Lesson Plan
Launch Pad Lesson Plan
Students will be able to identify common barriers to task initiation, break down complex tasks into smaller, manageable steps, and create a personalized plan to initiate a specific academic task.
This lesson helps students overcome procrastination and improve their ability to start important tasks, leading to better academic performance and reduced stress.
Audience
9th Grade Students
Time
50 minutes
Approach
Interactive discussion, guided activity, and personal planning.
Materials
Ready, Set, Initiate Slides, Brainstorm Blitz, Step-by-Step Starter, and Reflection Rocket
Prep
Prepare Materials
15 minutes
- Review the Launch Pad Lesson Plan and all linked materials.
- Ensure digital display equipment (projector, computer) is working for the Ready, Set, Initiate Slides.
- Print one copy of the Step-by-Step Starter for each student.
Step 1
Warm-Up: Brainstorm Blitz
10 minutes
- Begin with the Brainstorm Blitz warm-up activity.
2. Project the warm-up prompt from the Ready, Set, Initiate Slides (Slide 2).
3. Instruct students to quickly jot down all the reasons they sometimes struggle to start tasks.
4. Facilitate a brief class discussion, asking students to share some of their ideas. Acknowledge common themes and experiences.
Step 2
Introduction to Task Initiation
10 minutes
- Introduce the concept of task initiation using the Ready, Set, Initiate Slides (Slides 3-5).
2. Discuss why task initiation is important for academic success and reducing stress.
3. Explain that today's lesson will equip them with strategies to kickstart their tasks more easily.
4. Ask students to think about a specific task they've been putting off.
Step 3
Activity: Step-by-Step Starter
20 minutes
- Distribute the Step-by-Step Starter worksheet to each student.
2. Guide students through the process of breaking down a large task into smaller, manageable steps using the examples on the Ready, Set, Initiate Slides (Slides 6-8).
3. Instruct students to choose a task they need to initiate and complete the worksheet individually, listing all the micro-steps.
4. Circulate around the room, offering support and feedback as students work. Encourage them to be very specific with their steps.
Step 4
Cool-Down: Reflection Rocket
10 minutes
- Transition to the Reflection Rocket cool-down activity.
2. Project the cool-down questions from the Ready, Set, Initiate Slides (Slide 9).
3. Ask students to complete the cool-down, reflecting on what they learned and how they will apply it.
4. Collect the cool-down responses as an exit ticket.
Slide Deck
Ready, Set, Launch?
Kickstarting Your Tasks with Confidence!
Welcome students and introduce the lesson's main topic: task initiation. Emphasize that this lesson is about empowering them.
Brainstorm Blitz: Why is it Hard to Start?
Quickly jot down all the reasons you sometimes find it difficult to start a task, even when you know you need to do it.
Project this slide for the warm-up. Give students a few minutes to brainstorm individually before opening up for class discussion. Refer to the Brainstorm Blitz for more details.
What is Task Initiation?
Task initiation is the ability to begin a task or activity without procrastination or excessive delay.
It's about starting that assignment, that chore, or that goal, rather than putting it off.
Define task initiation clearly for students. Use simple language and relatable examples. Engage students by asking them to share what they think it means.
Why is it Important?
• Less Stress: Avoiding the last-minute rush.
• Better Grades: More time for quality work.
• Increased Confidence: Feeling capable and organized.
• Achieve Goals: Making progress on what matters to you.
Discuss the benefits of good task initiation. Connect it to academic success, reduced stress, and feeling more in control.
Common Hurdles: Why We Delay
Based on our brainstorm, what are some common reasons we put off starting tasks?
- Feeling overwhelmed?
- Not knowing where to start?
- Worried about making mistakes?
- Distractions everywhere?
Facilitate a short discussion based on their warm-up. Categorize common hurdles (e.g., overwhelm, perfectionism, distraction).
Strategy 1: Break It Down!
One of the most powerful ways to overcome task initiation challenges is to break down big tasks into smaller, more manageable steps.
Think of it like climbing a ladder: you take one rung at a time, not leap to the top.
Introduce the first key strategy: breaking down tasks. Explain that large tasks can feel intimidating, but small steps are less scary.
