Lesson Plan
Why Can't I Just Start Already?
Students will identify common barriers to task initiation and learn practical strategies to overcome them, fostering independence and reducing procrastination.
Empowering students to initiate tasks independently is crucial for their academic success and overall well-being. This lesson provides actionable strategies to build confidence and self-advocacy.
Audience
6th Grade Special Education Class
Time
45 minutes
Approach
Interactive discussion, slide presentation, group activities.
Materials
The Starting Line Slide Deck, Task Talk Circle Prompts, and Brain Block Busting Scenarios
Prep
Teacher Preparation
15 minutes
- Review the Unlocking Task Initiation Lesson Plan and all linked materials: The Starting Line Slide Deck, Task Talk Circle Prompts, and Brain Block Busting Scenarios.
- Prepare the classroom for group work.
- Ensure technology for the slide deck is ready.
Step 1
Warm-Up: The Starting Line
5 minutes
- Begin with a quick poll or show of hands: "Who sometimes finds it hard to start a task, even when they know what to do?" (Almost everyone will raise their hand!)
- Introduce the lesson by stating that today we'll explore why this happens and how to conquer it. Use The Starting Line Slide Deck Slide 1.
Step 2
Understanding Brain Blocks
10 minutes
- Present the common roadblocks to task initiation using The Starting Line Slide Deck Slides 2-4.
- Facilitate a brief discussion, asking students if they recognize any of these 'brain blocks' in themselves. Use guiding questions from the Task Talk Circle Prompts.
Step 3
Strategy Spotlight: Busting Brain Blocks
15 minutes
- Introduce practical strategies to overcome each brain block using The Starting Line Slide Deck Slides 5-7.
- For each strategy, provide a simple example relevant to school tasks (e.g., breaking down a big assignment, setting a timer).
- Engage students with the Brain Block Busting Scenarios activity in small groups. Have each group discuss one scenario and propose a strategy.
Step 4
Share and Reflect
10 minutes
- Bring the class back together.
- Have each group share their scenario and proposed solution from the Brain Block Busting Scenarios activity.
- Facilitate a brief class discussion about which strategies they think will be most helpful to them personally. Use guiding questions from the Task Talk Circle Prompts.
Step 5
Cool-Down: My Starting Line
5 minutes
- Ask students to silently reflect on one task they need to start soon and one strategy they will try. Use The Starting Line Slide Deck Slide 8.
- Collect anonymous written responses or have students share with a partner.
Slide Deck
Why Can't I Just Start Already?
Ever feel stuck before you even begin?
Today, we'll learn why it happens and how to get started on any task!
Welcome students and gauge their familiarity with task initiation challenges. Connect it to real-life struggles. Ask for a show of hands: "Who sometimes finds it hard to start a task, even when you know what to do?" (Most hands will go up!). Emphasize that it's normal and we're here to learn solutions. Explain today's objective: understanding why we get stuck and learning how to get moving.
Brain Block #1: The Overwhelm
When a task feels too big, too long, or too complicated, our brain freezes up.
It's like looking at a giant mountain and not knowing where to take the first step!
Feeling: "There's too much to do!"
Introduce the concept of 'Brain Blocks.' Explain that these aren't weaknesses but common human experiences. Briefly define "Overwhelm" and give a simple example relevant to their school life (e.g., a big project with many steps). Ask: "Has anyone ever felt like a task was just too big to tackle?"
Brain Block #2: The Perfectionist Trap
Sometimes we worry so much about making a task perfect that we never even start it.
It's like being afraid to draw because you think it won't look exactly right.
Feeling: "What if I mess it up?"
Introduce the second brain block. Explain that sometimes we worry about doing things perfectly, which stops us from even starting. Give a quick example (e.g., worrying a drawing won't be perfect so not even picking up the pencil). Ask: "Who worries about making mistakes?"
Brain Block #3: The
When a task feels boring, difficult, or just not interesting, our brain tries to find excuses not to start.
It's like knowing you should eat your vegetables, but you'd rather have dessert.
Feeling: "I don't wanna!"
