Lesson Plan
Beat Procrastination Plan
Students will identify their primary procrastination style and choose one strategy to apply to a task this week.
Understanding why we procrastinate helps us develop effective strategies to overcome it, leading to less stress and greater achievement. This lesson provides practical tools for students to take control of their tasks.
Audience
8th Grade
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Interactive discussion, direct instruction, and guided reflection.
Materials
Prep
Review Materials
10 minutes
- Review the Beat Procrastination Plan to familiarize yourself with the lesson flow and objectives.
- Read through The Procrastination Puzzle Slides and the accompanying teacher notes.
- Make copies of the Strategy Selector Tool worksheet (one per student).
- Prepare copies of My 'Do It Now' Pledge (one per student).
Step 1
Warm-Up: What are you putting off?
5 minutes
- Engage (2 minutes): Begin by asking students: "What's one thing you've been putting off recently? It could be homework, a chore, or even deciding what to wear!"
2. Share (3 minutes): Ask a few students to share their responses aloud. Encourage lighthearted sharing and normalize the experience of procrastination. Transition by saying, "Today, we're going to crack the code on why we do this, and how we can beat the 'procrastination puzzle' together!"
Step 2
Teach the 'Why' Behind Procrastination
10 minutes
- Introduce Procrastination Styles (5 minutes): Use The Procrastination Puzzle Slides (Slides 1-4) to introduce the concept of procrastination and three common styles (e.g., Perfectionist, Avoider, Thrill-Seeker). Explain each style with relatable examples.
2. Self-Reflection (5 minutes): Distribute the Strategy Selector Tool. Guide students to quietly reflect and identify which procrastination style resonates most with them. Emphasize there's no right or wrong answer.
Step 3
Introduce Anti-Procrastination Strategies
10 minutes
- Strategy Overview (7 minutes): Continue with The Procrastination Puzzle Slides (Slides 5-7) to introduce three different anti-procrastination strategies (e.g., 'Two-Minute Rule,' 'Pomodoro Technique,' 'Break Down Big Tasks'). Explain each strategy clearly and offer practical tips for implementation.
2. Strategy Selection (3 minutes): Instruct students to look at the second part of their Strategy Selector Tool and choose one strategy they want to try this week for a task they identified earlier.
Step 4
Commit to a Strategy
5 minutes
- Personal Pledge (3 minutes): Distribute My 'Do It Now' Pledge. Ask students to write down the task they are committing to and the strategy they will use. Encourage them to make their pledge specific and achievable.
2. Share & Conclude (2 minutes): Invite a few brave students to share their pledges. Conclude by reinforcing the idea that breaking down tasks and choosing the right strategy can make a huge difference in beating procrastination and feeling more productive.
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Slide Deck
The Procrastination Puzzle: What are you putting off?
Think about it: What’s one thing you’ve been putting off recently?
It could be:
- Homework
- A chore at home
- Making a decision
Be ready to share (if you feel comfortable!).
Welcome students and pose the warm-up question. Encourage honest and lighthearted sharing. This sets a relatable and non-judgmental tone. Tell them we're going to explore why we do this and how to stop.
What is Procrastination, Really?
It's not just being 'lazy.'
Procrastination is when we delay or postpone important tasks, even when we know there might be negative consequences.
Why do we do it? Let's find out!
Introduce the concept of procrastination. Emphasize that it's a common human experience. Ask students if they recognize these feelings. The main point is that it's not about being lazy, but often about deeper reasons.
Procrastination Style #1: The Perfectionist
⭐ The Perfectionist: "If I can't do it perfectly, I won't even start."
- Worries about making mistakes.
- Sets extremely high standards.
- Would rather not try than fail.
Explain the 'Perfectionist' style. Ask students if they've ever felt this way. Connect it to fear of failure or not doing a task 'perfectly.'
Procrastination Style #2: The Avoider
🙈 The Avoider: "This task is too hard/boring/unpleasant, so I'll just do something else instead."
- Escapes to distractions (phone, games, TV).
- Puts off tasks that seem difficult or dull.
- Believes avoiding it will make it go away.
Explain the 'Avoider' style. Ask for examples of how people might avoid tasks. Connect it to fear of discomfort or difficulty.
Procrastination Style #3: The Thrill-Seeker
⚡ The Thrill-Seeker: "I work best under pressure! I'll wait until the last minute."
- Gets a rush from tight deadlines.
- Underestimates the time tasks will take.
- Often delivers rushed or lower-quality work.
Explain the 'Thrill-Seeker' style. This one might resonate with some who work best under pressure. Discuss the dangers of relying on this style.
