Tool Explorer Slides TIME PILOTS
Choosing Your Flight Deck
Lesson 1: Planning Tools
The Memory Challenge
Can you remember?
• Math quiz on Tuesday
• Soccer at 4:00 PM Monday
• Library books due Friday
• Dentist on Wednesday at 3:15
• Bring snack on Thursday
"Our brains are for having ideas, not for holding them."
Visual tools act as an "External Brain."
Tool 1: Paper Agendas
The Pros
No batteries needed, tactile feeling of writing, and easy to flip through.
The Cons
Can be lost/forgotten, hard to move tasks around without erasing.
MONDAY
Tool 2: Digital Calendars
The Pros
Notifications/Alerts, easy to edit, syncs across devices.
The Cons
Requires a device, easy to get distracted by apps/notifications.
Math Homework
Tool 3: Visual & Icon Schedules
The Pros
Fast to process, great for seeing the "big picture" or routines.
The Cons
May lack space for detailed information or specific deadlines.
School
Lunch
Sports
What Kind of Pilot Are You?
The Writer
Prefers pen & paper
The Techie
Prefers digital apps
The Visualizer
Prefers icons & color
Today, we'll try them all out!
Tool Explorer Handout TOOL EXPLORER
Lesson 1: Planning Tool Selection
Name:
Date:
1
The Memory Test Reflection
How many items did you remember correctly without looking at the list?
All of them
Most of them
Only a few
Which was harder to remember: A long-term project or a one-time sports practice? Why?
2
Comparing Planning Gear
Tool Type One thing I LIKE about it One thing that is HARD about it Paper Agenda
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Digital Calendar
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Visual Icon Chart
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3
My "Pilot Preference"
If you had to pick ONE tool to start with today, which would it be?
Paper Agenda
Digital Calendar
Visual Icons
Why do you think this tool will help you stay organized?
Tool Explorer Teacher Guide Teacher Guide: Tool Explorer
Lesson 1: Introduction to Visual Planning Tools
Overview
This lesson is designed to help students understand the cognitive load of "remembering everything" and introduces visual systems as external brain supports. The focus is on self-awareness and tool exploration rather than mastery.
Objective:
Students will identify the pros and cons of three common planning tools and select one that aligns with their personal learning style.
Quick Logistics
45-50 Minutes
Small Group or Whole Class
Slides, Handouts, Sample Planners
1. The Hook: The "External Brain" Memory Test (10 min)
Action: Read the "Memory List" from Slide 2 aloud to the students. Do not let them write it down. Then, ask them to wait 30 seconds while you talk about something else (e.g., what you ate for breakfast).
Task: Have students try to write down all 5 items on their handout. Reveal the answers on the slide.
Discussion: "Why is it hard to remember these? What if you had 5 more items for next week? This is why we use tools."
2. Tool Exploration & Demo (20 min)
Show the slides for Paper, Digital, and Visual tools. If possible, have physical examples of each to pass around.
Paper: Show how to cross things off.Digital: Show how a notification pops up on a phone/iPad.Visual: Show how an icon for "Lunch" or "PE" tells you what to do without reading.
Work Time: Students fill out the comparison table on Part 2 of the handout.
3. Selection & Exit (10 min)
Students complete Part 3 of the handout. Emphasize that there is no wrong answer . The best tool is the one they will actually use.
Teacher Tip: For students with significant motor delays, suggest Digital or Visual tools. For students easily distracted by screens, suggest Paper.
SPED Accommodations
Visual Support: Use the icons on the slides to represent the tool types during the whole lesson.
Scribing: If a student struggles with writing, have them point to their preferred tool and dictate why.
Time Blocking Slides TIME BLOCKING
Rocks and Sand
Lesson 2: Fixed vs. Flexible Time
The Rocks & Sand Jar
Fixed Time (The Rocks)
Big things that DON'T move. School, soccer practice, sleep, meals.
Flexible Time (The Sand)
Smaller things that fill in the gaps. Homework, video games, reading, chores.
SCHOOL
SLEEP
SAND
If you put the sand in first, the rocks won't fit!
Identifying Fixed Time
School Hours
8:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Transportation
Bus rides & walking
Practice/Clubs
Scheduled events
These are NON-NEGOTIABLE. They go on the schedule first.
The "White Space"
Once your "Rocks" are on the schedule, you will see gaps.
This is your Flexible Time.
When will you do homework?
When will you play games?
When will you relax?
SCHOOL
SCHOOL
GAP (White Space)
SOCCER
MISSION: MAP YOUR WEEK
1
Color in your FIXED blocks (School, etc.)
2
Find the WHITE SPACE gaps.
3
Label where FLEXIBLE tasks go.
