Lesson Plan
Team Planning Challenge
Students will collaboratively create a structured project plan based on personal interests, practicing goal setting, role assignment, and timeline development.
This lesson builds essential career and life skills by fostering teamwork, strategic planning, and clear goal articulation, setting students up for success in future group projects and personal initiatives.
Audience
6th Grade Class
Time
55 minutes
Approach
Hands-on team planning with guided steps and reflection.
Materials
- Project Plan Essentials Slide Deck, - Group Goal Race Activity, - Team Action Chart Worksheet, - Team Takeaway Cool-Down Sheet, - Chart Paper, - Markers, and - Sticky Notes
Prep
Prepare Materials
10 minutes
- Review the Project Plan Essentials Slide Deck.
- Print copies of the Team Action Chart Worksheet and Team Takeaway Cool-Down Sheet.
- Set up chart paper and markers at each table.
- Organize sticky notes and ensure the Group Goal Race Activity instructions are ready.
Step 1
Introduction
5 minutes
- Welcome students and share the lesson objective: creating a project plan.
- Explain the importance of goal setting and teamwork.
- Show the Project Plan Essentials Slide Deck overview.
Step 2
Explore Project Plan Essentials
10 minutes
- Project the first slides of Project Plan Essentials Slide Deck.
- Highlight key components: SMART Goals, Roles, Timeline, Resources.
- Ask students to jot down questions or observations on sticky notes.
Step 3
Team Brainstorm & Goal Setting
15 minutes
- Divide students into teams of 3–4.
- Each team selects a project idea based on personal interests.
- On chart paper, write 1–2 SMART goals using sticky notes.
- Quickly share goals with another team for feedback.
Step 4
Group Goal Race
10 minutes
- Introduce the Group Goal Race Activity.
- Teams race to sequence tasks needed to achieve their goals under a timer.
- Encourage fast collaboration and decision making.
Step 5
Complete Team Action Chart
10 minutes
- Distribute the Team Action Chart Worksheet.
- Teams assign roles, list tasks, set deadlines, and identify needed resources.
- Teacher circulates to prompt deeper planning and answer questions.
Step 6
Cool-Down & Reflection
5 minutes
- Hand out the Team Takeaway Cool-Down Sheet.
- Students individually reflect on what went well and next steps.
- Invite each team to share one key insight with the class.
Slide Deck
Project Plan Essentials
Welcome!
Today we’ll explore the key building blocks of a successful project plan:
• SMART Goals
• Roles & Responsibilities
• Timeline & Milestones
• Resources & Support
Use these components to guide your team’s planning.
Welcome students and introduce the purpose of this mini-deck: to explore the essential components of a strong project plan. Explain that they’ll refer back to these slides during the “Plan It!” activity.
What Is a Project Plan?
A project plan is a roadmap that outlines:
• What you want to achieve
• Who will do each part
• When each step happens
• What you need to succeed
Why it matters:
• Clarifies goals
• Keeps teams organized
• Tracks progress
Define what a project plan is and why it matters. Emphasize that a plan turns an idea into clear steps and helps teams stay on track.
SMART Goals
Make your goals SMART:
• Specific: What exactly will you do?
• Measurable: How will you know you’ve succeeded?
• Achievable: Is it realistic?
• Relevant: Does it matter to your team?
• Time-bound: What’s the deadline?
Example: “Research and present 3-artifact profiles by Week 3.”
Walk through each SMART criterion briefly. Prompt students to think of one goal they’d like to set for their team project.
Roles & Responsibilities
Every team member plays a part:
• Leader – keeps the team on track
• Researcher – gathers information
• Designer – creates visuals/materials
• Presenter – shares findings
Tip: Choose roles based on each person’s strengths.
Discuss common team roles (e.g., Leader, Researcher, Designer, Presenter). Encourage students to consider strengths when assigning roles.
Timeline & Milestones
Outline when each task will happen:
• Milestone 1: Goal finalization (Day 2)
• Milestone 2: Research complete (Day 5)
• Milestone 3: Draft plan presentation (Day 7)
Use a chart or calendar to visualize dates.
Explain what a timeline is and why setting milestones helps. Suggest using a calendar or chart paper in the activity.
Resources & Support
Identify what you’ll need:
• People: mentors, subject experts
• Tools: computers, software, art supplies
• Materials: paper, markers, reference books
Plan where and how you will get each resource.
Highlight different types of resources (tools, people, materials) and encourage students to list what they need before starting.
Putting It All Together
Combine everything into one plan:
- Write a SMART goal.
- Assign roles.
- Create a timeline with milestones.
- List necessary resources.
Next: Head to your teams and put your project plan into action!
Summarize all components and prepare to launch into the team activity. Remind students to refer to these slides as they plan.
Activity
Group Goal Race
Objective: Teams will collaboratively sequence the tasks needed to achieve their SMART goal under time pressure, reinforcing rapid decision-making and clear communication.
Materials:
- Timer or stopwatch
- Blank index cards or sticky notes
- Markers
- Each team’s SMART goal written on a sheet or card
Prep (5 minutes):
- Place a timer (or designate a timekeeper) at each table.
- Distribute blank index cards or sticky notes and markers to each team.
- Ensure each team’s SMART goal is clearly posted at their workspace.
Instructions (10 minutes total):
-
Introduction to Race (1 minute)
- Explain that teams will race to identify and put in order all the key tasks needed to meet their SMART goal.
- Emphasize speed, accuracy, and teamwork.
-
Task Brainstorm (2 minutes)
- On index cards or sticky notes, each team writes one task per card that is required to reach their goal.
- Encourage teams to think of every step, big or small.
-
Shuffle & Sequence (3 minutes)
- Teams shuffle their cards, then start the timer.
- Under the timer, they collaborate to place cards in the correct chronological order from first to last.
-
Check & Present (3 minutes)
- When time is up, teams stop ordering.
- One representative quickly presents their sequence to another team or the teacher for a rapid check.
-
Debrief (1 minute)
- Ask: What was challenging about sequencing so quickly?
- Highlight how clear task breakdown and communication helped teams succeed.
Follow-Up Points:
- Connect this rapid sequencing to building detailed timelines in your project plan.
- Encourage teams to refine any missing tasks or adjust order before filling out the Team Action Chart Worksheet.
Worksheet
Team Action Chart Worksheet
Use this chart to organize your team’s tasks, assign roles, set deadlines, and list the resources you’ll need. Refer back to your SMART goal and the results of the Group Goal Race Activity as you fill in each row.
| Task Description | Team Member(s) | Deadline | Resources Needed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. ________________________________________________ | ________________________________________________ | ________________________________ | ________________________________________________ |
| 2. ________________________________________________ | ________________________________________________ | ________________________________ | ________________________________________________ |
| 3. ________________________________________________ | ________________________________________________ | ________________________________ | ________________________________________________ |
| 4. ________________________________________________ | ________________________________________________ | ________________________________ | ________________________________________________ |
| 5. ________________________________________________ | ________________________________________________ | ________________________________ | ________________________________________________ |
Additional Next Steps / Notes
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Cool Down
Team Takeaway Cool-Down Sheet
Take a few minutes to reflect on today’s planning activity. Your honest responses will help your team grow and move forward.
-
What did your team do particularly well today?
-
Which step or task was most challenging for you or your team?
-
What is one thing our team could improve before our next meeting?
-
What is your next personal action to keep the project moving forward?
-
On a scale of 1 (I need support) to 5 (I’m ready to go), how confident are you about our plan?
Circle one: 1 2 3 4 5 -
Any other thoughts, questions, or ideas?