Lesson 1 - Time management
30 minutes - Time management
“Hi guys, so today we’re going to be doing something fun today, we’re not going to tell you
exactly what the topic is, but we have an activity planned to get you started”
- Divide everyone in pairs- work with the pair next to you
- Pass around materials needed
“You guys now have 30 minutes to work in pairs and solve the tasks given.
You MUST incorporate a total break time that can be split up however you wish. You cannot
start or end with the break “
The Activity: We give each pair a set of tasks to complete within 30 minutes, they need to
manage the allotted time and complete all of them, while incorporating the break times in
between.
ACTIVITIES
- Crosswords
- Word Searches
- Math puzzles
- Riddles
- Cognitive thinking exercises
- Art activities
(Then we introduce the Pomodoro Technique to the students, and urge them to follow it.
We discuss what it is, what the implications are, and how it has helped.
We also share resources and apps that have good pomodoro timers
At the end, we give them a sheet with a good pomodoro planner that will allow them to use
it at home.)
Introduction to pomodoro technique:
​ Get a to-do list and a timer.
​ Set your timer for 25 minutes, and focus on a single task until the timer
rings.
​ When your session ends, mark off one pomodoro and record what you
completed.
​ Then enjoy a five-minute break.
​ After four pomodoros, take a longer, more restorative 15-30 minute break.
​
The 25-minute work sprints are the core of the method, but a Pomodoro practice also
includes three rules for getting the most out of each interval:
​ Break down complex projects. If a task requires more than four
pomodoros, it needs to be divided into smaller, actionable steps. Sticking
to this rule will help ensure you make clear progress on your projects.
​ Small tasks go together. Any tasks that will take less than one Pomodoro
should be combined with other simple tasks. For example, "write rent
check," "set vet appointment," and "read Pomodoro article" could go
together in one session.
​ Once a pomodoro is set, it must ring. The pomodoro is an indivisible
unit of time and can not be broken, especially not to check incoming
emails, team chats, or text messages. Any ideas, tasks, or requests that
come up should be noted to return to later. A digital task manager like
Todoist is a great place for these, but pen and paper will do, too.
Try the Pomodoro Technique if you...
​ Find little distractions often derail the whole workday
​ Consistently work past the point of optimal productivity
​ Have lots of open-ended work that could take unlimited amounts of time (e.g.,
studying for an exam, researching a blog post, etc.)
​ Are overly optimistic when it comes to how much you can get done in a day (aren't
we all )
​ Enjoy gamified goal-setting
🙃
We’re giving out a physical pomodoro planner for you to try it out at home. We’ll also send
your PSHE teachers a curated list of pomodoro apps and resources that you can use. Thank
you
Pomodoro technique: