Sleep is important for everyone. But as students speed through a time of rapid physical, mental and emotional growth, getting quality sleep is crucial to their overall health and wellbeing. In this lesson, students learn about the importance of sleep and its benefits, reflect on their own sleep habits, and identify strategies they might use to improve their sleep.

Year level

7-10

Duration

60 minutes

Type

In class activity

Take away activity

SEL Competencies

Responsible decision-making

Learning intention

Students will understand the importance of sleep and its benefits, and identify practical strategies for improving their sleep.

Key outcomes

By the end of the lesson, students will be able to:

  • understand the importance of sleep and its benefits

  • identify factors that can impact their sleep

  • reflect on their own personal sleep habits

  • identify strategies they can use to improve their sleep.

Materials needed

Mapped to

Australian Curriculum: Health and Physical Education

  • Plan and implement strategies, using health resources, to enhance their own and others’ health, safety, relationships and wellbeing (AC9HP8P10)

  • Plan, justify and critique strategies to enhance their own and others’ health, safety, relationships and wellbeing (AC9HP10P10)

NSW PDHPE Syllabus

  • Investigates health practices, behaviours and resources to promote health, safety, wellbeing and physically active communities (PD4-7)

  • Plans, implements and critiques strategies to promote health, safety, wellbeing and participation in physical activity in their communities (PD5-7)

Victorian Curriculum: Health and Physical Education

  • Investigate and select strategies to promote health, safety and wellbeing (VCHPEP126)

  • Evaluate health information from a range of sources and apply to health decisions and situations (VCHPEP148)

Show details

Activity 1

Class discussion: Why does sleep matter?

15 minutes

To feel more confident when teaching this lesson, we recommend accessing the ReachOut Schools article Helping students to get better sleep.

Class discussion

  1. Students access and spend time reading the ReachOut article How much sleep do I need?

  2. In pairs or small groups, ask students to discuss and answer the following questions:

    • Why is sleep important for young people?

    • How would you define ‘good-quality sleep’?

    • How would someone know that they have slept well?

    • How would someone know that they haven’t slept well?

    • What are some common factors that can impact sleep?

  3. Invite students to share their insights with the class to prompt discussion.

Activity 2

Individual reflection: What are my sleep habits?

15 minutes

  1. Have students take out their notebooks and ask them to reflect on their personal sleep habits by answering questions such as:

    • How many hours of sleep do I typically get each night?

    • What are my bedtime routines and habits before sleep?

    • Are there any factors that I know affect my sleep patterns?

    • How do I feel after a good night’s sleep compared to a poor night’s sleep?

    • Are there any changes I could make to improve my sleep?

  2. Ask volunteers to share their insights with the class. Discuss any common patterns or challenges students face in their sleep habits.

Activity 3

PMI chart: How to get a good night's sleep

25 minutes

Introduce students to the concept of sleep hygiene. Explain that ‘sleep hygiene’ refers to the healthy habits, behaviours and environmental factors that can be adjusted to help you get a good night’s sleep.

  1. Students draw a three-column PMI (Positive, Minus and Interesting) chart in their notebooks.

  2. Students access and spend time reading the ReachOut article How to get a good night’s sleep.

  3. Next, ask students to write down any sleep hygiene strategies they like or think are useful under the ‘P’ column, any they dislike in the ‘M’ column, and any that are new or interesting in the ‘I’ column.

  4. Have students discuss their PMI charts with a partner and then individually answer the following question:

    • What strategy/ies could I see myself using to improve the quality of my sleep? (e.g. ‘I could go device-free one to two hours before bed.’)

Activity 4

Take-away activity: Sleep improvement plan

5 minutes

Emphasise to students that even small changes to their habits can lead to big improvements in their sleep, health and daily lives. As a homework activity:

  1. Encourage students to try out their chosen strategy/ies for one week and record how they feel each day in relation to their sleep.

  2. In the next class, ask volunteers to share their experiences and any insights they have about their sleep.

For more helpful information, direct students to:

Print

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              Aboriginal flagTorres Strait islander flagRainbow flagAustralian flag

              We acknowledge the traditional owners of Country throughout Australia. We pay our respects to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, and to Elders past and present. We recognise connection to Country as integral to health and wellbeing.

              We acknowledge people with lived experience of mental ill-health and recovery and the experience of people who have been carers, families, or supporters.

              ReachOut values diversity. We are committed to providing a safe, culturally appropriate, and inclusive service for all people, regardless of their ethnicity, faith, disability, sexuality, or gender identity.

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