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Igniting Your Engine

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Lesson Plan

Personal Ignition Switches

Students will identify internal and external motivators, understand their personal task initiation challenges, and develop personalized strategies to overcome them.

Understanding what motivates you and what stops you from starting tasks is crucial for academic success and life skills. This lesson empowers students to take control of their productivity.

Audience

9th Grade Small Group

Time

40 minutes

Approach

Interactive discussion, self-reflection, and strategy development.

Materials

Whiteboard or chart paper, Markers, Copies of My Motivation Map, Copies of Shared Start Triggers, and What Gets You Going?

Prep

Review and Print Materials

15 minutes

Step 1

Warm-Up: What Stops You?

5 minutes

  • Begin by asking students to think about a time they knew they needed to start a task but felt stuck.
    - Facilitate a brief discussion using prompts like: "What were some of the feelings you had?" or "What did your brain tell you?"

Step 2

Introduction: Your Ignition Switch (using Slide Deck)

10 minutes

  • Present the What Gets You Going? to introduce the concept of an "ignition switch" for motivation.
    - Discuss the difference between internal (e.g., interest, sense of accomplishment) and external (e.g., grades, rewards) motivators.
    - Ask students to share examples of both in their own lives.

Step 3

Activity: My Motivation Map (Journal)

15 minutes

  • Distribute the My Motivation Map.
    - Instruct students to individually complete the journal prompts, focusing on identifying their personal internal and external

Step 4

Discussion: Shared Start Triggers

10 minutes

  • Divide students into small groups (2-3 students).
    - Distribute the Shared Start Triggers activity.
    - Have groups discuss their insights from the journal and brainstorm common challenges and potential solutions for task initiation.
    - Bring the class back together for a brief whole-group share-out of key takeaways and strategies.
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Slide Deck

Igniting Your Engine

Ready to get things done?

Welcome students and introduce the topic of task initiation. Ask a quick warm-up question: "What's one thing you've been putting off doing, and why?" Allow a few students to share.

Your Personal Ignition Switch

What helps you start?
Internal vs. External Motivators

Explain that everyone has internal and external 'ignition switches' that help them start tasks. Ask students for initial thoughts on what these might be.

Internal Motivators

Motivation from within you:
* Interest
* Enjoyment
* Sense of accomplishment
* Personal growth

Provide examples of internal motivators (e.g., feeling good after completing a task, learning something new, sense of accomplishment). Ask students to think of their own internal motivators.

External Motivators

Motivation from outside you:
* Grades
* Rewards
* Praise
* Avoiding consequences

Provide examples of external motivators (e.g., good grades, rewards, avoiding punishment, praise from others). Ask students to think of their own external motivators.

Which Switch Is Stronger?

Internal vs. External: Which drives you more?

Lead a brief discussion. "Which type of motivator do you think is more powerful in the long run? Why?" Encourage diverse answers and healthy debate.

Finding Your Fuel

How can we use our motivators to start tasks?

Introduce the idea of developing personalized strategies. This slide sets up the journal activity. Explain that understanding their switches helps them choose the right 'fuel'.

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Journal

My Motivation Map: Igniting Your Engine

Instructions: Reflect on your personal "ignition switches" for starting tasks. Answer the questions below to map out what gets you going and what holds you back.

Part 1: Internal Ignition Switches

  1. Think about a task you genuinely enjoy or feel good about completing. What is it about that task that makes you want to start it?











  2. When you successfully complete a task, what internal feelings (e.g., pride, satisfaction, excitement) do you experience?






  3. How can you connect these positive internal feelings to tasks you find harder to start? (e.g., imagining the relief of finishing a tough homework assignment)











Part 2: External Ignition Switches

  1. What external rewards or recognition motivate you to complete tasks? (e.g., good grades, praise from a teacher, getting to do something fun afterwards)






  2. Are there any negative consequences (e.g., bad grades, getting in trouble) that sometimes motivate you to start a task you've been avoiding?











  3. How do external motivators compare to internal motivators for you? Which tend to be more effective in the short term? In the long term?











Part 3: Identifying Your Blocks

  1. What are some common reasons you don't start tasks, even when you know you should? (e.g., feeling overwhelmed, not knowing where to begin, distraction)











  2. Describe what it feels like when you're stuck and can't start a task. (e.g., anxious, frustrated, tired)






Part 4: Your Personalized Ignition Strategies

Based on your reflections, list 3-5 specific strategies you can use to

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Discussion

Shared Start Triggers: Igniting Your Engine

Instructions: In your small groups, discuss the following prompts. Be prepared to share your group's insights with the class.

Discussion Prompts

  1. Share one internal motivator and one external motivator that you identified in your My Motivation Map. Did anyone else identify similar motivators?










  2. What are some common challenges or "blocks" that prevent you from starting tasks? (e.g., procrastination, feeling overwhelmed, distractions, fear of failure)










  3. As a group, brainstorm 2-3 practical strategies that could help overcome these common blocks. Think about strategies that use both internal and external motivators.










  4. What is one new strategy you learned from your group discussion that you might try this week to help you start a task?










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