Group Kickoff Talk: Why Is Initiation Hard?

Purpose:
Guide students to articulate barriers to starting tasks and recognize how naming one first step eases overwhelm.

Time: 8 minutes

Discussion Prompts

1. What stops us from beginning a task?
   • Teacher follow-up: “Can you share a recent example?”
   • Probe: “How did that feeling affect what you did next?”
2. How does not knowing where to start make a task feel?
   • Encourage descriptive words: overwhelmed, stuck, anxious
   • Follow-up: “What images or thoughts come to mind?”
3. Why might choosing just one small step help you get going?
   • Ask: “How would focusing on one action change your mindset?”
   • Invite connections to past successes (e.g., finishing homework by doing one problem first)
4. What strategies can we use to pick that very first step?
   • Suggest options: re-reading instructions, listing all steps, asking a peer, visualizing the end goal
   • Follow-up: “Which strategy sounds most useful for you, and why?”

Teacher Tips

• Use think–pair–share: Give 30 seconds of silent thinking, then pair students to discuss before sharing with the group.
• Record key student ideas on the board under headings “Barriers” and “Strategies”.
• Validate all contributions; emphasize that every task feels hard at first, and talking about it is the first step to overcoming it.

Possible Student Responses

Barriers:

• Too many choices
  
  
  
• Fear of making a mistake
  
  
  
• Feeling overwhelmed by the size of the project
  
  
  

Strategies:

• Break task into smaller steps
  
  
  
• Start with a question or outline
  
  
  
• Ask for help to clarify the first step
  
  
  

After this discussion, you’re ready to move into the hands-on Task Puzzle Pieces activity, where you’ll practice identifying that very first action!

Task Puzzle Pieces Activity

Purpose:
Students will practice ordering the steps of different multi-step tasks and clearly identify the very first action needed to get started.

Time: 12 minutes

Materials

• Printed sets of step-strips for each task (in envelopes)
• Chart paper or large sticky notes and markers for each group
• Task Puzzle Pieces envelopes labeled A, B, C

Task Sets (one per envelope)

Set A: Plan a Class Party
• Decorate the room
• Design invitations
• Clean up afterward
• Choose a theme
• Buy supplies
• Make an invitation list

Set B: Write an Essay
• Draft body paragraphs
• Create an outline
• Proofread and edit
• Write conclusion
• Brainstorm topic ideas
• Write thesis statement

Set C: Conduct a Science Experiment
• Record data
• Choose a research question
• Analyze results
• Gather materials
• Form a hypothesis
• Conduct the experiment

Instructions

1. Form groups of 3–4.
2. Distribute envelopes labeled A, B, or C so each group has a different task.
3. Read all step-strips aloud together and discuss what each action involves.
4. Arrange the strips in the order you believe the task should happen.
5. Highlight the first step in your sequence and write it on your chart paper.
6. Prepare to share: Decide who will explain why that first action is essential.
7. Share with the class: Each group states their chosen first step and rationale.

Teacher Tips & Questions

• Probe deeper: “What makes that step come before the others?”
• Encourage connections: Ask if any group has rearranged differently and why.
• Highlight strategies: Refer back to barriers and strategies from the Group Kickoff Talk.

After sharing, collect chart papers and transition to the reflection in My First Step Reflection.

My First Step Reflection

Instructions: Choose a personal multi-step task you need to complete (e.g., writing a paper, organizing your locker, studying for a test). Reflect on the very first action you will take to get started.

1. Describe your chosen task in a few sentences. Why is it important to you?

1. What is the very first step you will take toward completing this task? Be as specific as you can.

1. Why did you choose this as your first step? How will it help reduce feeling overwhelmed or stuck?

1. Identify any obstacles or barriers that might stop you from taking this first step. What might get in your way?

1. What strategies will you use to overcome those obstacles? (Examples: setting a timer, asking a peer or teacher for clarification, gathering materials ahead of time.)

1. After completing this first step, how will you build momentum for the next actions? Describe how you’ll keep going.

When you finish, be prepared to share one insight from your reflection with a partner or the group. Good luck taking your first step!