ATS

Middle School Outreach

Grade 7: Lesson Plan #2

Topic(s): Time Management
Time Allotted: 30-45 minutes

Objectives:

• Students will develop a strong visual of their use of time
• Students will learn to make changes to their daily routine for better time management

Materials:

• Handout/Worksheet: “Time-Planning Chart/Weekly List of Priorities”
• Group Handout/Worksheet: “Are you a time-waster or time-saver?”
• Handout/Worksheet: “Time-Waster or Time-Saver: Solutions”
• Pens/Pencils

Topic Introduction (5 minutes)

• Introduce self and remind students what ATS is meant to do with these college prep
workshops. To provide them with the skills and information to make smart decisions for
college.
• Then, introduce topic: Time Management. Ask students why time management might be an
important topic for college readiness?
• Ask students to name one thing that they feel they never have time to do. Ask them what
might be causing them to feel they don’t have enough time for this activity. *Highlight
common replies such as procrastinating, too many other activities, etc.*
• Ask students what can be done to have more time to do these activities. After their
answers, explain that though we can’t acquire more time in a day, we can better manage
our time.
• In learning to manage their time, they’ll realize that they are more productive. They will
also feel less stressed and more in control of their life.

A day in the life of… (20 mins.)

1. Pass out “Time-Planning Chart/Weekly List of Priorities” Handout to each student.
2. Explain that in order to manage our time we must first consider everything that we HAVE
to do in a day, and everything we WANT to do. We must also figure out how much time it
will take for each activity.
3. Instruct students to fill out the top part (“Time-Planning Chart”) with how they usually
spend their time during the week. What are they typically doing at 7 a.m. on a Monday?
What about on a Saturday? Remind students to be honest as this exercise is to help them
manage their time better. (5-7 mins.)
4. Based on this, ask them to complete the bottom half of the worksheet. What are the they
always do every week? (Typically, they should focus on the things that take the most time.
 These might include sleeping, eating, going to school, chores, etc.) Then write in the things
they HAVE to do this week for school and for home in the appropriate columns. Finally,
write down the all the things they want to do at the bottom. (7-10 minutes)
5. DISCUSSION: Ask students if the two halves of their worksheets match? Did they include
time for all of their tasks that they have to do for school and for home in their time-
planning chart above? Take a poll: when are most students setting aside time for
homework and studying? (5 mins.)

OPTIONAL: Time-Waster or Time-Saver (15 mins.)

1. Let students know that good time management is really a matter of making good choices.
Sometimes it is difficult to make the choice that we know is going to be best for our
academic goals, and we all struggle with this. However, having a plan for those times when
we want to make not-so-good choices can really help.
2. Ask students to work in groups of 2 or 3. Pass out blank “Are you a time-waster or time-
saver?” handout to each group. For each “Time-waster” on the worksheet, they must come
up with 1 possible “Time-Saver” (5-7 minutes)
3. Once groups are done, ask each group to share out their solutions for 1-2 time wasters and
discuss as time allows.

CLOSING: Time-Waster or Time-Saver (5 mins.)

1. Handout the “Time-Waster or Time-Saver: Solutions” sheet to each student. Discuss as time
allows.
2. Ask students where they could hang up these charts so that they are visible every day?