Lesson Plan
5 Keys to Wellness
Students will identify and explain the five key dimensions of wellness—physical, emotional, social, intellectual, and spiritual—and reflect on their own habits to set balanced well-being goals.
Understanding these dimensions empowers students to make healthier choices, supports social–emotional growth, and fosters lifelong habits for balanced health.
Audience
6th Grade
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Interactive discussion with hands-on sorting and reflection.
Materials
Wellness Dimensions Cards, Wellness Reflection Worksheet, Chart Paper and Markers, and Sticky Notes
Prep
Prepare Materials and Review Standards
10 minutes
- Print and cut out Wellness Dimensions Cards for each small group.
- Make copies of Wellness Reflection Worksheet for every student.
- Review relevant state/district health education standards and learning objectives.
- Arrange desks or tables into small-group clusters.
- Familiarize yourself with the lesson plan and gather chart paper and markers.
Step 1
Introduction to Wellness
5 minutes
- Activate prior knowledge: ask “What does being healthy mean?” and record responses on chart paper.
- Introduce the five dimensions of wellness: physical, emotional, social, intellectual, and spiritual.
- Provide a brief definition and everyday example for each dimension.
Step 2
Group Sorting Activity
10 minutes
- Divide students into groups of 3–4 and distribute Wellness Dimensions Cards.
- Instruct groups to match each card to one of the five wellness dimensions and discuss why it fits.
- Circulate to support understanding and ask probing questions (e.g., “How might this social habit affect your emotional health?”).
- Differentiation: give sentence starters to ELLs and extension cards with deeper scenarios for advanced learners.
Step 3
Class Discussion
5 minutes
- Reconvene as a whole class and have each group share one example from each dimension.
- Chart student responses under the corresponding dimension on the board.
- Highlight interconnections (e.g., how intellectual growth can boost emotional well-being).
Step 4
Individual Reflection
7 minutes
- Distribute Wellness Reflection Worksheet.
- Students complete prompts: identify personal habits in each dimension, choose one area to improve, and outline an action step.
- Encourage students to post one goal on a sticky note for peer feedback.
- Differentiation: offer a graphic organizer for students who need structure.
Step 5
Closure and Assessment
3 minutes
- Invite 2–3 volunteers to share their improvement goal and action step.
- Collect completed reflection worksheets as a formative assessment.
- Exit ticket: ask each student to write one new thing they learned and one wellness action they will try this week.
use Lenny to create lessons.
No credit card needed
Slide Deck
5 Keys to Wellness
An overview of the five main dimensions of health:
- Physical
- Emotional
- Social
- Intellectual
- Spiritual
Welcome students! Today we explore the five key dimensions of wellness and how they connect to your daily life. Use this slide to introduce the topic and get students excited.
Lesson Objectives
By the end of today’s lesson, you will be able to:
- Identify the five dimensions of wellness
- Explain each dimension with examples
- Reflect on your own habits in each area
- Set one personal wellness goal
Read each objective aloud and explain why they matter for personal growth.
What Is Wellness?
Wellness is more than just absence of illness. It’s a balanced, active process of staying healthy in 5 areas:
- Integrates mind, body, and environment
- Supports lifelong growth and well-being
Activate prior knowledge by asking: “What does being healthy mean?” Record answers on chart paper.
Physical Wellness
Caring for your body through:
- Regular exercise (running, team sports)
- Healthy eating (fruits, vegetables, water)
- Adequate sleep and rest
Define physical wellness and invite students to share an example (e.g., playing sports, balanced diet).
Emotional Wellness
Understanding and managing feelings:
- Recognizing emotions (happy, sad, frustrated)
- Coping strategies (deep breaths, talking it out)
- Building resilience to challenges
Ask students how they manage stress or express feelings.
Social Wellness
Building positive relationships:
- Communicating and listening
- Cooperation and teamwork
- Respecting diversity and showing kindness
Invite students to name ways they connect with friends.
Intellectual Wellness
Stimulating your mind:
- Learning new skills (reading, puzzles)
- Creative activities (art, music)
- Critical thinking and problem solving
Encourage students to share their favorite subjects or hobbies.
Spiritual Wellness
Finding purpose and values:
- Reflecting on beliefs and values
- Practices like meditation or gratitude
- Connecting with nature or community
Discuss examples like spending time in nature or practicing gratitude.
Group Sorting Activity
In groups of 3–4:
- Use Wellness Dimensions Cards
- Match each card to its wellness dimension
- Discuss why each example fits
- Be ready to share one card with the class
Explain instructions clearly and model matching one card as an example.
Reflection & Closure
Individually:
- Complete your Reflection Worksheet:
• Identify a habit in each dimension
• Choose one area to improve
• Outline an action step - Post one goal on a sticky note for peer feedback
- Exit ticket: Write one new thing you learned and one action you’ll try this week
Distribute Wellness Reflection Worksheet and sticky notes. Collect exit tickets.
Activity
Wellness Dimensions Cards
Use these cards for the Group Sorting Activity. Each card describes a behavior or habit. In groups, match each card to one of the five dimensions of wellness (physical, emotional, social, intellectual, spiritual) and discuss why it fits.
- Joins the school soccer team practice for 30 minutes.
- Eats a balanced meal with fruits, vegetables, and water.
- Practices 5 minutes of deep breathing when stressed.
- Calls or texts a friend to share a fun story.
- Reads a new book for enjoyment.
- Completes a challenging puzzle or brain teaser.
- Writes three things you’re grateful for in a journal.
- Volunteers to help clean up the classroom or playground.
- Brushes and flosses teeth morning and night.
- Talks with a trusted adult when feeling upset.
- Attends a school club meeting to learn a new hobby.
- Takes a 10-minute walk outside to notice nature.
Worksheet
Wellness Reflection Worksheet
Use this worksheet to think about your own habits in each dimension of wellness. Answer the questions below, then set one goal for improvement and plan your next steps.
1. Physical Wellness
- My current habit that supports my physical wellness is:
- Why is this habit important for my overall health?
2. Emotional Wellness
- A habit I use to understand or manage my feelings is:
- How does this habit help me cope with stress or challenges?
3. Social Wellness
- One way I build positive relationships with others is:
- Why is this social habit important for my well-being?
4. Intellectual Wellness
- A habit I have that stimulates my mind is:
- How does this habit help me grow or learn new skills?
5. Spiritual Wellness
- A practice I do to connect with my values or sense of purpose is:
- How does this practice support my overall sense of well-being?
Improvement Plan
- I choose to focus on __________ wellness.
- My specific goal for improvement is:
- Action Steps: List 2–3 things you will do to reach your goal.
- Step 1:
- Step 2:
- Step 3 (optional):
- Step 1:
- How will I know I am successful?
Peer Feedback (Sticky Note)
Write one goal you will share on your sticky note for peer feedback:
Exit Ticket
- One new thing I learned today about wellness is:
- One wellness action I will try this week is: