Lesson Plan
Time & Tide: Conquer Your Schedule!
Students will identify and apply basic organization and time management strategies to improve their school readiness.
Developing strong organization and time management skills is vital for 7th graders to succeed academically, reduce stress, and prepare for higher grades. These skills help students stay on top of assignments, manage extracurriculars, and feel more in control of their learning journey.
Audience
7th Grade Students
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Interactive discussion, practical tips, and a planning activity.
Materials
Whiteboard or Projector, Markers or Pens, Slide Deck: Time & Tide, Warm-Up: My Current Chaos, Worksheet: My Weekly Flow, and Cool-Down: One Step Forward
Prep
Preparation Checklist
10 minutes
- Review the Slide Deck: Time & Tide and customize as needed.
- Print copies of the Warm-Up: My Current Chaos (one per student).
- Print copies of the Worksheet: My Weekly Flow (one per student).
- Print copies of the Cool-Down: One Step Forward (one per student).
- Ensure whiteboard/projector is set up and working.
- Have markers/pens available for students if needed.
- Review the Script: Time & Tide to familiarize yourself with discussion points and instructions.
Step 1
Introduction & Warm-Up
5 minutes
- Begin with a quick welcome and introduce the lesson's theme.
- Distribute the Warm-Up: My Current Chaos and give students 2-3 minutes to complete it individually.
- Briefly discuss a few student responses to highlight common challenges related to organization and time management. Use guiding questions such as: "What's one thing that often makes you feel disorganized?" or "When do you feel like you don't have enough time?"
Step 2
Understanding Organization & Time Management
10 minutes
- Present the Slide Deck: Time & Tide (Slides 1-4).
- Use the slides to define organization and time management, explaining their importance for school readiness.
- Engage students in a discussion using the prompts on the slides and from the Script: Time & Tide. Focus on practical examples relevant to 7th graders (e.g., keeping track of homework, balancing sports and studies).
Step 3
Practical Strategies & Planning
10 minutes
- Continue with the Slide Deck: Time & Tide (Slides 5-7).
- Introduce simple, actionable strategies like using a planner, breaking down big tasks, and prioritizing.
- Distribute the Worksheet: My Weekly Flow. Guide students through filling out the first few sections or a sample week, emphasizing how to apply the learned strategies.
- Circulate to provide individual or small-group support and answer questions as students work on their worksheets.
Step 4
Wrap-Up & Cool-Down
5 minutes
- Bring the class back together.
- Distribute the Cool-Down: One Step Forward.
- Ask students to reflect on one new strategy they will try. This serves as an exit ticket.
- Conclude by reinforcing the benefits of these skills for their success and well-being.
Slide Deck
Time & Tide: Conquer Your Schedule!
Strategies for 7th Graders to Master Organization & Time Management
Ready to take control of your school year?
- Reduce stress
- Improve grades
- Achieve your goals!
Welcome students and introduce the lesson's main topic: getting organized and managing time effectively for school.
What Does It Mean to Be Organized?
Organization isn't just about having a tidy desk (though that helps!). It's about having a system for:
- Your belongings
- Your information
- Your tasks
Think about it: What does an organized backpack look like? How about an organized folder for a project?
Define organization in a way that resonates with 7th graders. Ask students for examples of what being organized looks like at school or home.
What is Time Management?
Time Management is the ability to plan and control how you spend your time effectively.
It helps you:
- Get things done
- Avoid rushing
- Make time for fun activities!
Question: What happens when you don't manage your time for homework? What about for a big test?
Define time management. Emphasize that it's about making smart choices with their time, not just doing more. Ask for examples of good time management.
Why Are These Skills Important for School?
Mastering organization and time management helps you:
- Stay on top of assignments: No more forgotten homework!
- Prepare for tests: Ample time to study.
- Balance activities: School, sports, hobbies, friends – you can do it all!
- Reduce stress: Feel calm and in control.
- Build good habits: These skills last a lifetime!
