Prioritizing

Tasks & Time

Learning Objectives

Organising our tasks and time makes us feel good about ourselves and gives others a good impression of us.
Organising tasks prevents us from feeling stressed when deadlines approach.
Completing tasks on time shows that we are responsible and prevents us from affecting others negatively.

Success Criteria

I am able to:

use the Priority Matrix to decide which task need my attention first, so that I can manage my time more effectively.

Activate Learning: Watch the video below.

As you watch the video, reflect the following:

How did you feel when some of the rocks could not fit into the jar the first time?
How did you feel when the rocks and sand could fit into the jar the second time?
If the rocks represent big and more-important things in our lives and the sand represents the many less-important things, what can we learn from this demonstration?

What are the big rocks and sand in your life at Secondary Three?

Share with the class.

Prompt Thinking and Discussion

In your group of 3:

For one of the scenario (teacher assigned),

rank the tasks (based on deadlines, time needed and importance).
share how your group decide your ranking with the class.

Scenario A

It is Monday.

You are going home after school at 3pm.

You need to do the following:

Study for your Math Test, which will be held on Friday.
Buy dinner for the family.
Accompany your younger sister home from her school after her CCA ends at 5pm.
Study for your Science Test, which is will be held on Wednesday.

Scenario B

It is a school holiday.

You need to do the following:

Take care of your siblings in the morning until your mother returns in the afternoon.
Meet your friends at the nearby shopping mall.
Complete your homework for English.
Sweep and mop the floor.

Demonstrate Understanding

What is your primary role as a student?

You can use the priority matrix below to help you decide which task(s) you need to do first, which are the task(s) that can wait.

[Sec 3] Priority Matrix

The Priority Matrix is designed to help us decide which tasks we can leave off our daily to-do lists.

What should I do first:

Is the task urgent? (Urgent task have close deadlines)
Is the task important? (important task are usually related to your role - student, leader, sibling, child, friend, or task that help yourself and/ or others.

Each box represents a different level of priority.

DO ASAP (Urgent and Important)

These are tasks that are your TOP PRIORITISES and must be done as soon as possible. Complete them first and take them out of your to do list.

E.g. homework, upcoming test.

DO Later (Not Urgent but Important)

These are the tasks that are important but not immediately urgent. These are the tasks you do after you complete the top priorities.

E.g. planning for holiday training camps.

Postpone indefinitely or Delegate (Urgent but not Important)

These are the tasks that are time-sensitive but not important. They take up your time and energy. Consider if someone else may help you to get it done.

E.g. a household chore that can be shared among family members.

Delete (Not Urgent and Not Important)

E.g. a craft project that you do not have time for, worrying about things beyond your control.

Let's Practice

You have the following tasks to complete, how would you classify these tasks? Discuss in your group.

It is Monday.

Math and Science homework which are due on Tuesday.
Study for your Math Test, which will be held on Friday.
Buy dinner for the family.
Accompany your younger sister home from her school after her CCA ends at 5pm.
Study for your Science Test, which is will be held on Wednesday.

Go to the "How to Study?" tab to access more resources that teaches you to be more effective.

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