Lesson Plan
Mario's Task Attack!
Students will initiate tasks promptly and sustain focus for a designated period, improving their time-on-task skills.
Learning to start tasks without delay and staying focused helps students complete schoolwork efficiently, manage their time, and develop independence, both in the classroom and at home.
Audience
5th Grade Special Education Students
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Gamified practice with themed activities.
Materials
- Mario's Task Attack Slide Deck, - Power-Up Task Sheet, and - Classroom timer (digital or physical)
Prep
Teacher Preparation
15 minutes
- Review the Mario's Task Attack Slide Deck and familiarize yourself with the content.
- Print enough copies of the Power-Up Task Sheet for each student.
- Ensure a classroom timer is available and working.
- Gather any optional small Mario-themed incentives (stickers, pencils, etc.) if desired.
Step 1
Warm-Up: Level Up Your Brain (5 minutes)
5 minutes
- Begin by displaying the first slide of the Mario's Task Attack Slide Deck.
- Greet students with excitement, introducing the Super Mario theme for the day's lesson.
- Ask students: "Who here likes to play video games? What's your favorite part about starting a new level or game?"
- Transition to discussing how starting tasks in school is like starting a new level – sometimes it's hard to get going, but it's important to 'jump right in'!
Step 2
Explore: Mushroom Kingdom Mission (10 minutes)
10 minutes
- Guide students through the main content of the Mario's Task Attack Slide Deck, focusing on the concepts of task initiation and time-on-task.
- Use the Super Mario analogies presented in the slides to explain how quickly starting a task (like Mario jumping) and staying focused (like avoiding Goombas) helps them 'win' by completing their work.
- Distribute the Power-Up Task Sheet to each student.
- Explain that this sheet is their 'mission log' to track their task attack skills.
Step 3
Activity: Star Power Challenge (10 minutes)
10 minutes
- Introduce a simple, known independent task (e.g., a short reading passage, a few math problems, a journaling prompt).
- Instruct students to write the task on their Power-Up Task Sheet.
- Explain the 'Star Power Challenge': When you say "Go!" students must immediately start their task. Set a timer for 5-7 minutes. During this time, their mission is to stay focused and work without interruption.
- Circulate and provide positive reinforcement for students who initiate quickly and stay on task. Provide gentle redirection for those who are struggling.
- After the timer, have students mark on their Power-Up Task Sheet how well they think they initiated and stayed on task.
Step 4
Cool-Down: Victory Lap (5 minutes)
5 minutes
- Use the final slides of the Mario's Task Attack Slide Deck to review.
- Facilitate a brief discussion: "What was easy or hard about starting your task? What helped you stay focused?"
- Have students complete the 'Reflection Coins' section on their Power-Up Task Sheet.
- Congratulate students on their 'Level Up' in task skills! Collect the Power-Up Task Sheet.
- Optional: Reward students with a small Mario-themed incentive for their effort.
Slide Deck
Mario's Task Attack! 🚀
Ready to Level Up Your Focus?
Welcome students with enthusiasm! Set the stage for a fun, themed lesson. Ask: 'Who here loves Super Mario? What makes him so good at his job?' Connect his jumping and speed to starting tasks.
What's a 'Task Attack'?
It's about starting your work quickly!
Think of Mario: Does he stand around or does he JUMP into action?
- Task Initiation: The power to begin a job right away, like Mario leaping into a new level!
Explain 'Task Initiation' – starting something new. Use Mario's immediate jump into action. Ask: 'What does Mario do as soon as he sees a new level?' Connect it to school: 'Sometimes just getting started is the hardest part, right?'
Staying on Mission! 🍄
It's also about staying focused on your work!
Think of Mario: Does he stop to chat with every enemy, or does he keep moving towards the flag?
- Time on Task: The power to keep your attention on your work until it's done, like Mario avoiding distractions to reach the end of the level!
Explain 'Time on Task' – staying focused. Use Mario avoiding enemies. Ask: 'What happens if Mario gets distracted by a Goomba?' Connect it to school: 'Staying focused helps you finish your mission!'
Your Star Power Challenge! ⭐
Today, you'll get to be like Mario on a mission!
- You'll receive a Power-Up Task Sheet.
- We'll give you a simple task to complete.
- Your challenge: Start your task immediately when I say 'Go!' and stay focused for a set amount of time.
Ready to grab some Star Power?
Introduce the 'Star Power Challenge.' Explain that they will get a task and need to show their best task initiation and time on task. Emphasize that it's okay to try their best, not necessarily be perfect.
Time to Power Up! 💪
Find your inner Mario!
- Listen for the task.
- Get ready to JUMP into action!
- Keep your eyes on the prize (your completed work)!
Let's go!
Transition to the actual activity. Remind them of the goal: start fast, stay focused. Reiterate that this is practice.
Mission Accomplished! 🎉
You did it! Time to reflect:
- What helped you start quickly?
- What helped you stay focused?
- What was challenging?
- How can you use your 'Task Attack' skills in other classes?
Guide them to reflect on the activity. Ask questions to prompt self-assessment. Encourage sharing strategies. Praise effort and improvement.
You've Leveled Up! 🏆
Great job, future superstars!
Remember, practicing your task initiation and time-on-task skills will help you conquer any challenge, just like Mario conquers his levels!
Final encouraging slide. Reiterate the importance of these skills for success in school and beyond.
Worksheet
Power-Up Task Sheet: Mario's Mission Log
Name: ____________________________
Date: ____________________________
Your Mission Task:
Write down the task your teacher assigns you here. This is your level to conquer!
Star Power Challenge Check-in! ⭐
After completing the challenge, reflect on how you did.
1. Task Initiation: How quickly did you jump into action?
- Circle one:
- 1 Star: It took me a little while to get started. I felt stuck like a brick block.
- 2 Stars: I started pretty quickly, but I hesitated a bit like Mario missing a jump.
- 3 Stars: I started right away! I jumped into action like Super Mario!
2. Time on Task: How well did you stay focused?
- Circle one:
- 1 Star: I got distracted many times, like running into a Goomba repeatedly.
- 2 Stars: I got distracted a few times, but I got back on track like finding a Super Mushroom.
- 3 Stars: I stayed focused almost the whole time! I was invincible like Star Mario!
Reflection Coins 🪙
Answer these questions to earn your reflection coins!
- What was one thing that helped you start your task quickly today?
- What was one thing that helped you stay focused on your task?
- What is one thing you can try next time to be even better at starting or staying focused on a task?