--- title: "Planning a task" description: "Make a simple plan before starting a task: what do I need to do, and what should I do first?" canonical: https://lightmysky.com/learn/learning-to-learn/planning-a-task-mt_QR3vxbN1o4 source: https://lightmysky.com/learn/learning-to-learn/planning-a-task-mt_QR3vxbN1o4.md retrieved: 2026-10-19 --- > **Agent view.** This is the Markdown twin of the page, for tools and assistants. > When to use this site, and the call that answers each job: https://lightmysky.com/agent-instructions.md > API description (OpenAPI 3.1): https://lightmysky.com/openapi.json · Authentication: https://lightmysky.com/auth.md > Pricing: https://lightmysky.com/pricing.md · Catalog: https://lightmysky.com/llms.txt · Full catalog: https://lightmysky.com/llms-full.txt > Every machine-readable file on this domain: https://lightmysky.com/.well-known/ai-catalog.json > Ask for Markdown with `Accept: text/markdown`, a `.md` address, or `?mode=agent`. # Planning a task Make a simple plan before starting a task: what do I need to do, and what should I do first? Subject: Learning to Learn · Area: Learning to Learn · Ages 6 to 7 Page: https://lightmysky.com/learn/learning-to-learn/planning-a-task-mt_QR3vxbN1o4 ## Ready when they can - Before starting a task, describe what they need to do and what order to do it in - Break a larger task into smaller steps without being prompted, for example: 'First I'll read the question, then I'll draw a diagram' - Gather the materials or information they need before beginning, rather than starting and then stopping to find things ## Lesson: Making a plan before you start Before starting a task, think about what you need to do first and what comes next. That is making a plan. For a story, you might choose who it is about before writing what happens. *(drawing: A plan names the steps in order. You need the bread before you can add the filling.)* Planning happens before you begin. Saying the smaller steps aloud can help you remember them. Starting without naming any steps does not show a plan, though you can stop and make one. Gather the things a task needs before starting. For painting, get paper, paints and a brush. For building, get the blocks. This can reduce trips to find things while you work. **Example.** Mia's job is to make a card. She breaks it into parts: fold the paper, draw on the front, then write inside. Each small step is part of the bigger job. If you do not know which things a task needs, read its directions first. Then gather the things on the list. Guessing what to get can leave you without something you need. You can also learn from a plan after starting. If you must stop because a needed tool is still elsewhere, get it. Next time, include that tool when you gather your things. Naming steps in order before starting is planning. Before tidying, Lila says, 'First I'll collect the toys, then sort them, then put them away.' She has named what comes first, next and last. She is planning, even though she has not started tidying yet. **Recap.** Before you start a task, think first: what do I need, and what comes first? A little plan makes the whole job easier. ## Practice 8 questions on this page, each with its working shown. ## Needs first - [Checking your own work](https://lightmysky.com/learn/learning-to-learn/checking-your-own-work-mt_8dstvf-KKb) ## Opens up - [Trying a new approach](https://lightmysky.com/learn/learning-to-learn/trying-a-new-approach-mt_95zxYqpP7m) - [Controlling variables (age 11+)](https://lightmysky.com/learn/science/controlling-variables-age-11-mt_Ae56umVlTT) - [Controlling variables](https://lightmysky.com/learn/science/controlling-variables-mt_ArVBEpMAPk) - [Setting learning goals](https://lightmysky.com/learn/learning-to-learn/setting-learning-goals-mt_jIszRCO2ij) - [Big Questions and Supporting Questions](https://lightmysky.com/learn/learning-to-learn/big-questions-and-supporting-questions-mt_JUHStYGUel) - [Guided Multi-Step Problem Solving](https://lightmysky.com/learn/mathematics/guided-multi-step-problem-solving-mt_O_UOTiMvT_) - [Choosing a strategy](https://lightmysky.com/learn/learning-to-learn/choosing-a-strategy-mt_q7zxOloj_L) - [Stop, Think, Then Choose](https://lightmysky.com/learn/personal-and-social-development/stop-think-then-choose-mt_RhntJz7p_6) - [Choosing Form and Tone for Your Audience](https://lightmysky.com/learn/english/choosing-form-and-tone-for-your-audience-mt_v5DyOEpbbr)