
4. Continue until every student has had a turn or time runs out.
5. Teams earn 1 point for each task that was successfully initiated within 2 minutes.
6. The team with the most points wins a small reward or bragging rights.

Rules:

• Students must begin working immediately when the timer starts; simply picking up the card doesn’t count.
• If a student doesn’t show progress in 2 minutes, that round yields no point, and the next teammate goes.
• Students may not help each other during individual turns (encourages independent quick-start habits).

Variations & Extensions:

• Advanced Round: require two initiation steps (e.g., outline and write a first sentence).
• Silent Relay: no talking allowed while starting tasks to minimize discussion stalls.
• Reflection Break: after each round, teams share one strategy they used to start quickly.

Reflection Rally

Use this sheet to think about your quick-start practice today. Answer each question thoughtfully.

1. What strategy helped me start my task quickly today?
   
   
   
   
   
   
2. What challenge or obstacle slowed me down when I began the task?
   
   
   
   
   
   
3. What is one goal I will set for myself to improve my task initiation next time?
   
   
   
   
   
   
4. One tip I want to remember and use in the future:
   
   
   
   
   
   

Quick-Start Quiz Answer Key

Use this key to review student responses on the Quick-Start Quiz. Below are sample strategies students might list, along with the reasoning behind each approach.

1. Break the task into smaller steps
   
   • Thought Process: Reducing a large assignment into tiny actions lowers the mental barrier to getting started. For example, instead of “write essay,” the first step might be “write the first sentence.”
2. Set a 2-minute timer
   
   • Thought Process: A visible countdown creates urgency and focuses your mind on beginning immediately. Even if you don’t finish, you’ll have momentum to keep going.
3. Gather all materials first
   
   • Thought Process: Having paper, pens, books, or devices ready removes interruptions. You can dive in without stopping to look for supplies.
4. Choose the easiest or most interesting part to start with
   
   • Thought Process: Tackling the simplest element first builds confidence and reduces resistance. A quick win makes continuing feel more achievable.
5. Write a quick outline or bullet list
   
   • Thought Process: Drafting a rough plan or list of ideas gets you writing or organizing immediately, even if it’s not perfect. It converts vague thoughts into concrete starting points.
6. Eliminate distractions (phone off, headphones removed)
   
   • Thought Process: Physical or digital distractions compete for attention. Removing them helps maintain focus on the task at hand.
7. Use a “brain dump” to clear your mind
   
   • Thought Process: Spend 30 seconds jotting down random thoughts. This clears mental clutter so you can concentrate on the task more easily.
8. Tell yourself, “I’ll work for just two minutes”
   
   • Thought Process: A low-pressure time limit feels manageable. Often, once you’re started, you’ll choose to continue beyond two minutes.
9. Visualize finishing at least one part
   
   • Thought Process: Imagining the satisfaction of having one component done can motivate you to begin. It activates positive feelings associated with progress.
10. Reward yourself immediately after starting
    
    • Thought Process: Planning a small reward (e.g., a sticker, a quick break, or a few minutes of chat time) creates an incentive to launch the task without delay.

Note for Teachers:

• Encourage students to share which strategies they tried and why they chose them.
• Highlight effective approaches and discuss how different tactics might work better for different personalities and tasks.
• Remind students that the goal is to build a quick-start habit—over time, they’ll learn which strategies best overcome their own procrastination triggers.