Tracking Long-Term Assignments

Objectives
Student will be able to:
  • recognize the importance of tracking and planning long-term assignments and projects.
  • identify strategies to track and plan long-term assignments and projects.

Introduction

A monthly calendar will help you track assignments that are long term. When you use a calendar, you are looking at the big picture. A calendar is a great organizational tool that will help you be successful in school.

On your calendar, you should record the following: major tests and announced quizzes, long-term projects, short-term projects that are not due the next day, and research papers or reports. In order to plan for a long-term assignment, follow these steps:
  • Write the date on your calendar as soon as the teacher gives it to you.
  • Think about the steps you will need to take to complete the assignment.
  • Think about how long it will take you to complete each step.
  • Work backward from the due date and make shorter deadlines for yourself.
  • Write these deadlines on your calendar.

If you are having trouble breaking a long-term assignment into steps, ask your teacher to help you complete a project planner.


Application
Choose a long-term assignment from your planner, such as a science project or a book report. Then, take out your Study Skills Portfolio and complete the exercises below to plan for this assignment.
1.
Write the subject, the name of the assignment, and when the assignment is due.
Student responses may vary. Answers should include the subject, the name of the assignment, and the date the assignment is due.
 

2.
List the steps required to complete this project. Write how long each step will take.

Student responses may vary. Acceptable answers will include the following information:

  • A list of steps, such as doing research, writing an outline, reading chapters, writing a draft, and proofreading
  • A reasonable amount of time for each step, such as one week, two weeks, or reading a certain amount of chapters each night
 

3.
Take out your planner. Mark down the milestones, or steps, you need to complete to finish your long-term assignment on time.

Student responses may vary. Acceptable answers will include a schedule of milestones the student needs to complete to finish the assignment on time.
 

4.
How will tracking this long-term assignment help you?

Student responses may vary. Acceptable answers include:

  • Tracking this project will help me complete it in a timely manner. I will have enough time to focus on each step of the project.
  • Tracking this assignment makes it seem much less overwhelming. Now I know where to start, what steps to take, and what materials I will need. I am allowing myself enough time to successfully complete the assignment.
 

5.
How will tracking all of your long-term assignments help you become a more successful student?

Student responses may vary. Acceptable answers include:

  • Tracking my projects will help me organize my long-term projects so they are not so overwhelming. I won't have to rush to finish them right before they are due. I will earn better grades because I have given myself enough time to do my best work.
  • Tracking my assignments will help me see what I have to do for the month. If I have each step listed in my planner, I will know what milestones I have coming up. I will no longer forget about long-term assignment due dates and the steps I need to take to turn them in on time.
 

Please evaluate the student's answers:

Success

Practice

Review