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Juggling It All: Advanced Planning

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Lesson Plan

Juggling It All: Advanced Planning

Students will design a balanced weekly schedule that accounts for academic, social, and personal 'big rocks.'

This lesson helps students understand the importance of balancing academic, social, and personal commitments, fostering crucial life skills for managing their time effectively.

Audience

5th Grade

Time

60 minutes

Approach

Students will identify priorities, create a weekly schedule, and receive peer feedback.

Materials

Whiteboard or projector, Markers or pens, Detailed Weekly Schedule Template, ‘Big Rocks’ Personal Inventory, Slide Deck, and Big Rocks Balancing Act Game

Prep

Teacher Preparation

20 minutes

Step 1

Warm-Up: The Over-Scheduled Student (5 minutes)

5 minutes

  • Display Slide 1: 'The Over-Scheduled Student'
    * Teacher: “Has anyone ever felt like they have too much to do? School, homework, sports, friends, family time... it can feel like you’re constantly juggling! Today, we’re going to learn a strategy for managing all those important things in our lives.”
    * Briefly ask students to share a time they felt overwhelmed by their schedule (without going into too much detail).

Step 2

Deep Dive: Identifying Your 'Big Rocks' (15 minutes)

15 minutes

  • Display Slide 2: 'What are your Big Rocks?'
    * Teacher: “Imagine your life is a jar. If you fill it with sand first, you won't have room for the big rocks. But if you put the big rocks in first, everything else fits around them. Our 'big rocks' are the most important things in our lives.”
    * Distribute the ‘Big Rocks’ Personal Inventory activity.
    * Teacher: “Think about your academic goals, your family time, important friendships, personal well-being (like sleep and healthy eating), and any special interests or hobbies. These are your big rocks. Take 5-7 minutes to list your top 3-5 'big rocks' on your inventory sheet.”
    * Facilitate a brief class discussion on common
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Slide Deck

Juggling It All: Advanced Planning

Do you sometimes feel like you have too much to do?
School, homework, friends, family, activities... it's a lot to keep track of!

Welcome students and introduce the concept of feeling overwhelmed with many activities. Use an engaging tone to connect with their experiences.

What Are Your 'Big Rocks'?

Imagine your life is a jar.
If you fill it with sand first, you won't have room for the big rocks.
But if you put the big rocks in first, everything else fits around them!

'Big Rocks' = The most important things in your life!

Explain the 'Big Rocks' analogy clearly. Emphasize that 'big rocks' are the most important things and should be prioritized first.

Identifying Your Big Rocks

What are your personal 'big rocks'?

  • Academic: Homework, studying, projects
  • Social: Family time, friends, community
  • Personal: Sleep, healthy eating, hobbies, self-care

Use your 'Big Rocks' Personal Inventory to help you.

Guide students through identifying their personal 'big rocks'. Give examples of different categories like academic, social, and personal well-being.

Your 'Ideal Week' Planning Workshop

Now that you know your 'big rocks,' let's plan your ideal week!

  • Use the Detailed Weekly Schedule Template.
  • Step 1: Block out your school hours.
  • Step 2: Add your 'big rocks' first.
  • Step 3: Fill in other important activities (chores, fun, etc.).

Introduce the weekly schedule template. Explain the goal is to fit the 'big rocks' in first, then fill in other activities.

Peer Consulting: Sharpen Your Schedule

Time to get some friendly feedback!

  • Pair up with a classmate.
  • Share your weekly schedule.
  • Give feedback: Is it realistic? Are the 'big rocks' included?
  • Ask questions: What challenges might they face? What's one thing they could adjust?

Explain the peer consulting process. Emphasize constructive feedback and asking helpful questions.

Commitment to a Balanced Week

You've done great work planning your ideal week!

  • What's one thing you will commit to trying this week from your new schedule?
  • Why is having a balanced schedule important for you?

Conclude the lesson by encouraging commitment to their schedules and reflecting on the importance of balance.

Big Rocks Balancing Act Game!

Time to play the Big Rocks Balancing Act game!

Let's see who can balance their 'rocks' the best!

Introduce the game as a fun way to reinforce the concept of balancing priorities.

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Activity

'Big Rocks' Personal Inventory

Think about all the important things in your life. What are your 'big rocks'? These are the things that are most important to you and make you feel good and successful. List 3-5 'big rocks' in each category below.

Academic Big Rocks

(What are your most important school-related tasks or goals?)
















Social Big Rocks

(What are your most important relationships or community activities?)
















Personal Big Rocks

(What are your most important personal needs, hobbies, or self-care activities?)
















My Top 3-5 Overall Big Rocks

Look at all the 'big rocks' you listed above. What are the 3-5 most important 'big rocks' that you want to make sure you fit into your week? Circle them above and list them here:
















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Worksheet

My Detailed Weekly Schedule Template

Now it's time to build your ideal week! Use your "Big Rocks" to help you prioritize. Remember to block out school first, then add your Big Rocks, and then fill in other important activities.

My Top 5 Overall Big Rocks (from your Personal Inventory):






Weekly Schedule

Fill in your schedule with your Big Rocks and other important activities. Be realistic!

TimeMondayTuesdayWednesdayThursdayFridaySaturdaySunday
7:00 AM






8:00 AM






9:00 AM






10:00 AM






11:00 AM






12:00 PM






1:00 PM






2:00 PM






3:00 PM






4:00 PM






5:00 PM






6:00 PM






7:00 PM






8:00 PM






9:00 PM






Reflection Questions

  1. What was easy about creating your ideal weekly schedule?


  2. What was challenging about creating your ideal weekly schedule?


  3. Did you make sure to include all your "Big Rocks"? Why or why not?


  4. How might having a balanced schedule help you in your daily life?


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Game

Big Rocks Balancing Act Game!

Objective: To successfully balance your "big rocks" (important tasks) with smaller activities within a limited timeframe.

Materials:

  • One clear jar or container per group (or student)
  • Large rocks or blocks labeled with "Big Rocks" (e.g., "Homework," "Family Time," "Sleep," "Sports Practice," "Reading")
  • Smaller pebbles or beads labeled with "Small Rocks/Sand" (e.g., "Video Games," "Screen Time," "Free Play," "Chores," "Snack Time")
  • One Detailed Weekly Schedule Template per group/student (for reference)

Instructions:

  1. Set the Stage (5 minutes): Divide students into small groups (3-4 students) or have them work individually. Explain that the jar represents a day or a week, and they need to fit all their important activities inside.

  2. Identify Big Rocks (5 minutes): Each group/student will choose 3-5 "Big Rocks" that are most important to them for their week. (They can refer to their ‘Big Rocks’ Personal Inventory). Have them pick out the corresponding large rocks/blocks.

  3. The Challenge (10 minutes): Instruct students to place their chosen "Big Rocks" into their jar first. Emphasize that these must fit. Then, they should try to fit as many "Small Rocks/Sand" (pebbles/beads) as possible around their "Big Rocks" without overflowing the jar.

  4. Observe and Discuss (5 minutes): As students work, circulate and observe their strategies. Ask questions like:

    • "Why did you put those big rocks in first?"
    • "What happens if you try to put the small rocks in first?"
    • "Were you able to fit everything you wanted? Why or why not?"

  5. Share and Reflect (5 minutes): Bring the class back together. Have a few groups/students share their jars and their strategies. Discuss:

    • What did this activity teach you about planning your time?
    • Why is it important to prioritize the "big rocks"?
    • How does this relate to making your Detailed Weekly Schedule Template?
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