2025-09-11 Life’s Simple Pleasures: What Makes You Happy?
Instructor Guidance & Notes:
- Time Management: This is key. Keep the warm-up and instruction stages concise (20 mins total). Use a timer on the projector to help groups pace themselves during the main activities. The presentation stage is important for Keiko and others, so ensure it is not rushed.
- Instruction Clarity: Speak slowly and clearly, especially for Tetsuko and Matsumi. Use the slides and handout to reinforce instructions visually.
- Group Dynamics: The partner switch is important for mingling. When monitoring, gently encourage quieter students and ensure Atsushi or Keiko don’t dominate by asking questions like, “Makiko-san, what is your opinion on that?”
- Positive & Low-Pressure: This topic should be relaxing. Reassure students there are no “right” or “wrong” answers. This will help students like Motoko, Atsuko, and Tetsuko feel comfortable.
- Differentiation: For stronger students like Yurika, you can challenge them during monitoring by asking for more complex justifications (“Can you think of a situation where that wouldn’t be a pleasure?”). For students who are struggling, point them to the useful phrases on the handout.
Suggested Supporting Materials Content:
Handout: Simple Pleasures Ranking Sheet
Part 1: Useful Vocabulary & Phrases
- Vocabulary:
- Satisfying: Feeling pleased because you got what you wanted. (e.g., “Finishing a difficult task is very satisfying.”)
- Nostalgic: Happy but a little sad when remembering the past. (e.g., “Hearing that old song made me feel nostalgic.”)
- Refreshing: Making you feel new energy. (e.g., “A short walk after lunch is so refreshing.”)
- Useful Phrases for Discussion:
- Giving Opinions:
- In my opinion, …
- For me, … is the most important.
- I think … should be in our top three.
- Agreeing/Disagreeing:
- I agree completely.
- That’s a good point, but what about…?
- I see what you mean, however, I feel…
- Ranking & Justifying:
- We ranked [X] as number one because…
- The reason we chose [Y] is…
- For us, [X] is more important than [Z] since…
- Giving Opinions:
Part 2: The List of Simple Pleasures
Instructions: First, choose your group’s Top 7. Then, rank your Top 3.
- The smell of rain on a hot day.
- Sleeping in a freshly made bed with clean sheets.
- The first sip of coffee or tea in the morning.
- Finding money you didn’t know you had in a pocket.
- A warm shower after a long day.
- Laughing so hard that you cry.
- Receiving a handwritten letter or card.
- The feeling of the sun on your face on a cool day.
- Watching a beautiful sunset or sunrise.
- Finishing a good book.
- The sound of waves at the beach.
- A long, interesting conversation with a friend.
- Eating a perfectly ripe piece of fruit.
- The sense of accomplishment after finishing a task.
- Hearing your favorite song unexpectedly.
Obsidian Slides Outline:
## Life's Simple Pleasures
### What small things make you happy?
`A clean and simple photographic image for a presentation. A close-up of a middle-aged Japanese person's hands gently holding a warm ceramic cup of tea, with soft morning light coming from a window. The background is blurred and minimalist, creating a calm and satisfying feeling. FLUX.1 style.`
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# Warm-up
## Think, Pair, Share
### What is one small, simple thing that made you happy this week?
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# Key Vocabulary
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# Satisfying
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## == **Satisfying** ==
### Making you feel pleased by providing what you need or want.
#### Example: Finishing a difficult puzzle is very satisfying.
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# Nostalgic
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## == **Nostalgic** ==
### Feeling happy and slightly sad when you think about the past.
#### Example: That old song makes me feel nostalgic for my school days.
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# Refreshing
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## == **Refreshing** ==
### Making you feel less tired and giving you new energy.
#### Example: A glass of cold lemonade on a hot day is so refreshing.
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## Useful Phrases for Discussion
- **Giving Opinions:** In my opinion..., For me...
- **Agreeing/Disagreeing:** I agree completely., That's a good point, but...
- **Ranking:** We ranked this #1 because...
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# Activity 1: First Ranking
## In groups of three
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## Instructions (Part 1)
1. Look at the list of 15 simple pleasures on your handout.
2. As a group, discuss and choose your **Top 7**.
3. From your Top 7, rank your **Top 3** (#1, #2, #3).
4. Everyone must agree!
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# Activity 2: Mix & Re-Rank
## In new groups of three or four
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## Instructions (Part 2)
1. Share your *previous* group's Top 3 ranking.
2. As a *new* group, discuss and create one **FINAL Top 3** ranking.
3. Choose one person to present your group's #1 choice and reason.
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# Presentations
## Each group will share their #1 Simple Pleasure and their main reason.
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# Wrap-up & Q&A
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# Exit Ticket
## Please answer the questions on the paper slip.Exit Ticket Questions (For Paper Handout):
- What part of today’s lesson did you enjoy the most?
- Was today’s lesson: (Circle one) Too Difficult / Just Right / Too Easy ?
- Was the vocabulary: (Circle one) Too Difficult / Just Right / Too Easy ?
- Any other comments or suggestions for future lessons? (Optional: Write in English or Japanese)
Lesson Plan for Students (Blog Post Version):
## Featured Image Prompt for Blog Post:
A bright and inviting photographic image for a blog post. A middle-aged Japanese woman with a gentle smile is looking out a clean window, a soft ray of sunshine on her face. She looks relaxed and content. The background is a simple, minimalist room, pleasantly out of focus, emphasizing a feeling of calm and quiet happiness. FLUX.1 style.## Blog Post Excerpt:
This week, let’s focus on the good things in life! We will explore the small, everyday moments that bring us joy. Come ready to share your opinions, practice useful B1 phrases for discussion, and work together to discover our class’s favorite “simple pleasures.”
