Name of the Teacher Date Level of the class Length of lesson
Sharndre Noble 2024/10/22 Advanced C1 60 Minutes
Lesson Type:
Four skills-Reading
Lesson Topic:
Gamers use Animal Crossing and Pokémon for mental health
Lesson Aims: Lesson Outcomes:
By the end of the lesson, students will be better able to… By the end of the lesson, students will have…
The aim of the lesson is to increase the understanding of a written text by
using reading techniques that increase focus for example skimming for the Demonstrate their understanding of the text through activities:
main idea or gist as well as looking for detailed information, which aids in 1. Reading through text and matching answers to the correct phrases
improving both general understanding as well as the ability to look for 2. Answering and reviewing questions with a partner, concentrating on
specific details. specific elements from the text.
3. Reflect on the texts overall meaning by writing a title, showing their
ability to summarise the main message and theme.
Anticipated difficulties: Suggested solutions:
Include one relating to L1/age/level of the students and one for
the subskills (reading for gist and for detail/specific information) 1. Prepare a pre-reading vocabulary exercise that includes definitions.
Synonyms and example sentences. Urge students to build their
1. Students may have difficulties with words in the text that cannot be
personal vocabulary. Additionally, have students talk about
directly translated into their first language (L1), ending up with them
vocabulary they aren’t sure of in pairs before reading the text.
being confused or misinterpreting the text.
2. Make use of a well-structured reading strategy, such as a "two-step
2. Students could find it difficult to alternate between reading for a gist
reading" method. First, reading the text quickly to get to the
1 Lesson Plan 150823
, and reading for the specifics. This could result in frustration and summary, then reading it again slowly to find specific details alongside
decreased misunderstanding. guided questions that make a difference between a gist and detail-
oriented reading to help students practice these skills more
3. Some students are reluctant to participate in group effectively.
discussions or pair activities due to being afraid of making a
3. Encourage a warm and supportive classroom environment by creating
mistake.
ground rules that enhance respect. Use activities that build
connections between students by pairing stronger students with
those who need more support. Additionally, use a warmer that to
help guide the conversation and increase confidence in sharing ideas.
Authentic Text (insert reading text here or link to the listening recording)
Gamers use Animal Crossing and Pokémon for mental health
When she was growing up, Danii felt she was "a bit odd" and struggled to fit in.
But discovering cosy gaming handed her a lifeline.
Cosy games such as Animal Crossing, Unpacking and Stardew Valley are different to traditional games - often featuring relaxing
tasks, cute characters and more creative control for players.
Many gamers are now reporting that it helps with their mental health.
Are cosy games good for you?
According to mental health charity Mind Cymru, cosy gaming can provide a coping mechanism for people dealing with mental health
issues, and is also a good way of practising mindfulness.
Mum-of-five Danii Wills, 32, from Rhondda Cynon Taf, has anxiety and depression and has recently been diagnosed with Attention
Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
She started gaming when she was young, and later turned to role-playing games such as Pokémon Red and The Sims, both of which
are seen by many as cosy games.
2 Lesson Plan 150823
, She said she found playing with other people online, and "talking for hours" with them, gave her a sense of community.
"I think honestly it's helped me survive," she said.
"It's helped me through my absolute worst years."
What is cosy gaming?
Cosy games focus on daily routines, community-building or solving mysteries, rather than combat and competition.
They also often involve playing in a relaxed setting, with players using lights and blankets to create a comforting atmosphere.
Gamers share their cosy set-ups and gaming rooms on TikTok and Instagram, with some videos getting millions of views.
During the Coronavirus pandemic, celebrities started posting about the cosy games they were playing, including a new game in the
Animal Crossing series, which then surged in popularity.
Animal Crossing is one of the games played by members of Nintendo South Wales, a group that hosts free events every month for
Nintendo fans.
They say playing cosy games has given their members a sense of community and, for some, an important lifeline.
Member Ben Ayling, 38, from Cardiff, has schizophrenia and other mental and physical health conditions.
He was previously homeless and struggled with drug addiction and said he uses gaming as an escape.
"I know that after pressing the buttons for a few minutes, I'll have forgotten that I was struggling," he said.
"If you've got mental health problems, I can't recommend anything else because all you have to do is open your eyes and move your
fingers.
"It doesn't take any effort and you get so much back."
Other members of the group said they find they can also talk openly about their mental health while playing online.
Lindsey Lawrence, 37, who has fibromyalgia, said: "When I'm not great with my medical conditions I tend to veer towards Tetris.
