Lesson Plan
Small Group Launch Sequence
Students will be able to identify and apply strategies for task initiation in small group settings, breaking down overwhelming tasks into manageable steps.
Starting tasks can feel overwhelming! This lesson will give students practical tools to begin assignments with confidence, reducing anxiety and improving their ability to complete work.
Audience
Middle School Students
Time
45-50 minutes
Approach
Direct instruction, guided practice, and an engaging game.
Materials
Small Group Launch Sequence Lesson Plan, Getting Started Guide Slide Deck, Task Tracker Challenge Game, and Mini-Task Mastermind Worksheet
Prep
Teacher Preparation
15 minutes
- Review the Small Group Launch Sequence Lesson Plan and all generated materials.
- Prepare to project the Getting Started Guide Slide Deck.
- Print copies of the Mini-Task Mastermind Worksheet for each student.
- Familiarize yourself with the rules and flow of the Task Tracker Challenge Game.
Step 1
Warm-Up: The 'Start Line' Challenge
5 minutes
- Display a complex, multi-step task on the board (e.g., 'Plan a school carnival').
- Ask students: 'What's the very first thing you would do to start this task?' Allow 1-2 students to share.
- Introduce the idea that starting can be the hardest part, but there are strategies to make it easier.
Step 2
Direct Instruction: The 'Getting Started' Guide
15 minutes
- Present the Getting Started Guide Slide Deck.
- Go through each slide, explaining the key strategies for task initiation: Break It Down, First Step Focus, Time Box It, and Ask for Help.
- Encourage questions and provide simple examples for each strategy.
Step 3
Guided Practice: Mini-Task Mastermind
15 minutes
- Distribute the Mini-Task Mastermind Worksheet.
- Present a new, slightly less complex task (e.g., 'Write a paragraph about your favorite hobby').
- As a group, walk through applying each strategy from the Getting Started Guide Slide Deck to this task, filling out the worksheet together.
- Emphasize the process of identifying the first actionable step.
Step 4
Activity: Task Tracker Challenge
10 minutes
- Introduce the Task Tracker Challenge Game.
- Divide students into pairs or small teams.
- Provide them with a simple task and have them apply the strategies to break it down and identify the first step within a time limit.
- Award points for clear first steps and effective breakdown strategies.
Step 5
Cool-Down: My Starting Superpower
5 minutes
- Ask students to reflect on which task initiation strategy they think will be most helpful for them personally.
- Have them quickly write down one strategy and one sentence about why it will be their 'starting superpower' on an exit ticket or small piece of paper.
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Slide Deck
Getting Started Guide
Your Launchpad to Success!
Welcome students and introduce the topic of task initiation. Acknowledge that starting can be tough, but we'll learn strategies together.
Why Is Starting Hard?
Ever feel stuck before you even begin?
It's okay! Many people do.
Today, we're building your personal launchpad to blast off into any task!
Engage students with a question about why they sometimes find it hard to start tasks. Briefly explain that this guide will provide tools.
Strategy 1: Break It Down
Big tasks can look like mountains!
How to break it down:
- Identify major parts: What are the main sections?
- List smaller steps: What specific actions do you need to take for each part?
- Keep it simple: Each step should be super clear!
Explain the 'Break It Down' strategy. Use an example like writing an essay (brainstorm, outline, write intro, write body, etc.). Emphasize making steps small and clear.
Strategy 2: First Step Focus
Don't try to do everything at once!
Find your very first step:
- What's the easiest thing you can do to get started?
- It doesn't have to be the hardest part, just a beginning.
- Example: For a book report, your first step might be 'Read Chapter 1.'
Discuss 'First Step Focus.' Stress that the first step doesn't have to be perfect, just a step. Use an example: 'Open your notebook' or 'Read the first sentence.'
Strategy 3: Time Box It
Sometimes, you just need a short burst!
Set a timer for 5-10 minutes:
- Work only on the task during that time.
- No distractions allowed!
- The goal is to start and gain momentum, not necessarily to finish.
Explain 'Time Box It.' Talk about how setting a short timer can make starting less daunting. It's about getting momentum, not finishing.
Strategy 4: Ask For Help
It's okay not to know everything!
When you're truly stuck, reach out:
- Ask your teacher for clarification.
- Talk to a classmate for ideas.
- Explain where you're stuck, not just 'I don't get it.'
- Example: 'I've broken down the task, but I'm not sure what the absolute first step should be for Part 2.'
Emphasize that asking for help is a strength. Discuss who they can ask (teacher, friend, parent) and what kind of help to ask for (e.g., 'Can you help me identify the first step for X?').
Your Starting Superpowers!
Remember your tools:
- Break It Down
- First Step Focus
- Time Box It
- Ask For Help
You've got this! Every journey begins with a single step.
Summarize the strategies and encourage students to try them out. Connect it back to the idea of building new habits.
Game
Task Tracker Challenge!
Objective
To quickly and effectively break down tasks and identify the very first actionable step.
Players
Small groups (2-4 students)
Materials
- Task Cards (index cards with various tasks, e.g., "Plan a class potluck," "Design a new school mascot," "Write a thank you note to a guest speaker," "Organize your backpack")
- Mini-Task Mastermind Worksheets (one per group for scratch work if needed)
- Pencils/Pens
- Timer (teacher-controlled)
How to Play
- Teacher introduces a Task Card. The teacher will show one Task Card to all groups. Each task will be a multi-step activity.
- Break It Down (2 minutes): Each group has 2 minutes to brainstorm and quickly list 3-5 major sub-tasks needed to complete the main task. They can use the worksheet for this.
- First Step Focus (1 minute): After the 2 minutes, each group must identify the single, most immediate, actionable first step for the entire task.
- Share & Score: Once the timer for the first step is up, each group will share their identified first step with the class.
- 1 Point: For a logical and clear first step.
- Bonus Point: If their first step is truly actionable (something they could do right now, e.g.,
Worksheet
Mini-Task Mastermind: Your Strategy Checklist!
Objective
Use the task initiation strategies to break down a new task and figure out how to start strong!
The Task At Hand
Task: _____________________________________________________________________________
Strategy 1: Break It Down! (What are the major parts or steps?)
Think about the big picture. What are 3-5 main things you need to do to complete this task?
- __________________________________________________________________________________
- __________________________________________________________________________________
- __________________________________________________________________________________
- __________________________________________________________________________________
- __________________________________________________________________________________
Strategy 2: First Step Focus! (What's the very first thing you will do?)
From your list above, what is the absolute simplest, most immediate action you can take to begin this task?
My First Step: _______________________________________________________________________
Strategy 3: Time Box It! (How long will you work on that first step?)
Set a small timer! For how many minutes will you focus only on your first step?
I will work on my first step for: ______ minutes.
Strategy 4: Ask For Help! (When would you ask for help with this task?)
Describe a situation related to this task where you might need to ask for help, and what you would ask.
I would ask for help if: _____________________________________________________________
My question would be: _____________________________________________________________
Reflection
How did using these strategies make starting this task feel different?