Lesson Plan
The Executive Planner Lesson Plan
Students will develop essential executive function skills, focusing on planning, organization, and time management, to reduce academic stress and improve their sense of control.
This lesson empowers students with practical strategies to manage their academic workload, leading to increased independence and confidence.
Audience
8th Grade
Time
50 minutes
Approach
Interactive exercises and practical strategy application.
Materials
Whiteboard or projector, The Executive Planner Slide Deck, Executive Function Worksheet, Executive Function Activity, and Reflection Journal
Prep
Preparation
15 minutes
- Review all generated materials: The Executive Planner Lesson Plan, The Executive Planner Slide Deck, Executive Function Worksheet, Executive Function Activity, and Reflection Journal.
- Ensure projector/whiteboard is ready for slide deck presentation.
- Print copies of the Executive Function Worksheet and Reflection Journal for each student.
- Prepare any necessary writing utensils or additional paper.
Step 1
Warm-Up: The Juggling Act (5 minutes)
5 minutes
- Begin by asking students: "How many of you sometimes feel overwhelmed by all your school assignments and tasks?" (Show of hands)
* Introduce the concept of executive functions as the 'brain's boss' for planning and organizing.
* Prompt students to think about one specific task they're currently putting off or feeling stressed about. No need to share yet.
Step 2
Introduction to Executive Functions (10 minutes)
10 minutes
- Present Slide 2: What are Executive Functions? and explain the key components: planning, organizing, and time management.
* Use Slide 3: Why Does This Matter? to connect these skills to real-life benefits (less stress, better grades, more free time).
* Lead a brief class discussion: "Can you think of a time when good planning helped you achieve something? Or when a lack of planning made things harder?"
Step 3
Strategy Spotlight: Breaking Down Big Tasks (15 minutes)
15 minutes
- Display Slide 4: Breaking Down Big Tasks. Introduce the concept of chunking large assignments.
* Distribute the Executive Function Worksheet.
* Guide students through the first example on the worksheet, demonstrating how to break down a complex task into smaller, manageable steps.
* Allow students to work on their own large assignment (from the warm-up, if applicable, or a new one) using the worksheet. Circulate and provide support.
Step 4
Hands-On Activity: Prioritize It! (10 minutes)
10 minutes
- Introduce the Executive Function Activity. Explain the concept of prioritizing tasks (Urgent/Important Matrix, or a simpler method for middle school).
* Using the Executive Function Activity, have students categorize their broken-down tasks based on urgency and importance.
* Facilitate a short sharing session: "What was challenging about prioritizing? What did you learn about your tasks?"
Step 5
Wrap-Up & Reflection (10 minutes)
10 minutes
- Present Slide 5: Your New Toolkit to summarize the strategies learned.
* Distribute the Reflection Journal.
* Ask students to complete the journal prompt, reflecting on one strategy they plan to use this week.
* Conclude by emphasizing that developing these skills is a process and encourages consistent practice. "You now have a powerful toolkit to become the master of your tasks!"
Slide Deck
The Executive Planner
Master Your Middle School Tasks!
Welcome students and set an engaging tone for the lesson. This slide serves as the title and hook. Ask students about feeling overwhelmed with tasks to grab their attention.
What Are Executive Functions?
Your Brain's Superpowers for School and Life!
- Planning: Thinking ahead, setting goals, deciding steps.
- Organizing: Arranging things, keeping track, finding what you need.
- Time Management: Using time wisely, meeting deadlines, balancing activities.
Explain executive functions as the 'brain's boss.' Define each term simply for 8th graders. Use relatable examples like planning a project, organizing a backpack, or managing time for homework and fun.
Why Does This Matter?
Benefits of Being an Executive Planner:
- Less Stress: Feel more in control of your tasks.
- Better Grades: Turn in assignments on time and well-prepared.
- More Free Time: Finish work efficiently and enjoy your hobbies.
- Greater Independence: You're the boss of your own learning!
Connect the abstract concepts to tangible benefits for students. Ask them to share how better planning could help them with a specific challenge they face.
