Challenges at school
Scan this QR Code and answer this
question?
- What problem or
challenge do you
face at school?
When I_______________________,
don't know what to do nervous
I feel
________________________.
I don't know what to do excited happy
my teacher says I did well nervous stressed proud
I know the answer to a question
lonely confused tired
I have an exam
my friends are not at school embarrassed
Task 2: Read what these students say about challenges that they have at school.
Match the word or phrase in bold in Column A with the meaning in Column B.
A B
1) Ali – 'When I can't understand what to do in a) unable to be still or relax because you are
class, I get really frustrated. Sometimes, I feel bored or nervous
like crying or shouting!'
d)
2) Mira – 'I get confused when my maths b) a sudden feeling that you must do
teacher talks a lot. I have no idea what she something, without thinking about the results,
wants me to do.' c) and you can't stop it
3) Paola – 'When the teacher asks a question c) unable to think clearly or to understand
and I know the answer, I shout it out. He gets something
annoyed, but I can't control my impulses.'
b)
4) Andrii – 'I get really restless in class when d) annoyed because things are not happening
we sit down for too long. I start to move my in the way that you want, or in the way that
arms and legs, and it's difficult to stay still.' they should
a)
Read what these students say about the challenges that they have at school.
Match the word or phrase in bold in Column A with the meaning in Column B.
A B
5) Chen – 'I struggle with two-hour lessons. e) Someone who works at the same time as
They're too long for me!' you online or in the same room. You work
g) together, but maybe you do different things.
6) Remi – 'My brain gets blocked at home f) to look through posts on social media
because my family are so noisy. Sometimes, I
can't do my homework.' h)
7) Pape – 'When I try and study for exams, I g) to use a lot of effort to do something or to
often stop and scroll on my phone for hours.' find something difficult
f)
8) Bee – 'I can only study for exams if I have a h) to be unable to think
study buddy.'
e)
Listen and repeat. Which syllables are stressed?
frustrated restless
confused struggle
impulse buddy
Read what the students say again. Which statements are true for you?
1) Ali – 'When I can't understand what to do 5) Chen – 'I struggle with two-hour lessons.
in class, I get really frustrated. Sometimes, I They're too long for me
feel like crying or shouting!'
1) Ali – 'When I can't understand
2) Mira – 'Itoget
what doconfused when
in class, I get my
really 6) Remi – 'My brain gets blocked at home
maths teacher talks
frustrated. a lot. I have
Sometimes, nolike
I feel idea what because my family are so noisy. Sometimes, I
she wants
cryingme to do.'
or shouting!' can't do my homework.'
3) Paola – 'When the teacher asks a 7) Pape – 'When I try and study for exams, I
question and I know the answer, I shout it out. often stop and scroll on my phone for hours.'
He gets annoyed, but I can't control my
impulses.'
4) Andrii – 'I get really restless in class 8) Bee – 'I can only study for exams if I have a
when we sit down for too long. I start to move study buddy.'
my arms and legs, and it's difficult to stay still.'
Task 3: Listen to Emma and Jay talking about problems at school. Which problems does
Emma have, which problems does Jay have, and which problems do they both have? The
first one has been done for you.
Emma Jay Both
a
a) It's difficult for me to concentrate.
b) It's hard to understand everything when my teacher talks a lot.
c) I have a condition called ADHD.
d) Some teachers think I'm not trying.
e) I think it's normal that people don't all learn in the same way.
f) I don't share the problems I have at school with anyone.
g) I get really anxious before exams.
h) Studying at home is really tough.
i) I should take fewer breaks when I study.
Task 3: Listen to Emma and Jay talking about problems at school. Which problems does
Emma have, which problems does Jay have, and which problems do they both have? The
first one has been done for you.
Emma Jay Both
bcd efi agh
a) It's difficult for me to concentrate.
b) It's hard to understand everything when my teacher talks a lot.
c) I have a condition called ADHD.
d) Some teachers think I'm not trying.
e) I think it's normal that people don't all learn in the same way.
f) I don't share the problems I have at school with anyone.
g) I get really anxious before exams.
h) Studying at home is really tough.
i) I should take fewer breaks when I study.
Task 4: Emma gives Jay some advice. Tick what she says. (The first one has
been done for you.)
a) Make lists to remember important things.
b) Use a timer to let you know when to take a break from studying.
c) Remember to eat and drink regularly.
d) When you take a break, do something physical.
e) When you start a task, identify the first small step you should take.
f) Give yourself a reward when you complete a task.
g) Work with a study buddy to help you focus.
h) Make sure your teachers know how you feel.
Answers:
a) Make lists to remember important things.
b) Use a timer to let you know when to take a break from studying.
c) Remember to eat and drink regularly.
d) When you take a break, do something physical.
e) When you start a task, identify the first small step you should take.
f) Give yourself a reward when you complete a task.
g) Work with a study buddy to help you focus.
h) Make sure your teachers know how you feel.
What other advice could you give to Jay?
Task 5: Work with a partner. Choose one of the challenges at school below.
• You can't focus on exam preparation.
• You don't understand your homework.
Work with your partner to decide:
• why this is happening
• what the possible consequences are
• what the possible solutions are.
Then role play the situation.
Reflection – Roll the dice and answer the question with your partner.
1. What did you learn about ADHD?
2. How do you think Emma and Jay felt during their
conversation?
3. Have you ever had challenges at school? What helped
you?
4. Will you try any of the ideas from the conversation?
5. How can we make our classroom a better place for
everyone?
6. How easy/difficult or interesting/useful did you find this
lesson?