Example: Research Project
Instead of:
"Start research project"
Try:
- Open laptop
- Open Google Scholar
- Type in keywords for topic
- Read abstract of first article
- Save article if relevant
- Repeat steps 4-5 for 3 articles
Provide a concrete example to illustrate breaking down a task. Walk through each step, emphasizing how small and specific each one is.
Your Turn: The Step-by-Step Starter!
Now it's your chance to practice!
Take out your Step-by-Step Starter worksheet and choose one task you've been putting off.
Break it down into the smallest possible steps. Be specific!
Transition to the individual activity. Explain the Step-by-Step Starter worksheet and what students need to do.
Reflection Rocket: Launch Your Learning!
Take a few minutes to complete the Reflection Rocket worksheet.
What is one new strategy you learned today?
How will you use it this week to start a task?
Project this slide for the cool-down. Explain that this is their exit ticket. Refer to the Reflection Rocket for full prompt.
Ready, Set, GO!
You now have strategies to launch into action!
Remember: Every big journey begins with a single, small step.
Thank students and encourage them to apply these strategies in their daily lives.
Warm Up
Brainstorm Blitz: Why is it Hard to Start?
Quickly jot down all the reasons you sometimes find it difficult to start a task, even when you know you need to do it.
Think about schoolwork, chores, personal goals, or anything else.
My Reasons for Delaying (Brainstorm):
Activity
Step-by-Step Starter: Breaking Down Big Tasks
Sometimes, the hardest part of a task is just getting started. When a task feels too big or overwhelming, we often put it off. The secret? Break it down!
Objective: To choose a task you've been avoiding and break it into micro-steps, making it easier to begin.
Part 1: Choose Your Task
-
Identify a Task: Think of one specific academic task (e.g., a homework assignment, studying for a test, starting a project, organizing your notes) that you've been putting off or find difficult to start.
My chosen task:
-
Why have you been avoiding it? Briefly explain why this task feels challenging to start.
Reasons for avoiding:
Part 2: Break It Down into Micro-Steps
Now, let's break your chosen task into the smallest possible steps. Each step should be so small that it feels easy to start and complete. Think of steps that take 5-10 minutes each.
Example: Instead of "Write Essay," break it down: "Open laptop," "Open essay prompt," "Read first paragraph of prompt," "Brainstorm 3 ideas for thesis," "Pick one thesis idea," etc.
List at least 5-10 micro-steps for your chosen task:
Part 3: Your Initiation Plan
What is the very first micro-step you will take to start this task? When will you do it? How will you remind yourself?
My first micro-step:
When I will take this step:
How I will remind myself:
Cool Down
Reflection Rocket: Launch Your Learning!
Take a moment to reflect on what you've learned today about task initiation. Your honest thoughts will help you remember and apply these strategies!
-
One New Strategy: What is one new strategy or idea about task initiation that you learned today or found most helpful?
-
Launching Into Action: How will you use this strategy (or any other from today's lesson) this week to start a task you've been avoiding?
-
Feeling Confident? On a scale of 1-5, how confident do you feel now about your ability to tackle a challenging task and get started?
- 1 = Not confident at all
- 2 = A little confident
- 3 = Moderately confident
- 4 = Quite confident
- 5 = Very confident
Activity
Step-by-Step Starter: Breaking Down Big Tasks
Sometimes, the hardest part of a task is just getting started. When a task feels too big or overwhelming, we often put it off. The secret? Break it down!
Objective: To choose a task you've been avoiding and break it into micro-steps, making it easier to begin.
Part 1: Choose Your Task
-
Identify a Task: Think of one specific academic task (e.g., a homework assignment, studying for a test, starting a project, organizing your notes) that you've been putting off or find difficult to start.
My chosen task:
-
Why have you been avoiding it? Briefly explain why this task feels challenging to start.
Reasons for avoiding:
Part 2: Break It Down into Micro-Steps
Now, let's break your chosen task into the smallest possible steps. Each step should be so small that it feels easy to start and complete. Think of steps that take 5-10 minutes each.
Example: Instead of