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Work Before Play?

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Lesson Plan

Work Before Play?

Students will understand the importance of prioritizing schoolwork over leisure activities and identify strategies for effective time management and task completion.

Developing strong time management and prioritization skills is essential for academic success and future personal and professional endeavors. This lesson helps students build habits that will serve them well beyond the classroom.

Audience

8th Grade Students

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Through discussion, self-reflection, and practical strategies, students will learn to tackle assignments first.

Materials

Smartboard or Projector, Work Before Play? Slide Deck, Warm-Up: Priority Check-In, Worksheet: My Action Plan, and Cool-Down: One Big Takeaway

Prep

Teacher Preparation

10 minutes

Step 1

Warm-Up: Priority Check-In

5 minutes

Begin with the Warm-Up: Priority Check-In to gauge students' current habits regarding schoolwork and leisure. Ask students to quickly jot down their answers or share with a partner. Use the first slide of the Work Before Play? Slide Deck to display the warm-up question.

Step 2

Introduction: The Balance Beam

5 minutes

Using the Work Before Play? Slide Deck (slides 2-3), introduce the concept of balancing responsibilities with leisure. Facilitate a brief discussion using guiding questions from the Script: Work Before Play? to explore the challenges of procrastination and the benefits of task completion.

Step 3

Strategies for Success

10 minutes

Present effective strategies for prioritizing and completing assignments using the Work Before Play? Slide Deck (slides 4-6). Discuss techniques like 'Eat the Frog,' breaking down large tasks, and creating a dedicated workspace. Refer to the Script: Work Before Play? for talking points and examples.

Step 4

Activity: My Action Plan

7 minutes

Distribute the Worksheet: My Action Plan. Guide students to reflect on their own habits and develop a personal action plan for prioritizing assignments. Encourage them to set realistic goals and identify specific steps they can take. Circulate to provide support and answer questions.

Step 5

Cool-Down: One Big Takeaway

3 minutes

Conclude the lesson with the Cool-Down: One Big Takeaway. Ask students to share one key idea or strategy they will try to implement. Collect their responses as an exit ticket. Use the final slide of the Work Before Play? Slide Deck to prompt their reflection.

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Slide Deck

Work Before Play?

Warm-Up: Priority Check-In

  • What's the first thing you want to do when you get home from school?
  • What's usually the first thing you actually do? (Be honest!)
  • How often do you push homework to the last minute because you were doing something else?

Welcome students and introduce the warm-up. Explain that today's lesson is about finding a balance between schoolwork and fun.

The Balance Beam

Finding Your Flow

  • Life is about balance: school, friends, hobbies, rest.
  • Why is it sometimes hard to get our work done before we play?
  • What happens when we put off our work?

Introduce the idea that balancing responsibilities and fun is a skill. Acknowledge that it's tough, especially with so many distractions. Ask students what 'balance' means to them in this context.

The Price of Procrastination

Short-Term vs. Long-Term Choices

  • Short-Term Fun: Instant gratification, temporary escape.
  • Long-Term Stress: Missed deadlines, lower grades, more pressure.
  • The Goal: Enjoy your play without the cloud of unfinished work hanging over you.

Discuss the immediate and long-term consequences of procrastination. Emphasize that while playing might feel good in the moment, uncompleted work can lead to stress later. Refer to the script for specific talking points.

Strategy 1: Eat The Frog!

Tackle Your Toughest Task First

  • What it means: Do your most difficult or least favorite assignment first.
  • Why it works:
    • Gets it over with!
    • Builds momentum.
    • Reduces anxiety.
    • Everything else feels easier.

Introduce the first strategy: 'Eat the Frog.' Explain what it means and how it can be applied to schoolwork. Encourage students to think of their 'frog' for the day.

Strategy 2: Chunk It Up!

Small Steps, Big Progress

  • Break it down: A huge project feels overwhelming. Break it into tiny pieces.
  • Example:
    • Research for 30 min.
    • Create an outline.
    • Write the introduction.
    • Write body paragraph 1.
  • Why it works: Makes tasks feel less daunting and more achievable.

Introduce the second strategy: breaking down large tasks. Provide examples of how a big project can be split into smaller, manageable steps. Ask for student examples.

Strategy 3: Create Your Zone

Environment Matters!

