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Time Taming: Master Your Schedule

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Lesson Plan

Time Taming: Master Your Schedule

Students will be able to identify time-wasting habits, prioritize tasks effectively, and create a personalized weekly schedule to manage academic and personal responsibilities.

Effective time management is a crucial life skill that empowers students to reduce stress, improve academic performance, and maintain a healthy work-life balance. Mastering this skill now will set them up for success in high school and beyond.

Audience

8th and 9th Grade Students

Time

60 minutes

Approach

Interactive discussion, practical exercises, and reflective planning.

Materials

Whiteboard or Projector, Time Taming Slide Deck, Time Management Worksheet, My Ideal Week Activity, and Pens/Pencils

Prep

Teacher Preparation

15 minutes

  • Review the Time Taming Slide Deck and familiarize yourself with the content.
    - Print copies of the Time Management Worksheet for each student.
    - Prepare copies of the My Ideal Week Activity for each student.
    - Ensure projector or whiteboard is ready for use.
    - Have pens or pencils available for students who may need them.
    - Review all generated materials as needed.

Step 1

Introduction: The Time Challenge

10 minutes

  • Begin with an engaging question to activate prior knowledge: "How many of you feel like there aren't enough hours in a day?"
    - Introduce the concept of time management and its importance for students' well-being and success.
    - Briefly explain the lesson's objectives.
    - Use slides 1-3 from the Time Taming Slide Deck.

Step 2

Identify Your Time Wasters

15 minutes

  • Lead a discussion on common distractions and time-wasting activities for students.
    - Encourage students to reflect on their own habits.
    - Distribute the Time Management Worksheet and guide students through the "Time Wasters Reflection" section.
    - Facilitate a brief share-out of common themes (without personal blame).
    - Use slides 4-6 from the Time Taming Slide Deck.

Step 3

Prioritizing Tasks: The Urgent vs. Important Matrix

15 minutes

  • Introduce the Urgent/Important Matrix (Eisenhower Matrix) as a tool for prioritization.
    - Explain each quadrant with student-friendly examples.
    - Guide students through the "Prioritization Practice" section of the Time Management Worksheet using hypothetical scenarios relevant to their lives.
    - Use slides 7-9 from the Time Taming Slide Deck.

Step 4

Building Your Ideal Week

15 minutes

  • Introduce the My Ideal Week Activity as a practical application of time management.
    - Explain how to block out fixed commitments (school, sleep, meals) first.
    - Guide students in scheduling study time, extracurriculars, and personal time.
    - Emphasize the importance of flexibility and realistic planning.
    - Circulate and offer individual support as students work on their schedules.
    - Use slides 10-11 from the Time Taming Slide Deck.

Step 5

Wrap-Up & Next Steps

5 minutes

  • Briefly recap the key takeaways: identifying time wasters, prioritizing, and scheduling.
    - Encourage students to try out their "Ideal Week" plan for the next few days.
    - Ask for one or two volunteers to share a key insight or a challenge they anticipate.
    - Use slide 12 from the Time Taming Slide Deck.
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Slide Deck

Time Taming: Master Your Schedule

Are there enough hours in a day? Let's find out!

Welcome students and introduce the topic of time management. Ask the opening question to engage them. Explain that today's lesson will give them tools to feel more in control of their time. Refer to the Time Taming: Master Your Schedule for detailed script.

Why Bother with Time Taming?

  • Reduce Stress
  • Improve Grades
  • Have More Free Time
  • Feel More in Control
  • Prepare for the Future

Emphasize that learning to manage time is a skill that will help them now and in the future, reducing stress and improving their ability to get things done.

Our Time Taming Goals

By the end of this session, you will be able to:

  • Identify your biggest time-wasting habits.
  • Prioritize tasks like a pro.
  • Create a realistic weekly schedule.

Clearly state what students will learn to do by the end of the lesson.

Where Does Your Time Go?

What typically eats up your valuable time?

Transition to identifying distractions. Ask students what commonly distracts them. Hand out the Time Management Worksheet.

Time Wasters Reflection

Let's reflect on your habits. Open your Time Management Worksheet and complete the 'Time Wasters Reflection' section.

Guide students to complete the reflection section on their worksheets. Encourage honest self-assessment without judgment. After they've had a few minutes, ask for general (non-personal) examples.

