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Tackle Tough Tasks!

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Lesson Plan

Tackle Tough Tasks!

Students will identify tasks they find difficult or undesirable and learn practical strategies to approach and complete them effectively.

Learning to tackle undesirable tasks is a crucial life skill that builds resilience, boosts self-efficacy, and helps students manage their responsibilities more effectively. It prevents procrastination and fosters a sense of accomplishment.

Audience

5th Grade Small Group

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Discussion, strategy sharing, and guided practice.

Materials

Prep

Prepare Materials

5 minutes

Review the Tackle Tough Tasks Slide Deck, Task Strategy Worksheet, and Discussion Prompt: Overcoming Hurdles. Print enough copies of the worksheet for each student in the group.

Step 1

Introduction: The

5 minutes

  • Begin by asking students if they ever have tasks they really don't want to do (e.g., homework, chores, practicing an instrument).
  • Introduce the idea that everyone faces these challenges and that today we'll learn how to "Tackle Tough Tasks!"
  • Use Tackle Tough Tasks Slide Deck - Slide 1

Step 2

Brainstorming Barriers

7 minutes

  • Ask students why they don't want to do certain tasks. (e.g., too hard, boring, takes too long, don't know where to start).
  • Write down their responses on a board or chart paper.
  • Discuss common themes.
  • Use Tackle Tough Tasks Slide Deck - Slide 2

Step 3

Strategy Session

8 minutes

  • Introduce strategies for tackling tough tasks:
    • Break it Down: "How can we make a big task into smaller, easier steps?"
    • The First Step: "What's just one tiny thing you can do to get started?"
    • Reward Yourself: "What's a small reward you can give yourself after completing a tough part?"
    • Buddy Up: "Can a friend or family member help keep you accountable?"
  • Discuss each strategy with examples.
  • Use Tackle Tough Tasks Slide Deck - Slide 3

Step 4

Worksheet & Application

7 minutes

Step 5

Wrap-up & Reflection

3 minutes

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Slide Deck

💪 Tackle Tough Tasks! 💪

Ever have something you really don't want to do?
We all do! Today, we'll learn how to get them done!

Welcome students and set a positive tone. Ask if they ever have tasks they don't want to do. Explain that this lesson will give them tools to handle those tasks. Connect to the idea of building strength.

Why Don't We Want To?

What makes a task feel... tough?

  • Too hard?
  • Too boring?
  • Takes too long?
  • Don't know where to start?

Facilitate a discussion. Ask students why they avoid certain tasks. Encourage honest answers. Write down key reasons on a whiteboard or chart paper. Validate their feelings.

Your Task-Tackling Toolkit

Here are some super strategies:

  1. Break it Down: Big tasks become small steps!
  2. The First Step: Just start with ONE tiny thing.
  3. Reward Yourself: Celebrate small wins!
  4. Buddy Up: Get a friend or family member to help.

Introduce each strategy one by one. Provide a simple example for each. Encourage students to think of their own examples. Emphasize that these are tools they can use.

Practice Time!

Let's put our new tools to work!

Explain the worksheet activity. Distribute the Task Strategy Worksheet. Walk around and provide individual support. Ensure students are choosing realistic tasks and applying strategies.

You've Got This!

You now have strategies to face those challenging tasks head-on!

Remember, every big accomplishment starts with a single step. You are capable!

Bring the group back. Ask a few students to share a task and strategy. Reiterate that it's normal to feel resistance, but these tools empower them. End on an encouraging note.

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Worksheet

Task Strategy Worksheet

Sometimes, there are tasks we really, really don't want to do. But guess what? You've got the power to tackle them!

My Tough Task: What is one task you've been avoiding or find challenging?






Why is this task tough for me? (Circle all that apply, or add your own!)

  • Too hard
  • Too boring
  • Takes too long
  • Don't know where to start
  • I'd rather be doing something else!
  • Other: ________________________________________________



My Task-Tackling Toolkit!

Let's use some strategies to make this task easier to start and finish.

1. Break it Down!
If your task is big, how can you break it into 2-3 smaller, super-easy steps? Think tiny!

  • Small Step 1:


  • Small Step 2:


  • Small Step 3:


2. The First Step!
What is the very first, tiny thing you can do to get started on your task (or one of your small steps)? It should be so easy you can do it right now!

  • My First Tiny Step:




3. Reward Yourself!
What's a small, fun thing you can do or have after you complete your tough task, or even after a small step?

  • My Reward:




4. Buddy Up!
Is there someone who can help you stay accountable or cheer you on? (A parent, sibling, teacher, or friend?)

  • My Buddy:







    My Plan to Tackle My Task!

Using at least two strategies, write down your plan to tackle your tough task:












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Discussion

Discussion Prompt: Overcoming Hurdles

Now that we've talked about strategies and even tried applying them to a task, let's reflect and share!

  1. Share a Small Victory: Can anyone share a tough task they identified today and one strategy they plan to use? What makes you think that strategy will help?



  2. Unexpected Hurdles: What's the hardest part about starting a task you don't want to do? How might one of our strategies help you with that first hurdle?



  3. Encouragement Corner: Imagine a friend is struggling to start a tough task. What advice would you give them, based on what we learned today?



  4. Beyond Today: How do you think using these strategies can help you in other parts of your life, not just with schoolwork or chores?
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