Master Your Day Lesson Plan Master Your Day
Digital Literacy & Executive Functioning
Duration: 50 minutes
Audience: Year 7 Students
The "Why"
Organizing digital calendars, ManageBac tasks, and email communication builds responsibility, ensures deadlines are met, and strengthens academic success and digital literacy in a secondary school environment.
Learning Objectives
• Schedule assignments and events in Google Calendar.
• Track and prioritize tasks effectively in ManageBac.
• Apply time-management strategies like buffer time.
• Compose professional emails to teachers with proper etiquette.
Teacher Prep
10 Minutes Before Class:
Ensure students have active Google Calendar & ManageBac accounts.
Queue up the Slide Deck and digital navigation guides.
Print the Time Management Worksheet and Email Activity.
Prepare interruption prompts for the Time-Tracking game.
Materials Checklist
Master Your Day Slide Deck
Time Management Worksheet
Email Composition Practice
Time-Tracking Game Guide
Email Etiquette Quiz
Instructional Roadmap
5 MIN
Warm-Up Scenarios
Display scenarios describing common scheduling challenges (morning-of quiz, overlapping deadlines).
Pairs discuss which sounds familiar and why.
Volunteers share key challenges and potential solutions with the class.
5 MIN
Introduction
Present objectives and agenda via the Slide Deck.
Explain the high-level benefits of digital task management.
Quick Q&A to check for initial understanding.
10 MIN
Google Calendar Tutorial
Demo: Create events, set reminders, and color-code subjects.Hands-on: Students create a mock event for an upcoming assignment.Support: Circulate to provide one-on-one guidance for device-specific issues.
10 MIN
ManageBac Navigation
Walk through adding a new assignment and tagging subjects.
Students enter a real upcoming assignment from their coursework.
Peer-to-peer support: students who finish early help neighbors.
8 MIN
Time Management Activity
Distribute Time Management Worksheet.
Students list weekly tasks, estimate time, and slot them into a schedule.
Focus on prioritization and buffer times.
7 MIN
Emailing Practice
Review email structure: Subject, Greeting, Body, Closing.
Students draft a practice email to a teacher clarifying an assignment.
Peer feedback: Exchange drafts to check for tone and clarity.
5 MIN
Game & Wrap-Up
Challenge: Simulate scheduling with random interruptions.Final Assessment: Email Etiquette Quiz.Reflection: Write one new habit to implement this week. Master Your Day Slide Deck Master Your Day
Organize your assignments, tasks, deadlines, and communication like a pro.
Year 7
Digital Literacy
Teacher Notes: Welcome students. Explain that today they’ll learn digital tools to stay organized.
Scheduling Scenarios
1
You forgot about a quiz until the morning of.
2
Two assignments are due on the same day and you feel overwhelmed.
3
You didn’t know when to email your teacher with a question.
Teacher Notes: Display scenarios and give students 1 minute to discuss in pairs.
What We'll Learn
Google Calendar basics
ManageBac for assignments
Time-management strategies
Professional email composition
Today's Agenda
1. Google Calendar Demo 10m
2. ManageBac Practice 10m
3. Time Management 8m
4. Email Composition 7m
5. Game & Reflection 5m
Google Calendar Basics
Demo Mode
Create
Add events for all assignments & tests.
Remind
Set notifications for 1 day before.
Color-Code
Different colors for each subject.
"If it's not on the calendar, it doesn't exist!"
ManageBac: Track Your Tasks
Add Assignments
Enter every due date and task description immediately.
Tag & Prioritize
Set subject tags and mark priority (High/Med/Low).
Hands-On Practice
Open ManageBac now and enter one real upcoming assignment.
Time Management Tips
Prioritize Tasks
Do the hardest or most important things first (High Priority).
Build Buffer Time
Add 15-20 minutes extra for unexpected delays or complications.
Schedule Breaks
Work for 25 mins, then take a 5 min break to recharge.
Single Tasking
Focus on ONE thing at a time. Put your phone away!
Writing Professional Emails
Subject Line
Question about Math Homework
Greeting
Hello Ms. Smith,
Body
I’m writing because I have a question about Task 3 on the photosynthesis worksheet. Could you please clarify if we need to draw a diagram?
Time Management Worksheet Time Management Worksheet
Master Your Day
Student Name
Date
Instructions: For each upcoming assignment, test, or responsibility this week, fill in the details below. Use this to help you prioritize your work and build a realistic schedule.
01 Task / Assignment
Description
Estimated Time
Priority (H / M / L)
Scheduled Day
02 Task / Assignment
Description
Estimated Time
Priority (H / M / L)
Scheduled Day
03 Task / Assignment
Description
Estimated Time
Priority (H / M / L)
Scheduled Day
04 Task / Assignment
Description
Estimated Time
Priority (H / M / L)
Scheduled Day
Reflection Questions
1. Which task do you think will be the most challenging to schedule and why?
2. What buffer time have you built in to accommodate unexpected changes?
Prioritize Highs
Add Buffer Time
Track in ManageBac
Email Composition Practice Activity Email Composition Practice
Professional Communication Skills
7 Minutes
Objective
Draft a clear, polite email to a teacher asking for clarification on an assignment using the professional structure: Subject, Greeting, Body, and Closing.
New Message
Subject:
Hello Ms. Smith,
I hope you’re well. I’m writing because I have a question about...
Thank you for your help,
[Your Name]
Send
Peer Feedback
Compliment: One thing they did well
Suggestion: One way to improve clarity or tone
Sentence Starters
• I’m writing to ask about...
• Could you please clarify...
• Is it okay if I...
Extension Challenge
Explain when you plan to complete the assignment and ask your teacher if your plan looks good.
Time-Tracking Challenge Game Guide Time-Tracking Challenge
Game Instructions & Strategy
3 Minutes Total
Game Objective
Practice quick scheduling, adaptability, and buffer planning by organizing mini-tasks under time pressure and handling unexpected teacher-led interruptions.
Setup Requirements
Groups of 3–4 students
Blank paper or mini-whiteboards
Digital timer (projected)
Gameplay Steps
1
Assign Tasks (30 Seconds)
Give each group three mini-tasks. They must quickly discuss and write down the estimated time for each task on their paper.
Review 5 flashcards Outline one paragraph Send reminder email
2
Initial Schedule (1 Minute)
Groups slot each task into a tight timeline. Encourage them to decide which task starts at 0:00, 0:30, etc. They must fit all tasks into 90 seconds total.
3
The Interruptions Round! (1 Minute)
Every 20 seconds, the teacher calls out a surprise interruption. Groups must immediately stop and rewrite their timeline to accommodate the new reality.
Teacher Interruptions Menu:
• "Device needs charging: Lose 10 seconds!"
• "Peer needs help: Lose 20 seconds!"
• "Family call: Lose 15 seconds!"
4
Final Adjustment (30 Seconds)
Groups have 30 seconds to finalize their adjusted schedule. Can they still finish their priority tasks?
Debrief Questions
How many seconds of buffer time did you build in initially?
Which interruption was hardest to accommodate?
Key Takeaway: Always leave small buffer slots between tasks.
Key Takeaway: Prioritize high-impact tasks when time is tight.
Email Etiquette Quiz Email Etiquette Quiz
Master Your Day
Student Name
Date
1 Which of the following is the clearest and most appropriate subject line for an email to your teacher about homework?
Question about Math Homework
Homework assignment
URGENT!!!
Hey there
2 What is the most appropriate greeting to start an email to your teacher?
Hey Ms. Smith,
Hello Ms. Smith,
Yo Ms. Smith,
Dear Smith,
3 Which of these sentences uses the most polite and professional tone for the body of your email?
This homework is too hard. Fix it pls.
Can you help me with question 2?
I’m writing because I have a question about question 2 of the math assignment.
Give me more time, thanks!
4 Which closing is the most professional way to end your email before your name?
Later,
Thanks,
Thank you,
Bye,
5 If you need an extension on an assignment, which of these is the most appropriate way to ask?
I want more time to finish this.
Can I have an extension on the due date, please?
Please extend the deadline.
I might not finish on time.
Reflection Exit Ticket
Write one new habit you will implement this week to stay organized:
Email Etiquette Answer Key Quiz Answer Key
Teacher Resource
# Correct Answer Key Learning Point 1 Question about Math Homework Subject lines should be specific and professional, avoiding vague terms or urgency markers. 2 Hello Ms. Smith, A formal greeting sets a respectful tone. Avoid slang like "Hey" or "Yo". 3 I’m writing because I have a question about question 2 of the math assignment. State the purpose clearly and politely in the body of the email. 4 Thank you, Professional closings include "Thank you," "Sincerely," or "Best regards." 5 Can I have an extension on the due date, please? Asking politely with a clear request is more effective than demanding or stating vague difficulties.
Feedback Guide: Email Practice
Look For:
Clear subject line with the subject/topic.
Proper capitalization and punctuation.
Polite tone throughout the body.
Red Flags:
Text-speak (u, r, pls, thx).
Missing greeting or signature.
All caps or excessive exclamation marks.
