Lesson Plan
Get It Done Game Plan
Students will practice organizing and executing multi-step tasks under time constraints through a competitive team relay, strengthening planning, time management, and collaboration skills.
Executive function and organizational abilities are key to academic success and daily life. This engaging challenge builds students’ planning, sequencing, and self-regulation in a fun, supportive environment.
Audience
3rd Grade Class
Time
50 minutes
Approach
Team-based timed relay enhances organization through hands-on practice.
Prep
Prepare Game Stations
10 minutes
- Print and organize all Time Trial Cards into sealed envelopes sorted by station
- Gather and label station supplies (paper, pencils, scissors, glue sticks, manipulatives)
- Set up four clearly marked station areas around the room
- Charge and place timers (one per station) on or near each station
- Review key points in Rules of the Race and Task Relay Race Instructions
Step 1
Warm-Up & Objective
5 minutes
- Welcome students and explain today’s focus on organization and time management
- Share the lesson objective and how it ties to classroom routines
- Introduce the challenge: a team relay to complete multi-step tasks under a timer
Step 2
Explain Rules
5 minutes
- Display and walk through Rules of the Race
- Highlight scoring, time limits, and team roles (recorder, runner, organizer)
- Check for understanding with quick Q&A
Step 3
Organize Teams & Stations
5 minutes
- Divide students into 4 teams of 4–5
- Assign each team to a starting station and distribute team score sheets
- Explain the relay order and handoff process between teammates
Step 4
Task Relay Race Challenge
25 minutes
- Start the first timer and have teams begin their first task using Time Trial Cards
- After completing a task, students tag the next teammate and pass along the remaining steps
- Rotate through all stations until each team completes every multi-step task
- Teachers circulate, prompt organization strategies, and track team times
Step 5
Debrief & Reflection
5 minutes
- Gather teams and compare completion times and accuracy
- Facilitate discussion: What strategies helped you stay organized?
- Highlight successes and brainstorm improvements for next time
Step 6
Celebration Circle
5 minutes
- Lead a brief Celebration Circle
- Encourage each student to share one ‘I did well’ and one ‘I’ll improve’
- Recognize teamwork with stickers or high-fives
Slide Deck
Rules of the Race
Welcome to “Get It Done”! In today’s challenge, teams will race through four stations to complete multi-step tasks. Follow these rules to win big and stay on track!
Introduce the game and build excitement. Emphasize that following the rules keeps the competition fair and fun.
Objective
• Complete each station’s task accurately
• Work together to beat the clock
• Practice planning, sequencing, and time management
Explain the goal clearly so students understand purpose. Highlight that speed + accuracy = success.
Team Roles
• Organizer: Reads the steps and plans the approach
• Recorder: Tracks time and notes any missing steps
• Runner: Rushes to pick up next materials or tag the next teammate
• Checker: Verifies completed steps before moving on
Describe each role in detail. Encourage questions if any role is unclear.
Scoring System
• +10 points for completing all steps correctly
• +5 bonus points for early finish (1+ minute remaining)
• –5 points per missed or incorrect step
• No points for incomplete stations
Share how points are earned. Clarify penalties so there’s no confusion during the race.
Time Limits & Flow
• 6 minutes per station
• When your timer beeps, tag your next Runner
• Carry over any unfinished steps to your team until all stations are done
• Teachers will signal rotations
Walk through timing. Remind them to use strategies like listing steps before starting.
Quick Reminders
• Keep materials organized at your station
• Speak quietly—other teams focus too
• Help teammates stay on task
• Have fun and cheer each other on!
Reinforce key points and set expectations for behavior. Encourage sportsmanship.
Activity
Task Relay Race Instructions
Overview: In this fast-paced relay, teams of 4–5 students move through four stations, completing a sealed set of multi-step tasks under a 6-minute timer at each station. They practice planning, sequencing, collaboration, and time management in a fun, competitive format.
Materials (per class):
- Sealed envelopes of Time Trial Cards (one envelope per station)
- Station supplies: paper, pencils, scissors, glue sticks, manipulatives
- Timers or stopwatches (one per station)
- Team score sheets and pens/pencils
Roles (rotate at each station)
- Organizer: Opens envelope, reads and outlines each step.
- Recorder: Starts/stops the timer, tracks completion of each step.
- Checker: Verifies each completed step for accuracy before moving on.
