The Thinking linked EFs: 5. Planning and Prioritisation Planning / prioritisation is the ability to create a set of steps to reach a goal or complete a task, coupled with the ability to focus on what is most important along the way. When you have formulated a good plan, you know how to focus on what’s most important and you know to let the little things go. What you might see in your child: • Not making a study plan (not knowing how) • Not being able to break long-term projects into smaller tasks and timelines • Having difficulty taking notes or studying for tests – finding it difficult to decipher the important from unimportant
• Spending too much time on less important elements – finding it difficult to put the most important jobs first • Planning unrealistically (e.g. failing to take into account obstacles to the plan)
Ideas about how to help with Planning and Prioritisation difficulties: • Encourage your child to plan - and include them as much as possible in the planning process for tasks that you might plan together.
• If your child appears to understand the various pieces of a project that needs to get done, but isn’t sure how to get started, prompt them to prioritise by asking what needs to get done as the first step, next step, and so on in the process.
Managing Planning and Prioritisation self-check form Item
Not a problem
Notes
• Having other things that you’d rather do • Related questions: o Are there things you have trouble tearing yourself away from, to do homework? o Do you think there are other things in your life that are far more important than completing schoolwork/ prep?
Pupil self-help strategies: Tips • Create ‘planning forms’ to help keep you on track • Ask teachers to tell you/ help you identify the most important points and concepts to focus on when studying for a test / producing a project • When you are given instructions for tasks and projects, underline and number each instruction so that it becomes an action to be completed Other strategies?
• • • • • •
Self-talk What’s your destination? Your plan will become a built in Sat Nav system to get there Map the route What comes first, next, and next, and what do you need to give up to get there? First things first Your own idea?
Here are some examples of different types of study plans: Study Plan: Date Day 4 days before the test / project due
3 days before the test/ project due
2 days before the test / project due
1 day before test / project due
Which strategies will I use? 1. 2. 3. 1. 2. 3. 1. 2. 3. 1. 2. 3.
How much time for each strategy? 1. 2. 3. 1. 2. 3. 1. 2. 3. 1. 2. 3.
Task Planning Form: Identifying tasks and due dates What do I need to do? (List each step in When will I do it? order) 1 2 3 4
Check off when done
Reminder List: Include here any additional tasks or details you need to keep in mind as you work. Cross out or check each one off as you do it 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.
7.
Daily reminders – things I cannot forget: Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
• Please feel free to email me (marsdenz@kesw.org) if you would like me to do any 1:1 input with your son/daughter to help them get back on track with any of these skills.
Kind regards, Zoe Marsden Head of Learning Support and SENCO - King Edward's Witley