Lesson Plan
Energy Unleashed!
Students will be able to identify signs of hyperactivity, understand its impact on learning and social interactions, and learn positive strategies for managing high energy levels in themselves and others.
Understanding hyperactivity can help students develop self-awareness, improve focus, and build empathy for peers. This lesson provides practical tools for managing energy and creating a more inclusive classroom environment.
Audience
6th Grade
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Interactive discussion, self-reflection, and strategy sharing.
Materials
Smartboard or Projector for Energy Unleashed! Slide Deck, Warm-Up: My Energy Meter, Discussion: Harnessing Our Energy, and Cool-Down: One Powerful Strategy
Prep
Review Materials
10 minutes
- Review the Energy Unleashed! Lesson Plan, Energy Unleashed! Slide Deck, Warm-Up: My Energy Meter, Discussion: Harnessing Our Energy, and Cool-Down: One Powerful Strategy to familiarize yourself with the content and flow.
- Ensure projector or smartboard is set up for the slide deck.
Step 1
Introduction & Warm-Up
5 minutes
- Greet students and introduce the topic of energy and focus.
- Distribute Warm-Up: My Energy Meter and give students 2 minutes to complete it.
- Briefly discuss their responses, emphasizing that everyone's energy level fluctuates.
Step 2
Understanding Hyperactivity
10 minutes
- Use the Energy Unleashed! Slide Deck to guide a discussion on what hyperactivity looks like and feels like.
- Explain that hyperactivity isn't good or bad, but how we manage it is key.
- Facilitate a short group discussion using prompts from Discussion: Harnessing Our Energy to explore different energy expressions.
Step 3
Strategies for Success
10 minutes
- Continue using the Energy Unleashed! Slide Deck to present positive strategies for managing high energy, such as movement breaks, deep breathing, or focused tasks.
- Encourage students to share their own healthy coping mechanisms for high energy moments.
Step 4
Cool-Down & Reflection
5 minutes
- Distribute Cool-Down: One Powerful Strategy.
- Have students complete the cool-down, reflecting on one strategy they will try.
- Collect cool-downs as an exit ticket.
Slide Deck
Energy Unleashed!
Understanding Our Inner Drive
- What does "energy" mean to you?
- How does your energy change throughout the day?
Welcome students and introduce the topic. Explain that today we're going to talk about energy and how it affects us. Mention that everyone has different energy levels and that's okay.
What is Hyperactivity?
It's not just running around!
- High Energy: Feeling like you need to move or talk a lot.
- Difficulty Focusing: Hard to stay on one task.
- Restlessness: Fidgeting, squirming, tapping.
It's like having a super-powered engine inside you!
Explain that hyperactivity is simply having a lot of energy, sometimes more than what's needed for the situation. It's not good or bad, but it's important to understand how to manage it.
How Does High Energy Show Up?
Sometimes it helps, sometimes it hinders.
- In Class: Fidgeting, calling out, getting distracted.
- With Friends: Talking over others, interrupting games.
- At Home: Bouncing off the walls, difficulty settling down.
But also: great enthusiasm, quick thinking, lots of ideas!
Ask students to think about how high energy might affect them in different situations. Lead a brief discussion about how these signs can sometimes make learning or social interactions challenging, but also highlight potential benefits (e.g., being enthusiastic, quick thinking). Refer to the Discussion: Harnessing Our Energy for more prompts.
Harnessing Your Power: Strategies!
You're in control of your energy!
- Movement Breaks: Stretch, walk, shake it out.
- Deep Breathing: Take slow, calming breaths.
- Fidget Tools: Use a stress ball or quiet fidget toy.
- Focus Activities: Channel energy into drawing, building, writing.
- Talk it Out: Share how you're feeling with a trusted adult.
- Plan Ahead: Know when you might need an energy release.
Introduce positive strategies. Emphasize that these are tools to help them feel more in control of their energy. Encourage students to think about what works for them.
You've Got This!
Key Takeaways:
- Everyone has different energy levels.
- Hyperactivity is having a lot of energy.
- You can learn to manage your energy with strategies.
- Understanding yourself helps you and helps others.
Summarize the key takeaways and encourage students to try one new strategy. Explain that practicing these strategies helps them become the boss of their own energy.
Warm Up
Warm-Up: My Energy Meter
Name: _________________________
Date: _________________________
Think about how you feel right now. Where would you put your energy level on the meter below?
My Energy Level Today:
1 - Super Chill 🌿 (Very calm, relaxed, sleepy)
2 - Calm & Focused 🧘 (Ready to learn, comfortable)
3 - Energized 🚀 (Ready to go, a little bit bouncy)
4 - High Energy! 🎉 (Lots of movement, talking, excited)
5 - Bouncing Off the Walls! ⚡ (Can't sit still, very restless)
Circle the number that best describes your energy level right now:
1 2 3 4 5
Why did you choose this number?
What does your body feel like when your energy is at this level?
Discussion
Discussion: Harnessing Our Energy
Directions: Discuss the following questions as a class or in small groups. Share your thoughts and listen respectfully to your classmates.
Part 1: What Does Energy Look Like?
- Think about a time when you had a lot of energy. What did that feel like in your body? (e.g., restless legs, fast thoughts, wanting to talk a lot)
- What are some ways that having a lot of energy can be helpful? (e.g., sports, creative projects, helping others)
- What are some challenges that can come with having a lot of energy, especially in school or when you need to focus?
Part 2: Energy in Action
- Imagine someone in class is really energetic. What are some things they might do that could make it harder for others to learn or focus?
- How can we show understanding and support for classmates who have a lot of energy?
Part 3: Taking Control
- What are some healthy ways you already manage your energy when you have a lot of it? (e.g., drawing, walking, listening to music)
- If you had an "energy superpower," what would it be and how would you use it to help yourself or others focus and learn better?
Cool Down
Cool-Down: One Powerful Strategy
Name: _________________________
Date: _________________________
Reflect on today's discussion about managing energy. What is ONE strategy you learned or thought about that you will try the next time you feel like you have a lot of energy and need to focus or calm down?
Why did you choose this strategy?