- Runner: Tags next teammate and carries materials when rotating.
Station Setup (10 minutes)
- Label four station areas around the room (Stations 1–4).
- Place one sealed Time Trial Cards envelope at each station.
- Arrange station supplies neatly with the envelope.
- Set each timer to 6:00 and pause at the ready.
- Distribute team score sheets and assign teams to starting stations.
Relay Race Procedure (25 minutes)
- Signal Start: Teacher gives a “Go!” and starts the first station timers.
- Station Work (6 minutes each):
- Organizer opens the envelope and reads all steps aloud.
- Team discusses and sequences the steps before acting.
- Recorder starts the timer and notes when each step is done.
- Checker confirms accuracy; Runner readies for rotation.
- Rotation: When timer beeps (or tasks finish), Runner tags the next teammate, hands off any remaining steps, and leads the team to their next station.
- Repeat: Teams continue rotating until all four stations are completed.
- Scoring: Teams earn points for accuracy and bonus points for early finishes as detailed in the Rules of the Race.
Debrief & Cleanup (5 minutes)
- Gather teams and compare completion times and accuracy.
- Ask: What planning strategies helped you?
- Highlight one strength and one improvement for next time.
- Collect envelopes, supplies, and score sheets.
Tips for Success
- Encourage teams to list all steps before starting.
- Circulate to prompt younger learners with guiding questions.
- Adjust timing or task complexity for students needing extra support.
Ready, set, Get It Done!
Game
Time Trial Cards
Use these multi-step task cards at each station. Students have 6 minutes per card/envelope to complete all steps in order. Place one card in each sealed envelope at Stations 1–4.
Materials for Each Card (per station): paper, pencil, scissors, glue stick, counters/manipulatives (as noted).
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## Station 1 – Shapes Cut & Paste
Materials: pre-drawn shape templates, scissors, glue, blank paper
Steps:
1. Cut out 3 squares and 2 triangles from the template.
2. Arrange the shapes in this order: square, triangle, square, triangle, square.
3. Glue each shape onto your blank paper in that sequence.
4. Draw a circle around the largest shape on your paper.
5. Write a sentence about your glued shapes: “I see ___ shapes.”
## Station 2 – Color Sorting & Counting
Materials: 20 colored counters (5 red, 6 blue, 4 yellow, 5 green), paper, pencil
Steps:
1. Sort the 20 counters into piles by color.
2. Count how many counters are in each color pile.
3. Record the counts in a table:
• Red: ___
• Blue: ___
• Yellow: ___
• Green: ___
4. Add all piles together and write the total: “Total = ___.”
## Station 3 – Simple Math & Ordering
Materials: paper, pencil
Steps:
1. Solve these problems:
a. 8 + 6 = ___
b. 15 – 7 = ___
c. 9 + 5 – 3 = ___
2. Circle the largest answer from your three results.
3. Underline the smallest answer.
4. List the three answers in order from smallest to largest:
___ , ___ , ___
## Station 4 – Story Sequencing & Illustrating
Materials: 4 pre-cut sentence strips, blank paper, pencil, crayons
Steps:
1. Read and shuffle the four sentence strips.
2. Put the sentences in the correct story order and number them 1–4.
3. Glue the numbered strips in order on your blank paper.
4. Draw one picture below the strips that shows what happens in the story.
5. Write a one-sentence summary of the story below your drawing.
Reminder: List all steps before starting each task. Work as a team: designate your Organizer, Recorder, Checker, and Runner roles. Ready... set... Get It Done!
Cool Down
Celebration Circle
Time: 5 minutes
Purpose: Celebrate successes, reflect on organizational strategies, and set goals for next time.
Materials (optional)
- Reflection cards or sticky notes
- Pens or pencils
1. Gather & Review (1 minute)
- Invite students to sit in a circle.
- Remind them of today’s focus: planning, sequencing, and teamwork.
2. Share Your Wins (1–2 minutes)
- Go around the circle. Each student completes the sentence:
“I did well when I __________ because __________.”
3. Set an Organization Goal (1–2 minutes)
- Next, each student shares:
“Next time, I will improve my organization by __________.”
4. Class Recognition & Wrap-Up (1 minute)
- Teacher highlights a few strong examples of planning or teamwork.
- Hand out stickers or give applause to reinforce positive habits.
- Encourage students to keep using these strategies in future activities.