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- Planning A Schedule

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When encouraging students to plan and use schedules, it is important for teachers to explain to students the importance of managing time. A teacher may also have students write down how long certain activities take and brainstorm ways a schedule could help the students complete the task. You maay point out that schedules can help students because:

1.) Parents may "get off your back" when you have regular study times.
2.) Writing down what you have to do gives you less to remember and more cognitivew energy to focus on the relevant task.
3.) When you give yourself a set amount of time to do an assignment, you concentrate more.
4.) With a schedule you are less likely to extend your breaks longer than scheduled.
5.) You feel more satisfied when you are in control of your life and know what you plan to do and when.
6.) Organizing your time helps you come to class prepared.
7.) Scheduling your time is the smart way to operate if you want to have more time for fun and friends.
8.) Scheduling helps distribute learing over time, and prevents cramming. Learning over time can help you master and retain more information.

The Planning a Schedule Module provides a worksheet students can use to plan their weekly schedules and develop To-Do Lists. This activity is most appropriate for children who are middle school age or older, but may help younger students acquire metacognitive, on-task organizing, and problem-solving strategies.

The teacher should have students list due dates for assignments, tests, and other school activities. The teacher should also encourage the students to include extracurricular activities and responsibilities at home. The student may then be able to use the chart to plan study time in order to prepare for tests and assignments.

Study times should be scheduled in at least one-hour blocks. Study time should be planned in the daytime or early evening if possible, and difficult assignments should be scheduled when the student will be most alert. Students should plan review time and plan for breaks in large study blocks.

Students may gain a sense of accomplishment by crossing off completed items in the To-Do List. Students may initially jot down activities in the To-Do List and then put them in the schedule, or vice versa.

Go to Worksheet

The chart given on the Planning a Schedule Module page can be printed on one 8 1/2" X 11" page, and may be printed a number of times to make a yearly planner for the students.