Lesson Plan
Screen Time: Time Warp
Students will calculate their daily average screen time, extrapolate it to yearly 'lost' 24-hour days, and brainstorm alternative activities for that time to promote healthier digital habits.
Understanding the cumulative effect of screen time can empower students to make more conscious choices about how they spend their valuable time, leading to improved well-being and productivity.
Audience
10th Grade
Time
45 minutes
Approach
Interactive calculations, group discussion, and reflective brainstorming.
Materials
- Screen Time: Time Warp Slides, - My Screen Time Snapshot Worksheet, and - Whiteboard or large paper for Time Traveler Brainstorm Activity
Prep
Preparation
10 minutes
- Review the Screen Time: Time Warp Slides and practice the script.
- Print enough copies of the My Screen Time Snapshot Worksheet for each student.
- Prepare a whiteboard or large paper for the Time Traveler Brainstorm Activity.
Step 1
Introduction & Hook (5 minutes)
5 minutes
- Begin with the hook slide on the Screen Time: Time Warp Slides and ask students about their initial thoughts on screen time.
- Introduce the lesson's objective: to examine personal screen time habits and discover its cumulative impact.
- Use the first few slides to set the context and pose the central question: "How much time are we really spending?"
Step 2
Screen Time Snapshot & Calculation (15 minutes)
15 minutes
- Distribute the My Screen Time Snapshot Worksheet.
- Guide students through estimating their daily screen time for various activities.
- Instruct students to use the worksheet to calculate their total daily average screen time.
- Explain how to convert daily screen time into yearly '24-hour days lost' using the formula provided on the worksheet and Screen Time: Time Warp Slides.
- Allow time for students to complete their calculations individually.
Step 3
Discussion: Reflecting on the Numbers (10 minutes)
10 minutes
- Transition to a brief class discussion using prompts from the Rethinking Your Time Discussion.
- Ask students to share their findings (without personal judgment) and reflect on whether their results surprised them.
- Facilitate a conversation about the initial feelings associated with seeing the cumulative numbers.
Step 4
Activity: Time Traveler Brainstorm (10 minutes)
10 minutes
- Introduce the Time Traveler Brainstorm Activity.
- Divide students into small groups or conduct as a whole class activity using a whiteboard.
- Challenge students to brainstorm productive or enriching activities they could do with the 'extra' 24-hour days they identified.
- Encourage creative and realistic suggestions, categorizing them if helpful (e.g., learning a new skill, volunteering, outdoor activities, creative pursuits).
Step 5
Wrap-up & Pledge (5 minutes)
5 minutes
- Conclude the lesson by summarizing key takeaways.
- Distribute the My Time Pledge Cool Down and ask students to reflect on one small change they could make.
- Emphasize that the goal isn't to eliminate screen time, but to be mindful and intentional about its use.
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Slide Deck
Screen Time: Time Warp
How much time are you really spending in the digital world?
Welcome students. Begin with an engaging question to pique their interest and connect to their daily lives.
Our Mission Today
👉 Calculate your daily screen time average.
👉 Discover how many '24-hour days' that adds up to in a year.
👉 Brainstorm exciting ways to reclaim that time!
Introduce the objective of the lesson clearly. Explain that this isn't about shaming, but about awareness and empowerment.
Your Digital Footprint
Think about all the devices you use:
- Phone
- Computer
- TV
- Gaming Console
How many hours do you spend on each, daily?
Explain the concept of 'digital footprint' and how screen time accumulates. Encourage honesty in their estimates.
My Screen Time Snapshot
We'll use a worksheet to tally up your average daily screen time. Be honest with yourselves!
Introduce the worksheet and explain how they will estimate their daily screen time across different categories. Emphasize estimating an average day.
The Big Calculation
Once you have your daily average:
- Multiply by 365 (days in a year).
- Divide by 24 (hours in a day).
This will show you how many full 24-hour days you spend on screens each year!
Go over the calculation method. Stress the multiplication by 365 days for a year and then dividing by 24 hours.
Reflect & Discuss
What was your number? How does it make you feel? Did it surprise you?
Facilitate a short discussion. Ask for volunteers to share their 'number of days' (not total hours, to protect privacy). Ask if they are surprised. Refer to the Rethinking Your Time Discussion.
Time Traveler Brainstorm
Imagine you could 'reclaim' those 24-hour days.
What would you DO with that extra time?
Think big, think small, think creative!
Introduce the next activity. Explain that this is about imagining possibilities, not guilt. Refer to the Time Traveler Brainstorm Activity.
Ideas for Your Reclaimed Time
Consider:
- New skills to learn
- Community involvement
- Creative projects
- Outdoor adventures
- Quality time with loved ones
Encourage students to think about different categories of activities. Give examples if needed (learning, helping, creating, moving).
