Lesson Plan
Chunking for Champions
By the end of this 30-minute session, students will be able to break an assignment into 3–5 bite-size steps and create a countdown checklist to guide task initiation.
Chunking reduces overwhelm, boosts confidence, and builds essential executive function skills by guiding students to approach large tasks in manageable pieces.
Audience
6th Grade Small Group
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Model, guided practice, and peer collaboration
Prep
Material Review
5 minutes
- Review the Mini-Step Map Slide Deck to ensure smooth navigation.
- Familiarize yourself with the Your Bite-Size Breakdown Script prompts.
- Print enough copies of the Step-by-Step Checklist Worksheet and the Pair-and-Plan Activity for each student pair.
Step 1
Warm-Up & Introduce Chunking
5 minutes
- Ask students to share one large or challenging task they’ve put off recently.
- Define “chunking” and explain how breaking tasks into smaller steps can make starting easier.
- Show an overview slide from the Mini-Step Map Slide Deck.
Step 2
Model Breaking Down a Task
10 minutes
- Choose a sample assignment (e.g., write a book report).
- Use the Mini-Step Map Slide Deck to visually demonstrate 4–5 bite-size steps.
- Read through the Your Bite-Size Breakdown Script to illustrate think-aloud strategies.
Step 3
Guided Practice
10 minutes
- Distribute the Step-by-Step Checklist Worksheet.
- Have students select an upcoming assignment and independently list 3–5 mini-steps.
- Circulate to prompt students using script questions (e.g., “What’s the very first thing you’d do?”).
Step 4
Pair-and-Plan Activity
5 minutes
- Pair students and give each pair a Pair-and-Plan Activity.
- Students exchange checklists and provide one suggestion or improvement.
- Encourage pairs to decide who will tackle which step first and set a start time.
Slide Deck
Mini-Step Map
A visual guide to help you turn big tasks into bite-size steps so you can start with confidence and keep moving forward.
Introduce the Mini-Step Map as a visual tool to break down tasks into manageable pieces. Explain that today we’ll learn what chunking is, see an example, and then use a template to map our own tasks.
What Is Chunking?
• Chunking means breaking a large task into smaller, manageable steps.
• It helps you know exactly what to do first, next, and last.
• Reduces overwhelm and builds confidence to get started.
Define chunking clearly and connect it to students’ own experiences of feeling overwhelmed by large assignments.
Model Example
Task: Write a Book Report
- Choose a book and gather it.
- Read chapters 1–3 and take notes.
- Write a summary of chapters 1–3.
- Repeat reading and summarizing for chapters 4–6.
- Combine summaries into a full draft and edit.
Walk through this example step by step. Model your thinking aloud: how you decide what each mini-step should be.
Your Mini-Step Template
Task: ______________________________
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-
-
- __________________________________ (optional)
- __________________________________ (optional)
Give students 1–2 minutes to fill in their own task and mini-steps. Encourage them to use 3–5 steps and start each with an action verb.
Tips for Effective Chunking
• Start with the very first action you need to take.
• Use clear, action-oriented verbs.
• Keep steps small and specific.
• Limit yourself to 3–5 chunks per task.
• Check off each step to celebrate progress.
Review these tips and invite students to ask questions about chunking. Reinforce the importance of small, actionable steps.
Script
Your Bite-Size Breakdown Script
(Teacher displays the "Model Example" slide from the Mini-Step Map Slide Deck.)
Teacher: "Alright, friends! We have the task: Write a book report. I’m going to think out loud—so you can see how I break this big job into small steps. Ready?"
Teacher: "First, I ask myself: What’s the very first action I need to take? I can’t write until I pick a book. So step one is: Choose a book and get it. Does that make sense?"
Teacher: "Now, imagine you’re me. Who can tell me why I chose that as my first step?"
(Allow a couple of students to share or give a quick thumbs-up vote.)
Teacher: "Exactly—because nothing else happens until you have a book in hand. Next, I wonder: Once the book is chosen, what’s my second action? I need to actually read it. But reading an entire book at once is too much. So I’ll read chapters 1–3 and take notes. Step two: Read chapters 1–3 and jot down important ideas."
Teacher: "After I’ve read and taken notes, what comes next? Yes—writing a mini-summary. So step three is: Write a summary of chapters 1–3."
Teacher: "I’m noticing a pattern: read a bit, then summarize a bit. To finish the rest, I’ll repeat that. So step four: Read chapters 4–6 and take notes. Step five: Write a summary of chapters 4–6. And finally, step six: Combine my summaries into a full draft and do a quick edit."
Teacher: "Let’s look back—did each step start with an action verb? Choose, read, write, repeat, combine. That helps me know exactly what I’m doing."
Teacher: "Now you try: When you see a big assignment, ask yourself—what’s the very first thing I have to do? Then make each chunk small and specific."
Teacher: "If any step feels too big, break it down even more. For instance, if ‘take notes’ feels like a lot, you could say: 1) Open a new page in your notebook, 2) Write the chapter title at the top, 3) List three main ideas as you read."
Teacher: "Okay, great thinking! Remember: small, clear steps are your best friend when starting any project. That’s chunking! Now let’s practice on your own tasks."
Worksheet
Step-by-Step Checklist Worksheet
Task: What assignment will you start? Write it below.
1. Breakdown Into Mini-Steps
Write 3–5 clear, action-oriented steps to complete your task. Use verbs (e.g., “Open,” “Read,” “Write”).
- ____________________________
- ____________________________
- ____________________________
- ____________________________ (optional)
- ____________________________ (optional)
2. Countdown Checklist
Start at step 5 (or your highest-numbered step) and work down to step 1. Check off each step as you complete it.
- ____________________________
- ____________________________
- ____________________________
- ____________________________
- ____________________________
3. Start Planning
When will you begin? ____________________________
Who will remind or help you get started? ____________________________
Activity
Pair-and-Plan Activity
Instructions: In pairs, complete the following steps together to turn your checklists into action plans.
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Exchange Checklists
• Swap your Step-by-Step Checklist Worksheet with your partner.
• Read through each other’s mini-steps and countdown checklist. -
Review & Feedback
• Give one compliment: “I like how your step ___ is clear because ___.”
• Offer one suggestion: “Maybe you could make step ___ more specific by ___.” -
Set a Start Plan
• Who will tackle the first step? ____________________________
• When will you begin? ____________________________
• Who will remind or check in? ____________________________ -
Write Your Commitments
Partner A:
First step: ____________________________
Start time: ____________________________
Partner B:
First step: ____________________________
Start time: ____________________________
Keep this plan handy—and don’t forget to celebrate once you complete that first step!