Lesson Plan
Work Too Hard? Here's How!
Students will be able to apply the CBT model to develop a coping thought and an actionable first step for when academic work feels overwhelming.
Learning to cope with academic challenges is a crucial life skill. This lesson empowers students to manage stress, overcome procrastination, and build resilience, leading to greater success and confidence in their studies and beyond.
Audience
8th Grade Students
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Through a guided activity and self-reflection, students will learn practical CBT-based strategies.
Materials
Prep
Teacher Preparation
15 minutes
- Review the Work Too Hard? Here's How! Lesson Plan and all linked materials: Tackling Tough Tasks Slides, The Overwhelm Map Activity, and My Action Plan Worksheet.
- Ensure projector/screen and presentation device are ready for the Tackling Tough Tasks Slides.
- Print copies of The Overwhelm Map Activity (one per student).
- Print copies of My Action Plan Worksheet (one per student).
Step 1
Warm-up: The Wall
5 minutes
- Begin by projecting Slide 1: Work Too Hard? Here's How!
- Ask students to think about a time they felt overwhelmed by schoolwork. (1 minute)
- Project Slide 2: Hit a Wall?
- Facilitate a brief discussion: "Has anyone ever felt like they've hit a wall when it comes to schoolwork? What does that 'wall' feel like?" (2 minutes)
- Introduce the concept: "Today, we're going to learn how to break through that wall using a strategy called CBT – Cognitive Behavioral Therapy – to help us tackle tough tasks." (2 minutes)
Step 2
Understanding Overwhelm: The CBT Check-in
10 minutes
- Project Slide 3: Feelings, Thoughts, Actions
- Explain the CBT triangle simply: "Our feelings, thoughts, and actions are all connected. When work feels hard, we often have certain feelings and take certain actions, but what are the thoughts behind them?" (2 minutes)
- Distribute The Overwhelm Map Activity.
- Project Slide 4: Map Your Overwhelm
- Guide students through filling out their 'Overwhelm Map' for a specific, difficult academic task:
- Feelings: What emotions come up? (e.g., frustrated, anxious, defeated) (2 minutes)
- Actions: What do they do? (e.g., procrastinate, stare blankly, give up) (2 minutes)
- Thoughts: What thoughts pop into their head when they feel this way? (e.g., "I'm not smart enough," "This is too hard," "I'll never get this done") (4 minutes)
- Emphasize that these thoughts are often automatic and not always helpful.
Step 3
Developing Coping Thoughts & Action Plans
10 minutes
- Project Slide 5: Flip the Script!
- Introduce the idea of
Step 4
Work Too Hard? Here's How! Slide Deck
30 minutes
- Review the Work Too Hard? Here's How! Lesson Plan and ensure you are familiar with the content and timing.
- Prepare to project the Tackling Tough Tasks Slides to the class.
- Have copies of The Overwhelm Map Activity and My Action Plan Worksheet ready for distribution.
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Slide Deck
Work Too Hard? Here's How!
Facing a Mountain of Schoolwork?
Ever feel like a task is too big, too hard, or just... too much?
Let's talk about it!
Welcome students and introduce the topic of academic challenges. Ask them to quietly reflect on a time they felt overwhelmed by schoolwork.
Hit a Wall?
What does it feel like when work gets really tough?
- Frustration?
- Stress?
- Wanting to give up?
You're not alone! Today, we'll learn how to break through that wall.
Engage students by asking if they've ever felt this way. Prompt them to describe the feeling or experience without sharing specific tasks.
Feelings, Thoughts, Actions
Our minds are powerful, and how we think about a task directly impacts how we feel and what we do.
It's a cycle!
Introduce the basic concept of CBT. Explain that thoughts, feelings, and actions are interconnected. This slide sets up the 'Overwhelm Map' activity.
Map Your Overwhelm
Let's explore this cycle with a task that feels overwhelming.
- The Task: What specific schoolwork feels hard?
- Feelings: How does it make you feel?
- Actions: What do you tend to do?
- Thoughts: What thoughts are running through your mind?
Explain how to use the 'Overwhelm Map' worksheet. Guide students to identify a specific task, their feelings, their actions, and crucially, the thoughts that trigger those feelings and actions.
Flip the Script!
What if we could change those unhelpful thoughts?
- Coping Thoughts: Replace "I can't do this" with "I can try my best" or "I'll ask for help."
- First-Step Action: Break it down! What's ONE tiny thing you can do RIGHT NOW?
Introduce the idea of 'coping thoughts' and 'first-step action plans.' Emphasize that we can change our thoughts and actions to change our feelings. This leads into the 'My Action Plan' worksheet.
Share Your Superpowers!
Let's share our coping thoughts and first steps.
- What new thought will you try?
- What's one small action you can take?
You've got this!
Encourage students to share their coping thoughts and first steps, fostering a supportive environment and demonstrating diverse strategies.
Activity
The Overwhelm Map Activity
Name: ____________________________
Date: ____________________________
Have you ever felt completely stuck or overwhelmed by a school assignment? It happens to everyone! Today, we're going to explore those feelings and thoughts so we can find a way to move forward.
Your Overwhelm Map
Think of a specific academic task or assignment that feels really difficult or overwhelming to you right now. It could be homework, a project, studying for a test, or anything that makes you feel a bit stuck.
The Specific Task/Assignment:
1. What are Your Feelings?
When you think about this task, what emotions come up? (Circle all that apply or add your own!)
- Frustrated
- Anxious
- Stressed
- Worried
- Defeated
- Helpless
- Angry
- Sad
- Tired
- Confused
- Overwhelmed
Other feelings:
2. What are Your Actions?
What do you tend to do when you feel this way about the task? (Circle all that apply or add your own!)
- Procrastinate (put it off)
- Stare blankly at the page
- Get distracted easily
- Avoid starting
- Give up quickly
- Complain
- Do something else instead
- Rush through it carelessly
- Ask for help (or wish you could)
Other actions:
3. What are Your Thoughts?
This is a big one! What thoughts pop into your head when you feel those feelings and take those actions regarding this task? These are often automatic thoughts, like a script playing in your head.
- "I can't do this."
- "This is too hard."
- "I'm not smart enough."
- "I'll never understand this."
- "What's the point?"
- "Everyone else gets it but me."
- "I'm going to fail."
- "This is boring."
- "I don't know where to start."
Other thoughts:
Great job identifying these connections! This map helps us see the cycle we get into when work feels too hard. Now, let's get ready to change it!
Worksheet
My Action Plan Worksheet
Name: ____________________________
Date: ____________________________
Now that you've mapped your overwhelm, it's time to create a plan to tackle that tough task! We're going to "flip the script" on those unhelpful thoughts and take a small, manageable first step.
My Overwhelm-Busting Plan
The Specific Task/Assignment (from your Overwhelm Map):
1. Identify Your Unhelpful Thought (from your Overwhelm Map):
What was one of the unhelpful thoughts you had about this task?
Example: "I'm not smart enough to do this math problem."
2. Develop a Coping Thought:
Now, let's create a more helpful, realistic thought to replace it. This isn't about pretending it's easy, but about finding a thought that helps you feel more capable and less overwhelmed.
Example: "This math problem is challenging, but I can break it down, try my best, and ask for help if I get stuck."
3. Take a "First-Step Action":
What is ONE tiny, manageable thing you can do to get started on this task? It should be something you can do in 5-10 minutes. Don't think about finishing the whole thing, just taking that very first step.
Example: "Read the first question of the math homework." or "Find my textbook."
4. Why is this First Step Important?
How will taking this small step help you feel less overwhelmed or more in control?
Remember: Even the longest journey begins with a single step. You've got the power to take that first step!