Connect these skills directly to school readiness. Discuss how these skills prevent common problems like missing assignments or feeling overwhelmed.
Strategy 1: Embrace Your Planner!
Your planner is your superpower!
- Write everything down: Homework, tests, projects, appointments.
- Check it daily: Start and end your day with your planner.
- Break it down: For big projects, mark smaller deadlines.
Pro Tip: Color-code subjects or types of tasks!
Introduce the first practical strategy: using a planner. Discuss different types (digital, physical) and the importance of consistency.
Strategy 2: Break It Down!
Big tasks can feel overwhelming. Break them into smaller, bite-sized pieces!
Example: A big research paper
- Day 1: Choose topic
- Day 2: Find 3 sources
- Day 3: Take notes on sources
- Day 4: Create outline
- Day 5: Write introduction
... and so on!
Explain how to break down larger tasks into smaller, manageable steps. Use an example like a science fair project or a book report.
Strategy 3: Prioritize Like a Pro!
Not everything is equally urgent. Learn to decide what to do first.
Ask yourself:
- What's due soonest?
- What takes the most time?
- **What's most important for my grades?
Try this: The Eisenhower Matrix (Urgent/Important) - or just a simple A, B, C list!
Introduce prioritization using a simple method. Explain how to decide what's most important and what can wait.
Your Journey to Success Starts Now!
Today, we learned about:
- The power of organization
- Smart time management
- Practical strategies like using a planner, breaking down tasks, and prioritizing.
What one step will you take to conquer your schedule?
Summarize the key takeaways and encourage students to choose one strategy to implement. This leads into the cool-down activity.
Warm Up
Warm-Up: My Current Chaos
Take a few minutes to think about your school week. Answer the questions below:
-
What is one thing that often makes you feel disorganized with your schoolwork or belongings?
-
Describe a time recently when you felt like you didn't have enough time to get something important done.
-
On a scale of 1 (totally chaotic) to 5 (super organized), how would you rate your current level of organization for school?
Worksheet
Worksheet: My Weekly Flow
This worksheet will help you plan out your week and practice your time management skills!
Part 1: My Priorities This Week
List the top 3-5 school tasks or events you need to focus on this week. What are your most important assignments, tests, or projects?
Part 2: Breaking It Down
Choose one of your top priorities from Part 1. Break it down into smaller, manageable steps with estimated times. This is like creating a mini-plan!
My Big Task: __________________________________________________________________
- Step 1: _________________________________________ (Estimated Time: ________)
- Step 2: _________________________________________ (Estimated Time: ________)
- Step 3: _________________________________________ (Estimated Time: ________)
- Step 4: _________________________________________ (Estimated Time: ________)
- Step 5: _________________________________________ (Estimated Time: ________)
Part 3: My Ideal Study Block
Think about one day this week where you have some free time. Plan out a 30-minute study/homework block using the strategies we discussed.
Day: __________________________
Time Block: ________ to ________
- Goal for this block: _______________________________________________________
- What I will work on first (most important!): __________________________________
- What I will do next: _____________________________________________________
- How I will stay focused: ___________________________________________________
Cool Down
Cool-Down: One Step Forward
Before you leave, take a moment to reflect on what we discussed today.
-
Out of all the strategies we talked about for organization and time management, what is ONE strategy you are going to try to use this week? Why did you choose this one?
-
How do you think trying this new strategy might help you with your schoolwork or daily life?
Script
Teacher Script: Time & Tide
Introduction & Warm-Up (5 minutes)
"Good morning/afternoon, everyone! Today, we're diving into some super important skills that will help you rock your school year and beyond: organization and time management. Has anyone ever felt overwhelmed by homework, or like there just aren't enough hours in the day? (Pause for responses). We've all been there!"
"To get us thinking about this, I'm going to hand out a quick warm-up called Warm-Up: My Current Chaos. Please take about 2-3 minutes to answer the questions honestly. There are no right or wrong answers, just your reflections."
(Distribute Warm-Up: My Current Chaos. Allow students time to complete.)
"Alright, let's hear a few thoughts. Can anyone share one thing that sometimes makes them feel disorganized? (Call on 2-3 students). How about a time when you felt like you didn't have enough time? (Call on 2-3 students). Thanks for sharing! It sounds like these are common challenges, and that's exactly why we're here today – to learn how to tackle them."
Understanding Organization & Time Management (10 minutes)
"Now, let's look at what these terms actually mean. We'll use our Slide Deck: Time & Tide to guide us. Take a look at the first slide: 'Time & Tide: Conquer Your Schedule!' Our goal is to empower you to feel more in control of your time and tasks."
(Advance to Slide Deck: Time & Tide Slide 2: What Does It Mean to Be Organized?)
"When we talk about organization, it's more than just a tidy room, although that's part of it. It's about having a system for your belongings, your information, and your tasks. It's knowing where things are and what needs to be done. What are some ways you try to keep your school supplies or notes organized? (Allow students to share)."
(Advance to Slide Deck: Time & Tide Slide 3: What is Time Management?)
"Next, Time Management is about how you plan and control your time. It helps you get things done without rushing and even makes sure you have time for fun! What happens if you wait until the last minute to start a big project or study for a test? (Discuss consequences like stress, lower quality work)."
(Advance to Slide Deck: Time & Tide Slide 4: Why Are These Skills Important for School?)
"So, why are these skills so important, especially for 7th grade? As you can see on the slide, they help you stay on top of assignments, prepare for tests, and balance all your different activities. Imagine feeling less stressed and more confident about your schoolwork! These are skills that will help you throughout high school, college, and even in your future careers."
Practical Strategies & Planning (10 minutes)
"Now, let's get into some practical strategies you can start using today. Look at Slide Deck: Time & Tide Slide 5: 'Embrace Your Planner!'"
(Advance to Slide Deck: Time & Tide Slide 5: Embrace Your Planner!)
"Your planner, whether it's a physical notebook or a digital app, is your superpower. Write everything down: homework, tests, project deadlines, even after-school activities. Make it a habit to check it every morning and evening. For big projects, break them into smaller deadlines and put those in your planner too."
(Advance to Slide Deck: Time & Tide Slide 6: Break It Down!)
"Strategy number two: 'Break It Down!' Big tasks can feel overwhelming. A research paper or a science project can seem impossible, right? But if you break it into smaller steps – like choosing a topic one day, finding sources another, then outlining – it becomes much more manageable. What's a big task you have coming up that you could try breaking down? (Encourage a few examples)."
(Advance to Slide Deck: Time & Tide Slide 7: Prioritize Like a Pro!)
"Finally, 'Prioritize Like a Pro!' Not everything is equally important or urgent. Ask yourself: What's due soonest? What takes the most time? What's most important for my grade? This helps you decide what to do first. You can even make a simple A, B, C list for your tasks."
"Now, you'll get a chance to practice these. I'm handing out the Worksheet: My Weekly Flow. We're going to work on Part 1 and Part 2 together for a few minutes. Think about your actual week. List your top priorities, and then choose one to break down. I'll walk around to help if you have questions."
(Distribute Worksheet: My Weekly Flow. Circulate and assist students.)
Wrap-Up & Cool-Down (5 minutes)
"Bring it back, everyone! Great job on thinking through your weekly flow. To wrap up, we have a quick cool-down activity called Cool-Down: One Step Forward."
(Distribute Cool-Down: One Step Forward.)
"On this sheet, I want you to think about one new strategy from today that you are genuinely going to try this week. Write it down and explain why you chose it. This is your personal commitment to yourself."
(Allow 2-3 minutes for students to complete.)
"As you leave today, remember: mastering organization and time management isn't about being perfect; it's about taking small, consistent steps to make your life easier and more successful. You've got this! Thanks, everyone!"