I'Ll Never Get That Done!: A Story About Planning and Prioritizing
#8 of 10 in Executive FUNction Series
on Goodreads (22)
What’s inside...
This book follows the journey of a protagonist named Blake who struggles with managing tasks and time effectively. Throughout the story, Blake learns the importance of planning, prioritizing, and implementing strategies to complete tasks in a timely manner. With the help of his mom's advice to follow the 3 Ps—prioritizing, planning, and posting reminders—Blake discovers the power of preparation and planning in managing his responsibilities and meeting deadlines. This story, part of the Executive FUNction series by school counselor and award-winning author Bryan Smith, is written for K-5 students, their parents, and teachers to teach children how to set priorities effectively.
Discussion points
How did the main character feel when they thought they couldn't finish their tasks? Have you ever felt the same way?
What are some strategies the characters used to plan and prioritize their tasks? Can you think of a time when you could use one of those strategies?
Why is it important to know how to prioritize tasks? How do you think it can help you in school or at home?
What do you think would have happened if the character didn’t learn how to plan? How does planning ahead help us achieve our goals?
Who helped the character learn about planning and prioritizing? Who helps you when you have a lot to do?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to relate their personal experiences to the scenarios in the book. Ask them to reflect on times they’ve felt overwhelmed by tasks and what they did to overcome that feeling.
Discuss the importance of making plans and setting priorities in daily life. Use real-life examples from family schedules or schoolwork to illustrate these points.
After reading, help your child list their daily or weekly tasks and use the planning methods from the book to prioritize them. This can be a fun and educational activity to do together.
If your child struggles with task management, use the characters’ experiences as examples of how planning can be improved and the benefits that come with it.
Praise your child for efforts they make in planning and prioritizing, no matter how small. Positive reinforcement can encourage them to keep improving their skills.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Importance of Planning
Explanation: The story follows the main character as they struggle with completing tasks and learn the significance of planning ahead.
Real-World Application: Children can use this lesson to approach their school projects or daily routines with a structured plan, aiding in efficiency and stress reduction.
Example Lesson: Prioritizing Tasks
Explanation: The protagonist learns to identify and rank tasks by urgency and importance, understanding that not everything can be done at once.
Real-World Application: This lesson helps children in managing their homework, choosing to first complete assignments due near-term before engaging with less critical activities.
Example Lesson: Time Management
Explanation: Through various scenarios, the book highlights how effective time management can lead to accomplishing goals within set deadlines.
Real-World Application: Kids can apply time management skills to balance playtime with responsibilities like chores and homework, promoting a well-rounded daily schedule.
Example Lesson: Dealing with Overwhelm
Explanation: The character encounters feelings of stress when faced with multiple tasks and learns coping strategies.
Real-World Application: This teaches children how to handle school stress or busy family schedules by breaking tasks into smaller, manageable parts.
Example Lesson: Learning from Mistakes
Explanation: As the character fumbles initially due to poor planning, they learn from these mishaps, improving their approach in future endeavors.
Real-World Application: Children are encouraged to view errors as learning opportunities, fostering resilience and the confidence to try again despite setbacks.