Backwards Planning - EPI's Launch Your Classroom!

Summary

The video script discusses the common issue of high school students struggling with temporal orientation and planning skills, often leading to procrastination. It suggests a creative approach to improve students' engagement and task completion by using a 'movie director' method. This involves starting with the end goal and working backwards to break down tasks into manageable steps. An example is given where students are assigned to read speeches and write an essay, with each day dedicated to a specific task leading up to the final submission. This method helps students to plan and stay on track, ultimately earning their grades based on their efforts rather than the teacher's perception.

Takeaways

• 📚 High school students often struggle with temporal orientation and planning skills, tending to procrastinate on assignments.
• 🎬 The concept of 'pretending to be a movie director' can help students visualize tasks from end to start, improving engagement and planning.
• 📅 A practical example is given where an essay comparing speeches by Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln is due on Friday, and students are guided to break down the task over the week.
• 📝 Students are encouraged to think step-by-step, from writing the final draft to creating an outline, which helps in managing the workload.
• 🗓️ The script suggests a methodical approach to planning: editing the rough draft on Thursday, writing it on Wednesday, and creating an outline on Tuesday.
• 📑 The importance of creating an outline or graphic organizer before writing is highlighted as a crucial step in the planning process.
• 📚 Reading the assigned speeches is identified as the first step, which should ideally be done on Monday.
• 🤔 The script emphasizes the need for students to reflect on their planning versus their actual actions to improve metacognition and self-awareness.
• 🧠 It is suggested that tracking what students planned to do versus what they actually did can help them understand the correlation between effort and grades.
• 🏆 The transcript concludes by reinforcing the idea that grades are earned through work and planning, not based on teacher's preferences.
• 💡 The method described helps students to avoid last-minute stress and perform better by breaking down tasks and planning ahead.

Q & A

Why do high school students often struggle with thinking ahead according to the transcript?

High school students struggle with thinking ahead because they lack temporal orientation and solid planning skills, often leaving assignments until the last minute.

What technique is suggested in the transcript to help students with planning and staying engaged in their tasks?

The technique suggested is to have students pretend they are movie directors and start with the end in mind, then 'film strip' backwards to break down the task.

How does the 'movie director' technique help students move away from apathy?

The 'movie director' technique helps students move away from apathy by increasing their ability to engage with the task and plan out the steps needed to complete it, thus avoiding the feeling of being overwhelmed or uninterested.

What is an example of a middle school assignment mentioned in the transcript?

The example assignment is to read speeches by Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln, compare and contrast the two, and write an essay due on Friday.

What is the first step a student should take on Monday according to the transcript's suggested planning method?

The first step on Monday is to read the two speeches by Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln.

What should a student do on Tuesday to prepare for the essay due on Friday?

On Tuesday, the student should create an outline, diagram, or graphic organizer to organize their thoughts and writing.

What task is assigned to Wednesday in the transcript's suggested planning breakdown?

On Wednesday, the student should write the rough draft of the essay.

What activity should a student engage in on Thursday before submitting the final essay draft on Friday?

On Thursday, the student should edit their rough draft to create the final draft of the essay.

How does the transcript suggest students track their progress and metacognitive understanding?

The transcript suggests students track their progress by writing down what they planned to do and what they actually did, allowing them to reflect on their actions and the resulting grades.

What is the purpose of having students write down both their plans and what they actually did according to the transcript?

The purpose is to help students realize that their grades are earned based on their work and not on whether the teacher likes them, promoting a sense of responsibility and self-awareness.

How does the transcript's approach to planning help students develop better temporal orientation?

By starting with the end goal in mind and working backwards, students develop a clearer understanding of the steps needed to complete a task, thus improving their temporal orientation and planning skills.