Script
One-on-One Coaching Script
Warm-Up (2 minutes)
Teacher: Hi there! Ready to sharpen your task-choosing skills? Today we’ll start with a quick, fun challenge. It’s called the Quick Priority Quiz. It only takes a minute!
Teacher: I’ll read you three short scenarios. After each one, tell me which task you’d do first and why. Let’s jump in:
- You have a math worksheet due tomorrow, a chapter to read in science for next week, and a snack before soccer practice.
- You promised to submit your book report by Friday, but your friend needs help logging into the class site right now.
- Your art project is worth 20% of your grade and is due in two days, but you want to watch a new show tonight.
Teacher: For each scenario, pause and think, then share your answer.
Student Response:
Teacher: Awesome! I can already tell you have great instincts. Let’s take those instincts and apply them to your real homework today.
Step 1: Identify Your Assignment (3 minutes)
Teacher: Which assignment are we tackling today? Tell me the name and due date.
Student Response:
Teacher: Got it. Now, open your Task Breakdown Organizer. We’ll list every part of this assignment so nothing surprises you later.
Teacher: First column: list all the parts or actions you think you need to complete. If you’re not sure, just write your best guess—we’ll refine it together.
Student Response in Organizer:
Step 2: Break Down the Steps (6 minutes)
Teacher: Great start! Now let’s go step by step. For each item you listed, tell me:
• What exactly do you need to do?
• What materials will you need?
Teacher: I’ll write it down as you explain. Ready? Let’s start with your first item.
Item 1 Explanation:
Item 2 Explanation:
(Continue until all items are clarified.)
Step 3: Prioritize and Estimate Time (5 minutes)
Teacher: Now that we know all the steps, we need to decide which one to tackle first. Remember what you did in the quiz? Think about due dates and how long each step will take.
Teacher: In the second column of your organizer, write an estimated time for each step. In the third column, rank them: 1 for first, 2 for second, and so on.
Time Estimates and Priority Ranking:
Teacher: Which step did you put as number 1? Why?
Student Response:
Teacher: Perfect. That tells us your game plan!
Step 4: Plan Your Next Session (3 minutes)
Teacher: Let’s schedule your first work session. When will you start step 1? Pick a day and time that fits your schedule.
Student Response:
Teacher: Excellent. If you get stuck, remember to pause and ask yourself: “What’s my next small action?”
Cool-Down: Progress Self-Check (4 minutes)
Teacher: At the end of each work session, we’ll do a quick check. Today, let’s practice now. Open your Progress Self-Check.
Teacher: Answer these three questions:
- What did I complete?
- What went well?
- What will I adjust next time?
Student Response:
Teacher: Fantastic work today! You’ve learned how to break any assignment into steps, set priorities, and plan your time. Tomorrow, we’ll do it again with a new assignment. Keep up the great work! 😊
Worksheet
Task Breakdown Organizer
Use this organizer to list each part of your assignment, gather materials, estimate time, set priorities, and plan your next work session.
| Task Part or Action | Materials Needed | Estimated Time | Priority (1=first) | Plan for Next Session |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. ________________________________ | ________________________________ | ____________ | __ | ______________________ |
| 2. ________________________________ | ________________________________ | ____________ | __ | ______________________ |
| 3. ________________________________ | ________________________________ | ____________ | __ | ______________________ |
| 4. ________________________________ | ________________________________ | ____________ | __ | ______________________ |
| 5. ________________________________ | ________________________________ | ____________ | __ | ______________________ |
Warm Up
Quick Priority Quiz
Read each scenario. After reading, write which task you’d do first and explain your choice.
Scenario 1: You have a math worksheet due tomorrow, a chapter to read in science for next week, and a snack before soccer practice.
Your Choice and Why:
Scenario 2: You promised to submit your book report by Friday, but your friend needs help logging into the class site right now.
Your Choice and Why:
Scenario 3: Your art project is worth 20% of your grade and is due in two days, but you want to watch a new show tonight.
Your Choice and Why:
Cool Down
Progress Self-Check
At the end of your work session, take a moment to reflect and plan ahead by answering these questions:
-
What did I complete today?
-
What went well?
-
What will I adjust next time?
Use these reflections to celebrate your progress and set goals for your next study session!
Lesson Plan
Task Juggler Plan
Guide an 8th grader through a 20-minute, one-on-one session to break a homework assignment into steps, set priorities with time estimates, and plan next actions.