Your Time, Your Choice
Being aware is the first step. You have the power to choose how you spend your time. What small change can you make?
Summarize the lesson. Emphasize mindful use, not abstinence. Introduce the pledge. Refer to the My Time Pledge Cool Down.
Worksheet
My Screen Time Snapshot
Name: _________________________ Date: ______________
Part 1: Estimate Your Daily Screen Time
Think about a typical weekday. Estimate how many hours you spend on each activity below. Be honest!
| Activity / Device | Estimated Hours Per Day | Notes (e.g., "After school," "Before bed") |
|---|---|---|
| Social Media (TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, etc.) | ||
| Streaming Videos/TV (YouTube, Netflix, Hulu, etc.) | ||
| Gaming (Console, PC, Mobile) | ||
| Online School Work / Homework | ||
| Texting / Messaging | ||
| Browsing / Shopping Online | ||
| Other (Specify): |
Part 2: Calculate Your Total Daily Screen Time
Add up all the estimated hours from the table above to get your total daily screen time.
Total Estimated Daily Screen Time:
_________________ hours and _______________ minutes
Convert to hours only (e.g., 30 minutes = 0.5 hours):
Total Daily Screen Time (in hours):
Part 3: How Many Days A Year? (The Time Warp!)
Now, let's see how much time that adds up to over a year. Use your Total Daily Screen Time (in hours) from Part 2.
-
Total Annual Screen Hours:
Total Daily Screen Time (in hours) x 365 days =
(Your Number) x 365 = ______________ hours / year -
Total Annual Screen Days (24-hour days):
Total Annual Screen Hours / 24 hours per day =
(Your Annual Hours) / 24 = ______________ full 24-hour days / year
Part 4: Initial Reflection
Did your calculation surprise you? Why or why not?
How do you feel about the number of 24-hour days you spend on screens annually?
Discussion
Rethinking Your Time Discussion Prompts
Use these questions to guide a class discussion after students have completed their "My Screen Time Snapshot" worksheet and calculations.
- What was your most surprising discovery from your screen time calculation? Was it higher or lower than you expected?
- When you see the total number of full 24-hour days spent on screens in a year, what is your initial reaction or feeling?
- Are there specific screen time activities that contribute most to your total? Do you feel that time is well-spent?
- Do you think this number is truly "wasted" time? Why or why not? (Consider the benefits of some screen time, e.g., connecting with friends, learning, relaxation).
- How might knowing this number impact your future decisions about screen use?
- What are some common reasons people spend a lot of time on screens? What are some challenges to reducing screen time, even if you want to?
- Imagine you could redistribute some of those "screen days." What kind of non-screen activities would you want to prioritize or try?
Activity
Time Traveler Brainstorm Activity
Imagine you could go back in time and tell your past self to spend some of those "screen days" differently. Or, imagine you are a "Time Traveler" who has discovered a way to create extra 24-hour days in your year by reallocating your screen time. What would you do?
Work individually or in small groups to brainstorm at least 10 different activities you could do with the cumulative 24-hour days you calculated. Think beyond just "less screen time" and focus on what you would gain.
Be creative! Think about different aspects of your life: personal growth, relationships, hobbies, community, physical health, mental well-being, learning, etc.
Brainstorm Categories (Optional):
To help you brainstorm, consider these categories:
- Learning & Personal Growth: (e.g., Learn a new language, read more books, practice an instrument)
- Physical & Mental Well-being: (e.g., Exercise more, meditate, spend time in nature, get more sleep)
- Creativity & Hobbies: (e.g., Draw, write, build something, pursue a craft)
- Relationships & Community: (e.g., Spend time with family/friends, volunteer, help a neighbor)
- Exploration & Adventure: (e.g., Explore local parks, try a new sport, plan a small trip)
Your Brainstorm List:
Reflection Question:
Looking at your brainstorm list, which one or two activities are you most excited about? Why?
Cool Down
My Time Pledge: A Step Towards Intentional Use
Name: _________________________ Date: ______________
Reflect on today's lesson, your screen time calculations, and the ideas you brainstormed for reclaiming time. The goal isn't to eliminate screens entirely, but to be more mindful and intentional about how you spend your time.
My Reflection:
- What is one specific insight or feeling you are taking away from today's lesson about your screen time?
My Pledge:
-
Thinking about your daily habits, what is one small, realistic change you could make to be more intentional with your time (either reducing screen time in a particular area, or replacing some screen time with another activity)?
Example: "I will put my phone away during dinner with my family." or "I will spend 15 minutes reading a physical book before bed instead of scrolling."
My Pledge:
-
Why is this change important to you?
This pledge is for you. There's no right or wrong answer, just a commitment to conscious choices!