• lenny-learning-logoLenny Learning
  • Home
    Home
  • Lessons
    Lessons
  • Curriculum
    Curriculum
  • Surveys
    Surveys
  • Videos
    Videos
  • Support
    Support
  • Log In
lenny

Plan Backwards to Move Forward

user image

JOYCE PURCELL

Tier 1

Lesson Plan

Backward Planning Conferencing Guide

Students will break a multi-step assignment into at least four chunks and create a backward plan with three milestones and daily actions.

This lesson will help students develop essential time management and project planning skills, enabling them to confidently approach complex assignments, reduce stress, and improve academic performance.

Audience

10th Grade

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Students will learn and apply backward planning to a real assignment.

Materials

Smartboard or Projector, Markers or Whiteboard, Start with the Due Date Slides, Backward Plan and Milestones Template, Peer Plan Check Protocol, and Exit Ticket First Action Block

Prep

Teacher Preparation

15 minutes

  • Review all generated materials including this Lesson Plan, Start with the Due Date Slides, Backward Plan and Milestones Template, Peer Plan Check Protocol, and Exit Ticket First Action Block.
    - Print copies of the Backward Plan and Milestones Template for each student.
    - Prepare an example of a multi-step assignment to use for modeling backward planning.
    - Ensure projector/Smartboard is ready for slide presentation.

Step 1

Warm-up: Estimate Time

5 minutes

  • Display the warm-up slide from the Start with the Due Date Slides.
    - Ask students to individually estimate the time needed for a sample multi-step task (e.g., 'Research and write a 5-paragraph essay on a historical event').
    - Facilitate a brief discussion on their estimates, highlighting the variability and challenges of time estimation without a clear plan.

Step 2

Teach Backward Planning

10 minutes

  • Use the Start with the Due Date Slides to introduce the concept of backward planning.
    - Explain 'chunking tasks' into smaller, manageable parts.
    - Model how to create a backward plan for a sample assignment, starting from the due date and working backward to today. Emphasize setting 'milestones' and 'time blocking' for daily actions.
    - Show how to use the Backward Plan and Milestones Template during the modeling.

Step 3

Students Create Backward Plan

10 minutes

  • Distribute the Backward Plan and Milestones Template to each student.
    - Instruct students to choose a real, upcoming multi-step assignment they have.
    - Guide them through creating their own backward plan, breaking the assignment into at least four chunks, setting three milestones, and outlining daily actions.
    - Circulate and provide individual support and feedback.

Step 4

Peer Plan Check

3 minutes

  • Pair students up and have them use the Peer Plan Check Protocol to review each other's backward plans.
    - Encourage constructive feedback on clarity, realistic chunking, and logical milestone placement.

Step 5

Cool Down: First Action Block

2 minutes

  • Distribute the Exit Ticket First Action Block.
    - Ask students to identify and commit to their very first action block from their backward plan.
    - Collect exit tickets as students leave, reinforcing the immediate applicability of the lesson.
lenny

Slide Deck

When Is It Due?

Imagine you have a research essay due in three weeks. It needs research, an outline, a draft, and revisions. How long will each step take you? How much time do you need overall?





Jot down your initial thoughts.

Greet students and display the slide. Ask them to quietly think about the prompt and jot down their estimations. Encourage them to be as specific as possible.

The Power of Planning Backward

Ever feel overwhelmed by big projects?

It's like looking at a huge mountain you need to climb.

Instead of stressing, let's learn to 'Plan Backwards to Move Forward'!

Introduce the idea that guessing can be tricky. Transition to the importance of a strategic approach. Emphasize that knowing the due date is the starting point.

Breaking It Down: Chunking Tasks

What does a big assignment really mean?

It means lots of smaller tasks!

Chunking: Breaking a large task into smaller, more manageable steps.

Example: Research Essay

  • Choose Topic
  • Gather Sources
  • Create Outline
  • Write Introduction
  • Write Body Paragraphs
  • Write Conclusion
  • Revise & Edit

Explain 'chunking' as breaking down the big task into smaller, manageable parts. Give a simple analogy if needed (e.g., eating an elephant one bite at a time).

Setting Milestones: Your Checkpoints

Milestones are like mini-deadlines along the way.

They help you:

  • Track your progress
  • Stay motivated
  • Catch problems early

Example Milestones for Research Essay:

  1. Sources collected & approved (Week 1)
  2. Outline complete (Week 2)
  3. First draft done (Week 2.5)

Introduce the concept of 'milestones' as checkpoints. Explain that these help track progress and provide motivation. Give examples relevant to their school work.

