Lesson Plan
Sleep Revolution Plan
Students will explore the science of sleep, track their own sleep habits, and design personalized routines to boost concentration, mood, and overall health.
Healthy sleep is vital for memory, focus, and well-being. By understanding sleep science and monitoring habits, students gain tools to improve daily performance and long-term health.
Audience
8th Grade Students
Time
50 minutes
Approach
Interactive discussion, self-assessment, and personalized routine design.
Materials
Prep
Prepare Materials
10 minutes
- Review the Dream Slides deck and familiarize yourself with key points
- Print or load the Sleep Poll for warm-up
- Prepare copies of the Sleep Diary worksheet and Sleep Knowledge Check quiz
- Ensure Design Your Routine templates are ready for student use
- Print the Dream Reflection reflection prompt
- Set up projector or display device for slides
Step 1
Warm-Up: Sleep Poll
5 minutes
- Distribute the Sleep Poll to each student
- Have students answer questions about typical bedtime, wake time, and sleep quality
- Quickly tally responses and share a few class insights to spark interest
Step 2
Introduction: Science of Sleep
10 minutes
- Project the Dream Slides
- Present key concepts: sleep stages, circadian rhythm, and why restorative sleep matters
- Ask students: “How do you feel after a bad night’s sleep?” and discuss responses
Step 3
Self-Assessment: Sleep Diary Overview
5 minutes
- Hand out the Sleep Diary worksheet
- Explain how to record bedtime, wake time, screen use, and energy levels each day
- Model one entry as a class example
Step 4
Activity: Design Your Routine
15 minutes
- Pair students and give each pair a Design Your Routine template
- Instruct them to identify personal sleep disruptors (e.g., screens, caffeine) and brainstorm solutions
- Have each student draft a 7-day sleep routine with consistent bed/wake times and healthy habits
Step 5
Quiz: Sleep Knowledge Check
5 minutes
- Distribute the Sleep Knowledge Check
- Students complete the short quiz individually to reinforce key facts
- Quickly review answers together, clarifying any misunderstandings
Step 6
Cool-Down: Dream Reflection
10 minutes
- Provide the Dream Reflection prompt
- Students write about one habit they’ll change and how better sleep could impact their lives
- Invite volunteers to share their commitment with the class
use Lenny to create lessons.
No credit card needed
Slide Deck
The Sleep Revolution
Exploring the science of sleep and why it matters.
Welcome students to The Sleep Revolution slide deck. Start by asking: “How much sleep did you get last night?” Note a few responses to engage them. Then introduce yourself and today's topic.
Today's Objectives
• Understand the stages of sleep
• Learn about your circadian rhythm
• Discover the benefits of restorative sleep
Read each objective aloud and explain why it matters. Emphasize that by the end they’ll know how to track and improve their sleep.
Sleep Stages
- Stage 1: Light sleep – drifting off
- Stage 2: Onset of true sleep
- Stage 3: Deep sleep – body repair
- REM: Rapid Eye Movement – dreaming & memory
Explain each stage: Stage 1 light sleep (drifting off), Stage 2 brain activity slows, Stage 3 deep sleep (body repair), REM dreaming (memory consolidation). Show an image of a sleep cycle graph if possible.
Circadian Rhythm
• Your body’s 24-hour internal clock
• Regulates when you feel awake or sleepy
• Influenced by light, meals, and routines
Define circadian rhythm as our internal clock. Ask: “What time of day do you feel most awake? Most tired?” Relate light exposure and screen use to this cycle.
Why Sleep Matters
• Strengthens memory & learning
• Balances mood & emotional health
• Supports growth, immunity, and healing
• Boosts focus and athletic performance
Highlight how sleep affects everyday life. Ask students to think of times they were cranky or forgot things after poor sleep.
Quick Discussion
How do you feel after a bad night’s sleep?
Share one word with the class.
Invite 3–4 students to share one word describing how they feel after a bad night’s sleep. Write responses on the board to visualize common themes.
