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Anxiety and Coping Skills Journey

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Lesson Plan

Anxiety and Coping Skills Journey

Teach about anxiety and coping skills

This 6-week lesson plan is designed to help 7th and 8th graders understand anxiety and develop effective coping skills. Each session will engage students through a mix of game-based, project-based, and collaborative learning strategies. By the end of the course, students will have a toolkit of coping mechanisms to manage anxiety, enhancing their emotional resilience and well-being.

Audience

7th and 8th graders

Time

6 weeks, 40 minutes each

Approach

Game-Based Learning, Project-Based Learning, Collaborative Learning

Materials

Video: Coping Mechanisms, Worksheet: Coping Skills Reflection, Discussion: Understanding Anxiety, Activity: Coping Skills Game, and Exit Ticket: Weekly Reflection

Step 1

Week 1: Introduction to Anxiety

40 mins

  • Introduction (5 mins): Briefly introduce the topic of anxiety and its relevance to students' lives. Explain the objectives of the 6-week course.
  • Video Viewing (5 mins): Watch the Coping Mechanisms video. Encourage students to note down any coping strategies mentioned.
  • Discussion (10 mins): Use the discussion questions to explore students' understanding of anxiety. Encourage sharing of personal experiences and thoughts.
  • Activity (15 mins): Organize students into small groups. Each group will play a game where they identify and practice different coping skills. Use printable cards with different scenarios and coping strategies.
  • Closure (5 mins): Recap the session and introduce the focus for the next week.

Step 2

Week 2: Identifying Anxiety Triggers

40 mins

  • Introduction (5 mins): Recap the previous session and introduce the concept of anxiety triggers.
  • Activity (15 mins): In groups, students brainstorm common anxiety triggers for teenagers and share with the class.
  • Discussion (10 mins): Discuss how different triggers can affect individuals differently.
  • Worksheet (5 mins): Students list their personal anxiety triggers and reflect on how they affect them.
  • Closure (5 mins): Preview next week's focus on coping strategies.

Step 3

Week 3: Exploring Coping Strategies

40 mins

  • Introduction (5 mins): Recap the previous session and introduce various coping strategies.
  • Video Viewing (5 mins): Re-watch the Coping Mechanisms video, focusing on new strategies.
  • Activity (15 mins): In pairs, students practice a coping strategy and discuss its effectiveness.
  • Discussion (10 mins): Share experiences and discuss which strategies were most effective.
  • Closure (5 mins): Encourage students to try a new coping strategy during the week.

Step 4

Week 4: Practicing Coping Skills

40 mins

  • Introduction (5 mins): Recap the previous session and emphasize the importance of practice.
  • Activity (20 mins): Role-play scenarios where students must use coping skills to manage anxiety.
  • Discussion (10 mins): Reflect on the role-play and discuss what was learned.
  • Closure (5 mins): Highlight the importance of practicing coping skills regularly.

Step 5

Week 5: Building a Personal Coping Toolkit

40 mins

  • Introduction (5 mins): Recap the previous session and introduce the concept of a personal coping toolkit.
  • Activity (20 mins): Students create a personal coping toolkit, selecting strategies that work best for them.
  • Discussion (10 mins): Share toolkits with peers and discuss the variety of strategies.
  • Closure (5 mins): Encourage students to use their toolkits in real-life situations.

Step 6

Week 6: Reflection and Future Planning

40 mins

  • Introduction (5 mins): Recap the course and its objectives.
  • Worksheet (10 mins): Complete the Coping Skills Reflection worksheet.
  • Discussion (10 mins): Reflect on personal growth and changes in understanding anxiety.
  • Exit Ticket (10 mins): Write a reflection on what was learned and future goals for managing anxiety.
  • Closure (5 mins): Celebrate the completion of the course and encourage ongoing practice.
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Discussion

Understanding Anxiety

This discussion will help students explore their understanding of anxiety and share personal experiences.

What is anxiety and how does it affect people?

Encourage students to think about both physical and emotional symptoms of anxiety.







Can you share a time when you felt anxious? How did you cope?

Remind students to be respectful and supportive of each other's experiences.







What are some common triggers of anxiety for teenagers?

Guide students to consider school, social situations, and personal expectations.







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Worksheet

Coping Skills Reflection

This worksheet will help students reflect on the coping skills they learned and consider how they can apply them in their lives.

List three coping skills mentioned in the video.








Which coping skill do you think would be most helpful for you? Why?








Describe a situation where you might use a coping skill.








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Quiz

Weekly Reflection

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