Know Your Enemy (Distractions!)

Understanding where your time goes is the first step to taking control of it.

Summarize the importance of being aware of where time goes before trying to manage it. This self-awareness is the first step.

Prioritizing Like a Pro: The Urgent/Important Matrix

Not all tasks are created equal! How do you decide what to do first?

Introduce the Urgent/Important Matrix. Explain that not all tasks are equal and that this tool helps decide what to do first.

Understanding the Matrix

  • Urgent & Important: Do It Now! (e.g., test tomorrow, project due today)
  • Important, Not Urgent: Schedule It! (e.g., studying for future tests, long-term project planning)
  • Urgent, Not Important: Delegate It! (or minimize) (e.g., non-essential emails, social media notifications)
  • Not Urgent, Not Important: Eliminate It! (e.g., excessive gaming, endless scrolling)

Explain each quadrant with simple, relatable examples for students. Emphasize doing important but not urgent tasks to avoid future crises.

Matrix Practice!

Let's apply the matrix. Use your Time Management Worksheet for the 'Prioritization Practice' section.

Guide students through the prioritization practice on their Time Management Worksheet using the provided scenarios.

Build Your Master Schedule: My Ideal Week

Time to create your own plan! Let's fill out the My Ideal Week Activity.

Introduce the idea of building a personal schedule. Distribute the My Ideal Week Activity and explain the steps: fixed blocks first, then flexible blocks.

Tips for Your Ideal Week

  • Start with fixed commitments (school, sleep, meals).
  • Block out study time and homework sessions.
  • Don't forget extracurriculars, hobbies, and social time.
  • Be realistic! Don't overschedule.
  • Build in flexibility!

Give students time to work on their schedules. Circulate and provide assistance. Remind them to be realistic and include breaks/fun time.

Your Time, Your Power!

You now have the tools to be a Time Taming Master!

Challenge: Try your new schedule for the rest of the week!

Conclude by reiterating the main points and encouraging students to apply what they've learned. Ask for one or two final thoughts from students.

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Worksheet

Time Management Worksheet

Section 1: Time Wasters Reflection

Think about a typical week. What activities or habits tend to consume your time without necessarily helping you achieve your goals or relax effectively? Be honest with yourself!

  1. List 3-5 of your biggest time-wasting activities or distractions during a typical school week.






  2. How much time do you estimate you spend on your biggest time-waster each day? How does this make you feel?






  3. What could you do to reduce the time spent on one of these distractions by just 15-30 minutes a day?






Section 2: Prioritization Practice

Read each scenario below. Using the Urgent/Important Matrix (Do It Now!, Schedule It!, Delegate It!, Eliminate It!), decide how you would prioritize each task. Explain your reasoning.

Scenario A:

You have a big history test in 3 days. You haven't started studying yet. Your friend texts you asking you to play video games right now.

  • History Test:


  • Playing Video Games:


  • Reasoning:





Scenario B:

Your English essay is due next week. You have free time this afternoon. Your phone keeps buzzing with social media notifications.

  • English Essay:


  • Social Media Notifications:


  • Reasoning:





Scenario C:

You promised to help your sibling with their chores (they can do it themselves, but it would be faster with your help). You also have a college application essay due in 2 months that you want to start brainstorming.

  • Helping Sibling with Chores:


  • College Application Essay Brainstorming:


  • Reasoning:





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Activity

My Ideal Week Activity

It's time to take control of your schedule! Use the template below to plan out your ideal week. Remember to be realistic and include time for everything important: school, homework, studying, extracurriculars, sleep, meals, family time, and fun!

Instructions:

  1. Start with Fixed Commitments: Block out all your non-negotiable times first: school hours, travel to/from school, regular meal times, and a consistent amount of sleep each night.
  2. Add Recurring Activities: Include any sports, clubs, lessons, or regular family commitments.
  3. Schedule Academic Time: Plan specific blocks for homework and studying. Break down larger tasks into smaller chunks. Don't forget to include short breaks!
  4. Allocate Personal Time: Make sure to schedule time for hobbies, relaxing, spending time with friends, and other activities that help you recharge.
  5. Review and Adjust: Is your schedule realistic? Have you allowed enough time for everything? Is there any
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Time Taming: Master Your Schedule • Lenny Learning