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Task Juggling: Prioritize Like a Pro!

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Warm Up

What's On Your Plate?

Instructions:
1. Think about all the things you need to do today or this week (schoolwork, chores, hobbies, social plans, etc.).
2. On a piece of paper, quickly write down as many tasks as you can in 1 minute.
3. Circle the ONE task that feels most urgent or important to you right now.
4. Share with a partner: Why did you choose that task as the most urgent/important?











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Lesson Plan

Task Juggling: Prioritize Like a Pro!

Students will be able to identify and apply basic task prioritization strategies using tools like the Urgent/Important Matrix to manage their workload more effectively.

Learning to prioritize helps students reduce stress, meet deadlines, and achieve their goals, especially those who find task management challenging due to executive functioning differences.

Audience

7th and 8th Grade Students

Time

40 minutes

Approach

Interactive discussion, practical activity, and a collaborative game.

Materials

Prep

Teacher Preparation

15 minutes

Step 1

Warm Up: What's On Your Plate?

5 minutes

  • Begin with the Warm Up: What's On Your Plate?.
  • Ask students to quickly brainstorm tasks and identify their most urgent/important one.
  • Facilitate a brief class share-out to gauge initial understanding of urgency/importance.
  • Transition by saying, "Today, we're going to learn how to make that 'most important' choice easier and more effective for ALL your tasks!"

Step 2

Introduction to Prioritization

10 minutes

  • Use the Slide Deck: Prioritize Like a Pro to introduce the concept of prioritization.
  • Discuss why it's important, especially for managing schoolwork and personal life.
  • Introduce the 'Urgent vs. Important' framework.
  • Engage students with questions like, "Can something be urgent but not important? Give an example."

Step 3

Prioritization Activity: The Urgent & Important Matrix

15 minutes

  • Distribute the Prioritization Activity: The Urgent & Important Matrix worksheet.
  • Explain each quadrant of the matrix with clear examples (e.g., Q1: essay due tomorrow, Q2: studying for a test next week, Q3: answering a non-urgent text, Q4: mindless scrolling).
  • Guide students as they categorize tasks from their warm-up (or new tasks) into the matrix.
  • Circulate to provide support and answer questions, paying special attention to students who might struggle with abstract concepts.
  • Discuss how placing tasks in the correct quadrant helps decide 'what to do first'.

Step 4

Task Cascade Challenge Game

7 minutes

  • Introduce the Task Cascade Challenge Game.
  • Divide students into small groups (3-4 students).
  • Explain the rules and objectives clearly.
  • Observe groups and offer guidance to ensure all students are participating and applying the prioritization concepts.
  • Bring the class back together for a quick debrief: "What did you learn about teamwork and quick prioritization during the game?"

Step 5

Cool Down: Prioritization Power-Up

3 minutes

  • Distribute the Prioritization Power-Up Cool Down.
  • Ask students to reflect on one new strategy they learned or one change they might make to their task management.
  • Collect cool-downs as an exit ticket to assess understanding and identify areas for future support.
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Slide Deck

Welcome: Task Juggling!

Ever feel like you have too many things to do and don't know where to start?

Today, we're going to learn how to become masters of task management!

Welcome students and introduce the topic. Ask them about their experiences with feeling overwhelmed by tasks. Briefly review the warm-up activity.

What is Prioritization?

Prioritization is deciding which tasks are most important and doing them first.

Why bother?

  • Reduce stress and overwhelm
  • Meet deadlines and achieve goals
  • Feel more in control of your time
  • Boost your confidence!

Explain what prioritization is and why it's a critical life skill. Emphasize how it helps reduce stress and achieve goals, especially for those who find organizing challenging.

Urgent vs. Important: The Key!

Urgent: Needs immediate attention (e.g., a fire drill, a phone call).

Important: Matters for your long-term goals or values (e.g., studying for a big test, spending time with family).

Not all urgent tasks are important, and not all important tasks are urgent!

Introduce the Eisenhower Matrix concept: Urgent vs. Important. Give clear, relatable examples for each quadrant, connecting to student experiences. Ask students to brainstorm examples for each category.

The Prioritization Matrix

Imagine a superhero planning their day!

  • Quadrant 1 (Urgent & Important): DO IT NOW! (e.g., homework due today)
  • Quadrant 2 (Not Urgent & Important): PLAN IT! (e.g., studying for a test next week)
  • Quadrant 3 (Urgent & Not Important): DELEGATE IT/DO QUICKLY! (e.g., an email that can wait, non-essential errands)
  • Quadrant 4 (Not Urgent & Not Important): DELETE IT! (e.g., excessive video games, endless social media scrolling)

Explain the four quadrants clearly. Emphasize the strategies for each: Do, Decide, Delegate (if applicable for students, maybe 'Ask for help'), Delete.

Your Turn! Matrix Mastery

Now, let's practice using this powerful tool!

Take out your Prioritization Activity: The Urgent & Important Matrix and start placing your tasks. Think carefully about where each one belongs!

Transition to the activity. Explain that students will apply what they've learned to their own tasks. Guide them to the Prioritization Activity: The Urgent & Important Matrix worksheet.

Game On! Task Cascade Challenge

Ready to put your prioritization skills to the test?

We're going to play the Task Cascade Challenge Game!

Work with your team to sort tasks quickly and efficiently. May the most organized team win!

