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First Step: Task Initiation

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Lesson Plan

Micro-Start Strategy Plan

Students will be able to identify the very first, smallest, and most manageable step of an overwhelming task.

Many tasks feel too big, making it hard to even begin. This lesson teaches students a strategy to break down large tasks into 'micro-starts,' helping them overcome initial overwhelm and build momentum.

Audience

4th Grade Group

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Guided practice in breaking down tasks.

Materials

Just One Step Slide Deck, and My Tiny Task Tracker

Prep

Prepare Materials

10 minutes

Step 1

Introduction: The Big Wall (5 minutes)

5 minutes

  1. Hook: Start by asking students if they've ever looked at a big job (like a messy room, a long homework assignment, or a big art project) and felt like they didn't even know where to begin. Use the analogy of a 'big wall' they need to climb.
    2. Introduce Task Initiation: Explain that this feeling is called getting 'stuck before you start,' or difficulty with 'task initiation.' Today, they'll learn a secret trick to get started on anything.
    3. Objective: Introduce the lesson's objective: 'Today, we will learn how to find the very first tiny step to start any big task.'

Step 2

What's a 'First Step'? (10 minutes)

10 minutes

  1. Introduce Concept: Using the Just One Step Slide Deck, explain that a 'first step' is the absolute smallest, easiest thing you can do to begin a task. It shouldn't take much time or effort.
    2. Examples: Go through examples together (e.g., for 'clean room,' a first step could be 'pick up one sock'; for 'read a book,' it could be 'open the book to chapter 1'). Use examples from the slide deck.
    3. Non-Examples: Discuss what isn't a first step (e.g., 'clean entire room' is too big; 'read the whole book' is too big).

Step 3

My Tiny Task Tracker (10 minutes)

10 minutes

  1. Distribute Worksheet: Hand out the My Tiny Task Tracker worksheet to each student.
    2. Guided Practice: Guide students through the worksheet. Ask them to think of one big task they need to do. Help them brainstorm potential 'first steps' and identify the smallest one.
    3. Teacher Support: Circulate and provide individualized support, helping students reframe large steps into smaller, actionable micro-steps. Encourage them to be very specific.

Step 4

Share and Reflect (5 minutes)

5 minutes

  1. Share Out: Ask a few volunteers to share their big task and the 'tiny first step' they identified. Celebrate their ability to break down tasks.
    2. Reinforce Learning: Remind students that whenever they feel stuck, they can use this 'First Step' strategy. Emphasize that starting small is better than not starting at all.
    3. Cool Down: Consider using a quick verbal cool-down question: 'What is one thing you learned today about starting tasks?'
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Slide Deck

First Step: Task Initiation

How do you start when a task feels HUGE?

Welcome students and greet them. Introduce the feeling of being overwhelmed by a big task, like a messy room or a lot of homework. Ask if anyone has ever felt that way. This lesson is about a trick to help with that feeling.

The Big Wall

Imagine a giant wall in front of you. How do you get to the other side?

Use the analogy of a big wall to represent an overwhelming task. Ask students how they would begin to get to the other side if they couldn't just walk around it. This sets up the idea of breaking down a large barrier.

What is "Task Initiation"?

It's the moment you start a task. Sometimes, this is the hardest part!

Explain 'task initiation' in simple terms. Emphasize that it's okay if this is a difficult step for them. It's a common challenge, and we're here to learn a strategy.

The Secret Trick: Your "First Step"

The absolute smallest, easiest thing you can do to get started. It's a micro-start!

Introduce the concept of a 'first step' as a 'micro-start.' Stress that it should be incredibly small and easy—so easy that it feels silly not to do it. The goal is to overcome inertia.

What's the First Step?

Task: Clean your messy room.
First Step: Pick up one sock.

Discuss this example. Highlight how picking up just 'one' sock is a concrete, non-overwhelming action. It's not about cleaning the whole room right away, just one tiny piece.

What's the First Step?

Task: Read your reading assignment.
First Step: Open your book to the right page.

Discuss this example. Opening a book is a simple, achievable start, even if the entire reading assignment seems daunting. It gets them physically engaged with the task.

What's the First Step?

Task: Start your math homework.
First Step: Get out your math book and pencil.

Discuss this example. Sometimes the first step is simply gathering the necessary tools. This can help prepare their mind for the task ahead without immediately diving into difficult problems.

Not a First Step!

"Clean my entire room!"
"Read the whole book!"
"Finish all my homework!"

These are too BIG! Your brain gets tired just thinking about them.

It's important to clarify what a 'first step' is NOT. These examples are still too large and can cause overwhelm. The 'first step' strategy is about making it un-overwhelming.

Time for Your Tiny Task Tracker!

We'll use our worksheets to practice finding your first steps for your big tasks!

Transition to the worksheet activity. Explain that they will now get to practice this strategy with tasks that are important to them.

Remember Your Micro-Start Power!

When a task feels too big, remember: Just find that first tiny step! You've got this!

End with encouragement. Reinforce the power of micro-starts and empower students to use this strategy whenever they feel stuck.

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Worksheet

My Tiny Task Tracker: Just One Step!

Do you ever have a really big job to do, but you don't know where to start? It's like a huge mountain you need to climb! Today, we're going to learn how to find the first tiny step to get started.

A "first step" is the smallest, easiest thing you can do to begin a task. It should be so simple that you can do it right away!

1. My Big Task Is... (What's a task that feels too big or hard to start?)



2. What are some things I need to do for this task? (List a few ideas, even if they're still big)





3. Circle the smallest, easiest thing on your list. If nothing is small enough, make it even smaller! This is your FIRST STEP!

My Tiny First Step Is...






4. How long do you think this tiny first step will take?

  • Less than 1 minute
  • 1-5 minutes
  • 5-10 minutes

5. When will I do my tiny first step? (Today? Tomorrow? What time?)



6. After I take my tiny first step, how do I think I will feel? (Happy? Relieved? Ready for more?)



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