Video Games

​EL Support

​with Ms. Agnew

November 13, 2025

​Which is your favorite online app?

Objective

Today we will...

Read a nonfiction text about videogames and report on how video games helped friendships during the pandemic.

Talk and write about our opinions about video games.

Do you live far away from any friends or family?

Poll

How do you stay connected with friends or family when you can't see them in person?

• other

​What do you know about online gaming?
What questions do you have?

Poll

remotely

• know

• don't know

• not sure

Poll

pandemic

• know

• don't know

• not sure

Poll

mental illness

• know

• don't know

• not sure

Poll

depression

• know

• don't know

• not sure

remotely

means to work or study ​away from a usual location by using a computer or technology.

​CCA students do their school work remotely.

pandemic

A pandemic is when a disease spreads across a whole country or even the world and affects many people at the same time.

​The Covid pandemic happened in 2020.

mental illness

​Mental illness is when a person’s brain has trouble helping them think, feel, or act the way they usually do. They can feel very sad, worried or confused.

depression

Depression is when someone feels very sad or upset for a long time, even when good things happen

​How Video Games Helped Friends Stay Close During the Pandemic

​While we read:
- Find examples of how video games helped friendships.

-What challenges did video games help with?

Hugh-Jay Yu is far from his family. He lives alone at college and takes classes online. He doesn’t see his friends much in person, but he still talks to them a lot.

Every night, Yu uses an app to chat and play games with his friends. About six to eight friends join in. Playing games helps them feel close, Yu says.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, many people stayed home and felt lonely. Because of this, people started talking to their friends online more. Some friendships got stronger, while others were harder to keep.

​Playing Games and Talking About Feelings

Video games became very important. They helped people stay in touch with friends they couldn’t see in person. Games were fun, but they also helped people talk about serious things, like feeling sad or worried.

Sometimes people feel sad or lonely, and that’s normal. But if those feelings last a long time, it might be a mental illness like depression. Depression can make everyday life hard. Doctors can help, but some people feel shy or scared to ask for help.

Friends are important because they help us feel like we belong. Natalie Pennington, a teacher at a university, says people need to feel connected. Talking in person is best, but phone calls are good too. Video calls can sometimes make people feel more stressed.

Video games have always been social. People used to play side-by-side. Now, apps make it easier to play and talk with friends online.

Draw

Underline how video games helped friendships.

Friends Show Up, Even Online

​Being a good friend means showing up, even if it’s online, says Jeffrey Hall, another university teacher. It’s easier to stay friends if you were close before.

Playing games helps friends talk about big things, like politics or mental health. During the pandemic, many kids and teens felt depressed. They weren’t used to being alone. Teen years are an important time for making friends. A study showed that 4 out of 10 teens felt depressed, especially if someone in their family got COVID.

Still, people are looking forward to the future.

Moshe Isaacian moved to Portland, Oregon, just as the pandemic started. He made new friends online from all over the world. They play games and talk.

“It’s kind of like a live therapy session,” he said.

Moshe hopes to meet some of his online friends in person soon. Maybe they’ll have a game night together!

Draw

Underline how video games helped friendships.

'Video games help friends stay connected by ___.



'One challenge of online friendships is ____

Writing

Do you think video games are a good way to keep friendships strong?
Use facts from the article to support your ideas.

"I think video games are