Internet and friends Lesson Plan

The lesson plan from VotesforSchools for Key Stage 1 (KS1) pupils focuses on the impact of the internet on friendships. The lesson kicks off with a brief look at the previous week's topic results, followed by a starter activity where pupils pair up to discuss the activities they enjoy with friends and whether any are conducted online. This two to three-minute discussion sets the stage for the main topic of whether the internet is detrimental to friendships. The purpose of the discussion is then clarified, encouraging pupils to think critically about the relevance of the subject matter.

During the main part of the lesson, the whole class engages in an interactive exercise where they consider the qualities of good friends and signify their opinions by standing up or sitting down. This is followed by a segment where various scenarios are presented, illustrating how the internet can influence friendships positively or negatively, with students showing their agreement or disagreement through thumbs up or down gestures. Afterward, pupils reflect on statements related to the internet's role in relationships and engage in discussions to express their personal views. The lesson concludes with a voting session where students review arguments for and against the topic before casting their votes. Throughout the lesson, keywords such as 'Friendship', 'Internet', and 'Safety' are emphasized, and the learning objectives are to identify the traits of a good friend and to deliberate on the effects of the internet on friendships. Additional resources and support materials are available for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), and suggestions for home learning activities are provided.