Self-Management: Level Up! - Script

Warm-Up: What's Your Superpower? (5 minutes)

Teacher: "Welcome, everyone! I'm so glad you're here. To get us started today, I want you to think for a moment. If you could have one superpower that would help you specifically with school or life in general, what would it be and why? Don't overthink it, just tell me what comes to mind!"

(Allow 2-3 students to share their ideas. Listen actively and ask brief follow-up questions if appropriate.)

Teacher: "Those are some fantastic ideas! Imagine having the power to always know what to do next, or to never feel overwhelmed. Well, guess what? Today, we're going to discover a superpower you already have and can develop even further: self-management!"

(Transition to Self-Management Slides, Slide 1)

Introduction to Self-Management (5 minutes)

Teacher: (Display Slide 2: What is Self-Management?) "So, what exactly is self-management? Take a look at the slide. In simple terms, self-management is your ability to control your emotions and behaviors, set and achieve goals, take initiative, and organize your time and tasks. It's really about being the boss of you!"

"Think about it. When have you used self-management without even realizing it? Can anyone share an example of when they've successfully managed themselves?"

(Guide discussion. Examples might include: remembering to do homework, studying for a test, keeping their room tidy, managing their allowance, or even staying calm when frustrated.)

Teacher: (Display Slide 3: Why Does it Matter?) "Exactly! Self-management is super important. It helps reduce stress, helps you achieve your goals, can even improve your grades, makes you feel more in control of your life, and definitely prepares you for the future. It's a skill that will benefit you for your entire life, not just in 8th grade!"

Strategies for Success: Goal Setting & Prioritization (10 minutes)

Teacher: "Now that we know what it is and why it matters, let's talk about how to do it. We're going to focus on two key strategies: setting SMART goals and prioritizing tasks."

(Distribute the Self-Management Activity Sheet.)

Teacher: (Display Slide 4: Strategy 1: SMART Goals) "First up, goals! Goals are like roadmaps that tell us where we're going. But not all goals are created equal. We want to make them SMART goals. Look at the slide:"

"Specific: Instead of saying, 'I want to do better in math,' you might say, 'I want to raise my math grade to a B+.' See how it's much clearer?"

"Measurable: How will you know when you've reached it? If your goal is to read more, how many books will you read? How many minutes a day?"

"Achievable: Is it realistic? Setting a goal to write a novel in a week might not be achievable. Raising your math grade by one letter in a month? More likely."

"Relevant: Is it important to you? Does it connect to something you truly care about?"

"Time-bound: When will you achieve it by? Giving yourself a deadline creates a sense of urgency and helps you plan."

"On your activity sheet, I want you to write down one personal or academic goal you have. Then, next to it, try to make it a SMART goal. I'll give you a few minutes to work on that. Feel free to share your SMART goals with a partner next to you if you like."

(Allow time for students to work and discuss. Circulate and offer help.)

Teacher: (Display Slide 5: Strategy 2: Prioritize Like a Pro) "Great job with goals! Now, once you have your goals, you'll have tasks you need to complete to reach them. But sometimes, it feels like everything needs to be done right now! That's where prioritizing comes in."

"Not all tasks are created equal. We can think about tasks in two ways: Is it Urgent? Meaning it needs to be done NOW! And is it Important? Meaning it helps you achieve your goals."

"Look at your activity sheet again. You'll see a section for prioritizing tasks. I want you to list a few tasks you have coming up – maybe for school, home, or even personal projects. Then, next to each, decide if it's urgent, important, both, or neither. Which ones do you think you should tackle first?"

(Allow time for students to work. Facilitate a brief group discussion about why certain tasks are prioritized over others.)

Game: Time Travelers! (8 minutes)

Teacher: (Display Slide 6: Ready for Action?) "You've just learned some powerful strategies! Now it's time to put your self-management superpowers to the test with a game called Time Travelers!"

"(Explain the rules of the Self-Management Game: Time Travelers clearly. If applicable, divide students into small teams.)"

"The goal is to navigate through your day, making smart choices about how to use your time and energy. Each card will present a challenge, and you'll need to decide the best self-management strategy to use. Let's see who can become the ultimate Time Traveler!"

(Facilitate the game, guiding students through the scenarios and encouraging discussion about their choices.)

Cool Down: One Big Takeaway (2 minutes)

Teacher: (Display Slide 7: Your Superpower Journey Continues...) "Fantastic effort everyone! You've tackled some tough decisions and practiced some essential self-management skills today."

(Distribute the Self-Management Cool Down sheet.)

"As we wrap up, please take a moment to reflect on your cool-down sheet. What's one key strategy or idea you learned today that you will try to implement this week? It could be about setting a SMART goal, prioritizing a task, or anything else we discussed."

"When you're done, you can hand in your cool-down sheet as your exit ticket. Thank you all for your active participation today! Keep practicing those self-management superpowers!"