Weekly Grid Worksheet MY WEEKLY MAP
Fixed vs. Flexible Time Blocking
Pilot Name:
FIXED (Non-moving)
FLEXIBLE (White Space)
TIME
MON
TUE
WED
THU
FRI
SAT
SUN
7:00 AM
8:00 AM
SCHOOL DAY (FIXED)
3:00 PM
4:00 PM
5:00 PM
6:00 PM
Finding Your Gaps
Where are your biggest "White Space" blocks?
Plan Your Flex
When will you do your homework this week?
Time Blocking Teacher Guide Teacher Guide: Time Blocking
Lesson 2: Distinguishing Fixed vs. Flexible Time
Overview
This workshop-style lesson helps students visualize their available time. Many students struggle to start homework because they feel they "don't have time," when in reality, they have plenty of "white space" but lack the visual awareness to see it.
Objective:
Students will categorize their weekly activities into "Fixed" and "Flexible" and map them onto a 7-day grid.
Quick Logistics
45-60 Minutes
Materials: Grids, Crayons/Highlighters
1. The Hook: Jar of Life Analogy (10 min)
Demo: If you have a physical jar, show what happens when you fill it with sand (flexible time/video games) first—the rocks (school/practice) won't fit. You must put the rocks in first!
Class Brainstorm: List "Rocks" (Fixed Time) on the board.Examples: School, Sleep, Meals, Soccer, Tutoring, Commuting.
2. Mapping Fixed Time (20 min)
Pass out the Weekly Grid Worksheet . Direct students to use a dark color (gray or a specific crayon) to block out their school hours and any sports/clubs.
Check-in: Walk around and ensure they are blocking out travel time too. "If soccer is at 4:00, but you leave at 3:30, that 3:30-4:00 block is also FIXED."
3. Identifying White Space (15 min)
Ask students to look at the blank areas. "This is your Flexible Time."
Goal: Have students choose 3 specific "White Space" blocks and label them "Homework" or "Study." This makes the invisible time visible.
SPED Support
Executive Function: Use pre-cut colored strips of paper that represent "blocks" of time. Students can glue them onto the grid to visualize the space.
Processing: Provide a "Sample Student Schedule" for them to copy if they are overwhelmed by their own schedule.
Task Tracker Slides TASK TRACKER
The Power of Precise Recording
Lesson 3: Recording Tasks
Lost in Translation
The "Telephone" Game
When we rely on memory or messy notes, information changes.
"I think there was something about Math page 20... or maybe it was Science?"
SEE IT: Read the board carefully.
WRITE IT: Record details immediately.
CHECK IT: Compare to the original.
The 3 Golden Details
WHAT
"Math Worksheet: Adding Fractions"
WHEN
"Due Friday, Oct 24th"
WHERE
"Turn in on Canvas"
SIMULATION MODE
I will show you a messy "Mock Assignment Board." Your job is to extract the Golden Details and record them in your Pilot Log.
Ready for Transfer?
Mock Assignment Board Activity MISSION: DATA TRANSFER
Recording Tasks and Deadlines Simulation
Pilot:
Accuracy Status: Pending
Mock Assignment Board
// MATH CLASS
Finish Workbook pg. 42 (Even #s only). Due Friday!
// SCIENCE CLASS
Water cycle poster. Don't forget color! Hand in on my desk by Wednesday morning.
// ELA CLASS
Read Chapter 5. There is a quiz on Thursday. Bring your book!
Pilot Log (Your Tracker)
Subject: MATH
What:
When (Due):
Where (Submit):
Subject: SCIENCE
What:
When (Due):
Where (Submit):
Subject: ELA
What:
When (Due):
Where (Submit):
Data Verification
Which of the 3 details was the hardest to find on the messy board? Why?
Task Tracker Teacher Guide Teacher Guide: Task Tracker
Lesson 3: Recording Tasks and Deadlines
Overview
Writing down "Math" in a planner isn't enough. Students need to develop the habit of recording specifics . This lesson simulates the chaotic environment of a classroom where information is presented quickly, and students must filter for the most important data.
Objective:
Students will accurately transfer task details (What, When, Where) from a mock source into their tracking tool with 100% precision.
Teacher Cheat Sheet
Ideal Answers:
Math: WB pg 42 (Even), Friday, In ClassSci: Water Cycle Poster, Wed Morning, Teacher DeskELA: Read Ch 5/Quiz Prep, Thursday, Bring Book
1. The Hook: Messy Telephone (10 min)
Activity: Whisper a complex instruction to one student (e.g., "Tell everyone to bring 2 pencils and a blue folder on Tuesday morning, but if it rains, bring a red one.")
Observe: Watch how the message degrades as it moves around the room. Connect this to why we write things down immediately and visually .
2. The "Golden Details" Framework (10 min)
Use the slides to introduce WHAT, WHEN, and WHERE .
Check for Understanding: "If I just write 'Study for test,' which Golden Detail am I missing?" (When is the test? Where are the study materials?)
