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Coping Skills Quest

Lesson Plan

Coping Skills Quest

Help the student identify and utilize positive coping strategies to build resilience and transform a pessimistic outlook into a more balanced perspective.

This lesson is designed to empower an 8th-grade female student with a pessimistic view by providing practical coping skills, promoting self-awareness, and encouraging positive mental health practices.

Audience

8th Grade Female Student

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Engage through game-based, inquiry, and reflective activities tailored to her experiences.

Materials

Video: Coping Mechanisms, Printable Cards: Coping Skills Scenarios, and Exit Ticket: Coping Skills Reflection

Prep

Preparation

5 minutes

Step 1

Introduction & Discussion

5 minutes

  • Begin with an empathetic discussion about coping skills, emphasizing their role in transforming negative thoughts.
  • Define coping skills as practical strategies to manage stress and emotions, and highlight how positive thinking can reshape challenges.
  • Encourage the student to share experiences where coping skills have (or could have) helped in difficult situations.

Step 2

Video Viewing

3 minutes

  • Watch the Coping Mechanisms video.
  • Ask her to note any strategies that feel new, interesting, or particularly hopeful.

Step 3

Interactive Coping Skills Activity

15 minutes

  • Provide the Printable Cards: Coping Skills Scenarios with scenarios relatable to her daily challenges.
  • Work through each scenario by discussing possible positive coping responses, focusing on resilience and constructive outcomes.
  • Encourage creative thinking to turn negative perspectives into opportunities for growth.

Step 4

Reflection & Exit Ticket

5 minutes

  • Distribute the Exit Ticket: Coping Skills Reflection.
  • Ask her to reflect on one new coping skill or perspective she learned and describe how it might help alter pessimistic views in challenging situations.
  • Collect the exit ticket for further discussion and individual follow-up.

Step 5

Closure

2 minutes

  • Summarize the coping strategies discussed and reinforce the idea that small, positive actions can create significant changes over time.
  • Encourage regular reflection and use of these strategies to build resilience and foster a more positive outlook.
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Worksheet

Coping Skills Scenarios

These scenarios have been tailored to be relatable and engaging for an 8th-grade student who might feel pessimistic. Read each scenario and reflect on or write down how you might use positive coping strategies to transform the situation.

1. You have an important science project due next week and you're worried that it might not turn out well.







2. You feel like your efforts in class are never good enough, and this makes you doubt your abilities.







3. A close friend seems distant lately, and you’re not sure if you did something wrong.







4. You’re feeling overwhelmed with extracurricular activities and schoolwork, making your days stressful.







5. After a class discussion, you notice negative thoughts swirling in your mind about your future.







Take a moment to consider positive actions or thoughts that could help shift your perspective in each situation.

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Quiz

Coping Skills Reflection

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