a) 1. Boredom - the state of feeling uninterested or unchallenged
2. Glorify - to praise or honor
3. Unfocused - not focused, lacking attention or concentration
4. Creativity - the ability to use imagination to create something new
5. Screen - the surface of an electronic device where images or information can be seen
6. Repairing - fixing or restoring something
7. Whinge - to complain or whine
8. Responsible - accountable or in charge of something
The Benefits of Boredom
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📝 Vocabulary
📚 Word Bank
b) Matching exercise:
WORD BANK: Boredom, Glorify, Unfocused, Creativity, Screen, Repairing, Whinge, Responsible
A. The state of feeling uninterested or unchallenged.
B. To praise or honor.
C. Not focused, lacking attention or concentration.
D. The ability to use imagination to create something new.
E. The surface of an electronic device where images or information can be seen.
F. Fixing or restoring something.
G. To complain or whine.
H. Accountable or in charge of something.
WORD BANK: Boredom, Glorify, Unfocused, Creativity, Screen, Repairing, Whinge, Responsible
A. The state of feeling uninterested or unchallenged.
B. To praise or honor.
C. Not focused, lacking attention or concentration.
D. The ability to use imagination to create something new.
E. The surface of an electronic device where images or information can be seen.
F. Fixing or restoring something.
G. To complain or whine.
H. Accountable or in charge of something.
🔤 Fill-in-the-gap Exercise
1. We often _______ busy schedules, but we should also make time for unfocused activities.
2. _______ time is just as important for our brains as focused time.
3. Being _______ can actually enhance our creativity.
4. We tend to reach for a _______ when we are bored.
5. Parents may feel the need to _______ their children's lives, but it's important to allow them to be bored and develop their brains.
6. Children may _______ when they are bored, but it's important to encourage them to find their own fun.
7. Mind-wandering time is important for our brains to _______ and process information.
8. We are _______ for our own actions and choices.
2. _______ time is just as important for our brains as focused time.
3. Being _______ can actually enhance our creativity.
4. We tend to reach for a _______ when we are bored.
5. Parents may feel the need to _______ their children's lives, but it's important to allow them to be bored and develop their brains.
6. Children may _______ when they are bored, but it's important to encourage them to find their own fun.
7. Mind-wandering time is important for our brains to _______ and process information.
8. We are _______ for our own actions and choices.
🔤 Grammar
1. We really pride ourselves on being busy, as if quiet time and rest ______ something that says we're not doing enough.
(a) is (b) was (c) were (d) are
2. The research is starting to say that unfocused time ______ just as important as focused time.
(a) is (b) was (c) were (d) are
3. We ______ reach for a screen or turn on the TV when we are bored.
(a) do (b) does (c) did (d) are
4. We ______ see those times as our children's brains developing.
(a) need (b) needs (c) needed (d) needing
5. Something we say in our home is "You're ______ for your own fun."
(a) responsible (b) responsibly (c) responsibility (d) responsibleness
(a) is (b) was (c) were (d) are
2. The research is starting to say that unfocused time ______ just as important as focused time.
(a) is (b) was (c) were (d) are
3. We ______ reach for a screen or turn on the TV when we are bored.
(a) do (b) does (c) did (d) are
4. We ______ see those times as our children's brains developing.
(a) need (b) needs (c) needed (d) needing
5. Something we say in our home is "You're ______ for your own fun."
(a) responsible (b) responsibly (c) responsibility (d) responsibleness
👂 Listening
1. Why does Colette Smart believe boredom can be beneficial?
2. What does she compare boredom to?
3. How does our fear of boredom show in our everyday habits?
4. What does Colette suggest as an alternative to filling our time with screens?
5. How can parents model the importance of boredom to their children?
2. What does she compare boredom to?
3. How does our fear of boredom show in our everyday habits?
4. What does Colette suggest as an alternative to filling our time with screens?
5. How can parents model the importance of boredom to their children?
🎯 Activity
Bonus learning activity:
Have students brainstorm a list of unfocused activities they enjoy, such as reading, drawing, or daydreaming. Then have them choose one activity and spend 10 minutes doing it without any distractions. Afterward, have a class discussion about how they felt during the activity and if they noticed any benefits or changes in their thinking.
Have students brainstorm a list of unfocused activities they enjoy, such as reading, drawing, or daydreaming. Then have them choose one activity and spend 10 minutes doing it without any distractions. Afterward, have a class discussion about how they felt during the activity and if they noticed any benefits or changes in their thinking.
📚 Homework
Writing assignment:
Have students write a short essay discussing their thoughts on the benefits of boredom. Encourage them to use examples from their own experiences or the transcript to support their argument.
Have students write a short essay discussing their thoughts on the benefits of boredom. Encourage them to use examples from their own experiences or the transcript to support their argument.
✅ Assessment
Answer key:
1. Colette believes boredom can benefit us by enhancing our creativity and allowing our brains to rest and process information.