Breaking Down Big Tasks
The Power of 'Chunking'!
- Large assignments can feel overwhelming.
- Break them into smaller, bite-sized steps.
- Each small step is easier to start and finish.
- Example: A big research paper becomes 'Choose Topic,' 'Find Sources,' 'Outline,' 'Write Introduction,' etc.
Introduce the 'chunking' strategy. Explain that large tasks can feel overwhelming, but breaking them down makes them manageable. Emphasize starting with the end goal and working backward or breaking into logical smaller steps. This leads into the Executive Function Worksheet.
Your New Toolkit
You've Got This!
- Break it down: Make big tasks manageable.
- Prioritize: Decide what's most important and urgent.
- Use your tools: Planners, calendars, checklists.
- Reflect & Adjust: Learning these skills is a journey!
Summarize the key takeaways and encourage students to use their new 'toolkit.' Reinforce that practice makes progress. Introduce the Reflection Journal as a final task.
Worksheet
Executive Function Worksheet: Break It Down!
Name: ____________________________
Date: ____________________________
## Part 1: Your Big Task
Think of one large school assignment or project that feels overwhelming or that you need to start soon. Write it here:
My Big Task: _____________________________________________________________________________
Part 2: Break It Down into Smaller Steps
Now, let's break that big task into at least 5-7 smaller, manageable steps. Think about what you need to do first, next, and so on. Be specific!
- _____________________________________________________________________________
- _____________________________________________________________________________
- _____________________________________________________________________________
- _____________________________________________________________________________
- _____________________________________________________________________________
- _____________________________________________________________________________
- _____________________________________________________________________________
Part 3: Estimate Time for Each Step
For each small step, estimate how much time you think it will take to complete. This helps with time management!
- Step 1 Estimated Time: ______________
- Step 2 Estimated Time: ______________
- Step 3 Estimated Time: ______________
- Step 4 Estimated Time: ______________
- Step 5 Estimated Time: ______________
- Step 6 Estimated Time: ______________
- Step 7 Estimated Time: ______________
### Great job! You've just made a big task much more manageable.
Activity
Executive Function Activity: Prioritize It!
Name: ____________________________
Date: ____________________________
## Part 1: Your Broken-Down Tasks
Refer back to your Executive Function Worksheet. List the smaller steps you identified for your big task here:
- _____________________________________________________________________________
- _____________________________________________________________________________
- _____________________________________________________________________________
- _____________________________________________________________________________
- _____________________________________________________________________________
- _____________________________________________________________________________
- _____________________________________________________________________________
Part 2: Prioritization Matrix
Now, let's decide which tasks to do first! For each step, think about:
- Urgency: Does it need to be done right now or very soon?
- Importance: Is it crucial for the overall success of the project?
Use the matrix below to place your tasks (you can write the task number or a very short description).
| URGENT | NOT URGENT | |
|---|---|---|
| IMPORTANT | Do First! (High priority, critical) | Schedule It! (Plan for later) |
| NOT IMPORTANT | Delegate if possible / Do Last (Quick tasks, less impact) | Eliminate / Do only if time allows (Least critical) |
Based on your matrix, list the top 3 tasks you will focus on first:
- _____________________________________________________________________________
- _____________________________________________________________________________
- _____________________________________________________________________________
### Reflection Question:
How did using this matrix help you think about your tasks differently?
Journal
Reflection Journal: My Planning Journey
Name: ____________________________
Date: ____________________________
## Journal Prompt:
Today, you learned about executive functions and explored strategies like breaking down tasks and prioritizing. Think about what we discussed and practiced.
What is one specific strategy (e.g., breaking down tasks, using a planner, prioritizing) that you learned or reviewed today that you plan to try or use more often in your schoolwork this week? How do you think this strategy will help you manage your tasks, reduce stress, or feel more in control?
Self-Assessment:
On a scale of 1 to 5 (1 = not at all, 5 = completely), how confident do you feel about applying this strategy to your schoolwork?
1 2 3 4 5
Explain why you chose that number: