Planning and Goal Setting
You have a big project due in two weeks. What is the first step you should take?
Start to plan for your project - this could be gathering information, brainstorming ideas, talking to your teachers about what is expected, setting out time during school to work on your project
You have three tasks to do. How do you decide which one to do first?
Prioritize what is important or timely
Ex: homework due tomorrow
Name one place where you should keep important papers
In a folder, in a safe spot in your classroom or at home
Name one distraction that makes it hard for you to focus on homework
Noises at home, siblings, TV/ electronics, pets
Your first idea for a project did not work. What should you do?
Brainstorm new ideas
Ask your teacher for help with brainstorming
Name two tools that help you plan and organize your time
To-do lists
time trackers (such as a watch or alarm clock)
Agendas or calendars
What is one strategy to help you remember when assignments are due?
Write it down, use a planner, listen to reminders from your teacher
What is a memory trick to help you remember a list of items?
Chunking, using an acronym
What is one thing you can do to help yourself concentrate better?
Minimize distractions- ex: turning off the tv, going somewhere quiet
What is one way you can solve a problem with a peer or an adult at school?
Use conflict resolution skills
Communicate your needs!!!
As for help from others
You want to improve your math grade. What is a SMART goal you could set?
*Remember, SMART goals are specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and timely.
Talk to your teacher to create a plan, set out a specific amount of time daily to study or practice math problems...
Ex: I will practice math 2x per week, for at least 20 minutes so I can get a good grade by the end of the 2025-2026 schoolyear.
Define "time management" in your own words
Time management is the process of planning and exercising conscious control of time spent on specific activities. The goal of managing your time is to increase effectiveness, efficiency, and productivity.
Describe how organizing your backpack helps you find things faster
When your backpack is organized, you will know where everything is inside of it. (Ex: your pencils are in the front pocket with your lunch money, homework is in your homework folder, snacks + food are in your lunchbox)
You are working on math but keep thinking about recess. What strategy helps you refocus?
Use a timer to know how much time you have until recess
You are stuck on a math problem. What are three things you could try?
Try solving it a different way
Take a break and return to the problem after
Ask your teacher for help
Describe how breaking a large task into smaller steps helps you succeed
Breaking a large task into a smaller task can reduce feelings of overwhelm
Help you can focus on one task at a time
It can help you identify the first step to take to complete the task
You have 30 minutes before dinner. You have homework, chores, and free time. How do you manage your time?
Everyone's answer may be different depending on how much time you spend on homework, chores, and free time. As long as you set an appropriate amount of time for each task, you will get points for this question!
You keep forgetting your lunch at home. What system could you create to remember it?
Put a note by the door or your backpack reminding you to grab your lunch
Put your backpack near the refrigerator
Ask an adult for assistance
Describe a quiet workspace that would help you focus on a difficult assignment
*100 point bonus: Describe a place where it would be difficult to focus
A quiet workspace can be the library, a space at home with limited distractions, somewhere you feel comfortable
It may be difficult to focus if it is very noisy, you are not comfortable (ex: the room is too hot or cold), and there are lots of distractions
Explain how being flexible helps you when your plan changes
Being flexible helps us to cope with changes (both positive + negative) to adapt to a situation