Navigating Social Media

Lesson Overview

Subject: Health
Grade Level: 7th Grade
Curriculum Focus: Mental, Emotional, and Social Health
Duration: 70 Minutes
Class Size: 22 Students

Objective

Students will understand the positive and negative effects of social media on mental health. They will be able to identify pros and cons and apply critical thinking to analyze the impact of social media on their own lives.

Standards

• National Health Education Standards:
  • Standard 1: Students will comprehend concepts related to health promotion and disease prevention to enhance health.
  • Standard 2: Students will analyze the influence of family, peers, culture, media, technology, and other factors on health behaviors.

---

Lesson Outline

1. Introduction (10 minutes)

• Objective: Engage students and introduce the topic.
• Activities:
  • Teacher Talk: Begin with a brief story or example of how social media is being used positively and negatively today. Relate it to students' daily lives.
  • Question for Students: "How many of you used social media today?" Quick show of hands to gauge initial engagement.

2. Direct Instruction (25 minutes)

• Objective: Explain the pros and cons of social media and its impact on mental health.
• Materials Needed: Whiteboard, markers, projector, guided notes handout, slideshow presentation.

a. Presentation of Pros (10 minutes)

• Key Points:
  • Connects people across distances; builds communities.
  • Provides a platform for self-expression and creativity.
  • Offers access to information and educational resources.

b. Presentation of Cons (15 minutes)

• Key Points:

  • Can lead to decreased face-to-face interactions.
  • Increases exposure to cyberbullying and negative content.
  • May contribute to anxiety, depression, and poor self-esteem.

• Activity: Guided notes - Students fill in key points given in the slides.

3. Group Discussion (15 minutes)

• Objective: Foster critical thinking and personal reflection.

• Activity:

  • Divide class into small groups of 5-6 students.
  • Assign each group a different question related to social media's impact:
    • How does social media help us learn?
    • In what situations can social media be harmful?
    • What are some ways to maintain a healthy balance with social media?

• Teacher Task: Circulate the room, guiding groups and prompting deeper thinking.

4. Whole Group Sharing (10 minutes)

• Objective: Share insights and learn collectively.
• Activity:
  • Each group shares their discussion highlights with the class.
  • Encourage reflections on surprising or new ideas they learned.

5. Closing and Reflection (10 minutes)

• Objective: Consolidate learning and ensure students understand the application.

• Activity:

  • Class discussion on strategies for maintaining a healthy relationship with social media.
  • Offer a tip sheet on healthy social media habits (e.g., setting time limits, curating their feed).

• Exit Ticket: Each student writes one positive and one negative impact of social media on a sticky note and places it on the designated boards as they leave.

---

Guided Notes Example

Pros of Social Media:

1. ---

2. ---

3. ---

Cons of Social Media:

1. ---

2. ---

3. ---

---

Slideshow Highlights

• Title Slide: "Navigating Social Media: The Impact on Mental Health"
• Slide 2: Pros of Social Media
• Slide 3: Cons of Social Media
• Slide 4: Mental Health Tips
• Slide 5: Group Discussion Questions
• Slide 6: Closing Thoughts

---

Differentiation Strategies

• Visual Learners: Use slides and guided notes for reinforcement.
• Auditory Learners: Provide clear and engaging verbal explanations.
• Engagement: Use real-life examples and relatable scenarios for students.

---

Assessment and Evaluation

• Participation in discussions.
• Completeness and thoughtfulness of guided note-taking.
• Quality of responses on Exit Tickets.

---

Teacher Reflection

• Was the pace appropriate?
• Did students engage actively and thoughtfully?
• Adjustments for future lessons?