  • Find your space: A quiet, organized place dedicated to schoolwork.
  • Minimize distractions:
    • Put your phone away (seriously!).
    • Close unnecessary tabs on your computer.
    • Tell family/friends your 'work time' boundaries.
  • Why it works: Helps your brain focus and gets work done faster.

Discuss the importance of environment and focus. Highlight practical tips like putting away phones, finding a quiet spot, and scheduling specific work times.

Your Action Plan

Make It Happen!

  • Think about your habits.
  • Choose one or two strategies to try this week.
  • Write down specific steps.
  • How will you hold yourself accountable?

Introduce the worksheet as a way for students to apply the strategies. Give clear instructions and tell them they will have time to work on it.

One Big Takeaway

What Will You Try?

  • What is ONE thing you learned today that you will try to put into practice this week to prioritize your schoolwork?

Present the cool-down question. Remind students this is their chance to reflect on the most important takeaway from the lesson.

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Script

Work Before Play? Script

Warm-Up: Priority Check-In (5 minutes)

(Display Work Before Play? Slide Deck - Slide 1)

"Good morning, everyone! Today, we're going to talk about something that affects all of us: balancing schoolwork with the fun stuff we want to do. We've all been there, right? You get home, and all you want to do is relax, play games, or scroll through social media. But then, there's that homework. Let's start with a quick 'Priority Check-In.'"

"Take a moment to think about these questions. You can jot down your answers on a piece of scratch paper, or if you feel comfortable, just think about them to yourself. We'll share some thoughts in a minute."

  • "What's the first thing you want to do when you get home from school?"
  • "What's usually the first thing you actually do? (Be honest!)"
  • "How often do you push homework to the last minute because you were doing something else?"

(Pause for students to reflect, about 2-3 minutes. Then, invite a few students to share brief, non-specific answers if they feel comfortable.)

"Thanks for sharing! It sounds like a lot of us face similar challenges when it comes to prioritizing."

Introduction: The Balance Beam (5 minutes)

(Display Work Before Play? Slide Deck - Slide 2 and 3)

"Today, we're going to talk about how to find that balance. Think of it like a balance beam. On one side, you have all your responsibilities: school, chores, family commitments. On the other side, you have your leisure activities: gaming, hanging out with friends, sports, relaxing. It's a constant act of balancing!"

"Look at these slides. What do you notice about the short-term fun versus the long-term stress? Who can share a time when putting off work led to more stress later?"

(Allow 2-3 students to share brief experiences. Validate their feelings and observations.)

"Exactly. While playing feels good in the moment, that feeling often comes with a nagging thought of unfinished work. Our goal today is to learn how to enjoy our play without that heavy cloud of unfinished work hanging over our heads."

Strategies for Success (10 minutes)

(Display Work Before Play? Slide Deck - Slide 4, 5, and 6 sequentially)

"So, how do we do it? Let's talk about some strategies. The first one is called 'Eat the Frog!'"

(Transition to Slide 4)

"This might sound weird, but it comes from a quote by Mark Twain, who said, 'Eat a live frog first thing in the morning and nothing worse will happen to you the rest of the day.' In our context, the 'frog' is your toughest, most dreaded, or least favorite assignment. What do you think this strategy means for schoolwork?"

(Allow a student to answer, guide if necessary.)

"That's right! It means tackling your most difficult task first. Why do you think this works? Think about how you feel after you've finished something really hard."

(Discuss for 1-2 minutes. Highlight momentum, reduced anxiety.)

(Transition to Slide 5)

"Our second strategy is 'Chunk It Up!' Sometimes, a big project, like a research paper or a complex math assignment, can feel overwhelming. It's like looking at a whole pizza and thinking, 'I can't possibly eat all that!' But what if you break it into slices?"

"Breaking a big task into smaller, manageable pieces makes it feel less daunting. Instead of 'Write a research paper,' think 'Research for 30 minutes,' then 'Create an outline,' then 'Write the introduction.' Who can think of a big assignment they have and how they might 'chunk it up'?"

(Give an example or ask for student examples, 2-3 minutes.)

(Transition to Slide 6)

"Finally, let's talk about 'Create Your Zone.' Your environment plays a huge role in your ability to focus. If you're trying to do homework in a noisy room with your phone buzzing next to you, is your brain really going to be able to concentrate?"

"What are some ways you can create a dedicated space and minimize distractions when it's time to work?"

(Brainstorm with students: quiet room, turn off notifications, close tabs, tell family members. 2-3 minutes.)

Activity: My Action Plan (7 minutes)

(Display Work Before Play? Slide Deck - Slide 7)

"Now it's your turn to apply these ideas. I'm handing out a Worksheet: My Action Plan. On this worksheet, you'll reflect on your own habits and choose one or two strategies that you want to try this week. Be specific! Don't just say 'I'll eat the frog,' say 'I'll do my science homework first every Tuesday and Thursday.'"

"I'll give you about 7 minutes to work on this. Think about what's realistic for you. I'll be walking around if you have any questions or want to bounce ideas off me."

(Circulate, provide support and encouragement.)

Cool-Down: One Big Takeaway (3 minutes)

(Display Work Before Play? Slide Deck - Slide 8)

"Alright, let's bring it back together. For our cool-down today, I want each of you to think about ONE big takeaway from this lesson. What is one thing you learned or one strategy you will try to put into practice this week to prioritize your schoolwork?"

"You can write it on an index card, a sticky note, or the back of your worksheet. This will be your exit ticket. As you leave, turn in your takeaway. I'm really looking forward to seeing what strategies you choose to implement!"

*(Collect cool-down responses as students leave.)"

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Warm Up

Priority Check-In

Take a few minutes to think about these questions. You can jot down your answers or just think them through.

  1. What's the first thing you want to do when you get home from school today?



  2. What's usually the first thing you actually do? (Be honest!)



  3. How often do you push homework to the last minute because you were doing something else (like playing games, watching videos, or hanging out)?



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Cool Down

One Big Takeaway

What is ONE thing you learned today that you will try to put into practice this week to prioritize your schoolwork?







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Worksheet

My Action Plan: Work Before Play

Goal: To complete assignments more efficiently so you can enjoy your free time without stress.

Part 1: Reflect on Your Habits

  1. What is one specific assignment or task you often put off?



  2. What usually distracts you when you should be working?



Part 2: Choose Your Strategies

Based on what we discussed, choose one or two strategies you want to try this week. For each chosen strategy, write down specific steps you will take.

Strategy 1: Eat the Frog! (Tackle your toughest task first)

  • What is your "frog" (toughest task) for this week?



  • When and where will you tackle your "frog"?



Strategy 2: Chunk It Up! (Break down large tasks)

  • Describe a large assignment you have coming up.



  • How will you break it into smaller, manageable steps?



Strategy 3: Create Your Zone (Minimize distractions and find a dedicated workspace)

  • What is one distraction you will eliminate or reduce during your study time?



  • How will you set up your workspace to help you focus?



Part 3: Commitment

I commit to trying the strategies I outlined above this week. My goal is to work before I play, so I can enjoy my free time with less stress.

Student Signature: ____________________________ Date: ___________

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Worksheet

My Action Plan: Work Before Play

Goal: To complete assignments more efficiently so you can enjoy your free time without stress.

Part 1: Reflect on Your Habits

  1. What is one specific assignment or task you often put off?



  2. What usually distracts you when you should be working?



Part 2: Choose Your Strategies

Based on what we discussed, choose one or two strategies you want to try this week. For each chosen strategy, write down specific steps you will take.

Strategy 1: Eat the Frog! (Tackle your toughest task first)

  • What is your
lenny
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Worksheet

My Action Plan: Work Before Play

Goal: To complete assignments more efficiently so you can enjoy your free time without stress.

Part 1: Reflect on Your Habits

  1. What is one specific assignment or task you often put off?



  2. What usually distracts you when you should be working?



Part 2: Choose Your Strategies

Based on what we discussed, choose one or two strategies you want to try this week. For each chosen strategy, write down specific steps you will take.

Strategy 1: Eat the Frog! (Tackle your toughest task first)

  • Which
lenny
lenny

Worksheet

My Action Plan: Work Before Play

Goal: To complete assignments more efficiently so you can enjoy your free time without stress.

Part 1: Reflect on Your Habits

  1. What is one specific assignment or task you often put off?



  2. What usually distracts you when you should be working?



Part 2: Choose Your Strategies

Based on what we discussed, choose one or two strategies you want to try this week. For each chosen strategy, write down specific steps you will take.

Strategy 1: Eat the Frog! (Tackle your toughest task first)

  • Which
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Work Before Play? • Lenny Learning