Lesson Plan
Your Time, Your Power!
Students will identify personal organization challenges and learn practical time management strategies to improve academic performance and reduce stress.
Effective organization and time management are crucial life skills that empower students to take control of their responsibilities, reduce stress, and achieve their goals, both in school and beyond.
Audience
6th Grade
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Interactive discussion, practical tips, and a planning activity.
Materials
Whiteboard or Projector, Markers or Pens, Slide Deck: Your Time, Your Power!, Warm-Up: Time Troubles, Activity: My Super Schedule, and Cool-Down: One Small Step
Prep
Preparation Steps
15 minutes
- Review Slide Deck: Your Time, Your Power! and familiarize yourself with the content.
- Print or prepare to display Warm-Up: Time Troubles.
- Prepare copies of Activity: My Super Schedule for each student.
- Ensure whiteboard/projector and markers/pens are available.
- Review the Teacher Script: Your Time, Your Power! to ensure a smooth lesson flow.
Step 1
Warm-Up: Time Troubles (5 minutes)
5 minutes
- Begin by displaying or distributing Warm-Up: Time Troubles.
- Ask students to quickly jot down or think about one time management challenge they face.
- Briefly discuss a few responses as a whole class, acknowledging common struggles.
- Transition by stating that today's lesson will help them tackle these challenges.
Step 2
Introduction: Why Bother? (5 minutes)
5 minutes
- Use Slide Deck: Your Time, Your Power! to introduce the concept of organization and time management.
- Emphasize the 'why' – how these skills benefit them (less stress, better grades, more free time).
- Engage students with questions from the Teacher Script: Your Time, Your Power! to connect to their experiences.
Step 3
Key Strategies & Tips (10 minutes)
10 minutes
- Present key organization and time management strategies using the Slide Deck: Your Time, Your Power! and Teacher Script: Your Time, Your Power!. This could include:
- Using a Planner/Calendar: How to record assignments, tests, and activities.
- Prioritizing Tasks: The 'urgent vs. important' idea.
- Breaking Down Big Tasks: Making daunting tasks manageable.
- Creating a Dedicated Study Space: Minimizing distractions.
- Facilitate a brief discussion, asking students which strategies they already use or would like to try.
Step 4
Activity: My Super Schedule (8 minutes)
8 minutes
- Distribute Activity: My Super Schedule to each student.
- Explain the activity: Students will map out a typical school day or week, incorporating one new organizational or time management strategy.
- Circulate around the room, offering guidance and answering questions.
- Encourage students to share one idea from their schedule with a partner or the class if time permits.
Step 5
Cool-Down: One Small Step (2 minutes)
2 minutes
- Conclude the lesson with Cool-Down: One Small Step.
- Ask students to write down one specific, actionable step they will take to improve their organization or time management this week.
- Collect responses as an exit ticket, or have students share with a neighbor.
Slide Deck
Your Time, Your Power!
Unlock Your Potential with Organization & Time Management!
Welcome students and introduce the lesson topic. Ask them to think about what 'organization' means to them in school.
Why Bother?
- Less Stress, More Success!
* Finish Homework on Time
* Remember Everything Important
* More Free Time for YOU!
Start with the warm-up activity. Explain that good organization helps reduce stress and gives them more time for fun activities.
Strategy 1: The Power of Your Planner
- Write it Down! Homework, tests, projects, appointments.
* Check it Daily! What needs to be done today?
* Look Ahead! What's coming up this week/month?
Introduce the idea of a planner. Ask students if they currently use one and how. Explain the benefits of writing everything down.
Strategy 2: Prioritize Like a Pro
- Urgent vs. Important: What needs attention NOW?
* To-Do Lists: Make a list, then number tasks by importance.
* Eat the Frog! (Do the hardest task first)
Discuss prioritizing tasks. Use simple examples like 'Which is more important: playing video games or studying for tomorrow's test?'
Strategy 3: Break It Down!
- Big Project? Small Steps! Don't try to do it all at once.
* Set Mini-Deadlines: Finish one part by Tuesday, another by Thursday.
* Celebrate Small Wins! Every step completed is progress.
Explain how breaking down tasks makes them less intimidating. Give an example like a big project. Ask for student examples.
Strategy 4: Your Zone of Zen
- Dedicated Study Space: A consistent place for homework.
* Minimize Distractions: Turn off notifications, put away games.
* Gather Your Tools: Have everything you need BEFORE you start.
Talk about creating a distraction-free zone. Ask students what distracts them most and how they might minimize it.
Time to Plan!
Let's put these strategies into action with Activity: My Super Schedule!
Introduce the activity. Explain that they'll apply these strategies to their own lives.
Recap: Your Power, Your Choice!
- Planner Power
* Prioritize Smart
* Break It Down
* Zen Zone
Which strategy will you try first?
Wrap up by reviewing the main points and asking students to think about one thing they will try.
Warm Up
Warm-Up: Time Troubles
Think about your school life. What is one thing you struggle with when it comes to getting things done, remembering assignments, or managing your time?
Write it down or be ready to share!
Activity
Activity: My Super Schedule
Instructions:
1. Think about a typical school day or week for you.
2. Below, try to map out your schedule from when you wake up until you go to bed.
3. Include things like: School, Homework Time, Chores, Hobbies, Free Time, etc.
4. Choose one new strategy you learned today (Planner Power, Prioritize Smart, Break It Down, or Zen Zone) and show how you will apply it to your schedule.