Model It: Backward Planning in Action

Let's plan this research essay together!

Due Date: Friday, May 24th

  1. Start with the Due Date: Mark it on your calendar!
  2. Work Backwards: What's the last thing you need to do before it's due? (e.g., final proofread)
  3. Set Milestones: Plot your checkpoints.
  4. Fill in the Gaps: What daily or weekly actions get you to each milestone?

Model the backward planning process using the research essay example. Start with the due date, then plot the final milestone, then the middle, and finally the starting steps. Show how to fill in the Backward Plan and Milestones Template.

Your Turn: Plan Your Project!

Now, it's your turn to be the master planner!

  1. Choose a real, multi-step assignment you have coming up.
  2. Use your Backward Plan and Milestones Template.
  3. Start with the due date and work backward.
  4. Break it into at least four chunks.
  5. Set at least three milestones.
  6. Identify daily actions for each chunk.

Transition to student activity. Emphasize that they should use a real assignment. Provide clear instructions for using the Backward Plan and Milestones Template.

Peer Check: Sharpen Your Plan

A fresh pair of eyes can make your plan even stronger!

  1. Pair up with a classmate.
  2. Use the Peer Plan Check Protocol to review each other's plans.
  3. Give constructive feedback: Is the chunking clear? Are the milestones realistic? Can the daily actions be more specific?

Explain the peer check process using the Peer Plan Check Protocol. Encourage students to give specific, actionable feedback.

Exit Ticket: Your First Move

Before you leave, let's lock in your first step!

  1. Look at your backward plan.
  2. What is the very first action you will take?
  3. When will you do it? (Be specific!)

Fill out your Exit Ticket First Action Block.

Explain the purpose of the cool-down/exit ticket. Reinforce that the first step is often the hardest, but also the most important for getting started.

lenny

Worksheet

Backward Plan and Milestones Template

Assignment Name:


Due Date:

Step 1: Break it Down (Chunking!)

List at least four major tasks or "chunks" of your assignment.













Add more if needed!

Step 2: Set Your Milestones (Mini-Deadlines!)

Identify at least three key milestones (specific accomplishments with a target date) that will help you stay on track. Work backward from your due date.

  • Milestone 1: (e.g., Topic Chosen & Resources Gathered)

    Target Date:


  • Milestone 2: (e.g., Outline Complete)

    Target Date:


  • Milestone 3: (e.g., First Draft Complete)

    Target Date:


Step 3: Plan Your Actions (What will you do each day/session?)

Now, fill in the daily or session-based actions you need to take to reach each milestone. Be specific!

Date/DayTask (What will I do?)Time EstimateMilestone ProgressNotes








































lenny
lenny

Discussion

Peer Plan Check Protocol

Goal: To help your partner strengthen their backward plan by providing constructive feedback.

Instructions:

  1. Swap Plans: Exchange your Backward Plan and Milestones Template with your partner.
  2. Review Individually (5 minutes):
    • Read through your partner's plan carefully.
    • As you read, consider the following questions:
      • Is the assignment clearly defined?
      • Are there at least four distinct "chunks" or steps?
      • Are the three milestones clear, specific, and realistic for the timeline?
      • Are the daily actions specific enough to know what to do?
      • Do the daily actions logically lead to the milestones and the final due date?
      • Are the time estimates for daily actions reasonable?
  3. Discuss and Give Feedback (5 minutes):
    • Start with Strengths: Tell your partner what you think they did well in their plan.
    • Offer Suggestions: Choose one or two areas where you think they could make their plan stronger. Use phrases like:
      • "Have you considered adding a step for...?"
      • "This milestone seems a bit far out; maybe breaking it into two smaller ones could help?"
      • "Could you make this daily action more specific, like 'Read Chapter 3' instead of 'Do Reading'?"
      • "Is the time estimate for this task realistic, given its complexity?"
    • Listen and Ask Questions: Your partner should listen to your feedback. They can ask clarifying questions but should avoid defending their plan too much. The goal is improvement!
  4. Revise (Optional): After receiving feedback, you can make quick notes on your plan for revisions.
lenny
lenny

Cool Down

Exit Ticket: My First Move

Now that you've created your backward plan, it's time to take the very first step!

  1. Look at your Backward Plan and Milestones Template. What is the first specific action you will take to get started on your assignment?







  1. When will you complete this action? (Be specific with date and time, or at least a specific block of time today/tomorrow.)







  1. What do you anticipate will be the biggest challenge in taking this first step, and how might you overcome it?







lenny
lenny