Lesson Plan
Starting Strong!
Students will learn and apply effective strategies to initiate tasks and overcome procrastination.
Learning to start tasks efficiently helps students manage their workload, reduce stress, and build confidence in their academic abilities, leading to greater success in school and beyond.
Audience
6th Grade Students
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Through direct instruction, interactive discussion, and a hands-on activity.
Materials
Starting Strong! Slide Deck, Warm-Up: Brain Boost Bell Ringer, Activity: The First Step Challenge, and Cool-Down: Quick Start Reflection
Prep
Teacher Preparation
15 minutes
- Review the Starting Strong! Lesson Plan and all linked materials.
- Ensure projector/interactive whiteboard is ready for the Starting Strong! Slide Deck.
- Print or prepare to distribute the Warm-Up: Brain Boost Bell Ringer and Activity: The First Step Challenge handouts.
- Prepare a timer for various sections of the lesson.
- Think of a personal example of a time you struggled to start a task and how you overcame it (optional, for sharing).
Step 1
Warm-Up: Brain Boost Bell Ringer
5 minutes
- Distribute the Warm-Up: Brain Boost Bell Ringer to each student.
- Instruct students to complete the warm-up individually.
- Briefly discuss student responses, highlighting common challenges with starting tasks.
Step 2
Introduction: The Starting Line
5 minutes
- Display the first slide of the Starting Strong! Slide Deck.
- Engage students with the lesson's title and objective, asking them to consider why starting tasks can be difficult.
- Introduce the concept of 'task initiation' and its importance using the slide deck.
- Share a brief personal anecdote or a relatable student scenario about struggling to start a task.
Step 3
Strategy Spotlight: Ready, Set, Go!
10 minutes
- Go through the Starting Strong! Slide Deck to introduce various task initiation strategies (e.g., breaking down tasks, setting small goals, visualizing success, eliminating distractions).
- For each strategy, provide a clear explanation and a practical example relevant to 6th graders.
- Encourage student participation by asking for their own ideas or experiences with these strategies.
Step 4
Activity: The First Step Challenge
7 minutes
- Distribute the Activity: The First Step Challenge worksheet.
- Explain the activity: Students will choose a real task they need to start and apply one or more of the learned strategies to plan their first step.
- Circulate around the room, offering guidance and support as students work.
- Have a few students share their chosen task and their planned first step with the class.
Step 5
Cool-Down: Quick Start Reflection
3 minutes
- Distribute the Cool-Down: Quick Start Reflection.
- Ask students to reflect on one strategy they will try using this week.
- Collect cool-downs as an exit ticket, reinforcing the importance of applying these new skills.
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Slide Deck
Starting Strong: The Power of Taking the First Step
Ever put off something important?
We all do it! But today, we're learning how to beat that feeling and get things done.
Objective: Learn and use strategies to start tasks quickly and confidently!
Welcome students and introduce the lesson with enthusiasm. Ask students to think about a time they found it hard to start something. Connect this to the warm-up.
What is Task Initiation?
It's simply getting started on something you need to do.
Sounds easy, right? But sometimes our brains make it feel like climbing Mount Everest!
Why is it important?
- Less stress
- Better grades
- More free time (eventually!)
- Feeling proud of yourself!
Define task initiation clearly. Emphasize that it's a skill everyone can develop. Ask for examples of tasks students often put off.
Strategy 1: Break It Down!
Big tasks can feel overwhelming. Imagine eating a whole pizza in one bite!
Instead, break it into tiny, manageable pieces.
- Example: Instead of "Write a history essay", think:
- "Open Google Docs."
- "Write my name and the date."
- "Brainstorm 3 main ideas."
Introduce the first strategy. Give a concrete example like a big research project vs. opening a document. Discuss how even just writing your name is a start.
Strategy 2: The 5-Minute Rule
Commit to working on a task for just 5 minutes.
- Often, once you start, you'll want to keep going!
- If not, you can stop, knowing you made a start.
- This tricks your brain into thinking it's not a big commitment.
Discuss how small goals build momentum. Ask students what a 'tiny goal' for a common homework task might be.
Strategy 3: Eliminate Distractions
Our phones, friends, and even messy desks can pull us away from starting.
Create a 'focus zone':
- Put your phone away.
- Find a quiet spot.
- Clear your workspace.
Tip: Use noise-canceling headphones or focus music if it helps!
Explain how environment impacts focus. Ask students what their ideal 'focus zone' looks like.
Strategy 4: Picture Your Success!
Sometimes, we don't start because we fear it will be hard or we won't do well.
Try this:
- Close your eyes and imagine yourself successfully starting the task.
- Picture yourself finishing it and feeling proud.
- Positive thinking can actually make starting easier!
Introduce positive self-talk and visualization. Ask students to close their eyes for a moment and imagine successfully starting a task they've been avoiding.
Your Turn: The First Step Challenge!
Now it's time to put these strategies into action.
- Think of one task you need to start soon (homework, chores, studying, etc.).
- Choose one strategy from today that you want to try.
- On your worksheet, plan your very first step!
(See Activity: The First Step Challenge for more details)
Transition to the activity. Explain that they will apply these strategies to a real-life task. Emphasize that choosing any task is okay.
Ready to Start Strong?
Remember, the hardest part is often just beginning. With these strategies, you have the power to take that important first step!
Which strategy will you try first this week?
(Complete your Cool-Down: Quick Start Reflection as an exit ticket)
Encourage reflection and commitment. Reinforce that practice makes perfect. Conclude with a positive and encouraging message.
Warm Up
Warm-Up: Brain Boost Bell Ringer
Instructions: Take a few minutes to silently answer the questions below. This is just for you to think about how you approach tasks.
- Think about a time recently when you knew you had to do something (homework, clean your room, practice an instrument), but you just couldn't bring yourself to start. What was the task?
- What was going through your mind that made it hard to begin?
- What did you end up doing instead of starting the task?
Activity
Activity: The First Step Challenge
Instructions: It's time to put your new task initiation superpowers to the test! Follow the steps below.
-
Identify a Task: Think of one real task you need to start soon. It could be homework, studying for a test, organizing your backpack, or even a chore at home. Write it down here:
-
Choose a Strategy: Look back at the strategies we discussed in class today (Break It Down, 5-Minute Rule, Eliminate Distractions, Picture Your Success). Which one do you think would be most helpful for your chosen task? Explain why.
-
Plan Your First Step: Now, using your chosen strategy, write down the very first, tiny step you will take to get started on that task. Make it so small it feels impossible not to do!
Example for "Write a history essay" using "Break It Down": "Open my laptop and create a new document titled History Essay."
Example for "Clean my room" using "5-Minute Rule": "Pick up 5 items off the floor and put them where they belong."
My First Step Will Be: -
Visualize It! Close your eyes for a moment. Can you picture yourself actually doing that first step? How does it feel to just get started? Share your task and first step with a partner or the class!
Cool Down
Cool-Down: Quick Start Reflection
Instructions: Before you leave, please answer the following question.
- Out of all the task initiation strategies we discussed today, which one are you most excited or willing to try this week when you have a task you need to start? Briefly explain why you chose that strategy.