---
### My Daily Schedule & New Strategy:
Strategy I will try: _______________________________________
How it looks in my schedule:
* Morning (Before School):
* School Day:
* After School (Homework, Activities):
* Evening (Family, Free Time):
Cool Down
Cool-Down: One Small Step
You learned a lot today about managing your time and staying organized. What is one specific, actionable step you will take this week to improve your organization or time management?
Be specific! Instead of "I will be more organized," try "I will write down all my homework in my planner right after class."
Script
Teacher Script: Your Time, Your Power!
## Warm-Up: Time Troubles (5 minutes)
(Display Warm-Up: Time Troubles slide or hand out worksheet.)
"Good morning/afternoon, everyone! We're going to kick off today with a quick warm-up called Warm-Up: Time Troubles. I want you to take a moment and think about your school life. What is one thing you struggle with when it comes to getting things done, remembering assignments, or just managing your time? Maybe it’s forgetting homework, feeling overwhelmed by projects, or not having enough time for fun activities."
"Write it down on your paper or just think about it for a moment. Be ready to share if you feel comfortable."
(Give students about 2-3 minutes to think/write.)
"Alright, who would like to share one 'time trouble' they sometimes face?"
(Listen to a few student responses, validate their feelings, and acknowledge common struggles.)
"Thanks for sharing! It sounds like many of us have similar challenges, and that’s totally normal. Today, we’re going to talk about something super important that can help with all of these things: organization and time management. The goal is to help you feel more in control, less stressed, and even have more time for the things you enjoy!"
## Introduction: Why Bother? (5 minutes)
(Transition to Slide Deck: Your Time, Your Power! - Slide 1 and then Slide 2)
"So, let’s dive into 'Your Time, Your Power!' Today is all about giving you tools to take charge of your school work and your personal time."
"Why should we even bother with being organized or managing our time well? Take a look at these reasons on the slide. Who can read one of them for us?"
(Call on a student to read a bullet point.)
"Exactly! When you manage your time well, you feel less stressed, you get your homework done, you remember everything important, and guess what? You actually get more free time to do what YOU want to do! How many of you would like more free time?"
(Expect most hands to go up.)
## Key Strategies & Tips (10 minutes)
(Transition through Slide Deck: Your Time, Your Power! - Slides 3, 4, 5, 6)
"Let’s talk about some powerful strategies to make this happen. Our first strategy is The Power of Your Planner."
(Show Slide 3: The Power of Your Planner)
"How many of you use a planner, an agenda, or even just a notebook to write down your assignments?"
(Discuss briefly. Emphasize consistency.)
"It’s not just about writing it down; it’s about checking it daily and looking ahead. Think of it like a roadmap for your week!"
"Next up: Prioritize Like a Pro."
(Show Slide 4: Prioritize Like a Pro)
"Not all tasks are created equal. Some things are urgent, meaning they need to be done right away, and some are important, meaning they have a big impact. Sometimes, urgent things aren’t that important, and important things aren’t always urgent. Making a to-do list and numbering tasks can really help. Has anyone heard the phrase, 'Eat the frog first?' It means do your hardest, most important task first so it’s out of the way!"
"Our third strategy is Break It Down!"
(Show Slide 5: Break It Down!)
"Have you ever had a really big project, like a research paper or a science fair project, and it just felt too overwhelming to start?"
(Wait for responses.)
"That’s where breaking it down into smaller steps comes in. Instead of 'Do the science project,' you can have: 'Choose topic,' 'Research 3 facts,' 'Draw poster layout.' It makes big tasks feel much more manageable. And don’t forget to celebrate those small wins along the way!"
"Finally, let’s talk about Your Zone of Zen."
(Show Slide 6: Your Zone of Zen)
"Where do you usually do your homework? Is it a quiet place or a place with a lot of distractions?"
(Discuss distractions.)
"Creating a dedicated study space, even if it’s just a corner of your room, can make a huge difference. Try to minimize distractions – that means putting away phones, turning off game consoles, and having all your pencils, paper, and books ready before you start. This helps your brain focus."
## Activity: My Super Schedule (8 minutes)
(Show Slide 7: Time to Plan!)
"Now it's your turn to be the master of your schedule! I'm handing out an activity called Activity: My Super Schedule."
(Distribute Activity: My Super Schedule)
"Your task is to think about a typical school day or week and map out your schedule. Include school, homework time, chores, hobbies, free time – everything! Then, choose one new strategy you learned today – Planner Power, Prioritize Smart, Break It Down, or Zen Zone – and show how you will apply it to your schedule. Don’t just say you’ll use a planner, show when you’ll use it!"
(Circulate, offer help, and encourage students. If time, allow a few to share with partners or the class.)
## Cool-Down: One Small Step (2 minutes)
(Show Slide 8: Recap: Your Power, Your Choice!)
"Alright, let's bring it back together. We've covered a lot today about taking control of your time. For our cool-down, I want everyone to complete this short exit ticket called Cool-Down: One Small Step."
(Distribute Cool-Down: One Small Step)
"On this paper, write down one specific, actionable step you will take this week to improve your organization or time management. Make it something you can actually do. For example, instead of 'I will be more organized,' you might write, 'I will write down all my homework in my planner right after each class.'"
"Think about it, write it down, and this will be your exit ticket. Great work today, everyone! Remember, a little organization goes a long way!"
**(Collect cool-downs as students leave.)