2. Boredom is compared to sleep, as both are necessary for our bodies and minds.
3. Our fear of boredom can lead to over-scheduling and constantly reaching for screens.
4. Colette suggests engaging in activities like gardening or cooking without screens as a way to embrace boredom.
5. Parents can model the importance of boredom by engaging in unfocused activities themselves and encouraging their children to do the same.
Evaluation criteria:
- Accurate answers to comprehension questions
- Correct grammar and vocabulary usage in fill-in-the-blank exercises
- Thoughtful participation in bonus learning activity
- Coherent and well-supported argument in writing assignment
1. Colette believes boredom can benefit us by enhancing our creativity and allowing our brains to rest and process information.
2. Boredom is compared to sleep, as both are necessary for our bodies and minds.
3. Our fear of boredom can lead to over-scheduling and constantly reaching for screens.
4. Colette suggests engaging in activities like gardening or cooking without screens as a way to embrace boredom.
5. Parents can model the importance of boredom by engaging in unfocused activities themselves and encouraging their children to do the same.
Evaluation criteria:
- Accurate answers to comprehension questions
- Correct grammar and vocabulary usage in fill-in-the-blank exercises
- Thoughtful participation in bonus learning activity
- Coherent and well-supported argument in writing assignment
🔚 Closing
Reflection and review:
To wrap up the lesson, have students reflect on what they learned about the benefits of boredom and how they can incorporate more unfocused time into their daily lives. Ask them to share any insights or changes they may have noticed during the bonus learning activity. Review the vocabulary words and their definitions, and encourage students to use them in their own sentences. Finally, ask for any remaining questions or thoughts about the topic before ending the lesson.
To wrap up the lesson, have students reflect on what they learned about the benefits of boredom and how they can incorporate more unfocused time into their daily lives. Ask them to share any insights or changes they may have noticed during the bonus learning activity. Review the vocabulary words and their definitions, and encourage students to use them in their own sentences. Finally, ask for any remaining questions or thoughts about the topic before ending the lesson.
📄 Complete Lesson Content
1. TITLE: The Benefits of Boredom
2. LEVEL: B1 Intermediate
3. VOCABULARY:
a) 1. Boredom - the state of feeling uninterested or unchallenged
2. Glorify - to praise or honor
3. Unfocused - not focused, lacking attention or concentration
4. Creativity - the ability to use imagination to create something new
5. Screen - the surface of an electronic device where images or information can be seen
6. Repairing - fixing or restoring something
7. Whinge - to complain or whine
8. Responsible - accountable or in charge of something
b) Matching exercise:
WORD BANK: Boredom, Glorify, Unfocused, Creativity, Screen, Repairing, Whinge, Responsible
A. The state of feeling uninterested or unchallenged.
B. To praise or honor.
C. Not focused, lacking attention or concentration.
D. The ability to use imagination to create something new.
E. The surface of an electronic device where images or information can be seen.
F. Fixing or restoring something.
G. To complain or whine.
H. Accountable or in charge of something.
c) Fill-in-the-gap exercise:
1. We often _______ busy schedules, but we should also make time for unfocused activities.
2. _______ time is just as important for our brains as focused time.
3. Being _______ can actually enhance our creativity.
4. We tend to reach for a _______ when we are bored.
5. Parents may feel the need to _______ their children's lives, but it's important to allow them to be bored and develop their brains.
6. Children may _______ when they are bored, but it's important to encourage them to find their own fun.
7. Mind-wandering time is important for our brains to _______ and process information.
8. We are _______ for our own actions and choices.
4. LISTENING:
1. Why does Colette Smart believe boredom can be beneficial?
2. What does she compare boredom to?
3. How does our fear of boredom show in our everyday habits?
4. What does Colette suggest as an alternative to filling our time with screens?
5. How can parents model the importance of boredom to their children?
5. GRAMMAR:
1. We really pride ourselves on being busy, as if quiet time and rest ______ something that says we're not doing enough.
(a) is (b) was (c) were (d) are
2. The research is starting to say that unfocused time ______ just as important as focused time.
(a) is (b) was (c) were (d) are
3. We ______ reach for a screen or turn on the TV when we are bored.
(a) do (b) does (c) did (d) are
4. We ______ see those times as our children's brains developing.
(a) need (b) needs (c) needed (d) needing
5. Something we say in our home is "You're ______ for your own fun."
(a) responsible (b) responsibly (c) responsibility (d) responsibleness
6. ACTIVITY:
Bonus learning activity:
Have students brainstorm a list of unfocused activities they enjoy, such as reading, drawing, or daydreaming. Then have them choose one activity and spend 10 minutes doing it without any distractions. Afterward, have a class discussion about how they felt during the activity and if they noticed any benefits or changes in their thinking.
7. HOMEWORK:
Writing assignment:
Have students write a short essay discussing their thoughts on the benefits of boredom. Encourage them to use examples from their own experiences or the transcript to support their argument.
8. ASSESSMENT:
Answer key:
1. Colette believes boredom can benefit us by enhancing our creativity and allowing our brains to rest and process information.
2. Boredom is compared to sleep, as both are necessary for our bodies and minds.
3. Our fear of boredom can lead to over-scheduling and constantly reaching for screens.
4. Colette suggests engaging in activities like gardening or cooking without screens as a way to embrace boredom.
5. Parents can model the importance of boredom by engaging in unfocused activities themselves and encouraging their children to do the same.
Evaluation criteria:
- Accurate answers to comprehension questions
- Correct grammar and vocabulary usage in fill-in-the-blank exercises
- Thoughtful participation in bonus learning activity
- Coherent and well-supported argument in writing assignment
9. CLOSING:
Reflection and review:
To wrap up the lesson, have students reflect on what they learned about the benefits of boredom and how they can incorporate more unfocused time into their daily lives. Ask them to share any insights or changes they may have noticed during the bonus learning activity. Review the vocabulary words and their definitions, and encourage students to use them in their own sentences. Finally, ask for any remaining questions or thoughts about the topic before ending the lesson.
2. LEVEL: B1 Intermediate
3. VOCABULARY:
a) 1. Boredom - the state of feeling uninterested or unchallenged
2. Glorify - to praise or honor
3. Unfocused - not focused, lacking attention or concentration
4. Creativity - the ability to use imagination to create something new
5. Screen - the surface of an electronic device where images or information can be seen
6. Repairing - fixing or restoring something
7. Whinge - to complain or whine
8. Responsible - accountable or in charge of something
b) Matching exercise:
WORD BANK: Boredom, Glorify, Unfocused, Creativity, Screen, Repairing, Whinge, Responsible
A. The state of feeling uninterested or unchallenged.
B. To praise or honor.
C. Not focused, lacking attention or concentration.
D. The ability to use imagination to create something new.
E. The surface of an electronic device where images or information can be seen.
F. Fixing or restoring something.
G. To complain or whine.
H. Accountable or in charge of something.
c) Fill-in-the-gap exercise:
1. We often _______ busy schedules, but we should also make time for unfocused activities.
2. _______ time is just as important for our brains as focused time.
3. Being _______ can actually enhance our creativity.
4. We tend to reach for a _______ when we are bored.
5. Parents may feel the need to _______ their children's lives, but it's important to allow them to be bored and develop their brains.
6. Children may _______ when they are bored, but it's important to encourage them to find their own fun.
7. Mind-wandering time is important for our brains to _______ and process information.
8. We are _______ for our own actions and choices.
4. LISTENING:
1. Why does Colette Smart believe boredom can be beneficial?
2. What does she compare boredom to?
3. How does our fear of boredom show in our everyday habits?
4. What does Colette suggest as an alternative to filling our time with screens?
5. How can parents model the importance of boredom to their children?
5. GRAMMAR:
1. We really pride ourselves on being busy, as if quiet time and rest ______ something that says we're not doing enough.
(a) is (b) was (c) were (d) are
2. The research is starting to say that unfocused time ______ just as important as focused time.
(a) is (b) was (c) were (d) are
3. We ______ reach for a screen or turn on the TV when we are bored.
(a) do (b) does (c) did (d) are
4. We ______ see those times as our children's brains developing.
(a) need (b) needs (c) needed (d) needing
5. Something we say in our home is "You're ______ for your own fun."
(a) responsible (b) responsibly (c) responsibility (d) responsibleness
6. ACTIVITY:
Bonus learning activity:
Have students brainstorm a list of unfocused activities they enjoy, such as reading, drawing, or daydreaming. Then have them choose one activity and spend 10 minutes doing it without any distractions. Afterward, have a class discussion about how they felt during the activity and if they noticed any benefits or changes in their thinking.
7. HOMEWORK:
Writing assignment:
Have students write a short essay discussing their thoughts on the benefits of boredom. Encourage them to use examples from their own experiences or the transcript to support their argument.
8. ASSESSMENT:
Answer key:
1. Colette believes boredom can benefit us by enhancing our creativity and allowing our brains to rest and process information.
2. Boredom is compared to sleep, as both are necessary for our bodies and minds.
3. Our fear of boredom can lead to over-scheduling and constantly reaching for screens.
4. Colette suggests engaging in activities like gardening or cooking without screens as a way to embrace boredom.
5. Parents can model the importance of boredom by engaging in unfocused activities themselves and encouraging their children to do the same.
Evaluation criteria:
- Accurate answers to comprehension questions
- Correct grammar and vocabulary usage in fill-in-the-blank exercises
- Thoughtful participation in bonus learning activity
- Coherent and well-supported argument in writing assignment
9. CLOSING:
Reflection and review:
To wrap up the lesson, have students reflect on what they learned about the benefits of boredom and how they can incorporate more unfocused time into their daily lives. Ask them to share any insights or changes they may have noticed during the bonus learning activity. Review the vocabulary words and their definitions, and encourage students to use them in their own sentences. Finally, ask for any remaining questions or thoughts about the topic before ending the lesson.