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How Do We Control Our Time?

Lesson Plan

Time Mastery Blueprint

Students will learn to plan and prioritize daily tasks by estimating time, sequencing responsibilities, and creating a personalized tracker to manage their day effectively.

Teaching time-management builds responsibility, reduces overwhelm, and empowers students to take ownership of their learning and daily routines.

Audience

4th Grade Students

Time

45 minutes

Approach

Interactive mini-lesson with hands-on activities and personal planning

Materials

Time Mastery Blueprint, - Tick-Tock Presentation, - Daily Schedule Puzzle, and - My Time Tracker

Prep

Setup and Review

10 minutes

Step 1

Introduction

5 minutes

  • Display slide 1–3 of the Tick-Tock Presentation to define time management.
  • Ask: "What tasks do you do after school?" List student responses on the board.
  • Explain that planning helps us use time wisely.

Step 2

Demonstration & Guided Practice

10 minutes

  • Model planning a simple after-school routine on the board: list tasks (homework, snack, play), estimate times, and sequence.
  • Fill out a sample My Time Tracker as students watch.
  • Invite volunteers to suggest times and priorities.

Step 3

Daily Schedule Puzzle Activity

10 minutes

  • Pair students and distribute the Daily Schedule Puzzle.
  • In pairs, match task pictures to time blocks to build a coherent schedule.
  • Circulate to prompt students: "Why did you place snack at 4:00?"

Step 4

Worksheet Completion

10 minutes

  • Hand out My Time Tracker worksheets.
  • Students plan their own after-school schedule by listing tasks, estimating duration, and filling time blocks.
  • Encourage neatness and realistic timing.

Step 5

Closure & Reflection

8 minutes

  • Invite 3–4 students to share one strategy they used on their tracker.
  • Highlight how ordering and estimating tasks helps reduce stress.
  • Review key time-management points from the Tick-Tock Presentation.

Step 6

Quick Assessment

2 minutes

  • Ask students to write one goal for tomorrow’s schedule on a sticky note.
  • Collect notes to gauge understanding and plan follow-up support.
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Slide Deck

How Do We Control Our Time?

Tick-Tock Presentation
CASEL Self-Management
45-Minute Session

Welcome students! Introduce the topic: controlling our time. Briefly explain that today we will learn practical tools to plan and manage our tasks.

What Is Time Management?

Time management means planning and organizing how you divide your time among different activities. It helps you do more of what matters most.

Define and discuss with students. Ask for examples of what they do in a normal day.

Why Manage Your Time?

• Reduces stress and rushing
• Gives you more free time
• Helps you complete tasks on time
• Builds responsibility

Highlight why this skill is important. Invite students to share times when they felt rushed or bored.

Planning an After-School Routine

  1. List your tasks (homework, snack, play).
  2. Estimate how many minutes each task takes.
  3. Sequence tasks from first to last.
  4. Fill in your schedule.

Walk through the after-school routine example. Model writing tasks, estimating durations, and ordering them.

Tips for Estimating Time

• Think back: how long did you take last time?
• Add 5–10 extra minutes “just in case.”
• Use a timer to check yourself.
• Break big tasks into smaller steps.

Share concrete tips. Show a timer or clock image if possible. Encourage students to try these when they practice.

Make Your Own Time Tracker

You will get a worksheet called “My Time Tracker.”
• Write down your tasks.
• Estimate start and end times.
• Color or shade each block for when you will work on a task.

Introduce the worksheet activity. Explain each part of the tracker: task list, time blocks, notes section.

Reflection & Goal Setting

Think of one goal for tomorrow’s schedule.
• What task will you start first?
• How will estimating time help you?
• Share your goal on a sticky note.

Guide students to reflect and set a goal. Remind them of the quick assessment sticky note activity.

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Activity

Daily Schedule Puzzle Instructions

Objective: Practicing task sequencing and time estimation by matching picture cards to timeline blocks.

Materials:

  • Printed picture cards sheet (each student pair needs one)
  • Timeline strip worksheet (one per student pair)
  • Scissors
  • Glue sticks
  • Pencils

Preparation:

  1. Print one Daily Schedule Puzzle packet per pair.
  2. Pre-cut the picture cards along the outlines for quick distribution (or have students cut).
  3. Print timeline strip worksheets with time blocks from 3:00 PM to 9:00 PM (30-minute increments).

Teacher Directions:

  1. Pair students and give each pair a set of picture cards and a timeline strip.
  2. Explain:
    • “We’re going to decide when you’d do each after-school task.
    • Look at each picture card, estimate a start time, and paste it onto the matching block on the timeline.”
  3. Circulate and ask guiding questions:
    • “Why did you place ‘Snack’ at 4:00?”
    • “How long do you think homework will take? Which blocks will you use?”
  4. After pairs finish, invite a few to share and compare their schedules.

Student Directions:

  1. Lay out your picture cards in front of you.
  2. Review the timeline strip: it’s labeled from 3:00 PM to 9:00 PM in half-hour sections.
  3. For each card:
    a. Estimate when you’d start that task.
    b. Glue the card on the matching time block.
    c. Write the start and end time under the block.
  4. Work with your partner to discuss if your estimated times match.
  5. Be ready to explain your reasoning to the class.

Picture Cards Include:

  • Homework
  • Snack
  • Play Outside
  • Chores
  • Reading
  • Screen Time
  • Dinner
  • Bath
  • Bedtime


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Worksheet

My Time Tracker

Name: ____________________________ Date: ___________

Instructions: For each after-school task, list your task, estimate how long it will take, record your start and end times, and shade the boxes on the timeline that match your plan. Each box = 30 minutes (from 3:00 PM to 9:00 PM).

#TaskEst. DurationStart TimeEnd TimeTimeline (shade blocks)
1_____________________________________________________________☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐
2_____________________________________________________________☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐
3_____________________________________________________________☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐
4_____________________________________________________________☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐
5_____________________________________________________________☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐

(Note: Each of the 12 boxes represents a 30-minute block: 3:00–3:30, 3:30–4:00, …, 8:30–9:00.)

Tips for Estimating Time

• Think back to how long you took last time.






• Add an extra 5–10 minutes “just in case.”






• Break big tasks into smaller steps.






• Use a timer to check yourself.





Reflection

What was the hardest task to estimate? How will you adjust your timing next time?













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