Introduce the third brain block. Explain that sometimes tasks aren't fun, and our brain tries to avoid them. Give a relatable example (e.g., cleaning your room vs. playing a game). Ask: "Are there any tasks you just really don't want to do?"
Bust That Block! Strategy #1: Chunk It Down!
For Overwhelm: Break big tasks into smaller, manageable steps.
Instead of 'Write a Report,' try 'Choose a Topic,' then 'Find 3 Facts,' then 'Write Introduction.'
Small steps lead to big accomplishments!
Transition to solutions. For 'Overwhelm', emphasize breaking tasks down. Use the example of eating an elephant one bite at a time. Ask students for ideas on how they could break down a common school task (e.g., writing a report).
Bust That Block! Strategy #2: Just Start!
For Perfectionist Trap: Give yourself permission to make a "messy" start.
Focus on simply beginning, not on getting it perfect right away. You can always fix it later!
Done is better than perfect.
For 'Perfectionist Trap', emphasize getting started over getting it perfect. Explain that a 'rough draft' is meant to be imperfect. Encourage a growth mindset. Ask: "What's something you could just start on, even if it's not perfect?"
Bust That Block! Strategy #3: Make it Fun (or Reward Yourself!)
For 'I Don't Wanna!': Find a small reward for starting, or make the task more enjoyable.
Listen to music while you work, set a timer for a short burst of work, or promise yourself a treat afterwards.
Motivation matters!
For 'I Don't Wanna!', explain how rewards or making it a game can motivate. Give an example (e.g., after 15 minutes of homework, get 5 minutes of screen time). Ask: "What's a small reward you could give yourself for starting a tough task?"
Your Next Starting Line
Think about a task you need to start.
Which 'Brain Block' might be stopping you?
Which 'Busting Strategy' will you try first?
Conclude the lesson by asking students to think about how they will apply these strategies. Encourage them to choose one specific task and one strategy to try. This helps solidify learning and promotes self-application.
Discussion
Task Talk Circle Prompts
Instructions: In your groups, discuss the following questions. Be ready to share your group's thoughts with the class.
Understanding Brain Blocks
- When you have a big task to start, like a project or a long assignment, what usually goes through your mind?
- Can you think of a time when you put off starting something because you worried it wouldn't be perfect? What happened?
- What kinds of tasks do you find yourself saying, "I don't wanna!" to the most? Why do you think that is?
Brain Block Busting Strategies
- Imagine you have a really messy room to clean. How could you "chunk it down" into smaller steps?
- If you're worried about making mistakes on a drawing, how could you "just start" without worrying about perfection?
- What's a small reward you could give yourself for starting a chore you don't like, or how could you make that chore a little more fun?
Personal Reflection
- Which of the "Brain Blocks" (Overwhelm, Perfectionist Trap, "I Don't Wanna!") do you experience most often? Why?
- Which "Busting Strategy" (Chunk It Down, Just Start, Make it Fun/Reward Yourself) do you think you will try first?
Activity
Brain Block Busting Scenarios
Instructions: In your small groups, read each scenario. Discuss which Brain Block the student is experiencing and which Busting Strategy (Chunk It Down, Just Start, Make it Fun/Reward Yourself) they could use to get started. Be ready to share your ideas with the class.
Scenario 1: The Mountain of Math
Maya has a math worksheet with 20 problems. She looks at it and sighs, feeling like it will take forever. She keeps looking at her phone instead of starting.
- What Brain Block is Maya experiencing?
- What strategy could Maya use to start her math worksheet?
- How would that strategy help her?
Scenario 2: The Perfect Poster
Liam has a science project due next week: create a poster about the water cycle. He has all his materials, but he hasn't even drawn the first line because he's worried it won't look as good as the examples he saw online.
- What Brain Block is Liam experiencing?
- What strategy could Liam use to start his poster?
- How would that strategy help him?
Scenario 3: The Boring Book Report
Chloe has to read a chapter from a history book and write a short summary. She finds history a bit boring and would rather be playing outside. She keeps finding other things to do around the house instead of picking up the book.
- What Brain Block is Chloe experiencing?
- What strategy could Chloe use to start her book report?
- How would that strategy help her?