Which Procrastination Style Are You?
Now that we know the types, which one sounds most like you?
Take a moment to think and identify your primary style on your Strategy Selector Tool worksheet.
Introduce the idea of strategies. Transition to the worksheet where they'll identify their style. Emphasize that knowing their style helps them pick the right strategy.
Strategy #1: The Two-Minute Rule
Start Small, Win Big!
If a task takes less than two minutes, do it NOW!
- Examples: Replying to an email, putting away a single item, opening your textbook to the right page.
- Goal: Overcome the inertia of starting.
Introduce the 'Two-Minute Rule.' Give clear examples of how to apply it (e.g., loading one dish, writing one sentence). Emphasize the goal is starting, not finishing.
Strategy #2: The Pomodoro Technique
Focused Work, Regular Breaks!
- Choose a task.
- Set a timer for 25 minutes (this is one "Pomodoro").
- Work only on that task until the timer rings.
- Take a 5-minute break.
- After four Pomodoros, take a longer 15-30 minute break.
- Goal: Improve focus and prevent burnout.
Explain the Pomodoro Technique. Walk them through the steps and why it's effective (breaks prevent burnout, focused bursts).
Strategy #3: Break Down Big Tasks
Don't Eat the Whole Elephant at Once!
If a task feels overwhelming, break it into tiny, manageable steps.
-
Instead of: "Write essay"
-
Try: "Brainstorm ideas (10 min)" -> "Outline paragraphs (15 min)" -> "Write introduction (20 min)"
-
Goal: Make tasks less intimidating and easier to start.
Explain breaking down tasks. Give examples of how a big assignment can be broken into smaller, less intimidating steps. Connect this to the Perfectionist or Avoider styles.
Choose Your Anti-Procrastination Superpower!
Look at your Strategy Selector Tool again.
Now, choose ONE strategy you want to try this week for a task you've been putting off.
Commit to giving it a real try!
Encourage students to select one strategy from the worksheet to apply to a real task. Reiterate that practice makes perfect.
My 'Do It Now' Pledge
Time to make a commitment!
Fill out My 'Do It Now' Pledge and get ready to beat that procrastination puzzle!
Small steps lead to big successes.
Transition to the cool-down activity. Explain that making a public or personal pledge increases commitment.
Worksheet
Strategy Selector Tool: Beat Your Procrastination Puzzle!
Part 1: My Procrastination Style
Read the descriptions below and circle or highlight the style that sounds most like you when you procrastinate. (It's okay if more than one sounds familiar, but pick the most common one for you!)
⭐ The Perfectionist
- I worry a lot about making mistakes.
- I set really high standards for myself.
- I'd rather not start a task than do it imperfectly or fail.
- When I procrastinate, it's often because I feel overwhelmed by the need for everything to be just right.
🙈 The Avoider
- I tend to escape to distractions (like my phone, games, or TV) when I have a big task.
- I put off tasks that seem difficult, boring, or just plain unpleasant.
- I sometimes hope if I ignore it, the task will go away or someone else will do it.
- When I procrastinate, it's often because the task feels unpleasant or too hard to tackle.
⚡ The Thrill-Seeker
- I often tell myself I work best under pressure.
- I tend to wait until the very last minute to start tasks.
- I sometimes underestimate how long things will actually take.
- When I procrastinate, it's often because I enjoy the adrenaline rush of a tight deadline.
My Primary Procrastination Style Is:
________________________________________________________________________________
## Part 2: My Anti-Procrastination Superpower!
Now that you know your style, it's time to pick a strategy to try! Review the strategies from our lesson and choose ONE that you think will help you most with a task you're currently putting off.
The Task I Am Currently Putting Off Is:
The Strategy I Will Try Is:
- The Two-Minute Rule: If it takes less than two minutes, do it now!
- The Pomodoro Technique: Work for 25 minutes, then break for 5 minutes.
- Break Down Big Tasks: Divide overwhelming tasks into tiny, manageable steps.
### I Choose (circle one): The Two-Minute Rule / The Pomodoro Technique / Break Down Big Tasks
Why I think this strategy will work for me:
Cool Down
My 'Do It Now' Pledge!
I, _______________________________ (your name), pledge to tackle a task I've been putting off this week!
The task I am committing to do is:
The anti-procrastination strategy I will use is (check one):
- The Two-Minute Rule
- The Pomodoro Technique
- Break Down Big Tasks
### I will apply this strategy by (describe your plan in one or two sentences):
### Why is completing this task important to me right now?
Signature: _______________________________ Date: ___________________