Lesson Plan
Anxiety: What's the Deal?
Students will be able to define anxiety, identify common signs of anxiety, and recall healthy coping mechanisms.
Understanding anxiety helps students recognize and manage their own feelings, develop empathy for others, and build a foundation for mental well-being.
Audience
9th Grade Students
Time
15 minutes
Approach
Interactive discussion and reflective activity.
Materials
Whiteboard or projector, Anxiety: What's the Deal? Slide Deck, Anxiety Check-In Warm-Up, Coping Strategies Discussion, Anxiety Scenario Activity, and One-Word Wonders Cool-Down
Prep
Review Materials
5 minutes
- Review the Anxiety: What's the Deal? Slide Deck to familiarize yourself with the content.
- Prepare to project the slides.
- Review the Anxiety Check-In Warm-Up, Coping Strategies Discussion, Anxiety Scenario Activity, and One-Word Wonders Cool-Down.
Step 1
Warm-Up: Anxiety Check-In
3 minutes
- Begin with the Anxiety Check-In Warm-Up displayed on the board/projector.
2. Ask students to silently reflect on the prompt: "When you hear the word 'anxiety', what comes to mind?"
3. Invite 2-3 students to share their initial thoughts briefly. Emphasize that there are no right or wrong answers, and the goal is to open up the conversation.
Step 2
Introduction to Anxiety (Slide Deck)
4 minutes
- Transition to the Anxiety: What's the Deal? Slide Deck.
2. Display Slide 1: "Anxiety: What's the Deal?"
3. Move to Slide 2: "What is Anxiety?" and explain the definition: a natural human emotion involving feelings of worry, nervousness, or unease.
4. Show Slide 3: "Common Signs of Anxiety" and discuss both physical and emotional signs, asking students if they've experienced any of these feelings (without requiring personal disclosures).
Step 3
Coping Strategies Discussion
4 minutes
- Display Slide 4: "Healthy Ways to Cope with Anxiety."
2. Facilitate the Coping Strategies Discussion. Encourage students to share their own healthy coping mechanisms or ideas.
3. Briefly discuss the importance of talking to trusted adults and seeking help if anxiety becomes overwhelming.
Step 4
Activity: Anxiety Scenario
3 minutes
- Introduce the Anxiety Scenario Activity.
2. Divide students into pairs or small groups.
3. Instruct them to read the scenarios and discuss the questions provided.
4. After 2 minutes, bring the class back together and briefly debrief one or two scenarios if time allows.
Step 5
Cool-Down: One-Word Wonders
1 minute
- Conclude the lesson with the One-Word Wonders Cool-Down.
2. Display Slide 5: "One-Word Wonders."
3. Ask students to think of one word that describes something they learned, felt, or will remember from the lesson.
4. Allow a few students to share their words as an exit ticket, if time permits.
Slide Deck
Anxiety: What's the Deal?
Understanding a common feeling that affects us all.
Let's talk about it!
Welcome students and introduce the topic of anxiety. Explain that this is a safe space to discuss feelings.
What Is Anxiety?
Anxiety is a natural human emotion characterized by feelings of worry, nervousness, or unease, typically about an event with an uncertain outcome.
It's your body's alarm system!
Define anxiety clearly. Emphasize it's a normal emotion but can become overwhelming. Ask students for initial thoughts if they haven't done the warm-up yet.
Common Signs of Anxiety
Physical Signs:
- Fast heartbeat
- Sweaty palms
- Stomach ache
- Shortness of breath
- Feeling restless
Emotional Signs:
- Constant worrying
- Feeling on edge
- Irritability
- Difficulty concentrating
- Feeling overwhelmed
Discuss physical and emotional signs. Encourage students to listen to their bodies and minds. Reiterate that experiencing these feelings is normal.
Healthy Ways to Cope with Anxiety
- Deep breathing exercises
- Talking to a trusted friend or adult
- Exercising or physical activity
- Listening to music
- Practicing mindfulness or meditation
- Engaging in hobbies you enjoy
- Getting enough sleep
- Eating nutritious foods
Brainstorm coping strategies with students. Encourage sharing healthy methods. Mention seeking help from trusted adults.
One-Word Wonders
What is ONE WORD that describes something you learned, felt, or will remember from today's discussion about anxiety?
(Write it down or prepare to share!)
This is the cool-down activity. Instruct students to think of one word. Collect responses as an exit ticket or quick share.
Warm Up
Anxiety Check-In
When you hear the word "anxiety," what immediately comes to mind?
Take a moment to think about it silently. What images, feelings, or thoughts does that word bring up for you?
Discussion
Coping with Anxiety: Our Strategies
Now that we've talked about what anxiety is and how it can show up, let's discuss healthy ways to cope.
- What are some things you do, or have seen others do, that help when you're feeling worried or stressed?
- Why is it important to have different coping strategies?
- Who are trusted people you can talk to if you're feeling anxious?
(Remember, everyone's experience is different, and what helps one person might be different for another!)
Activity
Anxiety Scenario: What Would You Do?
Let's put our new knowledge to the test! Read the scenarios below and discuss with a partner or small group:
Scenario 1:
Your friend, Alex, has a big presentation coming up. You notice they've been really quiet, picking at their nails, and keep saying, "I'm going to mess this up." What signs of anxiety is Alex showing? What are two healthy ways you could suggest Alex cope with these feelings?
Scenario 2:
You're at home, and you suddenly feel a knot in your stomach, your heart starts racing, and you can't stop thinking about a test you have tomorrow. What's happening? What three things could you do right now to help yourself feel better?
Scenario 3:
Someone in your class seems to be having a tough time. They're usually outgoing, but lately, they've been withdrawn and look worried. You want to help, but you're not sure how. What's a kind and supportive way to approach them? What's one important message you could share?
Cool Down
One-Word Wonders
To wrap up our discussion on anxiety, think about everything we've covered.
What is ONE WORD that describes something you learned, something you felt, or something you will remember from today's lesson?
(Be ready to share your word if called upon!)