Schedule Success Lesson Plan Your Schedule, Your Success!
Lesson Plan • Time Management
30 Minutes
Why This Matters
Effective time management is a critical skill for academic achievement, reducing stress, and preparing for post-high school life, whether it's college, career, or other pursuits. Mastering these tools now ensures students are ready for the increased independence of adulthood.
Learning Objective
Students will learn to create a basic personal schedule, identify key commitments, and effectively use Google Calendar to input and manage important dates and tasks.
Materials
Google Calendar access
Slide Deck
Scheduling Worksheet
Lesson Script
Answer Key
Teacher Preparation (15 min)
1 Review the Slide Deck and ensure all navigation and demonstration flows are familiar.
2 Print copies of the Scheduling Your Success Worksheet (one per student).
3 Verify student access to Google Calendar on classroom or personal devices.
4 Review the Lesson Script for explicit instructions for executive functioning needs.
Instructional Sequence
5 min
Warm-Up: Time Capsule
Begin with a quick discussion: "Imagine you have a super busy week coming up. What's one thing you always forget or struggle to make time for?" Allow for varied response styles (verbal, written, or non-verbal). Briefly introduce the lesson goal.
5 min
Introduction to Scheduling
Use Slide Deck (Slides 1-4) to define a schedule. Differentiate between 'fixed' and 'flexible' commitments with concrete examples. Emphasize the benefit of balance for mental health and success.
10 min
Google Calendar Basics
Guided Practice & Step-by-Step Demonstration
Demonstrate: opening calendar, clicking 'Create', event title, time, description, and reminders. Instruct students to add a "Science Project Due" event together for next Monday at 3:00 PM with a 1-day reminder.
5 min
Activity: Scheduling Your Success
Distribute worksheet. Guide through Part 1 (Fixed vs. Flexible). In Part 2, students choose 3 dates/tasks to add to their Google Calendar. Circulate to provide 1:1 support for students with executive functioning needs.
5 min
Cool-Down: One Key Takeaway
Students reflect on one new learning or plan for implementation. Share verbally or write on the worksheet. Reiterate that consistency is the key to mastering time management.
Your Schedule Your Success Slide Deck Your Schedule,
Your Success!
Take Control of Your Time!
Teacher Notes
Welcome students with a calm, clear tone. Briefly introduce the topic and why it's a helpful life skill. Provide a clear, simple warm-up question. Offer non-verbal ways for students to respond (e.g., thumbs up/down, raise hand, write on a mini-whiteboard).
What's a Schedule Anyway?
1
A plan for how you spend your time.
2
Your roadmap to getting things done.
3
Helps you balance school, learning, and fun!
Class 9:00 AM
Lunch 12:00 PM
Study 3:00 PM
Fun! 5:00 PM
Teacher Notes
Define 'schedule' clearly. Use simple language. You might show a very basic visual example of a schedule on the board (e.g., a simple block of time). Emphasize that it's a 'plan' and a 'roadmap.'
Why Bother? The Benefits!
Less Stress
Know exactly what to do and when to do it.
Better Grades
Make focused time for studying and projects.
More Fun
Protect your free time for hobbies and friends.
Reach Goals
Plan your path to college, work, or dreams.
Teacher Notes
Break down the benefits with concrete examples. Use icons or simple visuals if possible. Connect each benefit to student experiences.
Fixed vs. Flexible
Fixed
Activities with a set, unchanging time.
Classes (English at 9 AM)
Doctor Appointments
Work Shifts (Sat 2-6 PM)
Flexible
Tasks where you choose when to do them.
Homework / Studying
Working on a Project
Chores & Errands
Teacher Notes
This is a key concept. Clearly differentiate 'fixed' (can't change) and 'flexible' (can choose when). Provide diverse examples for each. You could use a T-chart on the board to visually sort examples.
Meet Your New Best Friend:
Google Calendar
A digital calendar on your phone, computer, or tablet .
Easy to use
Always with you
Track everything
Teacher Notes
Introduce Google Calendar as a practical, easy-to-use tool. Emphasize its accessibility (phone, computer). Explain it helps keep track of *everything* in one place.
Lesson Script Schedule & Calendar Lesson Script
Your Schedule, Your Success!
Facilitator Guide
1 Warm-Up: Time Capsule (5 min)
Slide 1
"Good morning/afternoon, everyone! Let's start with a quick thought exercise. I want you to imagine you have a super busy week coming up. Maybe it's finals week, or you have a big project due, plus sports practice and a family event. When things get really hectic, what is one thing you always forget to do, or struggle to find time for? You can share with a partner for a minute, write it down, or just think about it in your head."
