Lesson Plan
Tackling Tough Tasks!
Students will be able to identify tasks they don't want to do and apply simple strategies to help them get started and complete those tasks.
Learning to approach unwanted tasks helps students build resilience, responsibility, and a sense of accomplishment, making them more confident and capable learners.
Audience
1st Grade
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Storytelling, discussion, and a fun activity.
Materials
Whiteboard or projector, Markers or pens, Tackling Tough Tasks Slide Deck, Task Hero Worksheet, and Answer Key
Prep
Teacher Preparation
10 minutes
- Review the Tackling Tough Tasks Slide Deck and familiarize yourself with the content.
- Print copies of the Task Hero Worksheet for each student.
- Gather markers or pens for students.
- Ensure whiteboard or projector is ready for use.
- Review the Answer Key for reference.
Step 1
Warm-Up: Share Your Story
5 minutes
- Have students complete the Tackling Tough Tasks Warm Up. (2 minutes)
- Invite a few students to briefly share their experiences. Emphasize that everyone feels this way sometimes. (3 minutes)
- Introduce the lesson by saying, "Today, we're going to learn some superpowers to help us tackle those tough tasks!"
Step 2
Introducing the 'Task Heroes' Strategies
10 minutes
- Use the Tackling Tough Tasks Slide Deck to introduce the three 'Task Hero' strategies:
- The Tiny Steps Hero: Break a big task into small, manageable parts.
- The Think Positive Hero: Find something good or a reward in doing the task.
- The Team Up Hero: Ask for help or do the task with someone.
- For each strategy, discuss examples relevant to first graders (e.g., cleaning up, homework, chores). (10 minutes)
Step 3
Step 2: Practice with Scenarios
10 minutes
- Present students with 2-3 simple scenarios where a character doesn't want to do something (e.g., "Lily doesn't want to clean up her toys").
- Ask students: "What 'Task Hero' strategy could Lily use?" Encourage discussion and different ideas. (5 minutes)
- Have students work individually on the Task Hero Worksheet to apply the strategies to their own potential tough tasks. (5 minutes)
Step 4
Wrap-Up: Be a Task Hero!
5 minutes
- Bring the class back together.
- Ask students to share one strategy they found helpful from the worksheet or discussion. (2 minutes)
- Conclude by reiterating the main idea: "Even when we don't want to do something, we have superpowers inside us to help us get started and finish strong! You are all Task Heroes!" (3 minutes)
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Slide Deck
Tackling Tough Tasks!
Even when we don't want to!
Welcome students and introduce the idea of sometimes not wanting to do things. Ask a few students to share an example.
Do you ever feel this way?
Sometimes we don't want to...
- Clean our room
- Eat our veggies
- Do our homework
- Help with chores
Explain that everyone feels this way sometimes. Today we'll learn 'superpowers' to help.
Task Hero 1: Tiny Steps!
Break it down!
Instead of cleaning the whole room, how about:
- Put away 5 toys.
- Make your bed.
- Put your books on the shelf.
Introduce the first 'Task Hero' strategy: Tiny Steps. Explain it means breaking a big task into smaller, easier parts.
Task Hero 2: Think Positive!
Find something good!
- "If I clean my room, I can find my favorite toy!"
- "If I eat my veggies, I'll grow big and strong like a superhero!"
- "After homework, I get to play!"
Introduce the second 'Task Hero' strategy: Think Positive. Explain that finding something good or thinking about the reward can help.
Task Hero 3: Team Up/Ask for Help!
Don't be afraid to ask!
- "Can you help me put away these blocks?"
- "Mom, can we clean my room together?"
- "Teacher, I need help understanding this math problem."
Introduce the third 'Task Hero' strategy: Team Up/Ask for Help. Explain that it's okay to ask for help or do it with someone.
Our Superpowers!
- Tiny Steps! (Break it down)
- Think Positive! (Find something good)
- Team Up! (Ask for help)
Summarize the three strategies. Explain that we will practice these now.
Warm Up
Warm Up: Share Your Story
Has anyone ever had to do something they really, really didn't want to do?
Think about a time when you really didn't want to clean your room, eat your vegetables, or do your homework.
What was it?
How did you feel about it?
(Teacher will invite a few students to briefly share their experiences. Emphasize that everyone feels this way sometimes.)
Worksheet
Task Hero Worksheet
Name: ________________________
My Tough Task:
What is one thing you sometimes don't want to do?
How can I be a Task Hero?
1. Tiny Steps!
Break your tough task into 2-3 small parts.
Part 1:
Part 2:
Part 3:
2. Think Positive!
What good things will happen when you finish your tough task? Or what is something fun you can do after?
3. Team Up!
Who can help you with your tough task? Or who can you do it with?
Answer Key
Task Hero Worksheet Answer Key
This worksheet encourages personal reflection, so answers will vary. Below are examples of what students might write.
My Tough Task:
Example: Cleaning my messy room.
Example: Doing my math homework.
Example: Eating all my broccoli.
How can I be a Task Hero?
1. Tiny Steps!
Break your tough task into 2-3 small parts.
Example for Cleaning my room:
Part 1: Pick up all the clothes.
Part 2: Put all my books on the shelf.
Part 3: Make my bed.
Example for Math homework:
Part 1: Do the first 3 problems.
Part 2: Ask Mom for help on one problem.
Part 3: Do the last 3 problems.
2. Think Positive!
What good things will happen when you finish your tough task? Or what is something fun you can do after?
Example for Cleaning my room:
I will be able to find my toys easily!
After I clean, I can play my video game.
Example for Math homework:
I will learn more about numbers!
Then I can watch my favorite show.
Example for Eating broccoli:
I will be strong like a superhero!
My parents will be proud of me.
3. Team Up!
Who can help you with your tough task? Or who can you do it with?
Example for Cleaning my room:
My brother can help me put away toys.
My mom can help me make my bed.
Example for Math homework:
My teacher can help me if I don't understand.
My dad can sit with me while I do it.
Example for Eating broccoli:
My sister can eat her broccoli with me.
My dad can make it into a fun game.
Cool Down
Cool Down: My Task Hero Power!
What is one 'Task Hero' superpower you learned today that you will try to use?
How do you feel about doing things you don't want to do now?
(Teacher can have students share their responses with a partner or briefly with the class as an exit ticket.)