Study Sprint Teacher Guide Lesson Plan Study Sprint
Teacher Guide: Build Your Week
Duration: 30 Mins
Grade: 9th Grade
Learning Objective
Students will create a weekly study plan that schedules at least three 25-minute focus sprints across two courses and set one accountability check-in.
Key Concepts
• Prioritization
• Time-blocking
• Habit Stacking
• Accountability Buddy
Materials Needed
Student Facing:
Do Now: What’s Coming Up
Weekly Study Sprint Planner
Accountability Buddy Contract
Exit Ticket
Teacher Tools:
Slides: Build Your Week
Share Your Plan Circle Guide
Timer (Physical or Digital)
Instructional Arc & Pacing
0-5 Mins
Do Now: What's Coming Up?
Goal: Brain dump and prioritize upcoming tasks.
Students list all deadlines, quizzes, and projects for the next 7 days. They use a simple "A, B, C" ranking to identify the highest priority tasks.
5-10 Mins
Instruction: Sprint Theory
Goal: Introduce time-blocking and habit stacking.
Quickly explain the "Sprint" concept: 25 minutes of deep focus with no distractions. Introduce Habit Stacking : "After I [existing habit], I will [Study Sprint]."
10-20 Mins
Build: Weekly Sprint Planner
Goal: Concrete scheduling of 3 sprints.
Students map their week. They must place 3 sprints on their calendar. Encourage them to be specific (e.g., "Monday, 4:00 PM, Algebra practice problems").
20-25 Mins
Pair: Accountability Buddies
Goal: Social pressure for success.
Students find a partner. They fill out the Buddy Contract. They must decide exactly how they will check in (e.g., "Texting a photo of my finished work at 5:00 PM").
25-28 Mins
Share: Sprint Showcase
Goal: Public commitment.
Facilitate a rapid-fire share. Each student shares one sprint: "I'm doing a history sprint on Tuesday after I get home from soccer practice."
28-30 Mins
Wrap-up & Exit Ticket
Goal: Final confirmation.
Students record their very first sprint time and goal on the exit ticket to hand in as they leave.
Facilitation Tips
The "One-Question" Check: As students are planning, walk around and ask: "What is one specific thing that usually stops you from studying for 25 minutes?" Help them plan a distraction-block for that specific hurdle.
Habit Stacking Examples: Remind students of habits they already have: brushing teeth, eating dinner, arriving at school, getting off the bus. Study sprints work best when attached to these "anchor" events.
Accountability: If a student doesn't have a phone, suggest they find a buddy they see in the halls or at lunch to do an in-person "high five check-in."
Teacher Reflection / Notes Study Sprint Slides Build Your Week Performance Workshop
Study Sprint
Build Your High-Performance Week
Ready. Set. Focus.
Do Now
05:00
What's Coming Up?
1
Open your Do Now sheet.
2
List every quiz, test, and project due in the next 7 days.
3
Rank them: A (Urgent), B (Important), or C (Soon).
The Sprint Rules
A sprint isn't just "studying." It's a high-intensity focus block designed to maximize your brain power.
Habit Stacking
How do you make sure the sprint actually happens?
After I...
I will Sprint.
"After I get off the bus..."
"After I finish dinner..."
"After I brush my teeth..."
"After I get home from practice..."
Build Your Week
Step 1: Pick Your Times
Mark at least 3 blocks this week on your planner.
Step 2: Assign Subjects
At least 2 different courses. Be specific!
"You don't find time, you make time."
Accountability
The Power of the Buddy
You are 65% more likely to finish a goal if you tell someone else. You are 95% more likely to finish if you set a check-in time.
The Text Check
"Hey, just finished my Bio sprint. You done?"
The Hallway Check
"See you at lockers. Don't forget that 4:00 sprint."
Sprint Showcase
"My first sprint is on ______ at ______ for my ______ class."
Exit Ticket
Before you go:
Write down your 1st Sprint time.
Write down your 1st Sprint goal.
Name your Buddy.
Victory is in the Preparation.