3 Lesson Plan 150823
Sharndre Noble 2024/10/22 Advanced C1 60 Minutes
Lesson Type:
Four skills-Reading
Lesson Topic:
Gamers use Animal Crossing and Pokémon for mental health
Lesson Aims: Lesson Outcomes:
By the end of the lesson, students will be better able to… By the end of the lesson, students will have…
The aim of the lesson is to increase the understanding of a written text by
using reading techniques that increase focus for example skimming for the Demonstrate their understanding of the text through activities:
main idea or gist as well as looking for detailed information, which aids in 1. Reading through text and matching answers to the correct phrases
improving both general understanding as well as the ability to look for 2. Answering and reviewing questions with a partner, concentrating on
specific details. specific elements from the text.
3. Reflect on the texts overall meaning by writing a title, showing their
ability to summarise the main message and theme.
Anticipated difficulties: Suggested solutions:
Include one relating to L1/age/level of the students and one for
the subskills (reading for gist and for detail/specific information) 1. Prepare a pre-reading vocabulary exercise that includes definitions.
Synonyms and example sentences. Urge students to build their
1. Students may have difficulties with words in the text that cannot be
personal vocabulary. Additionally, have students talk about
directly translated into their first language (L1), ending up with them
vocabulary they aren’t sure of in pairs before reading the text.
being confused or misinterpreting the text.
2. Make use of a well-structured reading strategy, such as a "two-step
2. Students could find it difficult to alternate between reading for a gist
reading" method. First, reading the text quickly to get to the
1 Lesson Plan 150823
, and reading for the specifics. This could result in frustration and summary, then reading it again slowly to find specific details alongside
decreased misunderstanding. guided questions that make a difference between a gist and detail-
oriented reading to help students practice these skills more
3. Some students are reluctant to participate in group effectively.
discussions or pair activities due to being afraid of making a
3. Encourage a warm and supportive classroom environment by creating
mistake.
ground rules that enhance respect. Use activities that build
connections between students by pairing stronger students with
those who need more support. Additionally, use a warmer that to
help guide the conversation and increase confidence in sharing ideas.
Authentic Text (insert reading text here or link to the listening recording)
Gamers use Animal Crossing and Pokémon for mental health
When she was growing up, Danii felt she was "a bit odd" and struggled to fit in.
But discovering cosy gaming handed her a lifeline.
Cosy games such as Animal Crossing, Unpacking and Stardew Valley are different to traditional games - often featuring relaxing
tasks, cute characters and more creative control for players.
Many gamers are now reporting that it helps with their mental health.
Are cosy games good for you?
According to mental health charity Mind Cymru, cosy gaming can provide a coping mechanism for people dealing with mental health
issues, and is also a good way of practising mindfulness.
Mum-of-five Danii Wills, 32, from Rhondda Cynon Taf, has anxiety and depression and has recently been diagnosed with Attention
Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
She started gaming when she was young, and later turned to role-playing games such as Pokémon Red and The Sims, both of which
are seen by many as cosy games.
2 Lesson Plan 150823
, She said she found playing with other people online, and "talking for hours" with them, gave her a sense of community.
"I think honestly it's helped me survive," she said.
"It's helped me through my absolute worst years."
What is cosy gaming?
Cosy games focus on daily routines, community-building or solving mysteries, rather than combat and competition.
They also often involve playing in a relaxed setting, with players using lights and blankets to create a comforting atmosphere.
Gamers share their cosy set-ups and gaming rooms on TikTok and Instagram, with some videos getting millions of views.
During the Coronavirus pandemic, celebrities started posting about the cosy games they were playing, including a new game in the
Animal Crossing series, which then surged in popularity.
Animal Crossing is one of the games played by members of Nintendo South Wales, a group that hosts free events every month for
Nintendo fans.
They say playing cosy games has given their members a sense of community and, for some, an important lifeline.
Member Ben Ayling, 38, from Cardiff, has schizophrenia and other mental and physical health conditions.
He was previously homeless and struggled with drug addiction and said he uses gaming as an escape.
"I know that after pressing the buttons for a few minutes, I'll have forgotten that I was struggling," he said.
"If you've got mental health problems, I can't recommend anything else because all you have to do is open your eyes and move your
fingers.
"It doesn't take any effort and you get so much back."
Other members of the group said they find they can also talk openly about their mental health while playing online.
Lindsey Lawrence, 37, who has fibromyalgia, said: "When I'm not great with my medical conditions I tend to veer towards Tetris.
3 Lesson Plan 150823
