Task Juggling: Start Strong, Prioritize Smart! Script

Introduction (2 minutes)

(Teacher displays Task Juggling Slide Deck - Slide 1)

"Hi everyone! Welcome to our session today. Look at our first slide, 'Task Juggling: Start Strong, Prioritize Smart!' When you hear the word 'juggling,' what comes to mind? Maybe a circus performer keeping many balls in the air? Well, today, we're going to talk about juggling tasks, the things we need to get done, in our lives."

(Teacher displays Task Juggling Slide Deck - Slide 2)

"Our brains have some amazing skills called executive functions. These are like the CEO of your brain, helping you plan, organize, and get things done. Today, we're focusing on two super important ones:

• Task Initiation: That's just a fancy way of saying 'starting a task.' Sometimes, the hardest part of doing something is just getting started!
• Prioritization: This means deciding what's most important to do first. When you have a few things to do, how do you pick which one to tackle?

Can anyone share a time when it was really hard to start something, or when you had a lot to do and weren't sure where to begin? No worries if not, we've all been there!"

(Teacher displays Task Juggling Slide Deck - Slide 3)

"Why are these skills so important, especially now that you're in college? Well, in college and in life, you'll have lots of different responsibilities. Think about:

• Your homework for different classes.
• Studying for a big test.
• Maybe making your own dinner or cleaning your space.

Learning how to start these tasks and decide which ones are most important helps you feel more in control, less stressed, and more successful. It's like having a superpower for your daily to-do list!"

Prioritization Puzzles Activity (8 minutes)

(Teacher displays Task Juggling Slide Deck - Slide 4)

"Now, for our activity! It's called the Prioritization Puzzles Activity. You're each going to get some scenarios with different tasks – these are like mini to-do lists you might have in your day. Your challenge is to prioritize! Decide the order you would complete these tasks and explain why you chose that order. You don't have to finish all of them, but think about how you choose to start and why you pick certain tasks before others.

(Teacher distributes Prioritization Puzzles Activity and briefly reiterates instructions)

"Remember, there's no single 'right' answer, but really think about your choices. You have about 8 minutes. Ready? Go!"

(Teacher observes students during the activity, offering gentle prompts if needed: "What made you choose that one first?" "What are you thinking about as you pick the next task?")

Group Discussion & Strategy Brainstorm (5 minutes)

(Teacher displays Task Juggling Slide Deck - Slide 5)

"Alright everyone, let's bring it back together. Great job with the prioritization puzzles! Now, let's talk about it. Look at our discussion questions here:

1. What was easy about starting tasks? Was there anything that made it easy to just jump in?
   
   
   
   
2. What was tricky about deciding what to do first? Were there any tasks that you weren't sure about?
   
   
   
   
3. What's one new strategy you could try next time you have a lot to do and need to get started or decide what's most important?
   
   
   
   

"Let's hear your thoughts. What did you notice about how you chose to start things or what to do next?"

(Teacher facilitates discussion, writing down student strategies on a whiteboard or large paper. Prompts might include: "Did anyone feel overwhelmed at first? How did you decide to start anyway?" "What made a task feel 'important' or 'urgent' to you?" Summarize strategies like: "Breaking big tasks into small steps," "Doing the hardest thing first," "Doing the easiest thing first for momentum," "Making a list.")

"Fantastic ideas everyone! Remember, practicing these skills, like we did today, helps our brains get stronger at managing all the amazing things you're doing in college and beyond. Keep an eye out for opportunities to 'task juggle' in your daily life!"

Prioritization Puzzles Activity

Instructions for Students

Welcome to the Prioritization Puzzles Challenge! In this activity, you'll be given different scenarios with a list of tasks. Your job is to decide the order in which you would tackle these tasks, explaining why you chose that order. Remember, there might be many good ways to prioritize!

Think about:

• Which tasks are most urgent?
• Which tasks are most important?
• Which tasks depend on other tasks being completed first?
• How do you feel when faced with these choices?

Take your time to read each scenario and the tasks, then write down your prioritized list and a brief explanation.

Scenario 1: College Day Dilemma

It's Tuesday morning. You have a busy day ahead!

Tasks:

1. Finish writing the introduction for your English essay (due tonight at 11:59 PM).
2. Go to your 10 AM History class.
3. Respond to a text from your friend about weekend plans.
4. Eat breakfast.
5. Buy a new notebook for your Science class (you ran out of pages yesterday).

Your Prioritized List & Why:

Scenario 2: Weekend Warrior

It's Friday afternoon, and you're planning your weekend.

Tasks:

1. Do laundry (you're almost out of clean clothes).
2. Study for your Math quiz on Monday morning.
3. Go to the college basketball game with friends on Saturday night.
4. Clean your dorm room (it's getting a bit messy).
5. Call your parents.

Your Prioritized List & Why:

Scenario 3: Campus Living Challenges

It's Wednesday, and you just got back from class. Here's what's on your mind:

Tasks:

1. Sign up for tutoring for your difficult Economics class (the sign-up sheet closes at 5 PM today).
2. Meet a friend for coffee to discuss a campus event (you scheduled it for 4 PM).
3. Submit your Psychology reflection paper (due tomorrow morning).
4. Go for a walk outside (you haven't had much fresh air today).
5. Check your mail for a package you're expecting.

Your Prioritized List & Why:

Scenario 4: Evening Routines

It's late afternoon, and you're thinking about your evening.

Tasks:

1. Prepare a healthy dinner.
2. Review notes for your Sociology midterm next week.
3. Reply to an email from your academic advisor (due by the end of the day).
4. Watch your favorite TV show.
5. Pack your bag for tomorrow's classes.

Your Prioritized List & Why: