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Anxiety: What's the Deal?

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Lesson Plan

Anxiety: What's the Deal?

Students will be able to define anxiety, identify common physical and emotional signs of anxiety, and practice one simple coping strategy to manage mild anxiety.

Understanding anxiety is essential for 8th graders as they navigate increasing academic and social pressures. This lesson provides foundational knowledge and practical skills to manage everyday stress and recognize when to seek further support.

Audience

8th Grade Students

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Interactive discussion and guided practice.

Materials

Prep

Teacher Preparation

15 minutes

Step 1

Introduction & Warm-Up: What Is Stress?

5 minutes

  • Begin with the Anxiety Check-In Warm-Up to gauge students' initial understanding and feelings about stress.
  • Discuss student responses briefly, guiding them to differentiate between everyday stress and anxiety.
  • Transition into defining anxiety using Anxiety: What's the Deal? Slide Deck (Slide 1-2).

Step 2

Understanding Anxiety: Signs and Symptoms

10 minutes

  • Present slides explaining the common physical and emotional signs of anxiety (Slides 3-5).
  • Facilitate a brief discussion, asking students if they've experienced any of these signs and in what situations (emphasize that it's normal and common).
  • Use examples relatable to 8th graders (e.g., before a big test, presenting in class, trying out for a team).

Step 3

Coping Strategies: Your Toolkit

10 minutes

  • Introduce simple coping strategies using the Coping Skills Handout and corresponding slides (Slides 6-7).
  • Focus on one or two practical strategies, like deep breathing or identifying a trusted adult.
  • Lead a brief guided practice of a deep breathing exercise.
  • Encourage students to share (if comfortable) other healthy coping mechanisms they use.

Step 4

Wrap-Up & Cool-Down: Taking Action

5 minutes

  • Distribute the Coping Skills Handout for students to keep.
  • Conclude with the Anxiety Reflection Cool-Down to solidify learning and encourage personal application.
  • Reiterate that it's okay to feel anxious and important to talk about it with a trusted adult if feelings become overwhelming. Provide information on where to seek help if available (e.g., school counselor, trusted teacher, parent).

Step 5

Extension Activity (Optional)

Optional

  • For classes with more time, consider having students anonymously write down a situation that makes them feel anxious and then collectively brainstorm different coping strategies as a class.
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Slide Deck

Anxiety: What's the Deal?

Understanding a common feeling that affects everyone.

What comes to mind when you hear the word 'anxiety'?


(Allow students to share thoughts briefly.)

Goal: Learn to recognize anxiety and simple ways to cope.

Welcome students and introduce the topic of anxiety. Explain that it's a normal human emotion, but understanding it can help us manage it. Emphasize that this is a safe space for discussion.

Stress vs. Anxiety: What's the Difference?

Stress: Your body's reaction to a challenge or demand (like a test or game).

Anxiety: A feeling of worry, nervousness, or unease, typically about an event with an uncertain outcome.

It's a normal human emotion, but sometimes it can feel overwhelming.

Define anxiety in simple terms, differentiating it from everyday stress. Use relatable examples for 8th graders, like preparing for a presentation vs. persistent worry about school. Use the Warm-Up activity to lead into this discussion.

Signs of Anxiety: In Your Body

Anxiety can make your body feel different. Have you ever felt these?

  • Fast Heartbeat: Like your heart is racing.
  • Sweaty Palms: Hands feel damp or clammy.
  • Stomach Ache: A nervous or upset feeling in your belly.
  • Shaking/Trembling: Hands or body feel a bit wobbly.
  • Shortness of Breath: Like you can't quite catch your breath.

Introduce the idea that anxiety shows up in our bodies. Ask students if they've ever felt these things when worried or nervous. Keep the tone empathetic.

Signs of Anxiety: In Your Thoughts & Feelings

Anxiety also affects how you think and feel.

  • Worry, Worry, Worry: Constantly thinking about what might go wrong.
  • Feeling Restless: Can't sit still, feeling jumpy.
  • Trouble Concentrating: Hard to focus on tasks or schoolwork.
  • Irritability: Feeling easily annoyed or frustrated.
  • Feeling "On Edge": Like something bad is about to happen.

Shift to emotional and mental signs. Emphasize that these are internal experiences and can be just as real as physical ones. Encourage students to reflect if they've felt this way.

When Does Anxiety Pop Up?

It's normal to feel anxious sometimes! Common situations for 8th graders:

  • Before a big test or presentation.
  • Trying out for a sports team or club.
  • Meeting new people or going to a new school event.
  • Disagreements with friends.
  • Family changes or challenges.

