Help your students take control of their time, reduce stress, and build confidence with this no-prep Planning Ahead executive functioning lesson!

This engaging and practical lesson teaches middle school students how to plan ahead using a simple backwards planning strategy, helping them break big tasks into manageable steps.

Perfect for school counselors, advisory, SEL lessons, or classroom teachers, this resource encourages real-life connections and meaningful reflection.

Why This Lesson Matters

Middle school students are expected to manage increasing responsibilities—but many have never been explicitly taught how.

This lesson helps students:

• Feel more in control of their workload
• Reduce overwhelm and procrastination
• Build confidence in their ability to succeed

As highlighted in the teacher guide, planning ahead is about more than assignments—it’s about confidence, independence, and stress reduction

What’s Included:

✔ Teacher Guide with flexible implementation tips
✔ Detailed Lesson Plan (warm-up, mini lesson, activity, reflection)
✔ Completed Guided Notes (example/modeling)
✔ Fill-in-the-Blank Guided Notes
✔ Scaffolded Notes for differentiation
✔ Backwards Planning Map

✔Week at a Glance Planner

✔Plan it out Goal Planner

✔What Happens Next? Worksheet
✔ Google Slides Presentation (ready to use!)

NOW INCLUDES DIGITIAL WORKSHEETS!

Everything is designed to be no prep and easy to implement in one class period.