What's Your Plan B? And C? And D?

Tony Kissell

Tier 1

Lesson Plan

What's Your Plan B? And C? And D?

Students will be able to generate at least one alternative solution when presented with a potential obstacle.

Life is full of unexpected challenges! Learning to think ahead and create backup plans helps students confidently face obstacles, reduce stress, and achieve their goals, whether it's for a school project or a personal endeavor.

Audience

8th Grade Students

Time

15 minutes

Approach

Students will learn about contingency planning and apply it through a guided activity.

Materials

Slide Deck: Always Have a Plan B, and Create a Plan B Activity

Prep

Review Materials

5 minutes

Review the Slide Deck: Always Have a Plan B and the Create a Plan B Activity to familiarize yourself with the content and flow. Ensure you have access to a projector or screen for the slides.

Step 1

Connect to Prior Knowledge: The Unexpected Mishap

3 minutes

Begin by asking students: "Has anyone ever had a plan that went completely wrong? Maybe a school project, a trip, or even just trying to get ready in the morning? What happened?"
2. Allow a few students to share brief anecdotes. Emphasize that these situations are common and a normal part of life.
3. Introduce the idea of having a 'Plan B' as a way to prepare for these unexpected moments. Display Slide 1 of Slide Deck: Always Have a Plan B.

Step 2

Introduce New Concept: Contingency Planning

4 minutes

Explain the key concepts of 'Contingency Planning,' 'Proactive Thinking,' and 'Resilience' using Slides 2-4 of Slide Deck: Always Have a Plan B.
2. Define 'Contingency Planning' as creating backup plans for potential problems.
3. Define 'Proactive Thinking' as thinking ahead to anticipate and prepare for issues.
4. Define 'Resilience' as the ability to bounce back from challenges.
5. Provide a simple example: "If your primary study method for a test isn't working, what's a 'Plan B'? (e.g., trying a new study technique, asking a friend for help, talking to the teacher)."

Step 3

Guided Practice: Scenario Brainstorm

4 minutes

Distribute the Create a Plan B Activity worksheet. Display Slide 5 of Slide Deck: Always Have a Plan B.
2. Read the first scenario aloud from the worksheet: "You have a big presentation tomorrow, and your computer suddenly crashes."
3. Ask students to individually brainstorm and write down at least one alternative solution (Plan B) on their worksheet.
4. After 1 minute, invite a few students to share their 'Plan B' ideas. Discuss the practicality and effectiveness of each suggestion.

Step 4

Independent Application: Plan B Challenge

2 minutes

Instruct students to work independently on the remaining scenarios on the Create a Plan B Activity worksheet. Display Slide 6 of Slide Deck: Always Have a Plan B.
2. Encourage them to think of at least one different alternative solution for each obstacle.

Step 5

Reflect and Share: Why Plan Ahead?

2 minutes

Bring the class back together. Display Slide 7 of Slide Deck: Always Have a Plan B.
2. Ask students: "Why is it important to have a Plan B (or C, or D)? How does it make you feel to have a backup plan?"
3. Briefly summarize the benefits of proactive thinking and resilience, reinforcing the lesson's objective.

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Slide Deck

What's Your Plan B? And C? And D?

Ever had a plan go completely wrong? Don't worry, you're not alone! Today, we're learning how to be ready for anything!

Welcome students and set the stage by asking about times their plans went wrong. This slide is the hook.

Contingency Planning

Your Backup Plan!

Definition: Creating alternative plans for things that might go wrong.
It's like having an extra umbrella when rain is forecasted... just in case!

Introduce the first key concept: Contingency Planning. Provide a simple, relatable definition.

Proactive Thinking

Thinking Ahead!

Definition: Anticipating potential problems and preparing for them before they happen.
Imagine you're packing for a trip. You think about what you might need, not just what you will need.

Explain Proactive Thinking and how it relates to contingency planning. Use an analogy.

Build Your Resilience

Bouncing Back!

Definition: The ability to recover quickly from difficulties or challenges.
Having a Plan B helps you stay calm and find a new path when faced with an obstacle.

Discuss Resilience, connecting it to how having backup plans helps bounce back.

Scenario Challenge!

Let's practice! Think about these situations and come up with a 'Plan B' (or C, or D!).

Scenario 1: You have a big presentation tomorrow, and your computer suddenly crashes.

Introduce the guided practice activity. Read the first scenario aloud and have students brainstorm.

Your Turn: Plan B!

Now, try the other scenarios on your worksheet independently. Think of at least one alternative solution for each!

Transition to independent application. Give students time to work on the remaining scenarios.

Why Plan Ahead?

How does having a Plan B make you feel?

Being ready for anything helps you stay calm, confident, and successful!

Conclude the lesson by asking students to reflect on the importance of contingency planning and share their feelings.

Activity

Create a Plan B Activity

Life doesn't always go according to plan! Sometimes, things happen that we don't expect. That's why it's super important to have a Plan B (or even a Plan C or D!) to help you stay on track and achieve your goals.

For each scenario below, imagine the unexpected happens. Your challenge is to come up with at least one alternative solution (your Plan B) to overcome the obstacle.

Scenario 1: The Presentation Problem

You have a big presentation for class tomorrow that you've been working on all week. Tonight, you open your laptop, and it suddenly crashes and won't turn on!

Original Plan: Use your laptop for the presentation.

Obstacle: Computer crashes.

Your Plan B:

Scenario 2: The Group Project Mix-Up

You and your group members agreed to meet at the library after school to finish your science project. When you get there, no one else shows up, and you can't reach them on their phones.

Original Plan: Meet at the library to work on the project as a group.

Obstacle: Group members don't show up.

Your Plan B:

Scenario 3: The Missing Materials

You're about to start an important art project in class that requires specific colored markers. You open your art kit, and realize all your red markers are completely dried out.

Original Plan: Use your red markers for the art project.

Obstacle: Red markers are dried out.

Your Plan B:

Scenario 4: The Game Day Disaster

You and your friends planned to go to the park to play basketball after school. You walk outside, and it suddenly starts pouring rain.

Original Plan: Play basketball at the park.

Obstacle: It starts raining.

Your Plan B: