Ready Set Go Lesson Plan Ready Set Go
Tier 3 Task Initiation Lesson Plan
Audience
5th Grade (Individual)
Duration
15 Minutes
Focus
Task Initiation Strategy
The Why
Learning to start tasks is crucial for academic success and building independence. This lesson provides a practical tool to overcome common barriers to task initiation, reducing feelings of being "stuck" or overwhelmed.
Materials
Ready, Set, Go! Checklist
Task Initiation Script
Pencil/Pen
Real academic task for practice
Pit Crew Prep
Review the lesson plan and scripts.
Print the Ready, Set, Go! Checklist .
Select a current, real task (e.g., math worksheet) for the student to practice with.
The Race Plan
Segment Action Steps Starting Line
2 Minutes
| Greet the student and explain the goal: finding an easier way to start schoolwork. Use the Task Initiation Script for the specific opening dialogue. |
|
The Tech Check
5 Minutes
| Present the Ready, Set, Go! Checklist . Walk through each step (Ready, Set, Go), explaining the "why" behind them. Emphasize that this tool reduces overwhelm. |
|
Test Drive
6 Minutes
| Provide the real task. Guide the student through the checklist for that specific task. Encourage think-alouds and provide high-frequency positive reinforcement. |
|
Victory Lap
2 Minutes
| Reflect on the experience. Ask: "How did it feel?" Discuss when they can use this checklist next. Close with encouragement. |
Ready Set Go Slide Deck Ready
Set
Getting "Unstuck" and Starting Strong
Welcome the student and explain that today's lesson is about finding an easier way to start schoolwork. Emphasize that many people find it hard to start tasks, and this tool is designed to help them.
What is a Checklist?
A tool to help us remember steps
Makes big tasks feel smaller
Helps you get "unstuck" when you don't know where to begin
Introduce the idea of a checklist. Ask the student if they've ever used a checklist for anything before (e.g., packing for a trip, grocery shopping). Explain that checklists help us remember steps.
Your New Tool!
Ready, Set, Go!
R Ready: Get clear on the task.
S Set: Prepare your space and tools.
G Go: Start with the first small step!
*(See your printed Checklist for details!)*
Present the full checklist. Explain that each step is important for getting ready to start a task. Read through each item, briefly explaining its purpose. Point to the Ready, Set, Go! Checklist as you talk.
R
Ready: Understand
What do I need to do?
Why am I doing it?
How long will it take?
What materials ?
Focus on the 'Ready' section. Explain the importance of understanding what the task is and why it needs to be done. Give a quick example relevant to a 5th grader (e.g., 'What is this math worksheet about? Addition?').
S
Set: Prepare
Clear your desk of distractions.
Gather all your materials now.
Minimize noise and phones.
Move to the 'Set' section. Discuss preparing the physical space and gathering materials. Ask the student what a 'ready' workspace looks like for them.
G
Go: Start!
1
Break the task into tiny, easy pieces.
2
Choose the very first, easiest step.
3
Start! Even if it's just for 5 minutes.
Finally, the 'Go' section. This is often the hardest part! Emphasize starting with one small step, not the whole task. Give an example: 'If you have a reading assignment, your first step might be to read the first paragraph.'
Let's Practice!
Time to try out your new checklist with a real task from your schoolwork today!
Transition to guided practice. Have the student take out the actual academic task. Tell them, 'Now, let's try it together with your actual work.'
You've Got This!
Use your checklist often.
It's your tool for success.
You can do it!
Conclude by reiterating the benefits and encouraging them to use it regularly. Ask for their initial thoughts.
Task Initiation Script Task Initiation Script
Lesson: Ready, Set, Go!
1. Introduction
2 MINUTES
"Hi [Student's Name]! Thanks for coming today. We're going to talk about something really important that can help you with your schoolwork: how to get started when a task feels tough or you're not sure where to begin. Sometimes, starting is the hardest part, right? Today, we're going to learn a strategy to make that easier."
2. Introduce the Checklist
5 MINUTES
Teacher Action: Hand the student the Ready, Set, Go! Checklist and point to the first section.
"I've created a special tool called the Ready, Set, Go! Checklist . It's designed just for you to help you break down tasks and feel more confident about starting. Let's look at the first section: Ready. This is all about understanding the task. It asks: 'What do I need to do?' and 'Why am I doing it?' Why do you think it's important to know what you're doing before you start?"
Pause for student response
"Exactly! If you don't know what the task is, how can you do it? Then it asks 'How long should it take?' and 'What materials do I need?' Knowing the time helps you plan, and knowing your materials means you don't have to stop mid-task to find something."
Teacher Action: Move to the 'Set' section.
"Next is Set. This is about getting your workspace ready. 'Clear your desk' and 'Gather all your materials.' Imagine trying to do homework in a messy room with your pencil missing. How would that feel?"
Pause for student response
"Frustrating, right? Getting organized first makes a big difference! And 'Minimize distractions' means trying to find a quiet spot or putting away things that might make it hard to focus."
Teacher Action: Move to the 'Go' section.
"Finally, the most exciting part: Go! This is where you actually start. The first step is 'Break the task into smaller pieces.' Big tasks can feel overwhelming, so we chop them into tiny, manageable steps. Like if you have to write a whole report, a small piece might be just writing down three ideas."
"Then, 'Choose the very first, easiest step.' Don't try to do the hardest part first! Pick something super easy, like writing your name on the paper, or reading the first sentence. What do you think would be an easy first step for a math worksheet?"
Pause for student response
"Good idea! Or maybe just looking at the first problem. And then... 'Start!' Even if it's just for 5 minutes. The goal is just to begin . Once you start, it's often easier to keep going."
3. Guided Practice
6 MINUTES
Ready Set Go Checklist Worksheet Ready, Set, Go!
Task Initiation Checklist
Name:
Date:
My Task Today:
READY: Understand Your Mission!
1. What exactly do I need to do?
What is the main goal of this task?
What are the steps or parts of this task?
2. Why am I doing this task?
What will I learn or practice?
3. How long will it take?
4. Materials needed?
SET: Prepare Your Space & Tools!
Is my desk/workspace clear?
YES
NO
Do I have ALL materials ready?
YES
NO
Are distractions minimized?
YES
NO
GO: Take the First Step!
1. Break it down!
What is the first super small step I can take?
What is the next small step ?
START that first step!
I started my timer / task! (Even for just 5 minutes)
Reflection
How did using this checklist help you start your task today?
