Time Management
GRADE 8 LESSON 4
Time Management
GRADE 8 LESSON8.4

Time Required: 30-45 minutes

Content Standards:

AA.S.1 Students will acquire attitudes, knowledge, and skills

that contribute to effective learning in school and

across the lifespan.

Indicators:

AA.A.8.1.04 Establish and maintain a time management plan.

GOAL: Students will revise and maintain a time management plan.

Activity Statements:

Students will review the use of a monthly calendar and develop one for their own use.

Students will consider use of time management tools and will discuss key points with another student.

Materials:

  1. Handout 1: Monthly Planning Calendar(one copy per student and display electronically for illustration and discussion if possible)
  2. Handout 2: Time Management Monthly Calendar (one copy per student or display handout electronically)
  3. Teacher Resource 1: Think, Pair, Share
  4. Optional Resource 1: Google Calendar (Displayed electronically – teacher will need to create account in advance to use this resource located at or invite someone experience with Google Calendar to demonstrate.)

Procedures:

  1. The teacher asks students to describe their time management tools. Ask them to explain how they keep track of important activities, assignments, and events. If possible, permit students to briefly demonstrate 21st Century time management tools. Ask students if they use a student planner (as is required in some schools and districts). Explain that these are all time management tools.
  1. The teacher distributes Handout 1: Monthly Planning Calendar and displays the electronically, if possible, for illustration and discussion. Students fill in the calendar for the current month and add a few of their appointments, dates, assignments, and activities. Discuss the use of a monthly calendar for marking a warning date for upcoming deadlines and tests, for weekly reminders, for daily appointments, etc.
  2. The teacher displays or distributes Handout 2: Time Management Monthly Calendar. Students read the handout silently. The teacher asks students to think about one key point from the reading assignment. The teacher then leads students through “think, pair, share”to discuss the information. (See Teacher Resource 1: Think, Pair, Share.)

Discussion:

  • Name some helpful time management tools.
  • Are there any new time management tools you would like to try?
  • Explain how and why time management tools are used.
  • How does a monthly calendar help manage time?
  • What does it mean to “mark a warning date”?
  • Why is a time management plan important?
  • It is a good idea for a student to have a time management plan? Why?

Additional Resources:

  • - Google Calendar Link
  • – use own county calendar to put important dates in planner
  • - Google Calendar
  • Louisiana Schools Time Management (pages 38-45)
  • - Monthly Calendar
  • - Time Management Help
  • - College Board Resources
  • - Time Management Board Game example
  • - Google Calendar Lesson Plans
  • - Google Calendar for Teachers
  • – Google Apps for Schools
  • - Printable Monthly Calendars
  • - Think Pair Share strategies

Extension Activities:

  • Allow students to visually organize their locker. Have them fold a piece of plain paper vertically to make a long folded paper. Put the fold on the side where the locker opens. Draw the front of locker. Then illustrate how you might arrange the inside of your locker for better time management. (Example: stand books up so that binders show and take up less room at the bottom). Idea from
  • Have students organize a desk drawer and/or their notebook.
  • Have students think about a filing system for their homework and/or classwork. Discuss keeping homework in the same place always. Investigate tips other people have for remembering work and managing time.
  • Students may develop a homemade time management board game.
  • Other activities as assigned by advisor.

Developed by: Dr. Penny Fisher, Director, Putnam County Schools (2010)