Lesson Plan: Balancing School and Social Life
Objective:
To enhance the student's conversational skills related to time management and social
activities.
To build vocabulary and comprehension through relatable reading passages and
discussions.
Duration: 1 hour
1. Warm-Up (10 minutes)
Activity:
Brief discussion about the your typical school day and favorite social activities.
2. Managing Time (15 minutes)
Vocabulary:
1. Juggle: To manage multiple tasks or responsibilities simultaneously (at the same time)
2. Schedule: A plan that lists events or tasks and when they will happen.
3. Blocks: Periods of time designated for specific activities.
4. Dedicated: Devoted time and effort towards a particular activity or purpose.
5. Fulfilling: Satisfying or making one feel happy and accomplished.
Reading Passage: Balancing Act: Time Management for Teens
Text: María, a 13-year-old student from Buenos Aires, had to juggle her schoolwork, social life,
and hobbies. She created a weekly schedule to manage her time effectively. María divided her
day into blocks for studying, hanging out with friends, and watching TV. She found that
planning her activities helped her stay organized and reduced her stress. For example, she
dedicated afternoons to homework and evenings to relaxing with her favorite TV shows. María
also set aside weekends for family outings and socializing with friends. By sticking to her
schedule, María was able to enjoy a balanced and fulfilling life.
Questions for Student:
1. Why do you think María created a weekly schedule?
2. How did María divide her time between studying, friends, and TV?
3. What benefits did María experience from planning her activities?
4. How important do you think time management is for teenagers? Can you give an example
from your own life?
3. Worst-Case Scenarios and Solutions (15 minutes)
Scenarios and Discussion:
1. Too Much Homework:
o Scenario: Imagine you have too much homework and feel overwhelmed. What
would you do?
o Solution: Break the homework into smaller tasks, prioritize the most important
assignments, and set specific times for breaks. Try saying something like, “I have
a lot of homework. Can you help me manage my time better?”
2. Missing a Social Event:
o Scenario: You miss a social event because of schoolwork. How would you
handle this situation?
o Solution: Communicate with your friends and reschedule or plan a different time
to hang out. You might say, “I’m sorry I missed the event. Can we hang out
another time?”
3. Distractions While Studying:
o Scenario: You get distracted by TV or your phone while studying. What can you
do to stay focused?
o Solution: Create a distraction-free study environment, set specific times for
studying and breaks, and use productivity tools. You could say, “I need to focus
on my studies. Can you help me stay on track?”
4. Lack of Motivation:
o Scenario: You feel unmotivated to study or complete tasks. How would you find
motivation again?
o Solution: Set small, achievable goals, reward your progress, and seek support
from friends or family. You might say, “I’m feeling unmotivated. Can you help
me set some goals?”
Discussion:
Can you share any personal experiences where you had to deal with these situations?
How did you handle them?
4. Reading Passage 1 (15 minutes)
Vocabulary:
1. Initially: At the beginning or start.
2. Nervous: Feeling anxious or worried.
3. Approachable: Easy to talk to or friendly.
4. Prioritizing: Determining the order of importance for tasks.
5. Proactive: Taking action and initiative in situations.
Reading Passage: Social Life: Making Friends at School
Text: Lucas, a new student at his school in Córdoba, was initially nervous about making friends.
He joined various clubs and participated in school activities to meet new people. Lucas quickly
realized that being friendly and approachable helped him connect with others. He balanced his
schoolwork with social activities by prioritizing his tasks and making time for his friends.
Lucas’s efforts paid off as he built a supportive network of friends who shared his interests. He
learned that being proactive and open to new experiences made school life more enjoyable.
Questions for Student:
1. How did Lucas make new friends at school?
2. What activities did Lucas join to meet new people?
3. How did Lucas balance his schoolwork with social activities?
4. Why do you think it’s important to be proactive in making friends? Can you give an
example from your own experience?
5. Reading Passage 2 (15 minutes)
Vocabulary:
1. Engaging: Participating in or being involved with.
2. Unwind: To relax and reduce stress.
3. Motivated: Having the desire to do something.
4. Active: Engaging in physical activities or exercise.
5. Balanced: Maintaining a proper distribution of time and effort.
Reading Passage: Hobbies and Relaxation: Enjoying Free Time
Text: Martina, a 13-year-old from Rosario, enjoyed watching TV shows and playing sports in
her free time. She scheduled her study sessions in the afternoons and relaxed in the evenings.
Martina found that engaging in her favorite hobbies helped her unwind and stay motivated. She
also spent weekends playing soccer with her friends, which kept her active and socially
connected. By balancing her schoolwork with enjoyable activities, Martina maintained a healthy
and happy lifestyle.
Questions for Student:
1. How did Martina manage her study sessions and free time?
2. What activities did Martina enjoy in her free time?
3. How did Martina benefit from balancing schoolwork and hobbies?
4. Why do you think having hobbies is important? Can you share what hobbies you have
and how they help you?
6. Role-Playing Activity (10 minutes)
Activity:
Let’s role-play a few scenarios where you manage your time between studying, friends,
and watching TV. What would you do in these situations?
How would you handle it if you had too much homework or missed a social event? Let’s
practice some phrases you might use.
7. Wrap-Up (5 minutes)
Activity:
Let’s go over some of the key vocabulary and phrases we learned today.
For homework, I’d like you to write a detailed paragraph about your daily routine,
focusing on how you balance school, friends, and your hobbies.
