My Day Planner

Starla Walls

Tier 3

Lesson Plan

Visual Schedule Introduction

The student will be able to identify and sequence their daily activities using a visual schedule to reduce anxiety and increase independence.

This lesson is important because it provides a predictable structure for students who benefit from knowing what to expect throughout their day. Visual schedules help reduce anxiety, improve transitions, and foster a sense of independence.

Audience

1st Grade Student

Time

15 minutes

Approach

Through visual aids and guided practice, the student will create their own daily schedule.

Materials

Whiteboard or large paper, Markers, My Picture Perfect Day, My Daily Picture Schedule, and Picture cards of common daily activities (e.g., eating, reading, recess, math, going home)

Prep

Gather Materials

5 minutes

Review the Visual Schedule Introduction Lesson Plan and familiarize yourself with the activities.
- Prepare a whiteboard or large paper and markers.
- Print and cut out the picture cards from the My Daily Picture Schedule Worksheet or create your own of common daily activities relevant to the student.
- Have the My Picture Perfect Day Slide Deck ready to display.

Step 1

Introduction: What Is a Schedule?

3 minutes

Greet the student and explain that today they will learn about something that helps us know what comes next in our day.
- Ask: "Have you ever wondered what you'll do after this? Or what happens before lunch?" (Allow for response)
- Introduce the idea of a schedule as a

Slide Deck

My Picture Perfect Day

Let's plan our super awesome day!

Welcome the student and introduce the concept of a 'picture perfect day' to set a positive tone for learning about schedules.

What Is a Schedule?

A schedule shows us what we do first, next, and last in our day!

It helps us know what to expect.

Explain what a schedule is using simple language. Emphasize that it shows what happens next. Use gestures to illustrate 'first,' 'next,' and 'last.'

Why Are Schedules Helpful?

Schedules help us:

Feel calm because we know what's coming.
Be ready for new activities.
Feel grown-up and independent!

Discuss why schedules are helpful. Connect it to feeling calm, knowing what's coming, and being ready for activities. Ask the student if they ever feel unsure about what's next.

Pictures for Our Day

We can use pictures to show all the cool things we do!

Each picture means an activity.

Introduce the idea of using pictures to represent activities. Show examples of common activities with corresponding picture cards. Mention that this makes it easy to understand.

Putting Our Day in Order

What do you do first in the morning?

What happens next?

What do you do before bed?

Guide the student in thinking about their own daily activities. Ask them to name things they do in the morning, afternoon, and evening. As they name them, have them imagine placing pictures in order.

Your Turn! My Daily Picture Schedule

Now, let's create your very own picture schedule!

We will use pictures to show your amazing day.

Transition to the worksheet. Explain that now it's their turn to create their own schedule using the provided pictures. Offer assistance as needed and reinforce that it's okay to ask for help.

Worksheet

My Daily Picture Schedule

Name: _________________________ Date: _________________________

My Awesome Morning!

Cut out the pictures below or draw your own to show what you do in the morning. Put them in order!

My Busy Afternoon!

What happens after lunch? Cut out the pictures or draw your own to show your afternoon activities. Put them in order!

My Calm Evening!

What do you do before bed? Cut out the pictures or draw your own to show your evening routine. Put them in order!

Picture Cards (Cut Out These Pictures!)

(Teacher: Provide pre-printed or drawn simple picture cards for common daily activities. Examples below.)

Morning	Afternoon	Evening
Wake Up	Lunch	Dinner
Brush Teeth	Playtime	Bath
Breakfast	Schoolwork	Story Time
Get Dressed	Snack	Bedtime