Lesson Plan
Time and Task Systems Guide
Students will build a weekly plan using time blocks and a 2-minute capture routine.
This lesson empowers students with essential life skills to manage their time and tasks, leading to reduced stress and increased productivity in their academic and personal lives.
Audience
8th Grade
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Direct instruction, modeling, guided practice, and independent application.
Prep
Review Materials
5 minutes
- Review the Master Your Week Slides to familiarize yourself with the content.
- Print copies of the Time-Block Planner worksheet (one per student).
- Prepare the 2-Minute Capture Drill activity instructions.
- Print copies of the Exit Ticket Top Priority (one per student).
Step 1
Warm-Up: Schedule Stressor List
5 minutes
- Begin by projecting the first slide of the Master Your Week Slides.
- Ask students to silently brainstorm and write down 2-3 things in their schedule that cause them stress or overwhelm them (e.g., homework, extracurriculars, chores). This can be done on a blank sheet of paper or in a journal.
- Briefly discuss why these items are stressors.
Step 2
Teach Time Blocks and Capture Routine
10 minutes
- Use the Master Your Week Slides to introduce the concepts of 'time blocking' and the '2-minute task capture routine.'
- Explain what time blocking is: dedicating specific blocks of time to specific tasks or activities.
- Explain the 2-minute task capture routine: if a task takes less than 2 minutes, do it immediately; otherwise, add it to your schedule/to-do list.
- Model how to time-block a sample week and how to use the 2-minute rule with a few examples.
Step 3
Students Build Weekly Plan & Practice Capture
10 minutes
- Distribute the Time-Block Planner worksheet to each student.
- Instruct students to start building a basic time-blocked plan for their upcoming week, focusing on incorporating key commitments (school, sleep, meals, extracurriculars). Encourage them to block out specific times for homework or studying.
- Conduct the 2-Minute Capture Drill activity. Present students with several hypothetical tasks (some less than 2 minutes, some more) and have them decide whether to 'do it now' or 'schedule it' on their planner.
Step 4
Cool-Down: Identify Top Priority
5 minutes
- Distribute the Exit Ticket Top Priority to each student.
- Ask students to reflect on their newly created weekly plan and the concepts learned.
- Have them identify one top priority for the upcoming week and when they plan to tackle it using their new time management strategies.
- Collect exit tickets as students leave.
Slide Deck
Master Your Week!
Ready to take control of your time and crush your goals?
Welcome students and introduce the lesson's big idea: taking control of their time. Start with a quick warm-up to engage them.
Do Now: What Stresses Your Schedule?
What are 2-3 things in your weekly schedule that often make you feel stressed or overwhelmed?
Have students write down 2-3 things that make them feel stressed or overwhelmed with their schedule. This could be homework, chores, appointments. Give them a minute or two of quiet time to think and write.
Time Blocking: Your Weekly Blueprint
Imagine your week is a puzzle. Time blocking helps you fit all the pieces together!
- Dedicate specific blocks of time for specific tasks.
- Treat these blocks like important appointments.
- It helps you focus and avoid distractions.
Introduce the concept of Time Blocking. Explain it as intentionally scheduling time for specific activities, rather than just having a general to-do list. Emphasize that it's like making appointments with yourself.
The 2-Minute Capture Rule
What if a task pops into your head? Ask yourself:
Does it take less than 2 minutes?
- YES: Do it NOW! (e.g., reply to a quick email, put away a dish)
- NO: Schedule it! (e.g., add it to your Time-Block Planner, put it on your to-do list)
Introduce the '2-Minute Rule' for task capture. Explain that it's about dealing with small tasks immediately to prevent them from piling up. If it's quick, do it. If not, schedule it.
Let's Model It!
Watch as I create a sample time-blocked week and show how the 2-Minute Rule helps keep things organized.
Model how to use a time-block planner. Show an example of a blank week and fill in some common commitments (school, sleep, meals). Then add a couple of study blocks or homework times. Demonstrate how a 'scheduled' task from the 2-minute rule would fit in.
Your Turn: Plan Your Week!
Now it's your turn to create your own weekly blueprint.
- Use your Time-Block Planner.
- Start with fixed events (school, sleep, meals).
- Add in blocks for homework, studying, or hobbies.
Distribute the Time-Block Planner worksheet. Guide students to start filling it out with their fixed commitments first, then encourage them to add study time or personal goals. Explain they will also practice the 2-minute drill.
Practice: The 2-Minute Drill!
Let's practice using the 2-Minute Rule with some real-life examples!
Lead the class through the 2-Minute Capture Drill activity. Present hypothetical tasks and have students decide collectively or individually whether to 'do it now' or 'schedule it.' Provide immediate feedback.
Cool Down: Top Priority
Before you go, let's think about one big win for your week.
- What's ONE top priority for you this week?
- When will you tackle it using your new plan?
Explain the cool-down/exit ticket. Have students use the Exit Ticket Top Priority to identify one top priority from their new plan and when they will tackle it. Collect these to check for understanding.
Worksheet
My Weekly Time-Block Planner
Name: _____________________________
Week Of: ___________________________
Use this planner to map out your ideal week. Start with your fixed commitments (school, sleep, meals) and then block out time for studying, homework, hobbies, and personal time. Remember to treat these blocks like appointments!
Monday
| Time | Activity / Task |
|---|---|
| 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 | |
| 10:00 PM |
Tuesday
| Time | Activity / Task |
|---|---|
| 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 | |
| 10:00 PM |
Wednesday
| Time | Activity / Task |
|---|---|
| 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 | |
| 10:00 PM |
Thursday
| Time | Activity / Task |
|---|---|
| 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 | |
| 10:00 PM |
Friday
| Time | Activity / Task |
|---|---|
| 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 | |
| 10:00 PM |
Saturday
| Time | Activity / Task |
|---|---|
| 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 | |
| 10:00 PM |
Sunday
| Time | Activity / Task |
|---|---|
| 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 | |
| 10:00 PM |
Activity
2-Minute Capture Drill: Do It Now or Schedule It?
Name: _____________________________
Instructions: For each scenario below, decide if you should "Do It Now!" (if it takes less than 2 minutes) or "Schedule It!" (if it takes longer than 2 minutes). Be prepared to explain your reasoning!
Scenario 1
Your English teacher just reminded you to sign up for the school play audition. It takes 30 seconds to fill out the online form.
Do It Now! / Schedule It! (Circle one)
Why?
Scenario 2
You remember you have a science project due next Friday that will require at least 3 hours of work.
Do It Now! / Schedule It! (Circle one)
Why?
Scenario 3
You notice a dirty dish on your desk. It will take less than a minute to take it to the kitchen and rinse it.
Do It Now! / Schedule It! (Circle one)
Why?
Scenario 4
Your friend texts you asking if you want to hang out after school. It will take you about 5 minutes to check your Time-Block Planner to see if you're free and then respond.
Do It Now! / Schedule It! (Circle one)
Why?
Scenario 5
You need to study for a math test coming up in two days. You estimate you'll need at least an hour to review all the material.
Do It Now! / Schedule It! (Circle one)
Why?
Scenario 6
You realize you forgot to put your name on your homework assignment. It will take 10 seconds to write it in.
Do It Now! / Schedule It! (Circle one)
Why?
Cool Down
Exit Ticket: My Top Priority
Name: _____________________________
Before you leave today, reflect on the time blocking and task capture strategies we discussed. Look at your Time-Block Planner if you have it with you.
1. What is ONE top priority or important task you have for the upcoming week that you want to make sure you accomplish?
2. Based on the strategies you learned today, when and how do you plan to tackle this top priority? (Be specific!)