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Why Is Starting So Hard Anyway?

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Sen

Tier 1

Lesson Plan

Unlocking Task Initiation

Students will be able to identify common reasons why task initiation is difficult and develop self-awareness regarding their own task initiation challenges.

Understanding the 'why' behind struggles with starting tasks builds self-awareness and empathy, which are foundational for developing effective executive function strategies. This lesson helps students normalize these feelings and recognize that they are not alone.

Audience

7th Grade Students

Time

45 minutes

Approach

Interactive discussion, self-reflection, and relatable examples.

Materials

The Starting Line Challenge Slide Deck, Our Starting Blocks Share Discussion Guide, and My Task Hurdles Reflection Journal

Prep

Review Materials

15 minutes

  • Review the Unlocking Task Initiation Lesson to familiarize yourself with the flow and content.
    - Read through The Starting Line Challenge Slide Deck to ensure smooth presentation.
    - Review the Our Starting Blocks Share Discussion Guide and anticipate potential student responses.
    - Familiarize yourself with the prompts in My Task Hurdles Reflection Journal.

Step 1

Introduction & Hook: Why is Starting Hard?

5 minutes

  • Begin by asking students: 'Why is starting so hard anyway?'
    - Introduce the concept of 'task initiation' using The Starting Line Challenge Slide Deck (Slide 1-2).
    - Facilitate a brief open discussion using the prompts from the slide.

Step 2

Exploring Common Hurdles

15 minutes

  • Present common reasons for difficulty with task initiation using The Starting Line Challenge Slide Deck (Slides 3-6). These might include:
    - Perfectionism
    - Overwhelm
    - Fear of failure
    - Lack of clear steps
    - For each reason, ask students if they've experienced this feeling when trying to start a task. Share a brief, relatable example for each.

Step 3

Our Starting Blocks Share

15 minutes

  • Transition to a small group or whole-class discussion using the Our Starting Blocks Share Discussion Guide.
    - Encourage students to share a time when they found it hard to start a task and what made it difficult.
    - Guide the conversation to emphasize that these struggles are common and that understanding them is the first step towards overcoming them.

Step 4

My Task Hurdles Reflection

10 minutes

  • Distribute the My Task Hurdles Reflection Journal.
    - Explain that this journal is for personal reflection on what they learned today.
    - Have students complete the prompts, focusing on identifying their own personal

Step 5

My Task Hurdles Reflection

10 minutes

  • Distribute the My Task Hurdles Reflection Journal.
    - Explain that this journal is for personal reflection on what they learned today.
    - Have students complete the prompts, focusing on identifying their own personal hurdles to task initiation.
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Slide Deck

Why Is Starting So Hard Anyway?

Ever felt stuck before you even begin?

Welcome students and introduce the topic. Ask them to think about why starting something new can be tough.

What is Task Initiation?

It's the ability to start a task or activity without procrastination.

Think about:

  • Starting homework
  • Beginning a project
  • Cleaning your room

Define task initiation in simple terms. Emphasize that it's a common challenge, not a personal failing.

Hurdle 1: The Perfectionist Trap

Do you ever worry about your work not being 'good enough'?

Fear of making mistakes can stop you from starting at all.

Introduce perfectionism as a barrier. Share an example of a student who fears their work won't be perfect.

Hurdle 2: The Overwhelm Avalanche

When a task feels too big, it's hard to know where to begin.

Feeling buried before you even dig in.

Discuss feeling overwhelmed. Give an example of a large project that seems too big to tackle.

Hurdle 3: The Fear Factor

What if it doesn't work out?

The anxiety of potential failure can keep us on the sidelines.

Explain fear of failure. Talk about how the thought of not succeeding can paralyze us.

Hurdle 4: The Mystery Map

Sometimes, you just don't know what to do first.

No clear path means no movement.

Address the lack of clear steps. Provide an example of a task where the instructions are vague.

Time to Share!

Let's talk about our own 'starting blocks.'

(See Our Starting Blocks Share Discussion Guide)

Transition to the discussion activity. Explain that they will share their experiences.

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Discussion

Our Starting Blocks Share

Discussion Questions:

  1. Think about a time recently when you had a task you needed to start, but you just couldn't get yourself to do it. What was the task?


  2. What feelings or thoughts came up that made it hard to start? (e.g., 'I don't know where to begin,' 'It's too much,' 'What if I mess it up?')


  3. Did any of the
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Journal

My Task Hurdles Reflection

Reflect on today's lesson:

  1. After today's discussion, what is one new thing you learned about why starting tasks can be difficult?





  2. Which 'hurdle' to task initiation (perfectionism, overwhelm, fear of failure, lack of clear steps) do you personally struggle with the most? Explain why.










  3. Think about a task you need to start soon that you've been putting off. What specific hurdle is making it hard for you to begin?





  4. What is one small step you could take to try and overcome that hurdle and get started?





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