Introduce the game. Explain that it's a fun way to practice quick decision-making under pressure. Refer to the Task Cascade Challenge Game rules.

Reflect & Empower

You are now equipped with a powerful tool to manage your tasks!

  • What's one thing you learned today?
  • How will you use the Urgent/Important Matrix this week?

Keep practicing, and you'll become a prioritization pro!

Conclude the lesson by asking students to share one key takeaway or a strategy they will try. Emphasize that prioritization is a skill that improves with practice.

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Activity

Prioritization Activity: The Urgent & Important Matrix

Name: _________________________ Date: _____________

Instructions: Read each scenario or task below. Decide if it is Urgent (needs immediate attention) and Important (matters for your goals/values). Then, write the task in the correct quadrant of the matrix. If you run out of space, you can list additional tasks below the matrix.

Task List:

  1. Finish your English essay due tomorrow.
  2. Study for a science test happening next week.
  3. Clean your room before your grandma visits this weekend.
  4. Respond to a friend's text about weekend plans.
  5. Practice your instrument for an upcoming recital.
  6. Walk the dog right after school.
  7. Watch a new episode of your favorite show.
  8. Research colleges for a future project (starting next month).
  9. Help a sibling with their homework.
  10. Scroll through social media.

The Urgent & Important Matrix

URGENT | NOT URGENT

---|---

IMPORTANT

Quadrant 1: Do It Now!










Quadrant 2: Plan It!










NOT IMPORTANT

Quadrant 3: Delegate It / Do Quickly!










Quadrant 4: Delete It!










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Game

Task Cascade Challenge Game

Goal: Work with your team to prioritize a new set of tasks using the Urgent/Important Matrix and decide the best order to complete them. The team that correctly prioritizes and justifies their choices the fastest wins!

Players: Small groups of 3-4 students.

Materials:

  • Set of task cards (see below)
  • Large sheet of paper or whiteboard to draw the Urgent/Important Matrix
  • Markers or pens
  • Timer

Setup:

  1. Each group receives a shuffled set of task cards.
  2. Draw a large Urgent/Important Matrix on your group's paper.

How to Play:

  1. When the teacher says "GO!", your team will have 5 minutes to:
    • Read through all the task cards.
    • Discuss and decide which quadrant each task belongs in (Urgent/Important, Not Urgent/Important, Urgent/Not Important, Not Urgent/Not Important).
    • Write or place the task card in the correct quadrant on your team's matrix.
  2. Once all tasks are placed, your team must then decide on a logical order to complete the tasks within Quadrant 1, and then Quadrant 2.
  3. When your team is finished, raise your hands.

Task Cards (Cut these out and shuffle them for each group):

--- CUT ALONG THE DOTTED LINE ---

TASK CARD 1
Finish history project due in 2 hours.

--- CUT ALONG THE DOTTED LINE ---

TASK CARD 2
Respond to an urgent email from your teacher.

--- CUT ALONG THE DOTTED LINE ---

TASK CARD 3
Brainstorm ideas for a science fair project due next month.

--- CUT ALONG THE DOTTED LINE ---

TASK CARD 4
Call your best friend back about their exciting news.

--- CUT ALONG THE DOTTED LINE ---

TASK CARD 5
Tidy up your desk after class.

--- CUT ALONG THE DOTTED LINE ---

TASK CARD 6
Start reading the novel for English class (due in 3 weeks).

--- CUT ALONG THE DOTTED LINE ---

TASK CARD 7
Play video games with friends.

--- CUT ALONG THE DOTTED LINE ---

TASK CARD 8
Take out the trash (it's overflowing!).

--- CUT ALONG THE DOTTED LINE ---

TASK CARD 9
Look up recipes for a new dessert you want to try.

--- CUT ALONG THE DOTTED LINE ---

TASK CARD 10
Finish your math homework due at the beginning of next class.

--- CUT ALONG THE DOTTED LINE ---

Winning: The first team to correctly categorize all tasks and logically order them within Quadrants 1 & 2 (as judged by the teacher) wins! If there are ties, judge based on the clarity of their reasoning.

Debrief Questions:

  • What was challenging about this activity?
  • How did working as a team help or hinder your prioritization?
  • Did you change your mind about any tasks after discussing them with your group?
  • How is this game similar to real-life prioritization?
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Cool Down

Prioritization Power-Up Cool Down

Name: _________________________ Date: _____________

Instructions: Please answer the following questions to reflect on today's lesson.

  1. What is one new thing you learned about prioritizing tasks today?





  2. Think about your own tasks for this week. Name one task you currently have that is Urgent AND Important (Quadrant 1).




  3. Name one task that is Important but NOT Urgent (Quadrant 2) that you will now plan to tackle.




  4. How do you think using the Urgent/Important Matrix might help you reduce stress or feel more in control of your schoolwork?










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Game

Task Cascade Challenge Game

Goal: Work with your team to prioritize a new set of tasks using the Urgent/Important Matrix and decide the best order to complete them. The team that correctly prioritizes and justifies their choices the fastest wins!

Players: Small groups of 3-4 students.

Materials:

  • Set of task cards (see below)
  • Large sheet of paper or whiteboard to draw the Urgent/Important Matrix
  • Markers or pens
  • Timer

Setup:

  1. Each group receives a shuffled set of task cards.
  2. Draw a large Urgent/Important Matrix on your group's paper.

How to Play:

  1. When the teacher says
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