Lesson plan – Understanding depression two 80 minutes lesson
Here’s an expanded two-session plan (80 minutes each) for teaching the topic “Understanding Depression” to C2-level ESL students. Each session is divided into three detailed parts with interactive and reflective exercises.
Session 1: Discussion and Initial Reading
Lesson Duration: 80 minutes
Goals:
- Engage students in meaningful discussion about mental health.
- Familiarize students with key ideas and vocabulary from the text.
Part 1: Discussion (25 minutes)
Objective: Build context and encourage students to share thoughts on mental health.
Warm-Up (5 minutes)
- Show three provocative statements on the board:
- “Depression is not a real illness.”
- “Social media has made depression more common.”
- “Therapy is more effective than medication.”
- Students vote on whether they agree/disagree and briefly explain why.
Pair Work Discussion (10 minutes)
- In pairs, discuss:
- “What are the cultural attitudes toward depression in your country?”
- “Do you think depression is more common now than in the past? Why or why not?”
Class Sharing (10 minutes)
- Each pair shares a summary of their discussion.
- Teacher writes key themes (e.g., stigma, social causes) on the board.
Part 2: Guided Reading (30 minutes)
Objective: Develop reading fluency and comprehension.
Pre-Reading Activity (5 minutes)
- Teach key terms from the text: stigma, symptoms, treatment, dysthymia, neuroticism, serotonin.
- Write definitions on the board.
- Students guess the meaning in context.
Skim Reading (10 minutes)
- Students skim the first section of the article (“Signs and Symptoms”).
- Teacher asks general questions:
- “What is the difference between sadness and clinical depression?”
- “How long must symptoms last for depression to be diagnosed?”
Close Reading (15 minutes)
- Students read a subsection more closely in pairs. For example:
- Signs and Symptoms for Pair 1
- Causes and Risk Factors for Pair 2
- Medical and Therapeutic Interventions for Pair 3
- Each pair answers specific comprehension questions and highlights key points.
Part 3: Vocabulary Practice (25 minutes)
Objective: Practice advanced vocabulary in context.
Matching Definitions (10 minutes)
- Distribute a worksheet where students match key terms (e.g., neuroticism, dysthymia) with their definitions.
Sentence Creation (10 minutes)
- In pairs, students write sentences using five of the terms.
- Encourage them to focus on meaningful usage (e.g., “Many people with dysthymia can still function in their daily lives, but they may feel persistently low.”).
Quick Quiz (5 minutes)
- Teacher gives definitions aloud; students identify the corresponding term.
Session 2: Analysis and Essay Writing
Lesson Duration: 80 minutes
Goals:
- Deepen understanding of the topic.
- Develop critical thinking through discussion and essay writing.
Part 1: Comprehension Check and Discussion (20 minutes)
Objective: Review key ideas and practice discussing them critically.
Group Recap (10 minutes)
- Each group from the previous session summarizes the section they read.
- Teacher facilitates a class discussion:
- “What surprised you the most about depression?”
- “Do you agree that lifestyle changes can be as effective as medication? Why or why not?”
Debate (10 minutes)
- Divide the class into two teams:
- Team A: “Depression is mainly caused by societal factors.”
- Team B: “Depression is mainly caused by biological factors.”
- Each team prepares two arguments and presents them in a structured format.
Part 2: Critical Thinking and Analysis (30 minutes)
Objective: Encourage deeper analysis of the text and topic.
Problem-Solution Activity (15 minutes)
- Present this scenario:
- A friend exhibits symptoms of depression but refuses to seek help. How would you help them?
- In small groups, students:
- Identify the problem and its challenges.
- Propose at least two solutions.
Role Play (15 minutes)
- One student plays the friend; the others play supportive peers.
- Students practice discussing mental health in a sensitive and empathetic way.
Part 3: Essay Writing (30 minutes)
Objective: Develop academic writing skills.
Planning the Essay (10 minutes)
- Students brainstorm ideas for one of the following topics:
- “Is depression a modern issue or a universal human experience?”
- “Compare approaches to treating depression in two different countries.”
- Use a mind map to organize their points.
Writing (20 minutes)
- Students write the introduction and one body paragraph of their essay.
- Teacher provides guidance and corrects grammar/vocabulary as needed.
Homework Assignment:
- Complete the essay.
- Prepare a short reflection (100-150 words): “How has your understanding of depression changed after these sessions?”
This two-session plan balances discussion, reading, and writing with a variety of interactive exercises to maintain engagement and deepen understanding. Let me know if you’d like further elaboration or additional activities!
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ID: 202411221511 Source:: Understanding depression.pdf Friend:: Child:: Next::
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