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How to Be a Planning Pro

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Lesson Plan

How to Be a Planning Pro

Students will be able to create a simple, three-step plan to complete a familiar classroom task.

Learning to plan helps students manage their time, organize their belongings, and approach tasks with confidence. This skill is foundational for academic success and everyday life.

Audience

3rd Grade

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Through direct instruction, guided practice, and a fun simulation.

Materials

Smartboard or projector, Planning & Organizing Slides, Markers or chart paper, Blank paper or notebooks, Backpack Clean-Out Simulation materials (optional: empty backpacks, various classroom items), and My Awesome Plan Checklist

Prep

Teacher Preparation

15 minutes

  • Review the Planning & Organizing Slides and practice the script.
  • Prepare materials for the Backpack Clean-Out Simulation, if using. This could involve gathering some empty backpacks and various classroom items (books, pencils, notebooks, toys).
  • Print copies of the My Awesome Plan Checklist for each student.
  • Ensure the projector/smartboard is ready for the slide deck.
  • Review all generated materials to ensure familiarity.

Step 1

Connect & Introduce the Big Idea

5 minutes

  • Hook: Begin by asking students about times they've felt overwhelmed by a messy desk or too many things to do. "Has anyone ever looked at their backpack and thought, 'Wow, where do I even begin?'"
  • Introduce Planning: Explain that planning is like creating a roadmap to help us get things done without feeling stressed. Introduce the lesson's big idea: "Today, we're going to become Planning Pros!"
  • Objective: Clearly state the lesson objective: "By the end of this lesson, you will be able to create a simple, three-step plan to tackle a classroom task, like organizing your desk or cleaning your backpack."

Step 2

Model & Practice the Skill

10 minutes

  • Introduce the 3 Steps: Present the three-step planning process using the Planning & Organizing Slides:
    1. Stop & Think: What needs to be done?
    2. Break it Down: What are the small steps?
    3. Do It! Follow your steps.
  • Guided Practice (Whole Group): Choose a simple classroom task (e.g., sharpening pencils for the class, putting away art supplies). As a class, go through the three steps.
    • Example:

Step 3

Apply to a Real-World Scenario

10 minutes

  • Introduce Activity: Explain that students will now apply their planning skills to a fun, real-world task: organizing a backpack!
  • Backpack Clean-Out Simulation: Divide students into small groups or pairs. Provide each group with a set of 'messy' backpack items (or ask them to visualize their own backpack).
  • Planning Time: Instruct students to use the My Awesome Plan Checklist to create a three-step plan for cleaning out their simulated (or imagined) backpack. Encourage them to discuss their steps within their groups.
  • Execution: Have students follow their plans to 'clean out' their backpacks. Circulate to provide support and observe their planning in action.

Step 4

Reflect & Share Takeaways

5 minutes

  • Share Plans: Ask a few groups or individuals to share their three-step backpack clean-out plans. Discuss any challenges they faced and how planning helped.
  • Discussion Questions:
    • "How did creating a plan help you with the backpack clean-out?"
    • "When else might planning be useful in our classroom or at home?"
  • Wrap-up: Reiterate the importance of planning and encourage students to use their new 'Planning Pro' skills for future tasks. "Remember, being a Planning Pro helps you stay organized and get things done!"
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Slide Deck

How to Be a Planning Pro!

Are you ready to become a planning expert?

Greet students and start with a fun, engaging tone. Ask them to think about times they've felt overwhelmed by a messy space or a big task.

Ever Feel Overwhelmed?

Does your backpack sometimes look like a mystery box?
Or your desk like a tornado hit it?
What happens when you have a lot to do?

Show an image of a messy backpack or desk. Ask students if they've ever felt this way. Connect this feeling to the need for a plan.

Why Be a Planning Pro?

Planning is like having a superpower!
It helps us:
- Know what to do first
- Stay organized
- Get things done without stress
- Feel proud of our work!

Explain the 'why' behind planning. Emphasize that planning helps reduce stress and makes tasks easier.

Our Secret Strategy: 3 Steps to Success!

To become a Planning Pro, we just need to remember three simple steps!

Introduce the three main steps. Emphasize that these steps work for almost any task.

Step 1: Stop & Think!

Before you do anything, PAUSE!
Ask yourself:
- What exactly needs to be done?
- What is my goal?
- What materials do I need?

Explain 'Stop & Think.' Give examples of what they should think about.

Step 2: Break it Down!

A big task can feel like climbing a mountain.
Break it into tiny, easy-to-do steps.
- What's the very first thing I should do?
- Then what?
- What's the last step?

Explain 'Break it Down.' Give examples of how to break big tasks into smaller, manageable steps.

Step 3: Do It!

Now that you have your amazing plan, it's time to follow it!
- Work through your steps one by one.
- Don't forget to celebrate when you're done!

Explain 'Do It!'. Stress the importance of following the plan they created.

Let's Practice! Backpack Challenge!

Time to put your Planning Pro skills to the test!
We're going to plan how to clean out a super messy backpack!

Transition to the activity. Tell them they'll apply the steps.

You're a Planning Pro!

Great job today, Planning Pros!
Remember, planning helps you conquer any task!
Where else can you use your planning superpower?

Reinforce the main idea and encourage them to use planning in other areas of their lives.

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Activity

Backpack Clean-Out Simulation: Become an Organization Expert!

Objective: To apply the 3-step planning process to organize a simulated (or imaginary) messy backpack.

Materials:

  • An empty backpack (or a designated area to represent one)
  • Various classroom items to simulate a messy backpack (e.g., loose papers, pencils, erasers, small books, a toy, a snack wrapper, a stray sock, etc.) - Optional, students can also just imagine their own backpack
  • My Awesome Plan Checklist (one per student or group)
  • Pencils

Instructions:

  1. Get Ready: Your teacher will give you a backpack (real or imaginary) that needs some serious cleaning! It's full of all sorts of things.
  2. Stop & Think (5 minutes): Before you touch anything, gather with your group/partner and discuss:
    • What does a
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Worksheet

My Awesome Plan Checklist

Task: Cleaning out my backpack (or another task your teacher gives you!)

Step 1: Stop & Think!

  • What needs to be done?



  • What is my goal? (e.g., A clean, organized backpack!)



  • What materials do I need? (e.g., trash can, empty folder)



Step 2: Break It Down! (My 3-Step Plan)

Write down three small steps to complete your task.

  1. First, I will...





  2. Next, I will...





  3. Finally, I will...





Step 3: Do It!

  • Did I follow my plan? (Circle one) Yes / No
  • What went well?



  • What was challenging?



  • How did planning help me?



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How to Be a Planning Pro • Lenny Learning