Study Sprint Do Now What’s Coming Up Do Now: What's Coming Up?
Study Sprint Workshop | Part 1
Name:
Date:
Mission: Brain dump all academic deadlines, tests, quizzes, and projects for the next 7 days. Don't worry about the order yet—just get them out of your head and onto this paper.
The Task / Deadline Subject Rank (A, B, C)
A
URGENT
Due in 24-48 hours. Huge impact on grade. Needs focus now.
B
IMPORTANT
Due in 3-5 days. Medium impact. Needs a plan.
C
SOON
Due next week or later. Low daily stress. Keep an eye on it.
Thinking Ahead
Based on your "A" tasks, what is the single most important thing you need to work on in your first 25-minute sprint?
Study Sprint Weekly Planner Worksheet Weekly Study Sprint Planner
Turn your time-blocks into high-intensity results.
Name:
Week Of:
Habit Stacking Formula
After I... [Anchor Habit]
I will... [Sprint]
Example: "After I get off the bus , I will Sprint for 25 mins on History ."
Phase 1: The Weekly Map
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Sun
PM
PM
PM
PM
PM
PM
PM
Instructions: Use a star (*) to mark when your 3 Sprints will happen.
Phase 2: Sprint Specifics
SPRINT 01
Subject / Course
Anchor (After I...)
Single Specific Goal (Example: Complete 10 math problems)
SPRINT 02
Subject / Course
Anchor (After I...)
Single Specific Goal
SPRINT 03
Subject / Course
Anchor (After I...)
Single Specific Goal
Tip: Put your phone in another room during your 25-minute sprint. No notifications allowed.
Study Sprint Accountability Buddy Contract Official Document
Accountability Buddy
Contract
95% Success Rate Starts Here
Sprint Athlete:
Mission Buddy:
Our Check-In Strategy
Method of Contact
Text Message / Photo
In-Person High Five
Phone Call / FaceTime
Shared Doc Check
Check-In Time/Day
Example: "Tuesday at 5:00 PM after my first sprint."
"I hereby commit to my weekly study sprints. I will not ignore my buddy's check-ins. I understand that my success is linked to my discipline and my support for my partner. Let's win the week."
Signature of Athlete
Signature of Buddy
Validated Performance Partnership
Study Sprint Share Guide Facilitation Card Facilitator's Tool
Share Your Plan Circle
The Rapid-Fire Public Commitment Session
!
The Goal
Publicly sharing a plan increases the psychological stakes. This isn't a long discussion—it's a high-speed "roll call" to build momentum and energy.
Facilitation Script
"Alright Sprint Athletes! We have our plans, we have our buddies, and we have our targets. Now, we're going to make it official. We're going to go around the room in exactly 3 minutes. When I point to you, give us your Day , your Time , and your Goal . One breath. No extra stories. Just the facts."
The "One-Breath" Prompt
"My first sprint is on DAY at TIME to ACTIONABLE GOAL."
Keep it Moving
If a student stalls, say 'Pass!' and come back to them at the very end. Don't let the energy drop.
The "Specific" Check
If a student says 'study math,' gently prompt: 'Doing what exactly?' (e.g., '10 practice problems'). Specificity is power.
Victory is won in the prep. Go get it.
Study Sprint Exit Ticket First Sprint Time Sprint Exit Ticket
Final check before you hit the field.
When is your first sprint? (Day/Time)
What is the one specific goal?
Who is your accountability buddy?
Commitment Level: 100%
Sprint Exit Ticket
Final check before you hit the field.
When is your first sprint? (Day/Time)
What is the one specific goal?
Who is your accountability buddy?
Commitment Level: 100%
Sprint Exit Ticket
Final check before you hit the field.
When is your first sprint? (Day/Time)
What is the one specific goal?
Who is your accountability buddy?
Commitment Level: 100%
Sprint Exit Ticket
Final check before you hit the field.
When is your first sprint? (Day/Time)
What is the one specific goal?
Who is your accountability buddy?
Commitment Level: 100%
