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Ready, Set, Go!

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Lesson Plan

Ready, Set, Go!

Students will learn and practice strategies to initiate tasks independently, breaking them into smaller, manageable steps.

This lesson helps students overcome procrastination and build confidence in starting schoolwork, leading to increased independence and academic success.

Audience

1st Grade Student

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Through direct instruction, modeling, and guided practice, students will apply strategies to a target task.

Materials

One-on-One Slide Deck, and My Start-Up Checklist Worksheet

Prep

Gather Materials & Review

5 minutes

  • Review the [Ready, Set, Go! Lesson Plan](#ready-set-go-lesson-plan) and all generated materials.
  • Print a copy of the [My Start-Up Checklist Worksheet](#my-start-up-checklist-worksheet).
  • Have the [One-on-One Slide Deck](#one-on-one-slide-deck) ready to present.
  • Identify a specific academic task the student frequently struggles to start (e.g., a reading response, a math problem set). This will be the task used for the "Practice Time" instruction step.
  • Ensure you have a comfortable and quiet space for one-on-one instruction.

    • Step 1

    Introduction & Hook

    5 minutes

  • Begin by greeting the student warmly and establishing a positive, supportive environment.
  • Say: "Sometimes, when we have a job to do, like drawing a picture or starting our math, it can feel a little tricky to begin. Does that ever happen to you?" (Allow for student response).
  • Introduce the idea of 'task initiation' in simple terms: "Today, we're going to become 'Start-Up Superstars'! We'll learn some secret tricks to help our brains get ready to start any task, even when it feels big or tough."
  • Show the first slide of the [One-on-One Slide Deck](#one-on-one-slide-deck).

    • Step 2

    What's the Big Deal?

    5 minutes

  • Display the second slide of the [One-on-One Slide Deck](#one-on-one-slide-deck) titled "Why is Starting Important?".
  • Ask: "Why do you think it's important to learn how to start tasks?" (Encourage student thoughts).
  • Explain: "When we learn to start, we feel less stuck, we get our work done, and we feel proud of what we accomplish!"
  • Move to the third slide of the [One-on-One Slide Deck](#one-on-one-slide-deck). Say: "What if we had a special trick to help us start ANYTHING? Today, you get your very own Start-Up Checklist!"

    • Step 3

    The Start-Up Checklist

    10 minutes

  • Introduce the [My Start-Up Checklist Worksheet](#my-start-up-checklist-worksheet). Explain that this is their 'secret weapon' for starting tasks.
  • Go through each step on the worksheet, displaying the fourth slide of the [One-on-One Slide Deck](#one-on-one-slide-deck) as you go:
    • **Stop & Read/Listen:** "First, we stop and make sure we understand *what* we need to do."
    • **What Do I Need?**: "Next, we think about what tools we'll need, like a pencil, paper, or our book."
    • **First Step:** "This is the super important one! We're going to find just *one* small thing we can do to start. Not the whole thing, just the very first little piece."
    • **Ready, Set, GO!**: "Then we say 'Ready, Set, Go!' and try that first small step!"
  • Model using the checklist with a hypothetical, simple task (e.g., 'draw a flower'). Think aloud how you would use each step.

    • Step 4

    Practice Time

    7 minutes

  • Present the student with the specific, pre-identified academic task they often struggle to start (e.g., 'Write one sentence about your favorite part of the story').
  • Guide the student to use the [My Start-Up Checklist Worksheet](#my-start-up-checklist-worksheet) to initiate *that specific task*. Provide gentle prompts and support as needed.
  • Focus on successfully completing the *first step*, not the entire task. Praise effort and successful initiation.

    • Step 5

    Wrap-Up & Celebration

    3 minutes

  • Review the checklist briefly, referring to the final slide of the [One-on-One Slide Deck](#one-on-one-slide-deck). Ask: "What was one trick you learned today to help you start a task?"
  • Emphasize that it's okay if starting is still tricky sometimes, but now they have tools to help.
  • End with a positive affirmation: "You are a 'Start-Up Superstar'! Keep practicing these steps, and soon starting tasks will feel much easier."
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    Slide Deck

    Ready, Set, Go!

    Become a Start-Up Superstar!

    Let's learn how to get our brains ready to start any task!

    Greet the student. Explain that sometimes starting tasks can be hard, but we'll learn some cool tricks today. "Sometimes, when we have a job to do, like drawing a picture or starting our math, it can feel a little tricky to begin. Does that ever happen to you? Today, we're going to become 'Start-Up Superstars'! We'll learn some secret tricks to help our brains get ready to start any task, even when it feels big or tough."

    Why is Starting Important?

    Starting helps us:

    • Feel less stuck!
    • Get our work done!
    • Feel proud of ourselves!

    Ask the student why they think it's important to learn how to start tasks. Guide them to understand that it helps them feel less stuck, get work done, and feel proud.

    Our Secret Weapon!

    What if we had a special trick to help us start ANYTHING?

    Today, you get your very own Start-Up Checklist!

    Introduce the idea of a checklist to make starting easier. Explain that the next slide will show their 'secret weapon'.

    My Start-Up Checklist

    1. Stop & Read/Listen: What do I need to do?
    2. What Do I Need?: Gather my tools.
    3. First Step: What's ONE tiny thing I can do to start?
    4. Ready, Set, GO!: Try it!

    Go through each step of the checklist verbally, connecting it to the worksheet they will use. Emphasize the 'First Step' as the key to getting unstuck. Refer to the My Start-Up Checklist Worksheet.

    You're a Start-Up Superstar!

    You have the power to start any task!

    Keep practicing your checklist!

    Reinforce the positive message. "You've learned some awesome tricks today. Remember, you're a Start-Up Superstar!"

    lenny

    Worksheet

    My Start-Up Checklist: Become a Start-Up Superstar!

    Use this checklist to help you start any task! Follow the steps and fill in your answers.

    1. Stop & Read/Listen

    What is the task I need to do? (What are the instructions?)







    2. What Do I Need?

    What materials or tools do I need to get ready? (Pencil, paper, book, etc.)







    3. First Step

    What is ONE tiny thing I can do to start this task? (Just one small thing!)







    4. Ready, Set, GO!

    Now, try that first small step! What did you do?







    You did it! You're a Start-Up Superstar!

    lenny
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