3. Simulation: Data Transfer (25 min)
Hand out the Mission: Data Transfer sheet. Students work independently or in pairs to fill in their trackers based on the "Mock Board" on the left.
Correction: If a student misses a detail (like "Even numbers only"), point to the board and ask: "Is there any extra info that might save you time later?"
SPED Support
Highlighting: Allow students to use highlighters on the "Mock Board" to find the 3 Golden Details first before writing them in the tracker.
Reduce Writing: Provide a version where some details are already filled in, or allow them to use 1-2 word shorthand.
Color Codes Slides COLOR CODES
Scanning at Warp Speed
Lesson 4: Visual Categorization
The Scan Advantage
Without Color
"I have to read every single word to figure out what's coming up next."
With Color
"I see blue, so I know I have Math. I see green, so I know I have Science. I don't even have to read yet!"
Instant Processing
Universal Color Categories
ELA / Reading
Math
Science
History / Social Studies
Pro Tip: Keep it Simple
Too many colors is just as confusing as no colors!
Aim for 4-5 main colors max.
MISSION: CODING YOUR CORE
1
Choose your colors for each major subject.
2
Create your "Pilot's Legend" card.
3
Practice scanning a "Mixed Schedule" using color.
Category Legend Reference PILOT'S LEGEND
My Master Color Code
Subject / Category
Math
Subject / Category
ELA / Reading
Subject / Category
Science
Subject / Category
History / Social Studies
Subject / Category
Personal / Sports
Keep this in the front of your planner!
How to Use Your Legend
Pick a different color for each row above (crayons, markers, or highlighters).
Color in the square and write the name of the subject.
Whenever you record a task, use that color's highlighter or pen to mark it.
Practice: Scan your Legend. Can you name the colors in 3 seconds? Color Codes Practice COLOR CHALLENGE
Speed Scanning Practice
Goal: 10 Seconds
1
Phase 1: Apply the Code
Below is a list of tasks for the week. Using your Pilot's Legend colors, highlight or color-code each task based on its subject.
Math: Finish long division problems
Science: Study for solar system quiz
ELA: Read 20 minutes for book report
History: Color the map of the 13 Colonies
Sports: Bring cleats to soccer practice
Math: Practice multiplication flashcards
Check-Off List
Did I use the correct color for Math?
Did I leave any tasks uncolored?
Can I see the difference between subjects from far away?
2
Phase 2: The Speed Scan
"Eyes up, Pilot!"
Swap papers with a partner or look at your own. Close your eyes, open them, and try to count how many MATH tasks there are in less than 3 seconds.
Reflect:
Was it easier to find the task by reading the words or looking for the color?
Speed Result:
How many seconds did it take you to find all the Math tasks?
Daily Launch Slides DAILY LAUNCH
The Power of the Routine
Lesson 5: Review Habits
The Packing Problem
The "Guesser"
"I think I have everything... I'll just shove it all in there."
❌ Forgets lunch
❌ Forgets Math book
❌ Feels stressed in the morning
The "Pilot"
"Checking my flight log before I take off."
✅ Has all assignments
✅ Packed the night before
✅ Feels calm and ready
AM: The Pre-Flight Check
1
OPEN
Open your planner to today's date.
2
SCAN
Check for anything due TODAY.
3
READY
Get out the materials for your first class.
PM: The Post-Flight Review
Did I write down all homework?
Are my finished tasks in my bag?
"THE 5-MINUTE RULE"
5 minutes of planning today saves 50 minutes of stress tomorrow.
YOU ARE THE PILOT
You have the tools, the color code, and the map. Now, you just need to stick to the flight plan.
Your Checklist Cards are ready for your desk.
Success Checklist Cards AM PRE-FLIGHT
Morning Arrival Routine
Open your planner.
Check for tasks due TODAY.
Put homework in the INBOX.
Get out materials for Class #1.
PM POST-FLIGHT
End of Day Routine
Write down ALL homework.
Check for items in desk.
Pack backpack for home.
Zip it up - Ready for take-off!
Teacher Instructions:
Print this sheet and cut out the cards. Laminate them if possible. Tape the AM Card to the top corner of the student's desk and the PM Card inside their locker or on the back of their planner. Use these as a visual prompt during transitions to build independent routine habits.
Reflection Exit Ticket MISSION DEBRIEF
Pilot:
1
Which of these "Time Pilot" skills feels the EASIEST for you now?
Choosing Tools
Fixed vs. Flex
Color Coding
Daily Routine
2
Describe one time this week where using your planner helped you feel LESS stressed.
(Example: "I didn't forget my Math homework on Tuesday because I saw it in blue.")
3
What is one "Flight Rule" you will keep doing next week?
PILOT CONFIDENCE SCORE
How in control do you feel of your schedule now compared to the start of the unit?
Lost in Space Flight Commander
