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Time Tamer Challenge

Sarah

Tier 1

Lesson Plan

Time Tamer Challenge Lesson Plan

Students will learn to identify and overcome time-wasters, prioritize tasks using a prioritization matrix, set SMART goals, and develop a personalized weekly schedule to boost productivity and reduce procrastination.

Effective time management empowers students to balance academics, extracurriculars, and personal life, reducing stress and improving academic success. These lifelong skills foster self-discipline and well-being beyond the classroom.

Audience

11th Grade

Time

60 minutes

Approach

Interactive self-reflection, collaborative exercises, and goal-setting

Materials

  • Time Management Self-Assessment Worksheet, - Goal-Setting SMART Template, - Prioritization Matrix Chart, - Sticky Notes, - Timer or Smartphone Timer, and - Whiteboard and Markers

Prep

Review Materials and Setup

10 minutes

  • Review Time Management Self-Assessment Worksheet
  • Review Goal-Setting SMART Template
  • Review Prioritization Matrix Chart
  • Reserve whiteboard space for brainstorming and sticky-note posting
  • Gather sticky notes and ensure timers are available

Step 1

Warm-Up: Self-Assessment

10 minutes

  • Distribute Time Management Self-Assessment Worksheet to each student
  • Students complete the worksheet individually, identifying recent time-wasters and successes
  • Pair up students to share one insight and discuss how it impacts their productivity

Step 2

Main Activity: Prioritization & Goal-Setting

35 minutes

  • Display the Prioritization Matrix Chart on the whiteboard and explain the four quadrants (urgent/important, not urgent/important, urgent/not important, not urgent/not important)
  • In small groups, students list tasks from their self-assessment and place them into the matrix quadrants
  • Each student completes the Goal-Setting SMART Template to create one academic and one personal SMART goal
  • Students pair up to give feedback and refine their goals
  • Have students draft a weekly schedule, allocating time blocks for their prioritized tasks and SMART goals

Step 3

Reflection & Assessment

15 minutes

  • Invite volunteers to share one SMART goal and a key time-management strategy from their weekly plan
  • Facilitate a discussion on tactics to overcome procrastination and manage distractions
  • Students write one strategy they will implement next week on a sticky note and post it on the whiteboard
  • Summarize key takeaways and encourage students to review their plans daily for continuous improvement
lenny

Slide Deck

Time Tamer Challenge

Essential Time Management Skills for 11th Graders

Welcome students! Introduce the “Time Tamer Challenge.” Explain that today’s goal is to master key time management skills to balance academics, activities, and personal life. Set expectations: participation, honesty, and focus.

Learning Objectives

• Identify common time-wasters and successes
• Prioritize tasks using the Prioritization Matrix
• Set clear, actionable SMART goals
• Develop a personalized weekly schedule

Read the objectives aloud. Emphasize why each objective matters. Link back to these as students work through activities.

Agenda

  1. Warm-Up: Self-Assessment (10 min)
  2. Main Activity: Prioritization & Goal-Setting (35 min)
  3. Reflection & Assessment (15 min)

Briefly walk through the agenda. Let students know how time will be allocated so they can pace themselves.

Warm-Up: Self-Assessment

  1. Distribute Time Management Self-Assessment Worksheet
  2. Complete individually: identify recent time-wasters and successes
  3. Pair up: share one insight and discuss its impact on your productivity

Distribute the Self-Assessment Worksheet. Circulate, answer questions, and keep time. After 5 minutes, invite pairs to share insights.

Understanding the Prioritization Matrix

Prioritization Matrix Chart

Quadrants:
• Urgent & Important
• Not Urgent & Important
• Urgent & Not Important
• Not Urgent & Not Important

Draw or display the matrix on the board. Explain each quadrant with examples. Ask for student-provided examples.

Activity: Prioritize Your Tasks

  1. In groups, list tasks from your self-assessment
  2. Place each task into the matrix quadrants
  3. Discuss: Which tasks deserve immediate attention? Which can wait or be delegated?

Divide students into small groups. Provide whiteboard space or poster paper. Circulate to guide grouping of tasks and prompt deeper thinking.

Setting SMART Goals

  1. Use the Goal-Setting SMART Template
  2. Create:
    – One academic SMART goal
    – One personal SMART goal
  3. Pair up: give and receive feedback to refine your goals

Show the SMART template. Walk them through an example SMART goal. Encourage specificity and realism.

Drafting Your Weekly Schedule

• Allocate time blocks for:
– Prioritized tasks
– SMART goal activities
– Classes, homework, breaks, and personal time
• Use a planner or digital calendar for visualization

Model how to block out a week on a calendar. Highlight balancing study, activities, and rest. Remind students to be realistic.