Students with executive function challenges gain confidence by practicing task breakdown, prioritization, and self-reflection, improving follow-through.
Audience
8th Grade Student
Time
20 minutes
Approach
Interactive coaching with structured prompts and reflections
Prep
Prepare One-on-One Session
5 minutes
- Review the One-on-One Coaching Script and familiarize yourself with each prompt.
- Open or print digital copies of the Quick Priority Quiz, Task Breakdown Organizer, and Progress Self-Check.
- Set a timer or use a visible clock to monitor segment times.
Step 1
Warm-Up: Quick Priority Quiz
2 minutes
- Introduce the activity: “Let’s kick off with the Quick Priority Quiz.”
- Read each scenario aloud.
- After each, ask the student to choose which task to do first and explain their reasoning.
- Provide positive feedback on their choices.
Step 2
Step 1: Identify Assignment
3 minutes
- Ask: “Which assignment are we tackling today? Name and due date?”
- Have the student open the Task Breakdown Organizer.
- Prompt them to list every part or action needed in column 1, reminding them it’s okay to guess.
Step 3
Step 2: Break Down the Steps
5 minutes
- For each listed task part, ask:
- “What exactly needs to be done?”
- “What materials will you need?”
- Fill columns 2 (Materials Needed) accordingly.
- Clarify any vague items until they feel concrete.
Step 4
Step 3: Prioritize and Estimate Time
4 minutes
- Guide the student to estimate how long each step will take (column 3).
- In column 4, have them rank steps: 1 = first, 2 = next, etc.
- Ask: “Which step is number 1 and why?” to confirm understanding.
Step 5
Step 4: Plan Next Work Session
3 minutes
- Have the student fill column 5 with a specific day/time to start step 1.
- Prompt them: “If you get stuck, what’s your next small action?”
- Encourage use of the organizer as their roadmap.
Step 6
Cool-Down: Progress Self-Check
3 minutes
- Open the Progress Self-Check.
- Ask the student to answer:
- What did I complete today?
- What went well?
- What will I adjust next time?
- Celebrate successes and note one goal for the next session.
Slide Deck
Task Juggler: Executive Function Coaching
• 20-minute one-on-one session
• Goal: Break down complex homework into clear steps
• Build prioritization, planning, and reflection skills
Materials:
• Quick Priority Quiz
• Task Breakdown Organizer
• Progress Self-Check
• One-on-One Coaching Script
Introduce the Task Juggler session and set expectations. Emphasize that we’ll practice breaking down assignments, prioritizing tasks, planning next steps, and reflecting.
Warm-Up: Quick Priority Quiz
- Math worksheet (due tomorrow) vs. science reading (next week) vs. snack before soccer
- Book report (due Friday) vs. helping a friend now
- Art project (20% grade, due in 2 days) vs. watching a show
Open the Quick Priority Quiz and record your choices.
Use the script to read each scenario aloud. After each, pause to have the student choose which task to do first and explain why.
Step 1: Identify Your Assignment
• What assignment are we tackling today? (Name & due date)
• Open the Task Breakdown Organizer
• List each part or action needed in column 1
Ask the student to name today’s assignment and due date. Guide them to list every part in column 1 of the organizer.
Step 2: Break Down the Steps
For each task part listed:
• Define the exact action to complete
• Note all materials required
Record details in columns 1 & 2 of the organizer.
Prompt the student for each listed item: “What exactly needs to be done?” and “What materials will you need?” Fill columns 2 accordingly.
Step 3: Prioritize & Estimate Time
• Estimate how long each step will take (column 3)
• Rank steps in order of importance/urgency (column 4)
• Which step is priority 1? Why?
Remind the student of their quiz choices: consider due dates and effort. Have them estimate times and assign priority numbers.
Step 4: Plan Your Next Session
• In column 5, choose a specific day & time to start step 1
• Note your next small action if you get stuck
• Use this plan as your roadmap
Encourage the student to commit to a specific start time for step 1. Remind them to consult the organizer if they get stuck.
Cool-Down: Progress Self-Check
Open the Progress Self-Check and answer:
- What did I complete today?
- What went well?
- What will I adjust next time?
Guide the student through each reflection question. Celebrate successes and set one goal for next time.
Closing & Next Steps
• Keep your Task Breakdown Organizer handy
• Review priorities before your next work session
• Tomorrow: repeat the process with a new assignment
Great work today—keep juggling those tasks!
Wrap up the session by celebrating progress and encouraging use of the organizer daily. Preview next session.