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Tick-Tock! Master Your Time

Lesson Plan

Tick-Tock! Master Your Time Lesson Plan

Students will identify their current time usage, learn key time management skills (prioritization, scheduling, anti-procrastination), and reflect on how to apply these skills to improve their daily routines.

Effective time management helps students feel more organized, reduce stress, complete assignments on time, and have more free time for activities they enjoy.

Audience

6th Grade Middle School Students

Time

35 minutes

Approach

Interactive discussion, guided skill introduction, hands-on activity, and personal reflection.

Materials

Prep

Prepare Materials

15 minutes

Step 1

Warm-Up & Introduction

5 minutes

Step 2

Understanding Time Management

10 minutes

  • Use the Tick-Tock! Time Management Slides to guide a discussion on what time management is and its importance for middle school students.
  • Introduce and explain the core time management skills: prioritization (e.g., using a simple 'urgent vs. important' framework), scheduling (e.g., using a planner or calendar), and tackling procrastination (e.g., breaking down tasks into smaller steps).

Step 3

Activity: My Time Tracker

10 minutes

  • Distribute the Time Tracker Worksheet.
  • Guide students to fill in how they spent their time yesterday or how they plan to spend the next few hours. Encourage them to be honest and specific.
  • Ask students to identify any 'time-wasters' (activities that take up too much time without being productive) and 'time-gainers' (activities that help them be productive or feel good).

Step 4

Reflection & Application

8 minutes

  • Students will use the Time Reflection Journal to answer prompts about their time tracker results and how they can apply the learned skills.
  • Encourage critical thinking: What changes could they make? Which new skill will they try first? Why is it important to reflect on how they spend their time?

Step 5

Wrap-Up

2 minutes

  • Facilitate a brief class share-out where a few students can share one insight or a planned change.
  • Use the Cool-Down: My Time Pledge as an exit ticket, asking students to commit to one small time management change.
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Slide Deck

Tick-Tock! Master Your Time

Time Management for Middle School

Welcome students and introduce the exciting topic of time management. Ask them what "time management" means to them.

Where Does Your Time Go?

  • Think about a typical day.
  • What takes up most of your time?
  • Do you ever feel like there isn't enough time?

Use this as a warm-up. Have students briefly jot down or think about their answers. Encourage a few to share. Connect to the Warm-Up: Where Does Your Time Go?.

What is Time Management?

It's about taking control of your time so you can be more productive and feel less stressed!

Define time management in simple terms. Emphasize "taking control" and the benefits of less stress and more productivity.

Why Master Your Time?

  • Less Stress: No more last-minute rushes!
  • Better Grades: More time for homework and studying.
  • Achieve Goals: Reach your dreams by planning your steps.
  • More Fun: Free time for friends, hobbies, and relaxation!

Discuss the tangible benefits. Ask students which benefit resonates most with them.

Skill 1: Prioritization Power!

  • Urgent & Important: Do first! (e.g., homework due tomorrow)
  • Important, Not Urgent: Schedule it! (e.g., studying for a test next week)
  • Urgent, Not Important: Delegate or minimize! (e.g., answering a quick text)
  • Neither Urgent Nor Important: Do later or skip! (e.g., endless scrolling)

Introduce the concept of prioritizing tasks. Use simple examples relevant to 6th graders. Briefly explain the "Eisenhower Matrix" concept without necessarily naming it.

Skill 2: Schedule Like a Superstar!

  • Use a planner or calendar (digital or physical).
  • Block out time for school, homework, activities, and even free time!
  • Be realistic – don't overschedule.

Talk about different tools. Ask students if they use planners. Emphasize making time for everything, including fun.

Skill 3: Conquer Procrastination!

  • Break it Down: Big tasks seem scary. Break them into smaller, easier steps.
  • Start Small: Just spend 15 minutes on a task. Often, starting is the hardest part!
  • Reward Yourself: Finish a task? Enjoy a small reward!

Acknowledge that everyone procrastinates. Provide actionable strategies.

Activity Time: My Time Tracker!

  • Take out your [Time Tracker Worksheet](#time-tracker-worksheet).
  • Fill in how you spent your time yesterday, or how you plan to spend the next few hours.
  • Identify your "time-wasters" and "time-gainers."

Explain the activity and distribute the worksheet. Circulate to help students.

Reflect and Revamp!

  • Use your [Time Reflection Journal](#time-reflection-journal) to answer the prompts.
  • What did you learn about your time?
  • Which time management skill will you try first?
  • How will this help you?

Transition to individual reflection. Give clear instructions and allow quiet time for students to write.

Your Time, Your Power!

  • You have the power to manage your time and achieve amazing things!
  • Start small, practice consistently, and celebrate your progress.

Conclude with an empowering message. Connect to the Cool-Down: My Time Pledge for the exit ticket.

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Warm Up

Warm-Up: Where Does Your Time Go?

Take a moment to think about your day yesterday, or a typical school day.

  1. What activities took up most of your time? (e.g., school, homework, sports, screen time, eating, sleeping)



  2. Did you feel like you had enough time for everything you needed and wanted to do? Why or why not?



  3. If you could magically add one extra hour to your day, what would you use it for?



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Worksheet

My Time Tracker Worksheet

Instructions: For a few hours today (or based on yesterday), track how you spend your time. Be as honest as possible!

Time Block (e.g., 3:00-3:30 PM)Activity (What were you doing?)Productive? (Yes/No)Time-Waster or Time-Gainer?








































Reflect on your time tracking:

  1. What was the biggest "time-waster" you identified?



  2. What was the biggest "time-gainer" (something that was productive or made you feel good)?



  3. How does seeing your time written down make you feel?



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Journal

My Time Reflection Journal

Instructions: Based on your "My Time Tracker Worksheet" and the time management skills we discussed, reflect on the following questions.

  1. Looking at your time tracker, what surprised you most about how you spend your time?






  2. Which of the three time management skills (Prioritization, Scheduling, Conquering Procrastination) do you think would be most helpful for you right now, and why?






  3. Describe one specific change you could make to better manage your time, using one of the skills we learned. For example, if you chose scheduling, how would you start scheduling?











  4. What do you hope to gain by making this change? How will it make your life easier or better?






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Cool Down

Cool-Down: My Time Pledge

Instructions: Before you leave, complete this sentence to make a pledge to yourself about your time.

I, _______________________________ (your name), pledge to try one new time management skill this week.

The skill I will focus on is: ____________________________________________________________________

I will try to (be specific!): ____________________________________________________________________




This will help me by: __________________________________________________________________________



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