Reflection & Procrastination Strategies

  1. Volunteers share:
    – One SMART goal
    – One key strategy from their schedule
  2. Discuss tactics to overcome procrastination and manage distractions
  3. Write one strategy you will implement next week on a sticky note and post it

Invite 2–3 volunteers to share. Facilitate discussion on overcoming common distractions (e.g., phone, social media, multitasking).

Key Takeaways & Next Steps

• Review your schedule daily and adjust as needed
• Track your progress against SMART goals
• Celebrate small wins to stay motivated
• Hold yourself accountable and refine strategies

Summarize the session. Encourage students to review and adjust their plans daily. Remind them that consistency builds habits.

lenny

Worksheet

Time Management Self-Assessment Worksheet

Instructions: Reflect on your past week’s time usage. Complete each prompt below as honestly and specifically as possible.

1. List four main activities you spent time on this week and estimate how many hours you devoted to each.

ActivityEstimated Time (hours)
1. _______________________________________
2. _______________________________________
3. _______________________________________
4. _______________________________________






2. Identify your top three time-wasters (activities or habits that often distract you or eat up your time without much payoff).















3. Describe three time-management strategies or habits you used successfully this week (for example, setting a timer, using a checklist, taking regular breaks).















4. What were your biggest distractions? List two and explain how they impacted your productivity.

Distraction 1: ________________________________

Impact: _______________________________________





Distraction 2: ________________________________

Impact: _______________________________________







5. On a scale from 1 (very poor) to 5 (excellent), how would you rate your overall time management this week? Why?

Rating: 1 2 3 4 5

Reason:











6. What one specific change will you make next week to improve your time management?











lenny
lenny

Worksheet

Goal-Setting SMART Template

Instructions: Use the SMART criteria to craft clear, actionable goals. Write one Academic SMART Goal and one Personal SMART Goal, ensuring each goal is:

  • Specific
  • Measurable
  • Achievable
  • Relevant
  • Time-Bound

1. Academic SMART Goal

Specific: What exactly will you achieve?





Measurable: How will you track progress or know when it’s done?





Achievable: What steps or resources will help you reach this goal?





Relevant: Why is this goal important to your academic success?





Time-Bound: What is your deadline for completing this goal?







Full Academic Goal Statement:
Combine all elements into one concise statement:









2. Personal SMART Goal

Specific: What personal habit or skill will you develop?





Measurable: How will you measure improvement or success?





Achievable: What actions will you take to make this goal realistic?





Relevant: How does this goal align with your personal growth or well-being?





Time-Bound: By when will you accomplish this goal?







Full Personal Goal Statement:
Combine all elements into one clear statement:











lenny
lenny

Reading

Prioritization Matrix Chart

Use this 2×2 grid to help you determine which tasks deserve your immediate attention and which can wait—or be eliminated altogether.

UrgentNot Urgent
ImportantQuadrant I: Do First
Tasks that are both urgent and important (deadlines, crises, major exams).
Quadrant II: Schedule
Tasks that are important but not urgent (long-term projects, skill building, self-care).
Not ImportantQuadrant III: Delegate
Tasks that are urgent but not important (interruptions, some emails, minor requests).
Quadrant IV: Eliminate
Tasks that are neither urgent nor important (time-wasters, trivial activities).

How to Use the Matrix

  1. List Your Tasks: From your self-assessment, write down everything you need to do this week.
  2. Place Each Task: Decide which quadrant each task belongs in.
  3. Act on Priorities:
    • Quadrant I: Do these tasks immediately.
    • Quadrant II: Block out time in your schedule to work on these before they become urgent.
    • Quadrant III: See if you can delegate or streamline these tasks.
    • Quadrant IV: Minimize or eliminate these activities to free up time for what matters.

Tips for Success

• Aim to spend most of your time in Quadrant II—planning, prevention, and growth activities.
• Regularly review and update your matrix as new tasks arise.
• Be honest about what really deserves your attention.
• Use your weekly schedule (from the Goal-Setting SMART Template) to carve out dedicated blocks for Quadrant II work.

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lenny

Cool Down

Time Tamer Exit Ticket

Please answer each question thoughtfully. Use the space provided to reflect on today’s lesson and set yourself up for success next week.

1. Describe one time-waster you identified today and explain how you will eliminate or reduce it.







2. Write one of your SMART goals (academic or personal) you created during today’s lesson.









3. Which quadrant of the Prioritization Matrix will you focus on most this coming week? Why?







4. Identify one strategy you learned today to overcome procrastination. How will you implement it in your routine?







Thank you for your reflections! Hand this in as you leave so we can see how you’re applying today’s Time Tamer strategies.

lenny
lenny