Next Up: Sleep Poll
• Track your typical bedtime and wake time
• Rate your sleep quality
• We’ll analyze our class data together
Explain the upcoming warm-up activity: the Sleep Poll. Let students know they’ll track their own habits and prepare to discuss as a group.
Warm Up
Sleep Poll
Use this quick poll to record your sleep habits. Answer the questions honestly!
- What time did you go to bed last night? ________
- What time did you wake up this morning? ________
- Approximately how many hours of sleep did you get? ________
- On a scale of 1–5, how would you rate your sleep quality?
1 = Very Poor 2 = Poor 3 = Okay 4 = Good 5 = Excellent
Rating: ____ - Do you use a screen (phone, tablet, TV, etc.) within one hour before bed?
□ Yes □ No - How often do you feel tired or sleepy during the school day?
□ Never □ Rarely □ Sometimes □ Often □ Always
Please hand your completed poll to the teacher when you’re done.
Activity
Design Your Routine
Part 1: Identify Sleep Disruptors & Solutions
Think about what keeps you from falling asleep or getting good rest. List three personal disruptors, describe how each affects your sleep, and propose one solution for each.
| Sleep Disruptor | How It Affects Me | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| 1. ____________________ | ________________________________________ | ________________________________ |
| 2. ____________________ | ________________________________________ | ________________________________ |
| 3. ____________________ | ________________________________________ | ________________________________ |
Part 2: Plan Your 7-Day Sleep Schedule
Create a consistent routine for the next week. Fill in your ideal bedtime, wake time, when you’ll stop using screens before bed, and one healthy habit to practice each night (e.g., reading, stretching, meditation).
| Day | Bedtime | Wake Time | Screen-Free Start (min before bed) | Healthy Habit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monday | _______ | _______ | _______ | ________________________ |
| Tuesday | _______ | _______ | _______ | ________________________ |
| Wednesday | _______ | _______ | _______ | ________________________ |
| Thursday | _______ | _______ | _______ | ________________________ |
| Friday | _______ | _______ | _______ | ________________________ |
| Saturday | _______ | _______ | _______ | ________________________ |
| Sunday | _______ | _______ | _______ | ________________________ |
Tips:
- Aim for the same bedtime and wake time every day, even on weekends.
- Choose a screen-free wind-down period of at least 30 minutes.
- Pick a calming habit that helps you relax before bed.
Once you’ve filled out both parts, share one disruptor and one healthy habit with your partner.
Worksheet
Sleep Diary
Use this diary to track your sleep habits each day for one week. Fill in each row honestly.
| Date | Bedtime | Wake Time | Hours of Sleep | Screen 1 hr Before Bed? (Y/N) | Energy Level (1–5) | Notes (e.g., how you felt upon waking) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monday | _______ | _______ | _______ | _______ | _______ | ________________________________ |
| Tuesday | _______ | _______ | _______ | _______ | _______ | ________________________________ |
| Wednesday | _______ | _______ | _______ | _______ | _______ | ________________________________ |
| Thursday | _______ | _______ | _______ | _______ | _______ | ________________________________ |
| Friday | _______ | _______ | _______ | _______ | _______ | ________________________________ |
| Saturday | _______ | _______ | _______ | _______ | _______ | ________________________________ |
| Sunday | _______ | _______ | _______ | _______ | _______ | ________________________________ |
Reflection Questions
- On which day did you get the most restful sleep? Why do you think that was?
- Which night’s sleep left you feeling the most tired? What factors might have contributed?
- What patterns do you notice between your screen use before bed and your energy levels?
- Based on this diary, what one habit will you change to improve your sleep next week?
Quiz
Sleep Knowledge Check
Cool Down
Dream Reflection
Use the prompts below to reflect on your takeaways and commit to one habit change:
- Which sleep habit will you change moving forward? Why?
- How might getting better sleep impact your concentration, mood, or overall health?
Feel free to share your reflection with a partner or with the class when you’re ready.