Screen Time Smarts

Jessica Hunt

Tier 1

Lesson Plan

Screen Time Smarts

Dangers of Screen Time

This lesson introduces middle school students to the potential dangers of excessive screen time. Through a guided discussion and a collaborative activity, students will explore the impact of screen time on their health and well-being. This lesson is important as it raises awareness among students about balancing screen time with other activities, promoting healthier lifestyle choices.

Audience

Middle Schoolers

Time

20 minutes

Approach

Active Learning, Collaborative Learning

Materials

Discussion Questions, Activity Instructions, Post-it Notes, and Markers

Step 1

Introduction

2 minutes

Briefly introduce the topic of screen time and its prevalence in daily life.
Explain the objective of the lesson: understanding the dangers of excessive screen time.

Step 2

Guided Discussion

8 minutes

Use the provided discussion questions to engage students in a conversation about their screen time habits.
Encourage students to share their thoughts and experiences.
Highlight key points about the negative effects of too much screen time, such as eye strain, sleep disruption, and reduced physical activity.

Step 3

Collaborative Activity

8 minutes

Divide students into small groups and provide each group with post-it notes and markers.
Instruct each group to brainstorm and write down potential negative effects of screen time on their post-it notes.
Have groups share their findings with the class and discuss any common themes or surprising insights.

Step 4

Closure

2 minutes

Summarize the key points discussed and the insights gained from the activity.
Encourage students to think about how they can manage their screen time more effectively.

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Discussion

Discussion Questions on Screen Time

A set of questions to guide a discussion on the dangers of screen time.

What are some activities you do on screens every day?

Encourage students to think about both school-related and leisure activities.

How do you feel after spending a long time on screens?

Guide students to consider physical and emotional effects.

What are some negative effects of too much screen time?

Discuss health impacts like eye strain, sleep issues, and reduced physical activity.

Worksheet

Activity Instructions for Screen Time

Instructions for a collaborative activity to explore the negative effects of screen time.

Brainstorm and list potential negative effects of screen time on post-it notes.

Think about health, social, and academic impacts.

Share your group's findings with the class.

Discuss any common themes or surprising insights.