Lesson Plan
Building Task Momentum Plan
Students will learn and practice strategies to build and maintain momentum after starting a task, improving focus and task completion.
This lesson helps students overcome the challenge of staying focused once a task has begun, leading to more completed work and a sense of accomplishment.
Audience
4th Grade
Time
45 minutes
Approach
Direct instruction, interactive activity, and personal reflection.
Materials
Keep It Going Slide Deck, The Domino Effect Challenge, and My Momentum Moments
Prep
Teacher Preparation
15 minutes
- Review the Building Task Momentum Plan and associated materials: Keep It Going Slide Deck, The Domino Effect Challenge, and My Momentum Moments. Ensure all links are accessible and content is understood.
- Gather dominoes or small blocks for 'The Domino Effect Challenge' (approximately 20-30 per small group of 3-4 students).
- Print one copy of My Momentum Moments for each student.
Step 1
Warm-Up & Introduction
10 minutes
Use the first few slides of the Keep It Going Slide Deck to introduce the concept of 'momentum' and why it's hard to keep going once you start something. Discuss examples students might relate to.
Step 2
Direct Instruction: Momentum Strategies
10 minutes
Present strategies for building momentum using the Keep It Going Slide Deck. Examples include breaking tasks into smaller steps, setting mini-goals, and eliminating distractions.
Step 3
Activity: The Domino Effect Challenge
20 minutes
Divide students into small groups. Distribute the The Domino Effect Challenge instructions and materials (dominoes/blocks). Explain that they need to build a chain of dominoes that, once started, continues to fall on its own. Emphasize planning and small adjustments to keep the momentum going. Circulate to assist groups.
Step 4
Reflection & Wrap-Up
5 minutes
Bring the class back together. Discuss their experiences with 'The Domino Effect Challenge.' How did they keep the momentum going? What challenges did they face? Distribute My Momentum Moments for students to reflect on strategies they can use for their school work. Briefly review the main takeaways from the lesson.
Slide Deck
The Momentum Machine: Keep It Going!
How do you keep going once you start something?
Welcome students and introduce the exciting title: 'The Momentum Machine!' Ask students to think about things they start but sometimes have trouble finishing. Share an example like cleaning their room or starting homework.
What is Momentum?
Momentum is the force that keeps something moving once it's started.
Think of a train: it's hard to get it moving, but once it is, it's hard to stop!
Explain momentum in simple terms. Use the train analogy or other relatable examples like a rolling ball. Ask students for their own examples of momentum.
Why is Momentum Tricky?
It's easy to start, but sometimes it feels like we run out of steam.
What makes it hard to keep going with a task?
Discuss with students why keeping momentum can be hard. Elicit ideas like getting bored, distractions, or the task feeling too big. Validate their feelings.
Strategy 1: Small Steps Win!
Break your big task into tiny, super-easy steps.
Like eating an elephant, one bite at a time!
Introduce the first strategy: breaking down tasks. Give an example like writing an essay: 'First step: choose a topic. Second step: write one sentence.' Emphasize how small steps reduce overwhelm.
Strategy 2: Mini-Goals, Big Cheers!
Set little goals along the way and celebrate when you hit them.
Each mini-goal is a mini-win!
Explain setting mini-goals. Connect it to the idea of celebrating progress. 'If your big goal is to read a chapter, a mini-goal could be to read 5 pages, then 5 more!'
Strategy 3: Silence the Distractions!
Find a quiet spot.
Put away your phone or turn off the TV.
Focus like a laser!
Discuss the importance of minimizing distractions. Ask students what distracts them most and brainstorm ways to reduce those distractions.
Let's Get Moving!
Time to try building some real momentum with 'The Domino Effect Challenge'!
Transition to the activity. Explain that the challenge will help them understand momentum physically.
Momentum Moments
Think about what you learned today.
How can you use these strategies in your schoolwork?
Introduce the journal activity. Encourage thoughtful reflection. Remind them that practice makes perfect when it comes to building momentum.
Activity
The Domino Effect Challenge
Goal: To build a chain of dominoes (or blocks) where one falling domino knocks over the next, creating a continuous "momentum machine"!
Materials:
- A set of dominoes or small blocks for your group
- A flat surface (desk or floor)
Instructions:
- Work in Teams: Get into your small groups.
- Plan Your Path: Before you start setting up, talk with your group about how you will arrange your dominoes. Will it be a straight line? A curve? A spiral? Consider what might make the chain reaction stop and how you can prevent that.
- Start Small, Build Up: Begin by setting up just a few dominoes. Test them out! Did they all fall? If not, what adjustments do you need to make?
- Keep Adding On: Once you have a successful small chain, slowly add more dominoes. Each successful section builds momentum for your bigger design.
- Adjust and Overcome: If your chain stops, don't worry! That's part of the challenge. Look closely: What made it stop? Was there too much space? Too little? Did a domino get stuck? Make small adjustments and try again.
- The Big Push: Once your team feels ready, give your first domino a gentle push and watch your Momentum Machine in action!
Think About It:
- What strategies did your group use to keep the dominoes falling without stopping?
- How did making small adjustments help you succeed?
- What does this activity teach you about keeping momentum when you start a task, like homework or a project?
Journal
My Momentum Moments
Sometimes, starting a task is easy, but keeping the momentum going is tough! Today we learned some tricks to help us keep going.
1. Reflect on Your Domino Challenge:
What was one thing you learned or noticed during "The Domino Effect Challenge" about how things keep moving once they start?
2. My Toughest Tasks:
Think about school tasks that you sometimes start but find hard to keep working on. List one or two below.
3. Using "Small Steps Win!"
Choose one of the tasks you listed above. How could you break it down into super-small, easy steps to get started and keep going?
4. Setting Mini-Goals:
For the same task, what could be a mini-goal you could set for yourself? How would celebrating that mini-goal help you keep going?
5. Silencing Distractions:
What usually distracts you when you're trying to work on a task? What's one thing you could do to "silence" that distraction and focus better?
6. My Momentum Pledge:
I will try to use the "Momentum Machine" strategies (small steps, mini-goals, silencing distractions) when working on:
And I will try to remember that once I get started, I can keep that momentum going!