Year 4, Lesson 1.2: Planning Your Time

Semester Learning Goal

Students will investigate community needs, reflect on personal values, and apply design thinking to develop a values-aligned project idea. Through research, collaboration, and iteration, they will explore what it means to do Good Work as a good person, good worker, and good citizen.

Lesson Goal

Students will break down the Capstone project into key milestones and begin building a realistic plan for when and how they will complete each phase.

Assessment

  • Observe students’ ability to identify time commitments and pacing needs.

  • Review Capstone Planning Sheets for clarity, feasibility, and personal ownership.

Casel Alignment

Self-Management, Responsible Decision-Making, Self-Awareness

Portfolio Documentation

Resources

Prerequisites

Year 4, Lesson 1.1

Total Time

30 - 40 minutes

Instructions

  • Students should have reviewed the Capstone Pacing Overview in Lesson 1.1 and begun understanding the phases of the Capstone process.

1. Opener: Why Planning Ahead Matters [5 minutes]

  • Ask:

    • What’s the difference between having a great idea and actually pulling it off?

  • Explain: The Capstone is a long-term project, and your idea will only succeed if you know how to manage your time, meet your deadlines, and adjust as you go.

  • Let students know that today’s goal is to get practical: mapping out when and how they’ll complete the major steps of the Capstone.

2. Capstone Milestone Breakdown [5 minutes]

  • With the Capstone Pacing Overview displayed or in hand, walk through the key project tasks students will need to complete over the year. Write or display a simplified version like this:

    • Define your “How Might We” question (by Week 5–6)

    • Develop and prototype your idea (Weeks 6–7)

    • Gather feedback and revise (Weeks 7–9)

    • Pitch your project (Week 9)

    • Reflect on alignment (Week 10)

    • Present your draft idea at the Semester 1 Showcase (Week 11)

    • Implement your project (Semester 2)

    • Complete final presentation and reflection (May–June)

  • Ask:

    • Which of these tasks do you think will take the most time? Which might be hardest to finish on time?

3. Capstone Planning Sheet [20 minutes]

  • Distribute the Capstone Planning Sheet. Students will:

    • Copy the key Capstone tasks into their own project calendar

    • Write down expected due dates or checkpoints (based on teacher guidance)

    • Block off weeks where they know they’ll have less time (e.g., sports, exams)

    • Add time each week they could realistically use for Capstone work

    • Choose a tool or routine they’ll use to stay on top of deadlines (e.g., planner, calendar app, reminder buddy, weekly check-in)

  • Optional: have students mark priority weeks with color or symbols.

  • Have students save their Capstone Planning Sheet in their Good Work Portfolio and return to it during Lessons 4.3, 4.6, 4.9, and 4.10.

4. Peer Accountability Pairing [5 minutes]

  • Have students turn to a partner and share one week they know might be difficult and how they plan to stay on track. 

  • Encourage them to write down their accountability partner’s name at the bottom of their sheet for future check-ins.

5. Closing and Exit Ticket [5 minutes]

  • Ask students to complete the Lesson 1.2 Exit Ticket.

  • Students will answer the following question:

    • What’s one strategy you’ve used in the past that helps you stick to a deadline?

  • Reinforce that completing meaningful work isn’t about being perfect—it’s about being intentional.