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Task Juggler

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Lesson Plan

Task Juggler Plan

Guide an 8th grade student through decomposing a complex assignment into actionable steps, prioritizing tasks, and tracking progress using the Task Juggler system in a focused 20-minute one-on-one session.

Developing task management skills is essential for independent learning and academic success. This targeted coaching enhances executive function by teaching students to plan, prioritize, and follow through on assignments, reducing overwhelm and building confidence.

Audience

8th Grade Student

Time

20 minutes

Approach

Interactive coaching with hands-on task breakdown

Materials

One-on-One Coaching Script, Task Breakdown Organizer Worksheet, Quick Priority Quiz, and Progress Self-Check

Prep

Prepare Session Materials

5 minutes

Step 1

Warm-Up Quiz

3 minutes

  • Welcome the student and explain today’s goal: improving task management.
  • Distribute or display the Quick Priority Quiz.
  • Instruct the student to complete the 5-item quiz assessing how they choose task priorities.
  • Collect the quiz to review responses during the session.

Step 2

Session Introduction

2 minutes

  • Share key observations from the quiz outcomes.
  • Clarify session objectives: breaking down assignments, setting priorities, and tracking progress.
  • Introduce the Task Juggler framework and its components: script, organizer, and self-check tools.

Step 3

Guided Coaching & Task Breakdown

10 minutes

  • Present a real or sample upcoming assignment to the student.
  • Use the One-on-One Coaching Script to ask questions about assignment goals and requirements.
  • Model how to split the assignment into smaller, sequential tasks, documenting each on the Task Breakdown Organizer Worksheet.
  • Guide the student to assign priority levels to each step based on deadline, complexity, and resources.
  • Encourage the student to verbalize their rationale for each priority choice.

Step 4

Progress Self-Check

5 minutes

  • Provide the Progress Self-Check sheet to the student.
  • Ask the student to rate their confidence in using the Task Juggler steps and note any challenges.
  • Discuss their reflections and identify one action they will take before the next session.
  • Summarize the next steps and set a mini-goal for applying the system to an upcoming assignment.
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Script

One-on-One Coaching Script

(Guided Coaching & Task Breakdown – 10 minutes)

Teacher: “Alright, let’s dive into the heart of our Task Juggler system. To start, please tell me about the assignment you’ll be working on. What is it, and what do you need to turn in?”
[pause for student response]

Teacher: “Great. Now, when is this assignment due?”
[pause for student response]

Teacher: “Thanks. Let’s break this assignment into smaller, manageable steps. I’m going to record each step on our Task Breakdown Organizer.

  1. What is the very first thing you need to do to get started?
    ”
    [pause for student response; write Step 1]

Teacher: “Excellent. Now, what will you do right after completing that first step?”
[pause for student response; write Step 2]

Teacher: “Good. Let’s keep going. What’s the third action you need to take?”
[pause; write Step 3]

Teacher: “Perfect. Do you see any other steps—maybe gathering materials, drafting, revising—that we should add?”
[pause; write any additional steps]

Teacher: “Nice work. We now have a clear list of steps. Next, we’ll decide how to prioritize each one. On a scale from 1 (lowest) to 5 (highest), how urgent or important is Step 1, considering your deadline and how long it will take?”
[pause for student to assign a priority number and explain reasoning]

Teacher: “I like how you chose that number because… [repeat student rationale]. Now, let’s do the same for Step 2: what priority would you give it, and why?”
[pause; record and reflect]

Teacher: “Great rationale. For Step 3, what number fits and what’s your thinking?”
[pause; record and reflect]

Teacher: “If we have any extra steps, let’s assign priorities to those now.”
[pause; complete]

Teacher: “Now that each step has a priority, tell me in your own words which tasks you’ll tackle first and why that order will help you finish on time.”
[pause for student summary]

Teacher: “Awesome. Finally, how confident do you feel about this plan on a scale from 1 to 5?”
[pause for self‐rating]

Teacher: “Thank you. Let’s note that confidence number on your Progress Self-Check. You’ve done a great job breaking down your work and setting clear priorities. Ready to move forward with your Task Breakdown Organizer?”
[pause for affirmation]

Teacher: “Perfect—let’s wrap up the coaching portion and prepare for your next steps!”

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