Lesson Plan
Study Skills Sprint
Students will set personalized SMART study goals, create a structured weekly plan, and learn to use a self-monitoring checklist to track progress in 30 minutes.
Middle schoolers benefit from concrete strategies to manage workloads and deadlines. This session builds organizational skills, reduces overwhelm, and fosters ownership of learning.
Audience
7th Grade Students
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Guided reflection, planning exercises, and self-monitoring checklists.
Materials
Prep
Prepare Materials
10 minutes
- Print or upload the following resources before class:
- Review each template to familiarize yourself with example responses and guiding prompts.
Step 1
Introduction & Reflection
5 minutes
- Distribute Reflection Prompt Cards.
- Ask each student to pick one card and reflect silently for 1 minute on their current study habits.
- Pair-share insights about what helps or hinders their focus.
Step 2
Goal Setting
8 minutes
- Introduce SMART goal criteria (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound).
- Hand out Goal-Setting Worksheet.
- Guide students to write 1–2 study goals for the upcoming week using SMART language.
Step 3
Time Management Planning
8 minutes
- Explain the concept of time blocking and prioritization.
- Provide Time Management Planner Template.
- Have students map out study sessions and deadlines for their goals across the week.
Step 4
Self-Monitoring Strategy
5 minutes
- Introduce the Self-Monitoring Checklist.
- Model how to tick off tasks, note distractions, and record time spent.
- Ask students to practice checking off one item on their own checklist.
Step 5
Closing & Next Steps
4 minutes
- Invite volunteers to share one actionable step they’ll implement this week.
- Remind students to keep their planner and checklist accessible.
- Encourage weekly review of goals and routine use of the self-monitoring tool.
Slide Deck
Study Skills Sprint
• Audience: 7th Grade Students
• Time: 30 minutes
• Tier: Individual (MTSS Tier 3)
Objective:
Students will set SMART study goals, build a weekly plan, and use a checklist to track progress.
Welcome students and introduce the session. Emphasize that today they will learn personalized strategies to make their study time more effective. Briefly preview each segment: reflection, goal setting, planning, self-monitoring, and next steps.
1. Reflect on Your Study Habits
• Pick a Reflection Prompt Card (#reflection-prompt-cards-ss).
• Spend 1 minute reflecting silently:
– What helps you focus?
– What distracts you?
• Pair-share insights for 2 minutes.
Hand out the Reflection Prompt Cards. Ask students to choose one silently and think about their current habits. After one minute, have them turn to a partner and share for two minutes.
2. SMART Goal Criteria
Specific: What exactly will you do?
Measurable: How will you track it?
Achievable: Is it realistic?
Relevant: Does it matter to your success?
Time-bound: When will you finish?
Explain each SMART criterion with kid-friendly examples. For instance, instead of “study more,” make it “I will review my math notes for 15 minutes every day after school.” Encourage questions.
3. Write Your SMART Study Goals
• Hand out Goal-Setting Worksheet.
• Write 1–2 study goals for this week.
• Check each against SMART criteria.
Distribute the Goal-Setting Worksheet (#goal-setting-worksheet-ss). Guide students through filling out one SMART goal. Walk around to offer examples or rephrase vague goals into SMART language.
4. Plan Your Week
• Explain time blocking and prioritization.
• Provide Time Management Planner Template.
• Map out study sessions and due dates across your week.
Introduce time blocking: assigning specific slots in their week to study. Show a filled sample planner. Encourage them to account for school, activities, breaks.
5. Self-Monitoring Checklist
• Review how to:
– Tick completed tasks
– Note distractions
– Record time spent
• Practice by checking off one item now.
• Keep this sheet handy all week.
Model using your Self-Monitoring Checklist (#self-monitoring-checklist-ss). Demonstrate ticking off a task, noting a distraction, and logging time spent. Then ask students to try marking today’s reflection activity.
6. Closing & Next Steps
• Volunteer share: What’s your first action step?
• Keep your planner & checklist accessible.
• Schedule a weekly review of goals.
Congratulate students on completing the session. Invite two or three volunteers to share their SMART goal or one planning tip they’ll use. Remind them to review and update their planner and checklist each week.
Worksheet
Goal-Setting Worksheet
Use the SMART criteria to turn a general plan into a clear, achievable study goal. Fill in each section below, then combine your answers into one complete SMART goal.
Date: _____________ Subject/Topic: _____________
Example (for reference):
I will review my math notes for 15 minutes every day after school this week to prepare for my upcoming quiz.
1. Specific
What exactly will you do? (Use clear action words; e.g., "review my science flashcards.")
2. Measurable
How will you track your progress? (What number or evidence will show you’re on track?)
3. Achievable
Why is this goal realistic for you? (Think about your time, resources, and skills.)
4. Relevant
How does this goal support your overall success in school?
5. Time-bound
By what date or time will you complete this goal?
6. My Complete SMART Goal
Combine the pieces above into one clear statement.
Keep this worksheet on your desk and check off each part as you work toward your goal!
Worksheet
Time Management Planner
Use this weekly grid to block out study sessions, assignments, and activities. Assign a priority level (H = High, M = Medium, L = Low) and jot down any quick notes.
| Day | Task/Subject | Time Slot | Priority (H/M/L) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monday | ||||
| Tuesday | ||||
| Wednesday | ||||
| Thursday | ||||
| Friday | ||||
| Saturday | ||||
| Sunday |
Weekly Reflection
Think about how well you stuck to your plan. What worked? What could you adjust next week?
Worksheet
Self-Monitoring Checklist
Use this sheet to track each study session. Fill in the details for each block of study below.
| Date | Task/Activity | Start Time | End Time | Distractions? (Y/N) | Notes on Distractions | Focus Level (1-5) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Session Reflection
What went well?
What were my biggest distractions?
What can I change next session to improve my focus?
Activity
Reflection Prompt Cards
Print and cut along the lines to create individual cards. Distribute one to each student. On the front, they read the prompt; on the back, they write their reflection.
Card 1
What time of day do you feel most focused? Why?
Card 2
What is your biggest distraction when you sit down to study? How could you reduce it?
Card 3
What motivates you to keep studying when the work feels hard?
Card 4
Describe your ideal study environment. What elements help you focus?
Card 5
How do you know when you’ve studied enough for one session?
Card 6
Which subject is the hardest for you to study and why?
Card 7
What study strategies have you tried before? Which worked best and which didn’t?
Card 8
How do you organize your study materials (notes, books, digital files)?