Embedded Files
October's Theme is: Media Balance
Finding healthy digital habits for school, relationships, and life
Standards Alignment
Strand 3: Digital Citizenship (Grades 7–9) – Students will demonstrate responsible, ethical, and healthy use of technology.
Strand 2: Digital Literacy – Students will evaluate how media use impacts productivity, well-being, and communication.
7th Grade
7th Grade
Focus: Understanding screen time and its effects on balance.
Objective: Students will be able to identify signs of unbalanced media use and list strategies to improve balance.
Lesson Flow:
Hook (1 min) – Ask: “How many hours do you think the average teen spends on screens daily?” (Share real stat: 7–9 hrs/day outside schoolwork, Common Sense Media).
Video (3 min) – Show: “Finding Balance with Media”
Discussion (3 min) – Ask students:
- How does media help you?
- How does too much media hurt you?
- What’s one thing you can do to feel more balanced?
Activity (2 min) – Quick pair-share: “One healthy media habit I want to try.”
Exit Ticket (1 min) - direct students to their appropriate grade-level exit ticket link under "student resources"
8th Grade
8th Grade
Focus: Media’s impact on relationships, schoolwork, and mental health.
Objective: Students will evaluate their media use and identify how it affects relationships and responsibilities
Lesson Flow:
Hook (1 min) – Poll: “Have you ever stayed up late because you were online/gaming/scrolling? How did it affect you the next day?”
Video (3 min) – Show: “My Media Use: Too Much?”
Discussion (3 min) – Ask:
- How can media use help us stay connected?
- What happens when it gets in the way of family, friends, or school?
- What are warning signs that media is taking over?
Activity (2 min) – Students jot down a “media audit”:
- 1 way media helps me
- 1 way media hurts me
- 1 change I could make
Exit Ticket (1 min) - direct students to their appropriate grade-level exit ticket link under "student resources"
9th Grade
9th Grade
Focus: Independence and intentional choices for media balance.
Objective: Students will create a personal media balance plan with at least 2 strategies they can try.
Lesson Flow:
Hook (1 min) – Prompt: “Imagine it’s finals week. How can media be your best friend… and your worst enemy?”
Video (3 min) – Show: “Media Balance & Well-Being”
Discussion (3 min) – Ask:
- How can I use media to support my goals (school, sports, relationships)?
- What strategies help avoid distractions?
- How can I set healthy boundaries (timers, do-not-disturb, accountability)?
Activity (2 min) – Students fill out “My Media Balance Plan” on the exit ticket
One goal I have (academic, personal, relationship).
One way media supports this goal.
One way media gets in the way.
Two strategies I’ll try.
Exit Ticket (1 min) - direct students to their appropriate grade-level exit ticket link under "student resources"
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