Are you comfortable talking about loneliness? Lesson Plan

The lesson plan titled "Are you comfortable talking about loneliness?" is aimed at Primary students aged 7-11 and is designed to raise awareness about loneliness and its impact on mental health. The learning objectives are twofold: firstly, to understand what loneliness is, and secondly, to consider ways to help those who may be feeling lonely. This educational resource provides a structured approach to discussing a sensitive topic, ensuring that students can engage thoughtfully and empathetically with the subject matter.

The lesson begins with a brief feedback session where the whole class reviews the results from the previous week's topic. It then moves into a starter activity where students pair up to discuss mental health and strategies for staying happy and healthy. Following this, the class explores the relevance of the topic, linking it to Mental Health Awareness Week. A 'Mental (health) maths' segment allows students to engage with statistics related to loneliness, encouraging critical thinking about the prevalence of the issue. Subsequent activities include discussing scenarios in pairs to understand when loneliness might occur, generating positive and lonely thoughts about given images in small groups, and brainstorming helpful actions as a whole class to support someone feeling lonely. The lesson concludes with a vote, allowing students to express their views on the topic after considering arguments for and against. Accompanying the main activities are supporting materials for SEND learners and cross-curricular opportunities, ensuring inclusivity and broader educational connections.