Lesson Plan
My Energy Blueprint
Students will be able to identify personal energy 'boosters' and 'drainers' and develop strategies to manage their energy for sustained well-being and to prevent burnout.
Understanding personal energy patterns is crucial for academic success, emotional well-being, and preventing burnout. This lesson provides students with tools for self-awareness and self-care.
Audience
8th Grade Students
Time
50 minutes
Approach
Through guided reflection and interactive activities, students will map their energy.
Prep
Teacher Preparation
15 minutes
- Review the My Energy Blueprint Lesson Plan and all linked materials: My Energy Blueprint Slide Deck, My Energy Map Worksheet, and Energy Reflection Journal.
- Make copies of the My Energy Map Worksheet (one per student).
- Prepare to project the My Energy Blueprint Slide Deck.
- Ensure students have access to their Energy Reflection Journal or blank paper for journaling.
Step 1
Warm-Up: Energy Check-In
5 minutes
- Begin by asking students to briefly reflect on how they are feeling energy-wise at the moment. You might ask: 'On a scale of 1-5, with 5 being super energized and 1 being completely drained, where are you right now?'
- Introduce the lesson title: 'My Energy Blueprint: Understanding What Fuels Me.'
Step 2
What is 'Energy' Anyway?
10 minutes
- Display the first few slides of the My Energy Blueprint Slide Deck to define energy beyond just physical energy, including emotional and mental energy.
- Facilitate a brief class discussion on examples of different types of energy in their daily lives.
Step 3
Introducing Boosters and Drainers
10 minutes
- Using the My Energy Blueprint Slide Deck, introduce the concepts of 'energy boosters' (activities/environments that energize them) and 'energy drainers' (activities/environments that deplete them).
- Provide examples relevant to students (e.g., listening to music, talking with friends, doing chores, screen time).
- Distribute the My Energy Map Worksheet.
Step 4
Mapping Your Energy
15 minutes
- Guide students to complete the My Energy Map Worksheet, identifying their personal boosters and drainers.
- Encourage them to think deeply and be specific.
- Circulate to offer support and answer questions.
Step 5
Reflection and Strategy
10 minutes
- Bring the class back together. Ask a few students to share one booster and one drainer (voluntarily).
- Discuss strategies for maximizing boosters and minimizing drainers. Use prompts from the My Energy Blueprint Slide Deck.
- Introduce the Energy Reflection Journal prompt for homework or independent work: 'Based on your energy map, what is one small change you can make this week to increase your energy boosters or decrease your energy drainers?'
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Slide Deck
What Fuels YOU?
Understanding Your Energy Blueprint
- How do you feel right now? (1-5 energy scale)
Welcome students and do a quick energy check-in. Ask them to rate their current energy level from 1-5 and why.
Beyond Just 'Tired'
What is "Energy"?
- Physical Energy: How your body feels (sleep, food, movement)
- Mental Energy: How focused and clear your mind is
- Emotional Energy: How you feel inside (happy, stressed, calm)
Think about a time when you were physically rested but mentally exhausted!
Explain that energy isn't just about being physically tired. It also includes mental and emotional energy. Give examples for each.
Boosters & Drainers
What helps you thrive? What wears you out?
- Energy Boosters: Activities, people, or environments that make you feel more energized.
- Energy Drainers: Activities, people, or environments that make you feel less energized.
Introduce the terms 'boosters' and 'drainers'. Ask students for initial thoughts or quick examples.
Energy Boosters: Examples
What brings you up?
- Listening to music
- Spending time with friends
- Playing sports/exercising
- Creative hobbies (drawing, writing)
- Spending time in nature
- Learning something new
Provide a few diverse examples of boosters to get them thinking. Emphasize that these are personal.
Energy Drainers: Examples
What pulls you down?
- Too much screen time
- Stressful homework
- Arguments with friends/family
- Lack of sleep
- Feeling overwhelmed
- Boring tasks
Provide a few diverse examples of drainers. Explain that some drainers are unavoidable, but recognizing them is the first step.
Your Energy Map
Let's find your personal patterns!
- It's time to map YOUR unique energy blueprint.
- Think about your typical day or week.
- What truly gives you energy? What takes it away?
- Be honest with yourself!
Explain that students will now work on their own energy map worksheet.
Charting Your Course
What can you DO?
- Maximize Boosters: How can you add more of these into your week?
- Minimize Drainers: Can you reduce them? Take breaks? Change how you approach them?
- Plan Ahead: Use your blueprint to make conscious choices.
After they've completed the worksheet, facilitate a discussion about strategies. Prompt them to think about how they can actively use their map.
Your Energy Action Plan
Small steps, big impact!
- Journal Prompt: Based on your energy map, what is one small change you can make this week to increase your energy boosters or decrease your energy drainers?
Assign the journal prompt as homework or for independent reflection. Emphasize taking small, actionable steps.
Worksheet
My Energy Map: What Fuels and Drains Me?
Name: _________________________ Date: _________________
Instructions: Think about your typical week. What activities, people, or environments make you feel energized, focused, and happy? These are your Energy Boosters. What makes you feel tired, drained, stressed, or unfocused? These are your Energy Drainers. Be honest and specific!
Energy Boosters
What activities, people, or places make you feel more energized, happy, or focused?
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Activity/Person/Place: ______________________________________
- Why it helps:
- Why it helps:
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Activity/Person/Place: ______________________________________
- Why it helps:
- Why it helps:
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Activity/Person/Place: ______________________________________
- Why it helps:
- Why it helps:
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Activity/Person/Place: ______________________________________
- Why it helps:
- Why it helps:
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Activity/Person/Place: ______________________________________
- Why it helps:
- Why it helps:
Energy Drainers
What activities, people, or places make you feel less energized, tired, stressed, or unfocused?
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Activity/Person/Place: ______________________________________
- Why it drains me:
- Why it drains me:
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Activity/Person/Place: ______________________________________
- Why it drains me:
- Why it drains me:
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Activity/Person/Place: ______________________________________
- Why it drains me:
- Why it drains me:
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Activity/Person/Place: ______________________________________
- Why it drains me:
- Why it drains me:
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Activity/Person/Place: ______________________________________
- Why it drains me:
- Why it drains me:
My Energy Takeaways
Looking at your lists, what is one important thing you learned about your energy today?
Journal
Energy Reflection Journal: My Action Plan
Name: _________________________ Date: _________________
Journal Prompt:
Based on your My Energy Map Worksheet, reflect on your personal energy boosters and drainers. What is one small, realistic change you can make this week to either:
- Increase your energy boosters? (e.g., spending 15 minutes doing an activity you love)
- Decrease or better manage one of your energy drainers? (e.g., taking a short break during a long homework session)
Explain what the change is, why you chose it, and how you think it will impact your energy levels.
How will you know if this change is working? What will you feel or notice?