Instructions
Allow 1-2 minutes for students to discuss in pairs or quietly reflect. Call on a few students to share. Provide sentence starters like "I often forget to..." or "I struggle with making time for..."
"Thanks for sharing! Today, we're going to learn a super important life skill: how to manage your time so you never miss an important date or task again! By the end of this lesson, you'll know how to create a simple schedule and confidently add important events to your Google Calendar."
2 Intro to Scheduling (5 min)
Slides 2-3
"So, what exactly is a 'schedule'? It's essentially a plan for how you spend your time. Think of it like a roadmap for your day or week. Why bother? Look at these clear benefits: less stress, better grades, and more fun! Who can tell me one benefit that stands out to them and why?"
Instructions
Allow 1-2 students to respond. Rephrase and reinforce: "Yes, less stress means you feel calmer and more in control."
3 Fixed vs. Flexible (5 min)
Slide 4
"First, we have fixed commitments . These happen at a specific time (classes, jobs, doctor appointments). These are your non-negotiables. Then we have flexible commitments . These are tasks that need to get done, but you choose when (homework, chores, exercise). Can someone give me an example of each?"
4 Google Calendar Basics (10 min)
Slides 5-7
"Google Calendar is your personal digital assistant. Let's get hands-on. Please open Google Calendar on your devices now. Let's add an event together, step-by-step."
Step 1: Create
"Click the big 'Create' button or a spot on the calendar."
Step 2: Title
"Add title: 'Science Project Due - Final Draft'."
Step 3: Time
"Set it for next Monday at 3:00 PM."
Step 4: Details
"Add description: 'Review rubric, attach draft'."
"Step 5: Set a reminder for 1 day before. Step 6: Hit Save! You've just used Google Calendar like a pro."
Scheduling Your Success Worksheet Scheduling Your Success
Time Management Activity
Student Name:
Date:
1
Part 1: Fixed or Flexible?
Read each activity below. In the blank space, identify if it is a Fixed Commitment (happens at a set time) or a Flexible Commitment (you choose when to do it).
1. Your English class on Tuesday at 9:00 AM
2. Studying for your Chemistry test
3. Your part-time job shift (Saturday 2:00 PM - 6:00 PM)
4. Working on your college application essay
5. A doctor's appointment next Friday at 1:00 PM
6. Exercising or going for a run
7. Meeting with your guidance counselor for scholarships
2
Part 2: Google Calendar Practice
Instructions
Choose three (3) events from the list below and add them to your Google Calendar. Each entry must include a Title , a brief Description , and at least one Reminder .
Upcoming Dates/Tasks
History Paper Due: Nov 15th (Mon)School Play Tryouts: Oct 28th, 3:30 PMVolunteer Shift: Sunday, 10 AM - 12 PM
Self-Paced Tasks
SAT/ACT Practice: 1 hour before Nov 1stParent-Teacher Conf: Nov 3rd, 6:00 PMCollege App Deadline: Nov 1st (Mon)
Record your entries below:
Event 1 Title
Reminder Set (e.g., 1 day before)
Event 2 Title
Reminder Set
Event 3 Title
Reminder Set
3
Part 3: Reflection
One new thing I learned today about scheduling is:
I plan to use Google Calendar to manage my time by:
Scheduling Your Success Answer Key Answer Key
Scheduling Your Success
Teacher Reference
1
Part 1: Fixed vs. Flexible
1. English class (Tue 9 AM) Fixed
This class happens at a specific, unchanging time as part of the formal school day.
2. Studying for Chemistry test Flexible
While studying is essential, students can choose when to do it based on their other commitments.
3. Part-time job shift (Sat 2-6 PM) Fixed
Employer-set hours are non-negotiable commitments that must be scheduled first.
4. Working on college essay Flexible
The deadline is fixed, but the actual work sessions can be moved to fit available time blocks.
5. Doctor's appointment (Fri 1 PM) Fixed
Scheduled appointments with professionals are fixed and difficult to change once set.
6. Exercising or going for a run Flexible
Personal wellness habits are flexible and can be placed in any open time slot.
7. Guidance counselor meeting Fixed
Formal meetings with school staff happen at designated times and are fixed commitments.
2
Part 2: Google Calendar Scoring
Student answers will vary based on choice. Verify that they have included the three required elements for each event:
Title
Specific and clear (e.g., "History Paper Due")
Description
Includes sub-tasks (e.g., "Check rubric, email PDF")
Reminders
At least one notification set (e.g., "1 day before")
Example Correct Entry
Event: College Application Deadline
Reminder: 2 days before (for final review), 1 hour before (final check)
Description: Double check essay formatting, confirm letters of rec are in, pay fee.