You are not alone in these feelings!

Provide context that these signs are common and not a sign of weakness. Connect it to real-life situations for 8th graders.

Your Anxiety Toolkit: Coping Skills

Even when anxiety feels big, you have tools to help! These are called coping skills.

  • What are coping skills? Healthy ways to deal with stress and anxiety.
  • Why are they important? They help you feel more in control and calm.

Let's explore some simple tools together! (Refer to Coping Skills Handout)

Introduce the idea of coping skills. Explain these are tools, not magic fixes. Focus on simple, accessible strategies. Connect to the Handout.

Try It Out: Deep Breathing

One powerful tool is deep breathing.

  • Why it works: Slows your heart rate, calms your nervous system.
  • How to do it (4-7-8 Breathing):
    1. Breathe in through your nose for 4 counts.
    2. Hold your breath for 7 counts.
    3. Exhale slowly through your mouth for 8 counts.

Let's try it together for a few rounds! (Lead the class in 2-3 rounds).

Guide students through a quick deep breathing exercise. Model it and encourage participation. Emphasize that practice makes it easier.

Remember: You're Not Alone!

If anxiety feels too big to handle on your own:

  • Talk to a Trusted Adult: Parent, teacher, counselor, coach.
  • Practice Your Coping Skills: Use your toolkit.
  • Be Kind to Yourself: It's okay to feel your feelings.

Reaching out for help is a sign of strength!

Conclude by empowering students and reminding them of support systems. Emphasize that seeking help is a sign of strength.

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Warm Up

Anxiety Check-In Warm-Up

Instructions: Take a moment to think about the questions below. You don't have to share your answers out loud, but be honest with yourself.

  1. On a scale of 1-5, how stressed have you felt this week? (1 = Not stressed at all, 5 = Very stressed)



  2. What is one thing that has made you feel a little nervous or worried recently?






  3. What do you usually do when you feel stressed or worried?






(Teacher: You may ask students to share their responses verbally or by a show of fingers for question 1. Guide a brief discussion about the difference between everyday stress and stronger feelings of worry.)

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Worksheet

Your Anxiety Toolkit: Simple Coping Skills

Everyone feels anxious sometimes, and that's okay! These are some healthy ways you can help yourself feel calmer when anxiety shows up.

1. Deep Breathing: The "Calm Down" Breath

  • Why it works: Slows your heart rate and tells your body it's safe.

  • How to do it (4-7-8 Breathing):

    1. Breathe in through your nose for a slow count of 4.
    2. Hold your breath for a count of 7.
    3. Exhale slowly through your mouth for a count of 8.

    Practice this a few times whenever you feel nervous.


2. Talk It Out: Find a Trusted Adult

  • Why it works: Sharing your feelings can make them feel less heavy. An adult can offer advice or just listen.
  • Who can you talk to? (List 2-3 trusted adults in your life)









3. Move Your Body: Get Active

  • Why it works: Physical activity can release tension and produce feel-good chemicals in your brain.

  • Ideas: Go for a walk, jump rope, dance to music, stretch, do a few push-ups.

    What's one way you like to move your body that helps you feel better?


4. Grounding: Focus on Your Senses (5-4-3-2-1 Method)

  • Why it works: Brings your focus to the present moment, away from anxious thoughts.
  • How to do it: Look around and notice...
    • 5 things you can see.


    • 4 things you can touch (and feel them).


    • 3 things you can hear.


    • 2 things you can smell.


    • 1 thing you can taste (like chewing gum or a sip of water).


5. Do Something You Enjoy: Distract and Recharge

  • Why it works: Shifting your attention to a pleasant activity can interrupt anxious thought patterns.

  • Ideas: Listen to music, read a book, draw, play a game, spend time with a pet.

    What's an activity that helps you feel calm or happy?


Remember: These are tools to help you, not to make anxiety disappear forever. If you find yourself feeling anxious often, or if it's hard to do things you normally enjoy, please talk to a trusted adult. They can help you find more support.

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Cool Down

Anxiety Reflection Cool-Down

Instructions: Please answer the following questions to reflect on what you learned today.

  1. In your own words, what is one key difference between everyday stress and anxiety?






  2. Name one physical sign and one emotional/mental sign of anxiety that we discussed today.

    • Physical sign:


    • Emotional/Mental sign:


  3. What is one coping skill you learned or reviewed today that you think you could try next time you feel anxious?






  4. If your anxiety feels too big to handle alone, who is one trusted adult you could talk to?



(Teacher: Collect these as exit tickets or use for a brief closing discussion.)

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